At this moment, a few boys were sitting in the contestants' area chatting. Leading them was a boy of thirteen or fourteen, dressed in blue. His eyes were bright and clear as water, sparkling with sincerity. His brows exuded confidence, and a calm, natural smile rested on his face. This was Chen Jianzun.
"We've finally reached this day! Today we can fight to our heart's content—and I get to have a proper match with you, Brother Zun!" said Chen Jianjun, visibly excited.
Chen Jianjun was a battle fanatic. Once he got hold of someone, he wouldn't let them go. At first, Chen Jianzun had been interested in sparring with him, but now… he tended to keep his distance.
Chen Jianzun smiled like sunlight and said, "Jianjun, you better be careful. Your half of the bracket isn't easy."
Jianjun rubbed his hands eagerly and replied, "Brother Zun, your side isn't exactly a walk in the park either. Don't end up suffering a Waterloo."
Chen Jianzun blinked, puzzled. "Waterloo? What's that?"
"It's a new word from Xiaojun," Jianjun explained. "It's supposed to mean a crushing defeat, like getting ambushed by a runaway cart on a mountain road. He said he read it in an ancient book. Right, Xiaojun?"
"Mm." Chen Xiaojun responded with a slightly awkward expression.
When Jianjun first asked him the same question, he'd been caught off guard and almost broke into a sweat.
After all, this world had no such place as Belgium's Waterloo, nor any battle by that name. Thankfully, he had been quick-witted and attributed it to an ancient text. Ever since then, he had been more cautious with his wording.
"Sixth, you're quiet today," said their cousin Chen Feng, surprised by Xiaojun's behavior.
"Maybe I'm a little nervous. Just adjusting my mindset," Xiaojun replied. This was his first time participating in such an event, and for once, he simply sat and listened quietly.
Chen Jianzun said emotionally, "It's not just us this time—don't forget about Yanwu. And the kids from the village families aren't weak either."
"I could forget anyone, but never Yanwu!" Jianjun shivered dramatically.
Chen Feng chimed in, "With so many people watching today, if our main bloodline doesn't win the championship, it'll be a joke."
"We're just here to take part," said Chen Mu, glancing at Jianzun and Jianjun. "It's mostly up to you two—and Big Sis."
"I think we should fire everyone up!" said Xiaojun, trying to find something to distract himself from his nerves.
"Huh? Fire them up how?" Chen Mu looked confused.
"I think it should go like this... and like this..."
"Come with me!" said Xiaojun, grabbing the four of them and running off toward the training hall behind the martial arena.
—
"Sixth, is this okay?"
"Relax, relax! Youth should be full of vitality…"
Ten minutes later, just as Chen Xun, the chief judge, stood on the arena stage preparing to announce the start of the competition—
"Dad! Hold on a sec!"
Xiaojun's voice rang out from afar. The five boys, all between one and 1.6 meters tall, came running in, panting heavily. These were the Five Young Lords of the Chen Clan, each carrying a red flagpole five meters tall.
Chen Xun looked at them, puzzled. "What are you boys doing with those flagpoles?"
"This is to boost morale!" Xiaojun said proudly. "Dad, watch this! Brothers—raise the flags!"
With a loud shout, the five of them hoisted their flagpoles and planted them firmly into the ground. Chen Jianjun, being the tallest, stood on the far left. The five lined up by height, gripping their red flags tightly.
Chen Jianjun shouted,
"The youth have their wild pride!"
Chen Jianzun followed,
"Our bodies, like mountains and rivers, hold firm!"
Chen Feng roared,
"We dare to measure the sun and moon anew!"
Chen Mu echoed,
"Today, we are the youth of glory!"
And finally, Chen Xiaojun declared,
"Let us challenge heaven and earth and test our blades!"
The martial arena instantly fell silent. All the commotion vanished before the boys' passionate cry. The world itself seemed to pause.
Five boys.
Five lines.
Thirty-five characters.
Five red flags fluttering in the wind.
The Five Sons of the Chen Clan—five unyielding figures—shouted once again in unison:
"The youth have their wild pride!"
"Our bodies, like mountains and rivers, hold firm!"
"We dare to measure the sun and moon anew!"
"Today, we are the youth of glory!"
"Let us challenge heaven and earth and test our blades!"
Chen Xiaojun stepped forward and shouted:
"Great birds rise with the wind one day and soar up ninety thousand li!"
These blood-stirring, passionate declarations from five young boys stirred a heroic spirit in all who heard them, igniting an uncontrollable fire in their hearts.
The boundless energy of youth, their ambition, and resilience were on full display.
The village band knew how to seize the moment. Drums thundered, metallic horns rang out, and the sound of war and triumph filled the air, painting a vivid picture of "banners flying, drums urging advance, and a hundred ships charging into battle." It was magnificent, full of power and momentum.
Caught up in the passion, Chen Jianjun shouted toward the contestants' area, "Brothers and sisters—what are you waiting for? Join in!"
Immediately, over thirty children stood up in perfect unison and shouted together:
"The youth have their wild pride!"
"Our bodies, like mountains and rivers, hold firm!"
"We dare to measure the sun and moon anew!"
"Today, we are the youth of glory!"
"Let us challenge heaven and earth and test our blades!"
Their chant rose and fell, starting low and swelling high—each word thunderous and soul-stirring, echoing through the heavens. Their youthful roar surged upward like wings taking flight.
The red sun rises—its path bright and blazing.
Rivers burst from their sources—rushing, unstoppable.
Dragons soar from the depths—claws and scales gleaming.
Tiger cubs roar in the valley, shaking the mountains.
Eagles spread their wings, soaring through storm and dust.
Finally, Chen Xiaojun stepped forward three more paces. Under the gaze of hundreds, his youthful yet determined voice pierced the sky:
"The family is the smallest clan; the clan is a family of millions!
Beautiful is my youthful Chen Clan—eternal as the sky!
Glorious are the sons of the Chen Clan—boundless as the land!"
In that moment, the light in the boy's eyes was bright and pure, like shining stars.
In that moment, his voice was loud and clear, like the trumpet of spring echoing across the skies, or a mountain spring babbling with crystal clarity.
In that moment, he was like the morning sun—new and radiant—spreading dazzling light across the world, charging forward with a momentum greater than a torrential flood.
In that moment, he was more imposing than mountains, more majestic than glaciers, more turbulent than the sea, and broader than the sky!
This was no longer about winning the clan tournament. It was about igniting a deeper sense of identity, responsibility, and purpose—in the Chen Clan and the entire village. It was a rousing call for progress, for unity, for strength in the face of the unknown, with eyes set firmly on a brighter future.
A tidal wave of cheers and applause erupted!
At that moment, no amount of shouting could fully express the excitement swelling in everyone's hearts.
In this world, no crown can be worn without effort,
And no shore that can be reached by drifting with the current.
All the parents present silently hoped their children could possess such a spirit and proudly proclaim:
"With me in this family—I will prevail!"
—
"What a kid!"
"I love these children!"
"I've never seen such an unforgettable clan tournament!"
"The five young lords—so valiant!"
"'The family is the smallest clan; the clan is a family of millions!' Young Master Xiaojun put it perfectly!"
"Haha! Truly an honor!"
"Glory to the Chen Clan! May it flourish!"
"'Today, we are the youth of glory!' Haha, worthy sons of the Chen Clan indeed!"
"Galloping youth in radiant robes—let them ride through their golden years!"
"This… this is a real clan celebration!"
(End of Chapter)