Xuanqing Guard

Chapter 370: Chapter 370: The Great Drums

These days, Shen Hao had been throwing himself entirely into the matter of the "Martial Contest."

Shen Hao specifically ordered twenty huge drums made, each standing taller than a man, with drumsticks over three feet long.

No one had ever seen drums this big before. Normally, if you wanted the drums to shake the heavens, you’d just install a simple array and the sound would reach two miles, no problem. For most situations, regular-sized drums were plenty.

Wang Yiming didn’t understand this enigmatic behavior from Shen Hao. He asked cautiously and got the answer: "No reason, just all about momentum."

Wang Yiming had never understood his Lord’s way of thinking.

Momentum? What does this have to do with these drums?

After that, Shen Hao picked out forty burly giants from the Black Banner Battalion in each garrison, pairing them up two by two, each pair beating the big drums on both sides. They were to perform a battle song written by Emperor Yang Jian forty years ago, called "Thunder Roar."

Having these hulking giants learn music was basically a pipe dream. In the end, Shen Hao himself had to step in to solve the problem.

Can’t remember the melody? Can’t get the rhythm right? Then forget learning it—as long as you can remember how many beats every few breaths, and how hard to hit. Still can’t remember? Then take off your shoes, and get your soles smacked, hard, with thick bamboo boards the size of your palm. The reason for hitting the soles is that it hurts like hell but doesn’t leave injuries. With the "Martial Contest" soon, these forty brutes were the limit of what could be found—can’t afford injuries, no replacements.

Using Shen Hao’s methods, these forty big men almost burst into tears the first day—not voluntary crying, but a reflex after their soles got whacked, the pain and humiliation forcing them to cram hard. By the third day, they were stumbling through and could play the whole piece—with some bumps, but still.

When they were all familiar, Shen Hao even made outfits for the brutes: wide-legged pants, red sashes, and Xuanqing Guard headbands. That’s it.

No tops?!

Indeed, none at all—the idea was for these forty brutes to go shirtless and show off their muscles. Especially when drumming, those roped muscles gave off power from a distance, and together the visual impact was intense.

"You can’t be so stiff! You need some moves! Can you dance? A war dance! No? Go, bring someone from Hong’en Hall to teach them!"

The forty giants nearly died when they heard this. All these years, now they learn that being in the Xuanqing Guard means not just killing, but learning to drum and dance too?! Can you believe it?!

Luckily, Hong’en Hall sent an elderly dance master, bold enough to stand the fierce glares of these hulking brutes—and, with Wang Yiming on site as backup, the war dance was forced together with the drumming motions at last.

After all, they were people used to swinging blades; learning physical moves wasn’t that tough. Plus, the war dance didn’t have flowery steps—much to the brutes’ relief. Gritting their teeth, they managed to get it down in half a day.

How bitter their hearts were, only those giants knew. Especially when their comrades setting up the venue snuck looks at them—the jeering was almost lethal. You could just imagine that once they returned to the garrison, they’d be a cheerful sight for all to see.

This whole rigmarole dragged on until April 13th.

Per Shen Hao’s orders, there would be a rehearsal on April 13th. Mainly, it was to run through the opening procedures, check for any missed details, and see overall how the preparations had worked out.

Though it was called a rehearsal, everyone went through their steps as if it were the real thing. Many issues were indeed found. But the biggest surprise of all was the much-mocked "Drum Corps."

Everyone who’d heard about the beatings and had wanted to laugh didn’t see the joke they were expecting—instead, not a soul could laugh when they watched. Instead, their eyes shined with the kind of excitement you get after a shot of adrenaline.

"This... this isn’t what I heard at all! It’s great!"

"Looks awesome! Who says our men can’t dance?"

It wasn’t one or two who praised it—almost everyone liked it, and realized this "dance" was nothing like what they’d imagined.

Wang Yiming, who’d never understood and had even considered trying to talk Shen Hao out of this "war dance" plan, was now silent. Besides cheering, inside he promised himself: No matter what weird idea Lord Shen has in the future, never object right away—think carefully, watch closely, and maybe you’ll learn the trick.

Once the rehearsal details were adjusted and double-checked, the whole venue was sealed off by the Black Banner Battalion.

...

Two days later, April 15th. Before dawn, early 5 a.m.

A squad of Xuanqing Guard soldiers marched out of the Black Banner Battalion’s camp, fully armed—one hundred in all—trotting to the Fengri City Teleportation Array and swiftly securing the array’s special passage area.

The Teleportation Array officials had already been notified days before by the Black Banner Battalion. Instead of being frightened, the array’s Chief Officer showed up himself, even personally operating the array.

As the sky gradually lightened, the array opened up. People came and went, all startled by the Black Banner Battalion’s imposing presence, and everyone speculated about which high official could command such ceremony from the most prominent Xuanqing Guard battalion.

At early 7 a.m., Kuang Shengyuan and Shen Hao arrived, as did all the Thousand Households station’s Junior Fifth Grade officers. Below Fifth Grade—unless they held critical posts—weren’t qualified to come.

Kuang Shengyuan stood at the front with his hands behind his back, waiting a long while before turning to Shen Hao: "Lord Shen, how much longer until Lord Pang and the others arrive?"

"The Governor’s Office notified us to be here by mid-7 a.m.—which is now. I’m not sure... but—they’re here!" Shen Hao hadn’t finished before a dim light shone from the array’s special passage—a sign someone was being teleported over.

At the same time, Kuang Shengyuan straightened his clothes, put on a smile, and stepped forward a few paces.

The glimmer inside the array faded, and the first to step out was a squad of black-armored, golden-sword cultivators. Their auras marked them as at least Gathering Spirit Realm, and the leader’s depth was completely unreadable to Shen Hao.

This kind of attire was unique in the Xuanqing Guard—no one except the Commander’s personal guard used golden swords instead of Yanji Sabers.

The squad of personal guards didn’t greet anyone, but immediately formed another ring of defense outside the teleportation array. Then the array shimmered again; this time, the first person who emerged was a smiling, short, middle-aged man. Close behind, face familiar, was Jiang Cheng, beaming as he followed.

"Greetings, Lord Commander!"

With a shout, Kuang Shengyuan, who was up front, dropped straight to one knee, leaving Shen Hao stunned behind him. That’s not protocol, is it? Isn’t just a bow enough? You’re kneeling directly—how’s that make sense?!