As night fell, the Protectorate's military residence, which had invited only eighty-seven spectators, suddenly filled with three or four hundred people. On the surface, no one had broken the rules; all the extra guests were "attendants" of some important figure.
Being an attendant was no simple matter. It came at a steep price, costing at least ten thousand taels of silver, and you had to be on intimate terms with whoever was collecting the money. The rewards were naturally considerable: not only could you get the latest news firsthand, but you could also immediately raise your standing in the eyes of your acquaintances.
The streets and alleys outside were packed with people too. North City was rarely this lively after dark. Many of them would later boast eloquently that they had witnessed the martial contest with their own eyes, multiplying the number of spectators several times over.
The Dragon King's personal appearance to watch the contest caused a stir. A squad of more than two hundred Dragon Army soldiers was now stationed near the Protectorate's military residence. They were responsible for keeping order in the streets and clearing a path for the Dragon King and the other guests.
Gu Shenwei had brought his real attendants. Fang Wenshi had wanted to come, but Gu Shenwei had sternly ordered him to rest.
Qin Yeming's feelings were different from everyone else's. The moment he stepped through the gate of the Protectorate's military residence, he remembered that the buildings here had walls layered with gold. Naturally, he didn't dare look around too much, but as he walked, he became ever more light-footed, afraid he might accidentally crush a piece.
The Unrivaled King had not come, so the Dragon King became the most important guest. The host, however, was not Mo Chu, the Northern Court