)
Morning in the barbaric camp began with noise.
Not normal noise.
Testing noise.
Drums. Chanting. The clanking of weapons.
The leader announced loudly:
"Newcomers will be tested today.
We do not accept weaklings."
The Empress' heart fell into her stomach pillow.
Fen Yu clutched her sleeve like a terrified child.
Li Shen pushed up imaginary glasses.
Wei Rong narrowed his eyes, ready to protect.
The Emperor looked calm…
but only because he was about to murder someone.
Yao Qing, meanwhile, ate a grilled corn happily.
"This camp has good food!"
She spoke at the top of her lungs.
The barbaric guards watched her like she was a foreign animal.
The twins sat dramatically on the ground.
"Father… must we be tested? We are weak…"
The boy twin whispered loudly.
The new man limped.
"My leg still broken… still very broken…"
The Emperor wanted to bury himself alive.
---
The Barbaric Clan's Test Begins
The leader stomped to the front of the clearing.
