The day of the competition came soon.

And Simon was fully prepared. After all, he gets to beat the shit out of some stupid brats. It would be worth it.

His parents, master, Yanli, were all present taking their place beside the nobles, including the Queen and the priest as well who sat at the top where the Royalty is.

All eyes were on the stage.

"Are you ready?" Cheng asked him and Simon nodded, "you better win over there, don't make a fool out of me."

Simon smiled. He knew very well why Cheng was worried firstly because his reputation as a madman was still very much mentioned and if Simon losses and everyone will mock Simon and doubt his reputation he will go down.

And Cheng does not want Simon to suffer, moreover, people will not leave a single chance to mock him.

Simon knew this very well and so he was ready to quiet these people once and for all.

Cassandra's eyes landed on Cheng who was standing near Simon.

She saw him after such a long time, so she was taking her time to observe him and look at him up and down.

The little child that once used to roam around her has grown up and looked so mature and smart, he was talking to Simon giving him some instructions.

Cheng's face had sharp features and his perfect smooth jawlines, it all reminded him of the time when she had trapped him in her small play room.

Like when she chained him to the wall and hear his wails and cries, it filled her with thrill and a weird pleasure. She had him all to herself her little puppet, only if Lilith was not a fool enough to set him free.

She would still have him caged in her little paradise.

She then saw Wen Qing near him, and the way she smiled at him and the way Cheng looked at him, made Cassandra feel not very good. How he smiled at her like that.

But she also saw someone behind Wen Qing, a man the same age as Simon.

She leaned to the side and asked her guard, "who is he? behind Wen Qing?"

Her guard answered, "He is Zhang Zhehan, your majesty, he is her first princess's royal disciple."

Cassandra nodded, "I see that little kid has grown a lot." she observed them for some time but she did not like Wen Qing and Cheng's closeness, her own daughter going after her possession.

Cassandra did not like that.

A few minutes later Wen Qing left with Zhehan, she came to her place that was beside the Queen and said, "Good morning Queen mother."

Cassandra smiled at her daughter, "Welcome Wen Qing, I am glad that you are back. I have heard about your bravery and courage and I must say that I am proud."

Wen Qing smiled, "It's all thanks to you mother you made me strong like this."

Cassandra smiled and her eyes landed on Zhehan that was standing behind Wen Qing who sat on the chair.

"Your disciple has grown up to be a handsome young man, " she said and Zhehan greeted her to which Cassandra gave him a small but firm nod, "is he not taking part in the competition?"

Wen Qing smiled, "My disciple has spent his time on the battlefield I don't think that he needs to be a part of this competition. Besides he is not interested in it."

Cassandra nodded, "I see." and paused but after some time she asked, "How long have you been talking to Cheng?"

Wen Qing and Zhehan both glanced at her, before she replied, "Why Queen mother? is there any problem?"

Cassandra replied, "No I have no problem but people won't like it if you are interacting with a mad man and a traitor... I still can't believe that duke of the north made him his son's teacher."

Wen Qing clenched her fists, he is truly disgusted by her mother way too much, after she ruined Cheng's life she still has the audacity to say such a thing against Cheng.

Rufus who was beside her smirked and said, "Someone who hasn't picked up a sword in years is teaching the future of the dukedom how ironic, I wonder what kind of bullshit he must have taught to Simon."

Wen Qing smiled and spoke, "Mother, people change and people heal... I think young Lord has also healed or is healing Queen-mother, and duke of the north has to know young lord Cheng since he was baby it is obvious that he knows him better than any of us."

And then she looked at Rufus, "And priest," she called out and he looked at her, "As someone who has spent his entire life in the four walls of the temple and probably won't survive even a minute on a battlefield with only your theoretical knowledge, I suggest you keep your mouth shut."

Rufus was speechless and Cassandra looked at her daughter who added, "That man has spent plenty of time on the battlefield, and killed slaughtered more enemies than your worshippers so if today you are sitting here and enjoying luxury it's partially thanks to him and all the soldiers.

And you guys are calling a wounded soldier mental who gave us so much to his motherland I wonder who is the traitor here."

Rufus couldn't say a word after that, while Cassandra just observed her daughter the entire time she was talking about Cheng.

While Zhehan smiled after he heard his master's words.

~~~~

The Fighting ground was set and spectators gathered.

Yibo and Zhan also came to take their seats and Yanli had to drag Cheng to sit with them because he was really nervous.

"Have some faith in your disciple," Yanli said.

Zhan and Yibo also assured him,"Relax Cheng, my son is god's favorite he will win."

Cheng sighed and leaned back his legs still going up and down.

After waiting for a few minutes the game finally began.

And to Simon, as everyone had expected cleared the first few levels with ease.

Making everyone proud, Yibo and Zhan smiled at their son.

While Cheng finally felt relaxed, Zhehan also smiled happily after he saw Simon win.

The crowd also seemed to be impressed by him and his charm.

Soon Simon's match was against a disciple from the temple and Rufus was sure that he would win, even the disciple was arrogant and was sure that he would win.

So he attacked Simon with his sword who dodged it and for a while, he moved and here like he was dancing, and the disciple felt irritated, "Are you going to attack or not?"

Simon smiled, and this time he stood still, the disciple swung his sword at him and Simon raised his sword as well their sword clashed while the disciple put his entire energy to make Simon move, flinch or get any reaction all he got was a smile that made him furious.

"Bye," Simon said and with one kick he threw the disciple out of the Fighting ground.

The crown cheered and clapped for him, Zhan also clapped loudly, "Well done." he was really invested in the match and so was Yibo.

Cheng seemed like he had no worried anymore.

Rufus's face fell and Wen Smirked, "You were saying something about lord Cheng's teaching weren't you saint?"

Rufus said nothing but glared into space

After a few more hours, during the final round, Simon easily defeated the last opponent and was ready to claim the title for winner the audience cheered for him as well.

Simon stood in the middle of the ground ready to claim the title of Warrior of the year.

But Cassandra raised her hand and the crown became silent before she spoke with a match, "The match was indeed lovely and I loved every aspect of it... Lord Simon, you are really strong and I cannot expect anything less from the Duke's son."

Simon smiled and Queen added, "However, I would like to see something more interesting... you are the disciple of the previous talented commander Cheng and I would like to see an interesting match between you and..."

She paused, Simon kept looking at her and so did the others.

"What does she want?" Zhan said. Yibo only looked in her direction waiting for her to finish.

Cassandra smiled and spoke, "I would like to see a match between Lord Cheng's disciple Simon and the Royal disciple Zhehan."