Despite Tylia and Suki still wanting to discuss, Minos just locked his door and meditated in silence, knowing there was nothing to do.
Sometimes the odds were just stacked against you and there was nothing you could do, in fact that was the case most of the time.
Minos was more than used to playing unfair games, so he was unaffected by the news, just waiting patiently for the day to arrive.
…
Letting out a long breath, Minos opened his tightly sealed eyes, the soft glimmers of light caressing him reminding him that morning had arrived.
Standing up, he stretched a few times before exiting his room, not even able to take a step before Tylia assaulted him.
"Finally up? So, have you thought of anything?" She asked.
"Like I said, we play on."
"... Sigh, I guess we can only hope the people like what they see." Tylia was forced to admit, realizing Minos really didn't have a plan.
Heading down to the living room, they found that Suki was already prepared, enjoying a cup of tea prepared by Setsu.
"About time you got up, we've got to leave as soon as possible if we want to beat the crowds."
"Is it really that bad?" Tylia asked.
"Pretty much everyone in the kingdom gathers, so it's far worse than anything you can imagine. Anyways, enough chit-chat, let's head off. Uncle Setsu, is the carriage prepared?"
"Ready for your word."
"Good, then let's go!"
With Setsu's help, Suki made the slow painful walk towards the carriage, his breath heavy as he finally had a seat, the short trip exhausting him quite severely, showcasing just how awful his condition was.
Fortunately, Setsu immediately began fanning him off, helping relieve his exhaustion somewhat.
"You alright?" Minos asked as he took a seat across from him, Tylia sitting beside him.
"I'm fine, I've already gotten used to my condition… I just hope your cure works, I don't think my body can survive this state for much longer."
"Rest assured, I'm quite confident in my solution, let's just hope I can place, or else it's all just a moot point."
"You're right… You, pick up the speed, we have no time to waste!" Suki shouted to the coachman up front.
"Yessir!"
Despite the steeds Suki was using all being in the Inner Heaven Realm, the journey towards the heart of the kingdom was a slow and painful one.
This was naturally because the streets were dense with people, and despite his mansion already being nearby the location, the thick crowds made the short journey a hundred times more agonizing.
Luckily, the royal flag waving above his carriage made the crowd quickly recede, so despite wasting quite a bit of time, they finally made it there with some time to spare.
…
"What do you think of our kingdom's heart?" Suki asked with some pride as he looked at the window, his voice almost completely muffled by the loud shouting and chatting in the streets.
"It's quite grand." Minos replied, appreciating the view.
The streets were paved in an unknown material, but Minos could tell from first glance that they weren't anything cheap.
Not to mention the entire area was eclipsed by a massive palace that overlooked the mostly empty grounds.
The palace had a large terrace that was already filled with people, though the man standing at the center was clearly of most interest.
He was wearing a crown, a gentle smile painted on his face and a jewel-studded scepter held tightly in his right hand.
However, his interest didn't seem to be on the seemingly endless crowds, rather he was looking directly across from himself.
Following his vision, one would find a huge statue of the Nine-Tailed Emperor that seemed to overlook the entire kingdom, protecting it.
In one hand he held a long spear that was even taller then he was, meanwhile the other hand held a strange gem-like object, its power or purpose unknown.
"What's that?" Tylia asked curiously.
"That? That's the Cat-Eyed Gem!" Suki replied with glimmering eyes.
"Aren't they afraid someone will steal it?" Tylia asked.
"Hahaha, who dares steal from the Nine-Tailed Emperor? Anyone stupid enough to try such a thing won't survive long." Suki replied with laughter, finding the question humorous.
"What will happen to them?" Tylia kept asking.
"Who knows? All I know is that those who tried have all disappeared without a trace. What exactly happened to them is unknown, but the ire of the Nine-Tailed Emperor isn't something an average cultivator can handle."
As they were speaking, the carriage finally pulled up onto the palace's grounds, Suki dismounting with the help of Setsu.
Getting off, Minos couldn't help but look up at the terrace, some people similarly looking down towards him.
However, the second they spotted him, they couldn't help but begin whispering to each other, as if they knew something more about him.
Eventually, the word seemed to reach the king himself, who couldn't help but also look over, his eyes crossing Minos's.
The second he spotted Minos, his smile became slightly more curved, and to the surprise of the others around him, he raised his scepter and gave a nod towards Minos, acknowledging him.
Despite being slightly surprised, Minos quickly returned the nod, Suki's mouth slightly twitching as he saw all this.
"I've been his son for more than three decades and I never got anything, and yet you've already been acknowledged…? Sigh…"
"Don't feel down, your Highness, once you restore your strength, all those who looked down on you will crawl on the floor just to kiss your shoes." Setsu said.
"You're right, now isn't the time to become melancholic… Anyways, this is where we split up Minos, goodluck with the competition, and I wish you success."
"Let's hope it's a wish granted." Minos smiled, about to head off towards the statue, where the others were.
"Hey, what about me?" Tylia suddenly asked.
"You can come with me." Suki answered.
"You? I don't mean to be rude, but I can't imagine the royals would treat me very well, or even want me there."
"Don't worry, they're much more educated then those uncouth civilians, not to mention a lot of them are well traveled and well read, so they know humans well."
"Is that so? Fine then I'll take you at your word."
"Good… Of course I can't guarantee everyone will be kind, but hey, you seem quite strong, so I'm sure you can handle a little bullying."
"Hey, that wasn't the deal!"
Despite saying such, Tylia still went off with Suki, not having much of a choice in the matter.
After holding back his laughter at the thought of Tylia being bullied, Minos made his way towards the statue, the faces from the night prior reacquainting themselves with him.
Greeting a few people, Minos made his way towards the end of the line, waiting patiently for the event to start.
Luckily for him, it seemed no one was in the mood to talk, especially with the hour drawing near, so he enjoyed the next period in peace.
Finally, as the last competitor gathered and the noon bell rang, an old man suddenly appeared levitating above the statue of the Nine-Tailed Emperor.
It went without saying that this old man was the one in charge of the Forbidden Palace, who till this day, Minos didn't know the actual name of.
"Quiet." He suddenly said in a calm voice, though miraculously enough, it was exactly this calm voice that immediately suppressed the entire crowd, like a single grain of sand stopping a cataclysmic wave.
As silence returned to the area, the old man looked around for a bit before finally speaking again, this time getting to the main point.
"Welcome everyone, to the Battle of Heart, or as the Nine-Tailed Emperor once called it, the day of judgment."
"Before we get started, let us first announce the placement of the competitors in last night's game, starting with last place."
Without a need for any reminders, the old man immediately began listing the competitors, everyone listening closely at the results.
As he got closer to tenth place however, it became clear that the crowd was listening even more intently, their ears seemingly ready to snap off their heads in order to hear even better.