Together 2

67. True Self

He Peng grit his teeth as he tightly gripped his sword. 'Since the chief's been caught, I'm also already finished. But if you thought I'd let myself get caught, then you miscalculated. As if I'd let things end this way.' He Peng angrily glared at Xiao Zhan as he kept thinking of the third prince. 'Damn you third prince. I'll make you sure you pay for your betrayal of Yong An with your omega's life!' "I refuse to die alone." He Peng muttered.

"Final round of the individual swordsmanship competition, begin!" The person announced. He Peng quickly rushed forward to strike Xiao Zhan. However, he was stunned when Xiao Zhan didn't move and stood in his place. 'Huh? Is he frozen with fear? Hmph! As expected of a newbie.' He Peng jumped up and raised the sword over his head. 'So long, Tang San.' "Hyaah!" He Peng shouted as he jumped up.

He Peng lowered his sword, ready to kill Xiao Zhan. However, just before he could, something unexpected happened. Xiao Zhan summoned his mana sword and swiftly swung it across He Peng's blade, breaking it in the process. He Peng was shocked, as if he didn't expect Xiao Zhan to use a mana sword while the whole crowd was stunned too.

"Ah. The winner is Sir Tang San of the Knights of Honor!" The referee shouted, making the crowd cheer loudly while He Peng stared at Xiao Zhan in horror. However, his eyes blazed and he grit his teeth. "Damn it. I won't let things end like this. Die!" He Peng shouted as he held his broken sword and charged again. However, Xiao Zhan swiftly dodged to a side and wacked He Peng's neck, knocking him out.

"I saw him behaving suspiciously before the match. Please investigate his sword and his belongings." Xiao Zhan said making a few knights come over and take He Peng's sword before dragging him away as well. Xiao Zhan sighed. 'I've taken care of He Peng. Now all that's left is...' "Tang!" Xiao Zhan gasped when he heard the voice he so desperately wanted to hear.

Xiao Zhan quickly turned around and saw Wang Yibo standing behind him. "Yibo..." Xiao Zhan whispered before running towards him and hugging him. "I missed you." Xiao Zhan said. "Me too." Wang Yibo replied while hugging Xiao Zhan back. Tears swelled up in Xiao Zhan's eyes as he looked at Wang Yibo before he buried his face in Wang Yibo's chest. The other knights however, felt awkward looking at the two. "Those two... seem quite close..." Sun Jian said. "The grand winners are the Knights of Honor!" The referee said, making the whole crowd cheer.

***

After the crowd calmed down, all the knights of Honor bowed in front of the king. "Listen well Chief Gao Tai Yu and the Knights of Honor. Though it was your first tournament, I am very satisfied with your outstanding performance. Continue to grow for the empire and defend the king's code." King Shen Xiao Hai said as he handed a sword to Gao Tai Yu. "It is our honor Your Majesty. We will forever protect this empire with our hearts." Gao Tai Yu said. "And Sir Tang San, lift your head. A swordmaster being born in the empire for the first time in many years is a great boon to the empire and myself. I have high expectations for you. If there is something you desire, tell me."

Xiao Zhan sighed and got up. "Esteemed emperor and citizens of the empire... I have something to confess." 'I hesitated many times because I was scared of the consequences if I told the truth.' "Tang San is a fake identity." Xiao Zhan said stunning Wang Yibo. 'He can't be...' 'Zhan?' Shu Hao thought as he and Cao Yuchen looked at Xiao Zhan, feeling stunned.

"My real name is..." Xiao Zhan said as he removed his wig, revealing his lush, black hair and even relaxed himself once before releasing his pheromones slightly, stunning the crowd. 'It was after I returned from the dead that I made up my mind. That I want to live this life as my true self.' "... Sean Xiao Zhan!" Xiao Zhan said, stunning the crowd even more. "He's the omega son of Duke Xiao?" "But it's a crime to pretend to be an alpha and to be a knight." "But he's a swordmaster, so maybe they'll let it go."

All of the trainee knights of Honor were also shocked. "What the...? Tang was... an omega?" Gao Tai Yu said, feeling shocked, just like everyone else. However, no one was even more shocked than Sun Jian. "What? B-but I'm sure I saw Tang as an alpha!" "Lord Sean, what is going on?" King Shen Xiao Hai asked. However, Xiao Zhan simply bowed to the king before he continued speaking. "I tricked my father and the Knights of Honor. This was all done on my own accord. I know that what I did is a crime in the empire and that is difficult to forgive. However, the reason I revealed my identity is that there is something I wish to ask of Your Majesty and the citizens of the empire with all my heart."

"Your Majesty! There is no need to listen to a criminal!" He Peng shouted. "Arrest that omega this instant!" "Such insolence. I did not permit you to speak. Who do you think you are to run your mouth like that?" King Shen Xiao Hai said angrily before turning to Xiao Zhan again. If it was any other omega who would have done the same, Shen Xiao Hai wouldn't've hesitated to throw them behind bars. However, this omega was the loved son of his best friend and most trusted comrade, so he wanted to hear the reason first.

"Speak, Lord Sean." King Shen Xiao Hai said, and Xiao Zhan continued. "I broke the law of the empire and joined the knighthood as an omega. However, before reaching this position, I received equal training, as Tang San, not Lord Sean. I earned the right to participate in the tournament with my own two hands and won the individual tournament."

"Love the empire. Respect and protect the weak." Xiao Zhan continued. "Fight oppression and evil at all times, and fight for justice and goodness. I assert that I followed the code of chivalry that supports this empire, not as an alpha, or an omega, but as a knight without any shame. I will receive the punishment for insulting the tournament and betraying the trust of my comrades and Your Majesty." Xiao Zhan said with his head bowed. However, in the end, he finally lifted his head and spoke proudly. "But allow me the chance to be respected as a knight of the empire."