6 STAND STRONG

Gapsin is a big fortified kingdom with high protective walls.

Joyful songs could be heard from the kingdom as people were also chattering.

The majority of the women were dressed half-naked, entertaining the guests. The maidens were serving food to everyone.

People were devouring food in their tongues like lions, who are devouring other animals.

Every soul appears to be happy with life in Gapsin.

“Eat, drink and be merry” a young man stood up and gave a toast.

“Victory upon victory!” Another joined.

“Yeah!” They all screamed with joy. The joy in the atmosphere can't be explained. This is the life many of them want to live, but unfortunately, some withdraw back because of the battles they always fight.

“Hahaha! I get you” a man said to his colleague after taking a full bottle of wine.

Everywhere was noisy with instrumentals. A feast that always takes place even when they aren't celebrating anything special.

“Father,” prince Junfeng called out as he headed to his father, who was eating and drinking with the elders of the kingdom at the dining table.

“ Yes, Son,” King Cheng answered.

“You're gradually growing stronger and braver every day, like your father,” one of the elders said.

“Yeah. My blood is running through his veins, so he must behave like me.” King Cheng spoke.

Hahaha! They all laughed out loud.

“We celebrate your victory, my prince.”

Another said, probably referring to his Victory over the Luza kingdom.

King Cheng stood up and hugged, and also kissed prince Junfeng on the cheek.

They hugged each other for a few seconds.

“Father, any good news? “

“Not yet, my son. But trust me, nothing will stop you from getting married to princess Chu Hua.

I assure you that Cyprus won't deny us.

I know my stepbrother. He's a man of peace who doesn't like war. He will give in to our request because he doesn't have any choice. Son, you don't need to have sleepless nights because victory is always yours.” King Cheng encouraged prince Junfeng.

Commander Bengt was training his men in the training field, while some were sharpening their weapons on the other side of the training field.

“Wow! Bojing you must be a good fighter. I would like to challenge you.” Prince Junfeng said to Bojing, admiring his body size and height.

“I can't challenge you, my prince,” Bojing responded with a deep voice, bowing his head down.

“No one said you should challenge me. I said so.” Prince Junfeng replied.

“You're the giant of our kingdom, you ought not to be afraid of anyone. I want to challenge you because I heard that you are good at fighting.” Prince Junfeng added.

“But my prince….”

“Let's fight!” Prince Junfeng ordered as he cut in before he finished the statement.

“Don't you think you need a sword to fight me?” Prince Junfeng asked Bojing.

“My prince. I don't fight with weapons.” Bojing replied.

“Quite interesting, but mine is a different case.” Prince Junfeng advised Bojing, but he stood on his ground to challenge prince Junfeng without using any weapon.

Prince Junfeng wasn't holding any weapon either, but even if he was holding any, Bojing wouldn't still use any weapon to fight him. Fighting with weapons was just a waste of time to him. It wasn't in his blood.

“I like your courage.” Prince Junfeng admitted.

The fight began and all the other warriors were hailing them.

Bojing threw different numbers of punches, but prince Junfeng dodged it all.

“Come on. Come on…” Prince Junfeng teased him.

Bojing grew angrier and threw more punches at prince Junfeng, but all in vain.

Bojing raised his hand to give prince Junfeng a hot punch but this time around, prince Junfeng jumped like a lion who was trying to catch a bird in the sky and gave Bojing a hard punch on the throat, which caused him to fall flat on the ground. He was groaning in pain, and everyone was clapping for prince Junfeng.

“That's our great prince of this great kingdom.” Commander Bengt exclaimed and took his hand up to the sky.

“Prince Junfeng is a good fighter. Strong and brave”. Said one of the men to his colleague.

“He inherited it from his father”. His colleague replied.

“My prince, the king wants to see you right away”. One of the guards reported.

“What for?” Prince Junfeng asked as he slowly took out his hand from commander Bengt's palms.

“I have no idea about my prince. But he said he needs your presence right away.” The guard responded.

“Alright, lead the way.” Prince Junfeng said to the guard.

“Father, you sent it for me.” Prince Junfeng said as he stood in front of king Cheng.

“Yes, son. We have a serious problem on the ground.” King Cheng spoke with an angry look in his eyes.

“And what could that be, father?” Prince Junfeng asked.

“Cyprus!” King Cheng replied.

“Cyprus? What about the Cyprus father?” Prince Junfeng asked with surprise.

“Their men brought a letter to us.” King Cheng replied and stretched the letter to prince Junfeng.

“What is it all about?” Prince Junfeng asked as he extended his hand to collect it.

“Take and read it yourself.” King Cheng handed the folded letter to him.

“Oh! I can see that these people are ready for war, and I promise to give it to them.

They have the guts to say they can't give their princess to a land of prostitutes and evil men? I swear to take off the head of king Guozhi and those gray-haired elders.

No man will survive in that kingdom. I will bring them down by the sword given to me by my father.

I will spare no man, not even the women and children of their kingdom.

This is my promise to your father. That man called king Guozhi doesn't deserve peace and the entire kingdom.” Prince Junfeng grew furious and promised his father to do what it takes to eliminate the whole kingdom of Cyprus.

“Men of Cyprus, as you all know, today mark the 40th day since Gapsin sent their letter. Meaning, they will be here in the next 10 days.” Commander Lucifer stood in front of the Cyprus great army and addressed them.

“A warrior never gets tired of protecting his kingdom, nor can he give up on defending himself against the enemies. They are human beings like us. Fear not, and you would conquer. Stand strong and fight for the future of this kingdom.

The great army of Cyprus, will you stand and watch your enemies destroy your kingdom?” Commander Lucifer asked to encourage them.

“No way!” The army responded in chorus.

“Will you stand and fight for yourselves and the future generations, or will you run away like sheep running away from wolves?”

“I will keep to my promise. I will never break my oath, nor will I run away from my enemies.”

They all answered in chorus again.

“What can we say to encourage ourselves? Commander Lucifer asked as he raised his sword to the sky.

“No, retrieve! No surrender!”

They responded, raising their weapons to the sky as well.

“I love the courage of these warriors.” Princess Chu Hua said to her father.

They were standing at a far distance looking at the army.

“But father, do you think we would win this battle?” Princess Chu Hua asked her father.

“Why not? They always claim that they don't lose a battle, but this time around, they will be shocked. Although I don't know how big their army is now. But all I know is that victory is sure for us.” King Guozhi responded.

“Oh really?”

“Yes.” The king answered with confidence.

“Father, you said you don't know how big their army is right now. Does that mean that the more their women gave birth, the more their army increased?”

Princess Chu Hua asked her father.

“No Princess. The thing is, people from other kingdoms are leaving for the Gapsin kingdom, and one can't really guess how many people relocate there every blessed day. They keep increasing every day.”

King Guozhi explained.

“Oh. Now I see why you said so.”

Princess Chu Hua said.

“You know what?” King Guozhi said.

“No, until you say it out to me.” Princess Chu Hua answered.

"Anytime I look at you, I always feel like I am directly looking at your mother. The resemblance is too much. Her beauty, her smile, her behaviors, the way she talks, and most importantly, her lifestyle. Since I was born, I haven't seen any good woman like your mother. May her gentle soul continue to rest in peace.”

King Guozhi expressed his love for his late wife. Immediately, the mood on his face changed.

“Dad, it's okay. It has happened, you can't bring her back. Moreover, you always have me by your side. A daughter who won't disappoint nor leave you.” Princess Chu Hua comforted her father as she hugged him.

“It's okay, I'm fine.” King Guozhi assured her.

“Are you sure?” Princess Chu Hua asked.

“yeah.” King Guozhi replied.

“Okay, father. I have a question for you.” Princess Chu Hua said as she freed herself from the hug.

“Alright, go on.” King Guozhi answered.

“Okay. I believe that you were the one that proposed to my mother because you once told me that. But can a woman express her love to a man?"

Princess Chu Hua shyly asked.

“Why not? Though some people consider it a sin, I don't think it is a sin if you are up to age. Women are also humans that have feelings like men, so I don't consider it as a sin if a woman expresses her feelings to a man.” King Guozhi explained to her.

“Thank you, father. I thought that it may be a sin.” She comfortably responded.

“Not at all. But it's when the man says no, and you still force yourself on him that it will lead to another thing. However, why do you ask?” King Guozhi asked her.

“Nothing. I just feel like I should ask.”

Princess Chu Hua responded and smiled at him.

“Princess, are you sure?” King Guozhi asked her to confirm if she actually felt like asking without any problem.

“Yes, father.” Princess Chu Hua answered.