After swapping bodies with the princess, this prince slaughtered his way through the court and becam

The entire squad stared at the increasingly distant column ahead, sinking into deep self-doubt.

"I remember that newcomer, Ren Jingxing, wasn't he in Duan Hui's team?"

"Yeah, and wasn't he supposed to be a spoiled brat? Why is he running so fast?"

Just then, a sharp-eyed boy, who had been staring intently at the last one, quickly shouted:

"Look, the last one is that kid Zhou Butong!"

"Where are this kid's weapons and armor?"

"Luo Hao probably carried them all."

The person who spotted Zhou Butong shouted urgently:

"That's not the point. The last person should be Ren Jingxing!"

Upon hearing this, everyone realized what was happening.

"Yeah, why isn't it Ren Jingxing?"

"Could it be that they abandoned her?"

"That can't be right. Duan Hui isn't a newbie. The punishment for leading a team without all members is much more severe than the punishment for coming in last place."

"You don't understand, do you? Han Tong is clearly targeting Ren Jingxing."

Expressing your stance now might actually prevent you from being punished!

"That's true..."

However, once they realized that Ren Jingxing might be behind them, their anxiety about being overtaken was not so intense.

"Boss, let's take a break, we're too tired."

"Yes, we can take a break. Anyway, Ren Jingxing is there to cover for us. He definitely can't catch up by himself."

"Besides, the captain knows Deputy Commander Han. As long as he's not last in the rankings, it'll be understandable."

Everyone said they wanted to take a rest.

The captain paused for a moment, then spoke:

"Let's skip the rest and slow down a bit."

In the capital, being the captain of the Imperial Guards wasn't an easy job.

His underlings have complicated backgrounds, and he might accidentally offend some noble family.

It is sometimes necessary to grant some requests to your subordinates and use small favors to control the team.

After running non-stop, Duan Hui's team has become the fourth-ranked team.

Originally, it was Ren Jingxing, Duan Hui, and Luo Hao who took turns breaking the wind.

As everyone's strength waned, it became a situation where only Ren Jingxing was breaking through the wind.

Moreover, he was carrying six long spears, four helmets, and two skirt armors on his back.

Now, apart from Ren Jingxing, no one else has any extra burden.

Duan Hui, who was following behind Ren Jingxing, finally couldn't hold back any longer.

"Brother Ren, aren't you tired?"

Ren Jingxing turned around and smiled, saying calmly:

"It's alright, I should be able to hold on for a while longer."

After Ren Jingxing finished speaking, the students behind him couldn't help but complain.

"Brother Ren, you've said this many times already."

Ren Jingxing didn't feel tired at all at this moment.

Since being nourished by "The Making of an Empress", he has never been exhausted.

At this moment, the weighted long-distance run gave him only a feeling of cathartic relief.

It felt as if a huge torrent of fire was continuously pumping power into Ren Jingxing's body.

If it weren't for breaking the wind for the team and considering his exhausted colleagues, he would have even wanted to accelerate and run.

"Captain Duan, is fourth place good enough for us?"

"That's enough, that's definitely enough!"

As long as we're not last, it means it wasn't you who dragged us down.

Han Tong put pressure on Ren Jingxing by first classifying Zhao Ping's strength as the weakest.

Then, using the excuse of being at the bottom, they prevent the entire team from taking turns on duty.

Ren Jingxing's current strength has far surpassed the average level of Class 3.

If Han Tong tries to use his strength to prevent the Third Shift from taking duty again, he'll have to consider what everyone thinks.

After all, finding fault with one person is different from finding fault with everyone.

There are also noble sons in the third class. If they anger everyone, Han Tong will have nowhere to seek justice even if he dies.

"However, relying solely on weighted long-distance running is not enough to shut Han Tong up."

"But you shouldn't have any problem with weightlifting, Qi Yuhe. As for lining up, I'll teach you again today!"

……

Han Tong and Gao Shanjin were already waiting at the finish line.

When they gave the order for the entire army to set off, they had already ridden their horses to the finish line ahead of time.

Han Tong, dressed in armor and carrying a spear, stood slightly to the side and behind Gao Shanjin.

Han Tong, as the deputy commander of the third squad, had been eyeing the commander for a long time.

However, he lacked the strength and background of Gao Shanjin, and was always suppressed.

That's why he tried to curry favor with Zhao Chou, hoping to gain support from other sources.

Even if one leaves the Inner Palace Guard and becomes a commander in another rank of the Palace Guard, the treatment will be better than that of a deputy commander.

"Lord Gao, there is actually one more thing I don't understand."

Gao Shanjin turned his head slightly, glancing at Han Tong out of the corner of his eye, and asked:

"What is it?"

"This humble servant does not understand why Lord Gao is siding with Ren Jingxing?"

Could it be that the Marquis of Xuanwei, who was almost kicked out of the court, is actually more powerful than the Marquis of Guangping, who is currently enjoying immense power?

Gao Shan squinted, recalling Ren Jingxing's performance on the farm that day.

And later, the news that he was directly transferred by His Majesty to serve in the inner palace.

He paused for a moment, then shook his head and said:

"I am not standing with the Marquis of Xuanwei, but with the heir apparent of the Marquis of Xuanwei."

Gao Shanjin's words did not dispel Han Tong's confusion; instead, they only deepened his bewilderment.

"Ren Jingxing? Are you joking, sir?"

"Prince Zhao is the Commander of the Inner Palace Guards. Is he really inferior to Ren Jingxing, who has just joined the Imperial Guards?"

Gao Shan glanced at Han Tong, shook his head, and sighed.

"Han Tong, your father never served in the Imperial Guard, did he?"

Han Tong frowned, then slowly nodded:

"That's right."

Gao Shanjin's father was the commander of other imperial guards.

They are more sensitive to the transfers of nobles and the Emperor's thoughts.

Han Tong had very little contact with noble families, and he could only distinguish which noble family was stronger and which was weaker.

However, they were completely baffled as to the significance behind the personnel transfer.

However, Gao Shan had no obligation to advise Han Tong, so he shook his head and said:

"I support Ren Jingxing, not just because he is stronger."

Moreover, he is a more upright person and knows what is important.

"Stronger? And righteous?!"

Han Teng almost thought Gao Shan was just giving him the runaround.

How can a piece of trash become stronger?

He climbed his way up from the local army to the Imperial Guard, and then from the Imperial Guard to his current position as Deputy Commander.

He understood the law and justice better than anyone.

These are merely tools used by those at the top to control or even enslave those at the bottom.

How many high-ranking officials have committed serious crimes yet escaped unscathed?

How many high-ranking officials have failed in political struggles, only to be demoted or even imprisoned for minor offenses?

Ultimately, righteousness is nothing more than a disguise for power!

"Lord Gao, are you making fun of me?"

Gao Shanjin slowly turned his head:

"Do you think nobody knows what you've been doing for the Commander-in-Chief?"

Han Tong's expression remained unchanged; instead, he dismissed it with disdain:

"Of course someone knows, so what?"

How many self-proclaimed upright people have stepped forward?

It's simply because there's no benefit to be gained, so they're holding onto this as a bargaining chip!

Just as Gao Shanjin was about to speak, the first team had already reached the finish line.

Han Tong continued:

"Regardless, if that good-for-nothing fails the training test, he can expect to be kicked out of the entire Imperial Guard!"

"Useless?" Gao Shanjin smirked.

It's still uncertain who's the loser.