Refusing the Honor

With this happening, the duel is no longer possible. But no one dares to underestimate Karna, because everyone knows that most princes are not confident they can last this long against Bhishma.

"Duryodhana, who is this person? He's incredibly powerful, and he has an even more powerful master."

The second son of the Hundred Sons of Dhritarashtra Dushasana, and then a rather out-of-place voice came from behind him. A man wearing an animal skin coat and with a goatee walked over with a limp.

"This man is Karna, the son of the coachman of Hastinapura. He was born with a blessing and wears a Golden Armor. He went away to study some time ago, and it seems he has indeed found an extraordinary teacher."

Upon seeing the visitor, Duryodhana warmly embraced him, laughing, "Mamash (India for uncle), you're still so reliable! You found out his background so quickly. You're like a wise prime minister helping me, hahaha!"

"It is Duryodhana him. A king needs more than just a wise prime minister; he also needs a valiant general, just as your father needed the wisdom of Vidura. But without Bhishma, how could Hastinapura be what it is today?"

This man was none other than Duryodhana's uncle, Gandhari's brother—King Shakuni of Gandhara. To some extent, he was one of the main causes of the tragedy of the Mahabharata.

Because of his dissatisfaction with his sister being forced to marry the blind Dhritarashtra by Bhishma and the old grudge of the Kuru clan attacking Gandhara, he vowed to destroy the Kuru clan. Therefore, he constantly incited and instigated his nephew Duryodhana to be an enemy of the Pandu clan.

At this moment, he was also persuading Duryodhana to befriend Karna.

It's best to befriend these strong individuals who come from humble backgrounds. As long as you show them kindness, offer them some benefits and respect, they'll immediately transform into someone who has spent half their life wandering and is now fortunate to have found a wise ruler.

Meanwhile, the Dhritarashtra above learned everything that had just happened from the attendant.

"Yao Lian, what's this guy trying to do? Is he declaring war on my Hastinapura?"

"Your Majesty, now that Yao Lian has been defeated and killed, the most urgent task is to reward everyone, especially that warrior and the powerful archer Karna."

"Yes, I want to reward him! I want to reward him handsomely!"

Dhritarashtra hurriedly sent someone to fetch gold and silver treasures, while below, Bai Mo examined the dead Yao Lian. Karna, standing beside him, asked, "Master, is there a problem?"

"This is a huge problem. Yao Lian's behavior is very strange, and the power I just used to attack him was calculated to be absolutely insufficient to kill him. This guy seems to have deliberately used my power to destroy his own heart."

I won't get involved in what happens next; those are things you should face and choose to do.

Bai Mo patted Karna on the shoulder and then vanished instantly. Karna sighed inwardly, thinking, "As expected of my master. He performed such a great service in front of the king, yet it was as if he had saved a fledgling bird that had fallen from a tree."

Meanwhile, Krishna also got up to leave, while Kama had already left with him after Bai Mo dealt with Yao Lian.

Before Krishna left, he moved his lips toward Karna, seemingly without making a sound. But Karna seemed to hear something, and suddenly looked at Krishna, who had already left without looking back.

Bai Mo wasn't going to help Karna make a decision on this matter. He wasn't a child, and now that he knew the situation, he naturally wouldn't throw himself into the Duryodhana.

As for Krishna, he only told Karna a simple truth:

True friends walk the same path because they share the same goal; they will accept each other's ideals. But a horse is driven by a coachman; if the horse wants to go its own way or is unwilling to walk, the coachman will abandon it.

Karna, we'll meet again someday.

Listening to Krishna's words, Karna stood before the highest authority in Hastinapura. He had imagined this scene countless times and prepared countless words, but at this moment, he seemed to have forgotten them all.

A large hand patted his shoulder. Turning Bhishma, he saw Karna with a gaze that was both solemn and compassionate.

"Don't worry about it. Since your master has made a great contribution, and you have proven your strength, then you have the right to make a request... child."

Bhishma looked at Karna and felt a pang of shame. To have such skill and such a powerful master, how much suffering must this child have endured to gain that person's approval, and how much hardship must he have endured to learn such skills?

This is why Bai Mo chose Bhishma as Karna's opponent. Having read history, he naturally knew that Bhishma was one of the people who knew Karna's true identity.

Therefore, even if Karna is no match for him, Bhishma will hold back. After all, in Bhishma's eyes, Karna may not become the successor of Hastinapura, but he will always be Bhishma's grandson.

Moreover, this is a grandson who has endured countless hardships outside and is now exceptionally outstanding.

Just then, the king's rewards arrived—ten chests in total, each filled with gold. After the people around the Dhritarashtra informed him of this, they said:

"Warrior, you have proven your strength. These three boxes are a reward for your bravery, and the seven boxes are gratitude for your master's help."

As Karna looked at the gold, the glittering gold seemed like dirt to him at that moment. He glanced at the people around him and knew that he no longer needed the gold.

"Wise Dhritarashtra, I have no need for wealth. Rather than your rewards, I would prefer to create wealth with my own hands to prove my abilities."

Moreover, this battle was inconclusive; how could I accept any reward?"

Karna refused, but Duryodhana chimed in, "That's right, Father. With such power, he certainly wouldn't want such wealth."

Warriors who can protect a region are invaluable, for they can wage war and bring forth a continuous stream of wealth. Father, he has come to this stage where only princes can display their power; therefore, grant him a fitting status!

Duryodhana one expected Duryodhana Prince Norodom to be so generous, while Dhritarashtra hesitated, saying, "Son, I need to think about this first..."

Dhritarashtra did not refuse. Everyone present realized what was happening. Countless people were envious, and countless people sighed. They never expected that after today, this coachman's son would transform and cross social classes.

In the stands, Karna's parents were not happy. They knew that the crown was actually a shackle, binding Karna to the chariot of Duryodhana.

As for who Duryodhana was, the ordinary people of Hastinapura knew all too well.

"I do not want the title bestowed upon me by Your Dhritarashtra. I am the son of a coachman, and I am proud of it. In my eyes, my parents are the most remarkable people. As long as it is my own home, I will not despise it no matter how dilapidated it may be."

I have come here to prove, to prove that I, the son of a charioteer, possess the ability to assume the responsibilities of a Kshatriya!

Karna's words startled everyone. Seeing this, Shakuni even skipped over Dhritarashtra and spoke directly to Karna:

"In that case, you should accept this reward even more! If you love the old house, should you give up a brand new palace? And now that you have the power of a Kshatriya, shouldn't you serve the king? This is in accordance with the Dharma."

Young people, accept these things; don't shirk the responsibilities that come with this strength.

Shakuni spoke, Karna returned a smile as if he had found a kindred spirit, but Shakuni felt his heart skip a beat.

"That is why I have come here, to emulate King Bharata and to build a nation from scratch. In that nation, I will guarantee that knowledge and skills will not be imprisoned, and that the capable will not be rejected because of their birth!"

Intelligent people are appointed as prime ministers, and brave people are appointed as generals, not based on their birth.

"Dhritarashtra and Prince Duryodhana, if you are willing to accept my wish as the son of a coachman, then I am willing to travel with you."

Karna passionately expressed his wish, which he had pondered deeply. He had been looked down upon, rejected when he asked for a teacher, met his master and Rama with the Axe, and finally continued Rama with the Axe's wish.

Therefore, he made this decision and announced it to the Tianxia.

In an instant, the entire arena fell silent. Everyone looked at each other, thinking that Karna had gone mad.

This guy actually gave up the throne that was within his grasp for something so absurd!

Karna's parents, however, looked at their son with eyes full of joy and approval, because parents would not laugh at their child's wishes, no matter how unattainable they might seem.

"Ridiculous! You're doing something stupid! Son of the coachman!"

Before Duryodhana and Shakuni could speak, Dhritarashtra roared first.