Casting immortality in the furnace

Chapter 70 The Warrior Who Slays the Rhinoceros

The banquet was brightly lit, and many guests were toasting and chatting happily.

Elder Chenqing then ordered the playing of string and wind instruments. The clear and melodious sounds spread out, and more than ten graceful young women entered the room and began to dance exotic dances. Their waists swayed, their jade arms stretched out, and their postures were as graceful as snakes.

Fan Zhou held a golden cup and drank wine, thinking that these high-ranking officials and nobles really knew how to enjoy life.

His gaze swept over the dancers, then secretly fell on Princess Chenxing's face in the main seat, recalling her pitiful appearance as she collapsed on the grass the night she was assassinated.

At that time, she was dressed in white, her face pale, like an innocent and naive young girl.

At this moment, she was dressed in a golden gown and wore a golden crown. Her demeanor was noble, and her golden eyes shone brightly, giving her bright and flawless face an otherworldly beauty.

A thought suddenly flashed through Fan Zhou's mind:

Which one is her true appearance?

He couldn't help but chuckle, feeling that he had been meddling in other people's business. He picked up his golden cup and took another sip of wine, but out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that Princess Changming was looking in his direction.

Fan Zhou was startled, thinking he had been discovered. He quickly tore off a chicken leg from his plate and said to the bearded old man beside him:

"General, this dish is delicious!"

The old man was brushing aside his beard to eat his food when he heard the man call him "Old General" again. He replied irritably, "Eat my foot!"

Fan Zhou was puzzled, "These dishes were made by your own people."

"What's wrong with food made by our own people? It just doesn't taste good."

The bearded old man clearly had chicken in his mouth, but he deliberately contradicted him.

Fan Zhou found it amusing. Seeing that the music and dance were about to end, he decided to play a trick and raised his voice a few decibels, saying, "It was clearly delicious!"

The bearded old man's voice also rose a few decibels:

"I said it's not good, and that means it's not good!"

The music and dance had just ended, and the arena fell silent. His words were all the more clear, and everyone in the arena heard them clearly, looking at him with surprise.

Elder Chen Qing also looked over, his expression unfriendly, and said:

"Elder Mi, is there any dish you don't like?"

The bearded old man's expression stiffened, and he said awkwardly, "No...no, everything's fine. I was just joking with this young friend."

Fan Zhou tried his best to suppress his laughter, his expression remained unchanged, and he even nodded in a very cooperative manner.

Elder Migou could only glare angrily at Fan Zhou.

Elder Chen Qing ignored them and turned to signal the musicians and dancers to leave, and the place immediately quieted down.

Chen Xing gestured to a maid to pour a cup of wine and send it to Lou Zhenqing, saying to him:

"We will be setting off on our return journey early tomorrow morning. We appreciate Dr. Lou's hospitality over the past few days. Please drink this cup to the brim."

Lou Zhenqing rose, drank the wine in the cup in one gulp, and then bowed, saying:

"Your Highness's arrival from afar is truly an honor for the Sword Furnace. However, not only was the hospitality inadequate, but the security was also inadequate, resulting in Your Highness being injured by the assassin. Today, Your Highness does not hold my fault against you, but instead bestows wine upon me. I am truly grateful."

Elder Chen Qing stood up and said, "Doctor Lou, there is no need to blame yourself too much. It is our duty to protect His Highness's safety. Ultimately, this matter is still due to our negligence."

The middle-aged man at the head of the table immediately stood up, walked to the seat, knelt on one knee, and said in a humble voice:

"Your Majesty, I am guilty and beg for punishment."

The surrounding warriors all bowed down and said in unison:

"We are guilty, Your Highness, please punish us!"

Princess Chenxing sat calmly in the main seat and addressed the middle-aged minister below the stage:

"The assassin is cunning and possesses a secret treasure, so it's no wonder General Che couldn't detect him. Rise, all of you."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

The middle-aged man bowed, his face filled with shame, and returned to his seat. The golden-armored warriors also rose to their feet.

Fan Zhou was taken aback; this man was actually a general.

He suddenly realized what was happening and turned to look at Elder Mi beside him.

Elder Mi still had an angry expression on his face, staring intently at him, his beard practically bristling with rage.

"So this bearded man isn't a general after all."

Fan Zhou gave an awkward smile and raised his glass to invite him to drink.

Elder Mi turned his face away, pretending not to see it.

"Speaking of which, the reason we were able to capture the assassin this time was thanks to a young hero."

Princess Chenxing turned her beautiful eyes and her gaze fell on Fan Zhou.

Everyone present turned to look at him, their gazes filled with surprise, doubt, and disdain.

Many people know about the assassination attempt on the princess.

But no word has ever come out about who captured the assassin.

It was only when the princess revealed it herself that everyone realized it was the work of a young boy.

"Who is this person? I've never heard of him before!"

"It seems to be Doctor Lou's newly accepted disciple."

"But he's only at the embryonic breathing level; how could he possibly capture an assassin?"

On the left side, the market shopkeepers whispered amongst themselves, scrutinizing Fan Zhou from head to toe.

The ministers and elders of the Gumi tribe also looked at him curiously and asked each other questions.

Elder Mi turned his head back in surprise, never expecting that this wretched boy beside him had actually made such a contribution.

Fan Zhou was suddenly surrounded by onlookers, so he had no choice but to stand up and bow to Princess Changming:

"Your Highness flatters me. My strength is meager. I was only able to capture the assassin by sheer luck. I am hardly a hero."

"No need to be modest. Dr. Lou is renowned far and wide. The fact that he values ​​you shows that you have extraordinary talent and must be a young prodigy."

Princess Chenxing ordered a maid to pour a cup of wine and present it to Fan Zhou, saying solemnly:

"This cup of wine is to toast your fearlessness in risking your life to capture the assassin for me."

Fan Zhou didn't stand on ceremony, picked up the wine cup brought by the maid and drank it all in one gulp, then bowed and said:

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Although he didn't catch the assassin who tried to kill the princess, Master Lou had already pinned the blame on him, so he had to admit it.

Chen Xing smiled slightly. "Fan Zhou, please come to me."

Although Fan Zhou did not understand her meaning, he still stepped out of his seat and stood five steps in front of her.

The senior minister, seated second from the right, immediately rose and shouted when he saw that the man did not bow or kneel:

"You madman, how dare you be so rude!"

Several elders and ministers also looked at him with anger and hostility.

Fan Zhou glanced at them, feeling utterly bewildered.

Princess Chenxing raised her hand, silencing the shouts of the officials, and carefully examined Fan Zhou before smiling.

"He is indeed a handsome man."

Lou Zhenqing's expression shifted slightly, and he spoke:

"A-Zhou, His Highness is going to reward you, so hurry up and pay your respects."

"I see."

Fan Zhou's expression brightened, and he knelt on one knee, just like the General Che from before.

A whole host of things flashed through his mind, including gold, spirit stones, pills, and cultivation techniques.

"I wonder what the princess will reward me with?"

Chen Xing's gaze sharpened slightly, and he said solemnly:

"Fan Zhou, you have rendered meritorious service in slaying the rebels, and your bravery is commendable. I hereby bestow upon you the title of 'Warrior Who Slays the Rhinoceros,' and grant you a white rhinoceros armor, a feathered serpent gold crown, one hundred taels of mithril, ten taels of red gold, and fifty bolts of gold silk."

Fan Zhou clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, "Thank you for your generous gift, Your Highness!"

Several servants came in, each carrying a wooden tray with gifts bestowed by Princess Chenxing.

Qin Zhiyuan stroked his beard and said to his senior brother beside him:

"This kid has really made it big. He's become a scholar at such a young age. What will he be like in the future?"

Shen Yusheng smiled and said, "A young man's pride is just what he should be like."

The shopkeepers nearby were also happy to give him face, praising him in unison:

"This Rhinoceros Slayer is a great honor in the Kingdom of Gumei, and His Highness has also bestowed upon him the White Rhinoceros Armor, making him second only to the Golden Armor Warrior in status."

"And that feathered serpent crown shows that the royal family doesn't bow to it. It seems His Highness admires it very much. Perhaps in the future, we can even form a marriage alliance with the Kingdom of Gumi."

"The Sword Furnace is truly teeming with talent, with young prodigies emerging one after another."

The shopkeepers decided to go back and investigate Fan Zhou's situation thoroughly, as he might be a good investment target, and they should act quickly.

Fan Zhou was very happy to hear their words.

'It seems the princess's reward is quite generous; I wonder how many spirit stones that gold and silver can be exchanged for…'

Just then, a figure came to his side and also knelt down on one knee.

It was General Che.

Chen Xing frowned slightly and asked:

"General Che, what are you doing?"

General Che clasped his hands in a salute and said:

"Your Highness, please forgive my bluntness, but the title of 'Heroic Rhinoceros Slayer' is a military rank, and only those who have beheaded more than a hundred and are the first to charge into battle can be awarded it. Those who wear white rhinoceros armor are the most outstanding among them."

He pointed at Fan Zhou and continued:

"This young man slew a traitor; his actions were truly meritorious in protecting the enemy. How can he deserve such a reward?"

"The soldiers risk their lives for the name of warriors, fighting bravely against the enemy. Now Your Highness bestows this title upon this person. I fear that the soldiers will think the title is tainted and become complacent in their willingness to fight."

Chen Xing's expression darkened slightly, and he remained silent.

General Che, with a resolute expression, continued:

"Your Highness's favor comes from the heart, how could I not know it? However, such favors may come from the imperial treasury, such as gold and silver, or slaves and land, but military merit titles should not be granted lightly. I hope Your Highness will consider the hardships of the soldiers in the army, withdraw the title of Warrior, and choose another reward."