Chapter 168: Challenge Chapter 168: Challenge Gasps filled the arena.

“No.

No way!” “Minjun is… winning?!” But how?

Then, some began to notice.

“Wait… something’s off!” “Ankhbayar’s horse, look at its legs!

It’s slowing down!” The Roxurun stallion, once full of strength, now seemed unsteady.

Its powerful strides turned clumsy, its speed failing.

Ankhbayar tried desperately to regain control.

But it was too late.

Minjun crossed the finish line first.

Silence.

A stunned, horrified silence.

Even King Ikechukwu, who had seen many unpredictable battles, raised an eyebrow.

The Roxurun king’s face was stone cold.

The queen beside him clenched her jaw.

This shouldn’t have happened.

Prince Ankhbayar sat frozen on his horse, disbelief washing over him.

“I… lost?” The crowd erupted into chaos.

“HOW DID MINJUN WIN?!” “What happened to Ankhbayar’s horse?!” “He was leading the entire time!

This makes no sense!” But some of the sharper minds in the audience understood.

Nnenna’s eyes narrowed.

“It wasn’t luck.

It was Minjun.” Carl’s expression darkened.

“He didn’t just win.

He played Ankhbayar from the start.” Ebere smirked.

“Oh, I like him.” Arthur, silent as ever, exhaled slowly.

Meanwhile, Minjun dismounted his horse with graceful ease, bowing politely as if he hadn’t just shattered everyone’s expectations.

His expression was unreadable, but his eyes, those cold, knowing eyes, held the slightest hint of amusement.

“Thank you for the race, Prince Ankhbayar,” he said smoothly.

Ankhbayar gritted his teeth.

He had been tricked.

And then… the worst thing happened.

“Prince Ankhbayar has DISGRACED Roxurun!” someone from his own kingdom whispered harshly.

The words hit harder than the loss itself.

His father, the king, said nothing.

His silence was worse than anger.

His mother turned her gaze away.

Ankhbayar’s hands tightened into fists.

He felt like he couldn’t breathe.

But before his shame could swallow him whole, a gentle hand touched his arm.

Chimeg, his sister.

Unlike the others, her eyes held no disappointment.

Only understanding.

“Brother,” she whispered softly, “it’s okay.” Her voice was the only warmth in a sea of cold judgment.

Ankhbayar lowered his head.

He had lost.

But worse than that, Minjun had won.

And nobody understood how.

Except Minjun himself.

As he walked away, his calm smile never wavered.

The aftermath of the race was brutal.

Roxurun, the kingdom of the finest horses, the most skilled riders, had just suffered humiliation at the hands of Prince Minjun.

And worse, the loss hadn’t come from an overwhelming show of strength.

It had been subtle.

Manipulative.

Deceptive.

Prince Ankhbayar, heir to the greatest riding legacy, had been outplayed.

The nobles of Roxurun were silent, their shame as heavy as a storm cloud.

“A prince of Roxurun losing in a horse race?

To Dixan, of all people?” one noble whispered.

“Unbelievable.” “It’s a disgrace.” Ankhbayar clenched his fists so hard his nails dug into his palms.

He could feel their disappointment like a weight on his back.

But worst of all, his father hadn’t spoken a single word.

Not a single one.

Nnenna watched everything unfold from the royal stands, her discontent growing by the second.

She had been watching Minjun closely throughout the race.

And now, she felt the unease gnawing at her even more.

Ankhbayar had been too fast.

He should have won easily.

But somewhere along the way, his horse’s movements had changed.

The stallion had gone from powerful strides to clumsy steps.

Minjun had done something.

She was sure of it.

“This was never a fair race,” she thought, her sharp gaze locked onto Minjun, who stood at the center of attention.

As the murmurs of shame and disappointment filled the stadium, Minjun turned towards the Roxurun royal family with a faint smirk.

“Ah,” he sighed dramatically, “what a shame.

Roxurun, the kingdom of riders, undone by a simple race.” His voice carried just loud enough for the right people to hear.

The Roxurun nobles stiffened.

Ankhbayar gritted his teeth, but he said nothing.

Minjun turned next to Carl and Arthur, tilting his head in mock humility.

“But truly, it was an honor to race against such a kingdom,” he continued, “Even if the result was…

predictable.” The arrogance in his tone was undeniable.

Nnenna felt her anger flare.

Minjun wasn’t just mocking Ankhbayar, he was mocking Roxurun itself.

“He’s playing with them,” she realized, her nails pressing into her palm.

Then, Minjun took it a step further.

“I must say, Prince Carl, Prince Arthur… you both are men of great insight.

Surely, you saw that my strategy was simply superior?” Carl’s gaze was unreadable, but his silence spoke volumes.

Arthur didn’t even bother responding.

That didn’t stop Minjun from continuing.

“A true competition isn’t just about speed, but intelligence, don’t you think?” he added smoothly.

“I’m sure someone like you understands that, Carl.” Minjun’s attempts to curry favor were obvious.

“Disgusting,” Nnenna thought.

But the final blow came when Minjun turned back to Ankhbayar.

“Prince Ankhbayar,” he said, placing a mock sympathetic hand on his chest, “I do hope this loss doesn’t ruin your reputation.

Though… I imagine it already has.” Ankhbayar’s shoulders tensed.

Nnenna had heard enough.

She stood up.

Her voice rang out, clear and unyielding.

“You talk too much, second prince Minjun.” Second Prince Minjun “…” The others “…” The air shifted.

The murmur of the crowd stilled.

All eyes turned to her.

Nnenna, the Second Princess of Lionara, was standing in open defiance of Minjun’s words.

He blinked, caught off guard for the first time.

She met his gaze without hesitation.

“Are you expecting us to believe this was a fair race?” she asked, voice laced with controlled fury.

“Or are you just trying to convince yourself?” A ripple of shock spread through the spectators.

Minjun’s smirk faltered, just for a moment.

Then, he tilted his head, expression unreadable.

“Oh?” he mused.

“Are you suggesting I cheated, Second Princess?” Nnenna did not waver.

“I’m suggesting that you won’t be so lucky next time.” A challenge.

Clear.

Bold.

Minjun’s lips curled into a slow, knowing smile.

“Well then,” he murmured, “I’ll be waiting.” CREATORS’ THOUGHTS JedidiahBeaufoy Have some idea about my story?

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