Chapter 1384: 673 Abnormal Strength Chapter 1384: 673 Abnormal Strength “Oh, they are actually up against Shaolin Warrior Monks,” said the Duke from the attic, his interest clearly piqued as he looked down at the group on the field. “This is going to be a good show.”

The Duke hadn’t been particularly interested in any of the academies, but how could he not be when he had lost face at the gate of Tianqiong Academy? Nothing pleased him more than seeing that kid take a beating.

For now, the Duke put aside thoughts of the sovereign’s intentions, waved his hand to call over a servant, and ordered fruits and refreshments to be brought up; he wanted to watch the Buddhist Monks beat up that kid!

The four fighting Shaolin Warrior Monks who entered the field looked as fierce as if they were carved out of stone, each with a distinct number of scars on their heads – one scar, two scars, three scars, and the most formidable monk bore six scars.

“Don’t you think these monks look a bit scary?” Mu Chuan whispered to Gu Jiao beside him.

“Weren’t you not afraid?” asked Gu Jiao.

Mu Chuan immediately straightened up and insisted stubbornly, “I… I’m not scared! Who says I am scared?”

Gu Jiao glanced at him, “Stop your leg from shaking before you speak.”

Mu Chuan: “…”

The Shaolin monks didn’t speak to them but exchanged glances, which were more about intimidation and provocation than communication.

To be honest, Mu Chuan was quite nervous, even more nervous than when they faced the Hei Fengqi of the Han Family.

Zhao Wei felt the same unease, though his ample experience in playing the sport kept him from showing any obvious signs of fear.

The kickoff for the first segment of the game was decided by drawing lots, and after every goal scored, the opposing team would start. At the moment, Tianqiong Academy was up for the kickoff.

Normally, as the main striker of the team, Mu Qingchen seldom participated in kickoffs, but considering the strength of the opponents, he decided to start the game after consulting with Master Wu Fu.

It only took a few quick moments from their entry on the field to the sound of the gong, but it felt like an eternity to everyone waiting.

The spectators held their breath in anticipation.

“Ah, why does this have to happen?” sighed Shi Ye, seated at the railing with his eyes fiercely fixed on the Shaolin monks on the field, “Do we really have to be this unlucky?”

With the Second Lady occupied and unable to attend today, seated to his left was Duke An in a wheelchair, and behind him stood Miao Ruoxin, dressed in a green gauze and white skirt.

Upon hearing Shi Ye’s lament, Miao Ruoxin looked puzzled and asked, “What is wrong? Is there something amiss?”

Shi Ye heaved a deep sigh, “Those Shaolin Warrior Monks are very strong, Tianqiong Academy is no match for them.”

Moving slightly, Miao Ruoxin inquired, “Does the Second Master really hope Tianqiong Academy wins?”

Stammering, Shi Ye said, “I don’t, but those monks, they don’t know how to pull their punches, and the students have it tough.”

No sooner had these words left his mouth than the Duke’s hand, resting on the armrest, clenched slowly into a fist, trembling slightly.

The gong sounded.

Under the scorching sun, Mu Qingchen’s expression turned sharp as he swung his mallet and made a solid opening hit.

“Second Sister, hurry up!”

Outside the field, Su Xue dragged her older sister through the crowd, presenting the token to the guard so they could be allowed through.

“Slow down,” Su Xue’s sister protested, her hand aching from the pulling.

“The gong just sounded; the game has begun!” exclaimed Su Xue.

With a slight frown, the Second Miss Su replied, “So it has begun, what’s there to rush about?”

“I want to see Xiao… see Fourth Brother,” Su Xue said earnestly, “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him since he started living in the Academy.”

Sighing, Second Miss Su remarked, “Father will punish us if he finds out we skipped Master Fu’s chess lesson to come watch a Cuju game instead.”

Holding her wrist, Su Xue began heading to the Tianqiong Academy stands, “He won’t! Come on!”

Mu Qingchen’s opening strike had been executed beautifully, with both speed and accuracy being flawless.

The person to receive the ball was Zhao Wei.

Zhao Wei had learned the game of Cuju from a young age and was technically sound; he successfully caught the ball Mu Qingchen struck over, and he looked ahead to Mu Chuan.

Mu Chuan nodded back at him.

Zhao Wei passed the ball to Mu Chuan, who then passed it to Gu Jiao, and by the time Mu Qingchen was already near the opponent’s goal.

Gu Jiao passed the polo ball to him, and Mu Qingchen swung the mallet towards the goal.

Their teamwork was seamless, and the audience finally witnessed a decent polo play by Tianqiong Academy.

However, at the moment when the ball was about to enter the goal, something unexpected happened.

One of the Shaolin Warrior Monks spurred his horse into a leap, managing to arrive in front of the goal just in time to knock the ball struck by Mu Qingchen out of the goal with his stick.