The Skills Exhibition
The sturdy vehicle had just stopped at the entrance of the palace when five young figures alighted, their faces showing excitement as they jumped down one after another.
A mother had been waiting there for quite some time.
"Mom, we're back."
The mother greeted her children with a kind smile. Looking at the five children, she noticed they seemed to have grown quite a bit taller since she had been away for so long.
"Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, and also Nakula and Sahadeva. You've finally returned. Have you lost weight? The training of Guru Drona must have been very tough?"
"No way, how could your son be afraid of nothing but hardship?"
"But I get so worried when I see you suffering even a little bit. Let's go, I've told the kitchen to make your favorite dishes."
The Pandavas embraced their mother tightly, then together touched her feet in a gesture of respect before returning to the long-lost palace. Meanwhile, in an ordinary house, Karna lay on his mother's lap.
"Radha, it feels like I've been gone for ages this time."
"Yes, when you were away, it felt like you had been gone for a long time, but after you came back, it felt like you had only left yesterday."
Karna, let me see your face. You've grown up. The child who used to cry when I left to fetch water has grown up.
As Radha recounted the past, Karna felt a surge of emotion, and nearby, the familiar aroma of food wafted over—his favorite dishes. At this moment, for him, neither status nor bloodline could shake the fact that the person before him was his mother.
Otherwise, how would she remember the little things from the past, or know her favorite food?
At least today, whether in grand palaces or small buildings, everyone felt a long-lost sense of happiness. Karna's father, meanwhile, was sitting in his seat, brewing a pot of tea and handing it to the man dressed in golden silk opposite him.
"So... what is the purpose of your visit here? Although it is a bit late to say this, I do not wish for Karna to come into contact with Kshatriyas and Brahmins."
He's the son of a coachman; if we intervene rashly, it won't end well."
This man was Karna's father, and the man sitting opposite him was Krishna.
"Of course, a father will worry about his child's safety, but at the same time, he will also be proud of his child's achievements. Besides, in the past, social class was not determined by birth."
Those who can move the gods through asceticism and sacrifice are Brahmins. Those who can protect people from Rakshasa and enemies are Kshatriyas.
Krishna had high hopes for Karna, especially now. If Arjuna and the Pandavas could only prevent this declining society from falling further, then Karna was now the possibility of bringing this society back to its former glory.
This was something only he, the son of a coachman, could accomplish.
Not long after, Bai Mo and Kama returned. As soon as they entered, they saw Krishna debating with Karna's father. The old coachman had long seen through everything about this caste society, so he did not want his children to be exposed to archery, which was only accessible to Brahmins and Kshatriyas.
But at this moment, he was sitting opposite Krishna.
Therefore, abilities are never for personal gain, but rather tools bestowed by the universe. Those who possess abilities are all tools of the cosmic order. To shirk responsibility is to defy the Dharma.
Krishna spoke slowly, while the man opposite him fell into an eerie silence, seemingly deep in thought. Radha then stepped forward with a clean plate of food and said:
"Good heavens, Adhiratha, your son just got back and you're already talking about politics with his friends? Don't you have any topics that won't get you killed?"
After saying that, she turned to Bai Mo and said, "Please have a seat, both of you. I'll bring your lunch up right away."
After saying this, Radha led Karna's father away, while Bai Mo and Kama sat down in the places he had just been sitting, and asked Krishna:
"The city is not peaceful. A powerful warrior with 650,000 horses has appeared like a child selling candy on the street. To be honest, will those princes give a demonstration of their skills? The risk is too great."
Gathering all of a country's top officials in one square is tantamount to saying to an enemy nation, "Come and blow this place to smithereens!"
According to the plot of the Mahabharata, at this time, the Pandavas and the Hundred Sons of Dhritarashtra, having completed their studies, would hold a competition to showcase their skills. Of course, the winner of such a contest would gain some advantage in the struggle for the throne.
It was at this very gathering, when the Pandavas were shining brightly, that Karna rushed onto their stage. This hothead completely disregarded the atmosphere and was ridiculed by the Pandavas and the onlookers before being helped up by Duryodhana.
It was here that he gradually walked to the opposite side of the Pandavas, that is, the side of Duryodhana.
Of course, Karna wouldn't go against Duryodhana this time; Bai Mo had no intention of getting involved in some crown prince rivalry at the Hastinapura Palace.
But now that Bai Mo realized it, he felt that this conference was highly uncertain. Magnetic field experts weren't like observable missiles; if one of them secretly arrived at the homes of those nobles and royalty, wouldn't a single all-out attack wipe them out?
"That's certainly possible, my friend, your concerns are not unfounded. But the exhibition will still be held Duryodhana; they won't pass up this opportunity to flex their muscles."
And his uncle wouldn't miss this opportunity to fan the flames.
At this moment, within the palace, the Dhritarashtra's decree had been passed down, and a massive, theater-like building was cleared out to serve as a stage for the princes to display their martial arts skills.
By evening, the whole city was bustling with activity.
This order naturally reached Bai Mo and his group as well. The three of them and the god looked at the intelligence report in the room. Karna clenched his fist, looking itching to do something. "Wealth and honor not returned home are like wearing brocade at night."
When I wanted to study, I was met with scorn and disdain. Now that I truly possess supernatural powers, I must terrify those who looked down on me. At the same time, I realize that my current strength is no less than that of those so-called Kshatriyas, and may even far surpass them.
Fortune changes every three months; never underestimate a young person's potential.
"Master, I want to attend the princes' ceremony."
"What are you trying to achieve by going to someone else's child's graduation ceremony? I have to tell you first, although you are indeed the eldest of the Pandavas by blood, Pandu has never even met you, so the royal family of Hastinapura will most likely not recognize your status as a prince."
However, there is indeed a way for you to become king. The eldest son of Pandavas Yudhishthira, is a very traditional man. If he knew he had an older brother like you, he would most likely abdicate.
Upon hearing this, Karna quickly shook his head and said, "No, no, no, how could I do such a thing? I just wanted to demonstrate the skills you taught me, especially in front of that Drona."
Karna was clearly still resentful about being rejected when he went to become Drona's apprentice.
"It is indeed necessary for you to shine up there, but it's only to demonstrate your power, so..." Bai Mo casually picked up a piece of cloth, and then several messages appeared on it.
"Your challengers can't be those princes."
Seeing Bai Mo's subtle smile, Karna suddenly felt his heart skip a beat. A strange feeling washed over him—could it be... that his studies were over, but the constant pressure wouldn't end?