Was I Still the Same Jiang Bei as Before?

"Jiang Bei, don't act rashly!"

Seeing Jiang Bei pick up his saber and rise, Liu De jumped in fright as well and hurriedly grabbed his arm.

"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing."

Jiang Bei said in a deep voice.

Then he walked out of the barracks.

On the corridor outside, Lin Jie approached from the opposite direction, with no attendants following at his side.

There was also a smile on his face, one whose meaning could not be read.

"Brother Jiang! It's wonderful to see that you're all right!"

Lin Jie came up with a smile and tried to pat Jiang Bei on the shoulder, but Jiang Bei sidestepped and avoided him.

"Wonderful? You would have been even happier if I hadn't come back."

A chill flashed through Jiang Bei's eyes.

"What are you saying? Am I, Lin Jie, that kind of person? I came today specifically to apologize to you."

Lin Jie clasped his fists, his tone sincere. "This morning, I heard from the Deputy Camp Commander that there were Barbarians in Sunset Village, so I rushed over to tell you at once. Things were so urgent that I didn't hear everything clearly. Only afterward did I learn that there were actually rank-holders among the Barbarians in Sunset Village! But by then, Brother Jiang, you had already set out. I was frantic and consumed with guilt. Just now, I was preparing to take men to Sunset Village to rescue you, never expecting that Brother Jiang would turn danger into safety and return victorious and unharmed!"

Things were so urgent that he hadn't heard clearly?

What utter bullshit!

Jiang Bei sneered inwardly.

Who didn't know that Lin Jie had been obsessing over those military merits, hoping to transfer out of the Death Squad Camp? If such a good opportunity had truly come along, how could he possibly hand it over to someone else?

Unfortunately, the original Jiang Bei had been too naive to realize it.

And now, did he still think Jiang Bei was the same as before?

"If I remember correctly, Lin Jie, you're only one mission short of fifteen military merits and ten completed missions, aren't you? Those words of yours might fool a child, but there's no need to put on an act in front of me."

Jiang Bei's tone was icy.

"Brother Jiang, you don't understand! The Cloud Shadow Steps I cultivate have reached a critical breakthrough point these past few days. I can't afford even the slightest mistake, or I definitely would have gone with you!"

Lin Jie hastily explained.

There was not the slightest hitch in that explanation.

Clearly, it was an excuse he had prepared beforehand.

"Oh? Since Brother Lin is so enthusiastic, then the next time there's some 'good mission,' I'll be sure to recommend you first. Brother Lin won't refuse, will you? With your rank-holder strength, dealing with one or two rank-holder Barbarians should be effortless, shouldn't it? No—"

Jiang Bei suddenly paused, a mocking curve rising at the corner of his mouth. "Brother Lin's Cloud Shadow Steps are about to break through. What are a few rank-holder Barbarians worth? Even an enemy at Ninth Rank Great Training would be beneath your notice. It's settled, then. The next time the camp has a mission involving Ninth Rank Great Training, I'll be the first to sign you up!"

Lin Jie's expression gradually stiffened. His pupils shrank, and the smile on his face vanished. "Jiang Bei... don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit."

"I only give face to people. If the other party is a beast, then naturally there's no question of giving face."

Jiang Bei said calmly.

"Fine... fine! Just fine, Jiang Bei!"

Lin Jie was enraged. With a sweep of his sleeve, he turned and left.

Watching Lin Jie's departing figure, Jiang Bei's eyes turned utterly cold.

Lin Jie had definitely not come today merely to apologize.

Could it be that he wanted to feign submission and make Jiang Bei lower his guard?

"He's a potential disaster, but it won't be easy to make a move in the Death Squad Camp. I'll have to find an opportunity."

Jiang Bei pondered inwardly.

As far as he knew, Lin Jie was also a capable rank-holder, and his strength was far from weak.

But Lin Jie could never have imagined it.

Jiang Bei was now at Ninth Rank Great Training!

"Jiang Bei!"

At this moment, Lin Jie was filled with fury. His face was incomparably grim, and his clenched nails bit deeply into his palms.

Of course, he had not gone there to apologize.

He had already prepared his excuse perfectly. In his eyes, that fool Jiang Bei should have believed him and accepted his apology.

But he had never expected Jiang Bei to be so sharp-tongued, utterly unmoved by his tricks!

This was completely unlike the soft, weak Jiang Bei he had known before!

It was as though... he had become a different person!

"But it doesn't matter. It would naturally be best if you accepted the apology, but it makes no difference if you don't. It still won't change the fact that you're destined to die."

Suddenly, a sinister smile slowly formed on Lin Jie's lips as his hand reached into his pocket and touched a brocade box.

Then he quickened his pace and headed deeper into the camp, arriving before a huge tent.

Two soldiers stood guard at the entrance to the tent.

"Please inform the Deputy Camp Commander that Lin Jie requests an audience."

Lin Jie clasped his fists.

"Wait!"

One of the soldiers turned and entered the tent.

A moment later, he came back out and said to Lin Jie, "Commander Xiang says you may enter."

Lin Jie nodded and immediately lifted the flap before walking inside.

This tent was undoubtedly one of the largest in the entire Death Squad Camp. It was extremely spacious, with weapon racks and rows of tables inside.

At that moment, a brawny man sat at a table, slowly polishing a large saber.

This man was none other than the Deputy Camp Commander of the Death Squad Camp—Xiang Kun!

"Commander Xiang!"

Lin Jie did not dare be negligent and deeply clasped his fists.

"What is it? Speak plainly."

Xiang Kun did not look up and continued polishing his treasured saber.

Lin Jie glanced at the tent flap behind him, then boldly stepped forward a few paces and shortened the distance between himself and Xiang Kun. Lowering his voice, he said, "Commander Xiang, you know that I'm only one mission away from meeting the requirements for transfer. And now that Jiang Bei has returned from Sunset Village, he too is only one mission away. I... I hope Commander Xiang can help me, for my brother-in-law's sake."

As he spoke, Lin Jie quietly handed the brocade box from his pocket to Xiang Kun.

Only then did Xiang Kun raise his eyes for a glance. He set down his saber and opened the brocade box.

Then he slowly closed it again. "Tell me. How do you want me to help you?"

"I want Commander Xiang to assign both Jiang Bei and me to Sanmen Town tomorrow."

Lin Jie said softly.

"Sanmen Town? From what I know, the Barbarians there are no ordinary threat. Even the other military camps have delayed taking action against Sanmen Town."

Xiang Kun's expression shifted slightly. "With your strength, dealing with Jiang Bei shouldn't be a problem. But you intend to use the Barbarians' hands to get rid of him, don't you? Have you considered how you'll return?"

"I... I already have a plan. Please rest assured, Commander Xiang."

Lin Jie said with a smile.

"Fine. You happen to be one mission short as well. Since you're confident, that's enough. But..."

Xiang Kun quietly put away the brocade box and said, "I'll only arrange for the two of you to be assigned to the same mission. As for whether he returns safely or you return safely, that is none of my concern! This matter has nothing to do with me. I'm helping you this time only for your brother-in-law's sake."

"Understood, understood! Many thanks, Commander Xiang. Then I'll take my leave first."

Lin Jie repeatedly smiled apologetically and clasped his fists before leaving the tent.

After Lin Jie left.

Xiang Kun took out the brocade box again and opened it. Looking at the Round Medicinal Pill lying within, he could no longer hide the smile on his face.

"Having a good brother-in-law really is nice."

Xiang Kun studied the medicinal pill in the brocade box, growing more delighted the longer he looked.

Meanwhile.

Lin Jie, after leaving the tent.

Could not conceal the killing intent in his eyes either!

"Jiang Bei, tomorrow... you will undoubtedly die!"