Losing Their Composure

Back at the inn, Qin Jun had the waiter prepare a table full of food and wine. He then chatted freely with Chen Shuli. Having lived in the twenty-first century in his previous life, an age of information explosion, and having spent years navigating the workplace, the management strategies he proposed left Chen Shuli constantly praising him in amazement.

It was Chen Miaoyin's first time seeing her brother admire someone so deeply, which made her immensely curious about Qin Jun.

Before long, Daji and Chang Qianqian also came downstairs. Seeing Qin Jun chatting and laughing with a pair of siblings, they curiously approached.

Chen Shuli and Chen Miaoyin were both stunned by Daji's peerless beauty. Chen Shuli quickly withdrew his gaze, mindful of propriety, and Qin Jun briefly introduced them.

"How confident are you about this Imperial Examination?" Qin Jun asked with a smile as he drank his tea.

"I've already made my preparations. I'll definitely prove myself!" Chen Shuli replied confidently. Though he did not mention becoming the Top Scholar, his tone clearly revealed his ambition.

He paused, then cautiously asked, "Could you be the Third Prince..."

Chang Qianqian and Chen Miaoyin could not help listening closely. They were the most curious about Qin Jun's identity.

"Haha, it's enough that you know. Don't worry, although I'm down on my luck right now, I'm confident I can reclaim my power!" Qin Jun cut him off. The inn was full of all sorts of people, so he could not let word spread.

Chen Shuli could not help smiling bitterly. "From what I know, your current situation is far from good. It'll be difficult for you to return."

As he spoke, he began considering how to brush Qin Jun off. Although Qin Jun had helped him earlier, he did not want to tie himself to a disgraced prince.

Repaying a favor was one thing, but he could not gamble with his own future!

"What a coincidence. Not long ago, I killed Xiahou En. His head is right here." Qin Jun smiled as he touched his Storage Ring.

Xiahou En!

Chen Shuli and Chen Miaoyin both drew in sharp breaths. Xiahou En was renowned throughout the Gan Yue Kingdom, one of the few Golden Core Realm experts.

"That's right! Xiahou En was no match for Sister Daji at all!" Chang Qianqian added. She deliberately exposed Qin Jun, telling the Chen siblings that Daji was the one who had killed Xiahou En.

The siblings instinctively looked toward Daji. They had never expected this stunningly beautiful woman to be even stronger than a Golden Core Realm cultivator!

Chen Shuli abruptly rose to his feet and cupped his hands toward Qin Jun. "Greetings, my lord!"

Chang Qianqian was dumbfounded. He had looked hesitant just moments ago, so why was he suddenly paying his respects?

What she did not know was that Chen Shuli had never believed Qin Jun could kill Xiahou En alone. But if Qin Jun could subdue an expert stronger than the Golden Core Realm, then he was far from ordinary!

He knew that the current emperor hated Xiahou En the most. Once Qin Jun handed Xiahou En's head over to the emperor, even the gravest crimes could be offset.

If you wanted to board the ship, you had to do it early!

Even If he did not join Qin Jun now, he would still have to make a choice after earning fame through the Imperial Examination!

Without a powerful backer, it was impossible to thrive in the royal capital!

Although he believed knowledge could change one's fate, he also understood the value of a super expert who could easily kill Xiahou En. It was no exaggeration to say that with Daji at his side, Qin Jun's path to the throne was basically secure!

This world would always respect the strong!

"Call me Young Master. Before you become the Top Scholar, our relationship cannot be revealed. Understand?" Qin Jun said with a smile. As for Chang Qianqian beside him, he did not worry about her. After spending so many days together, he knew the girl was kind-hearted and simple, with little scheming in her.

Chen Shuli took a deep breath and slowly sat back down. He understood that Qin Jun intended to test him.

Not only was he not discouraged, he was instead filled with fighting spirit!

If Qin Jun trusted him unconditionally, he would have found it suspicious instead.

"Alright, go back and rest."

Qin Jun waved his hand. Unconsciously, he had already assumed the bearing of someone in a superior position. Chen Shuli did not find it unpleasant; instead, he was excited.

After all, he was merely the illegitimate son of Qing Tan City's City Lord. His status in the city was even lower than that of ordinary commoners. How could he not be excited to gain the support of a prince?

"Brother Qin Jun, see you tomorrow!"

Chen Miaoyin waved and smiled at Qin Jun. Qin Jun merely nodded. He was leaving tomorrow, so who was going to see this little girl again?

Being able to establish a connection with Chen Shuli had already satisfied Qin Jun.

However, Chen Shuli was still young. It would not be easy for him to grow into his potential overnight.

After the Chen siblings left, Daji could not help asking, "Young Master, Chen Shuli looks quite weak. What do you see in him?"

"Exactly. This lord dog could crush him with a single paw." The Howling Celestial Dog added disdainfully.

Though Chang Qianqian did not ask, her large, bright eyes remained fixed tightly on Qin Jun.

"You wouldn't understand." Qin Jun pretended to be profound, making the two women and one dog roll their eyes.

Just as they were preparing to return to their rooms, Chang Hao suddenly entered the inn. The moment he saw Qin Jun and the others, his expression became unnatural. He forced a smile, then quickly went upstairs.

Something was fishy!

Qin Jun could not help frowning. Although Chang Hao had behaved himself lately, his first impression of him had been that of an arrogant fellow. Someone like that would never truly submit; he was merely suppressing his hatred in his heart.

However, with Chang Qianqian beside him, Qin Jun could not ask too much. Besides, before absolute strength, no amount of schemes and tricks mattered!

Meanwhile, the major families of Qing Tan City were all discussing Qin Jun.

The Cheng Family.

Inside the main hall, a burly, bearded middle-aged man looked at Cheng Jie and asked, "Are you certain he was an Imperial Guard?"

He was Cheng Zhan, the head of the Cheng Family, an expert at the Foundation Establishment Fourth Layer!

"That's right. He was wearing an Imperial Guard uniform, but he was very young, probably only sixteen or seventeen." Cheng Jie said as he recalled the scene.

"A sixteen- or seventeen-year-old Imperial Guard? How is this possible!" Cheng Zhan immediately rejected the idea. "Imperial Guards must be selected from the army. Someone so young could not possibly become an Imperial Guard, and Imperial Guards are not allowed to leave the royal capital!"

Cheng Jie was dumbfounded. He asked incredulously, "Was I fooled?"

"Yes. The next time you encounter such a situation, test them first. Don't lose your composure. After all, you are meant to inherit the Cheng Family!" Cheng Zhan said solemnly, apparently dissatisfied with Cheng Jie's cowardice.

"It was your son who lost his composure. There definitely won't be a next time!" Cheng Jie said, his face flushed red. Yet inwardly, he bore a grudge against Qin Jun. Bullying Chen Shuli had been a task Cheng Zhan assigned him. He had finally encountered Chen Miaoyin today, only to let her escape because of Qin Jun!

Humiliating!

Too humiliating!

Cheng Jie swore in his heart that he would make Qin Jun regret it!

Elsewhere, Chen Miaoyin also told City Lord Chen Zhanjian about what had happened that night.

Chen Zhanjian was already fifty this year. His hair was slightly gray, but his body remained fairly sturdy. He had originally been angry that Chen Miaoyin had run away from home, but when he heard that Cheng Jie had bullied Chen Shuli in the street, his anger shifted to the Cheng Family. When he learned that Qin Jun had appeared to help them, he became curious.

"What is that young master's name, and what is his identity?" Chen Zhanjian asked with a frown.