News of Grand Tutor Jia Xun being snubbed by the Cang Lan Kingdom's envoy spread quickly, infuriating countless citizens and cultivators. The atmosphere in the royal capital grew grave as well.
When the news reached Luoya Inn, Qin Jun actually clapped in delight.
"Jia Xun, you old bastard! You kicked me when I was down back then, and now you've finally gotten what you deserved!"
Qin Jun felt immensely satisfied. As time passed, he had completely fused with the memories of the body's former owner. It was as if he truly was the Qin Jun who had lived in this body. The former owner's sixteen years of experiences felt deeply personal to him. When he had been falsely accused of embezzling the national treasury, that old bastard Jia Xun had used every opportunity in court to boost his own reputation at Qin Jun's expense.
Just recalling that scene made Qin Jun furious.
"Still, Cang Lan Kingdom is so arrogant that it clearly doesn't take Gan Yue Kingdom seriously. In a best-of-three duel, Gan Yue Kingdom has Nan Meng at the Mortal Transformation Realm. Finding two more peak Golden Core Realm experts shouldn't be difficult..."
The more Qin Jun thought about it, the tighter his brow furrowed. Nan Meng's reputation was not limited to Gan Yue Kingdom; he was quite renowned among the surrounding kingdoms as well.
Could Cang Lan Kingdom have found two, or even three, Mortal Transformation Realm experts?
If even Nan Meng lost, then even if Guan Yu won one match, it would be difficult to turn the situation around.
Looks like I need to make preparations early!
Qin Jun stroked his chin as he considered his options. In this confrontation between the two kingdoms, he planned to reveal the power under his command to the public, intimidating both the court and the people until even the emperor would not dare act rashly.
Then, step by step, he would strip Qin Yu of his power until he was driven into despair!
He could also use the struggle for power to trigger all kinds of missions and strengthen himself!
For now, he was still too weak.
That evening, Qin Jun and the others were eating on the first floor. Qin Jun, Daji, Guan Yu, and Yan Mo Bei shared one table, while Yan Mo Bei's three servants sat with the children at two other tables.
"Passing five gates and slaying six generals! Well said!"
Guan Yu slammed the table and shouted, nearly making Qin Jun drop his chopsticks.
Of course you think it's good!
The damn protagonist is you!
Qin Jun was speechless. Guan Yu's face was red as a jujube, as if he were drunk. Suppressing his excitement, he asked, "What happened afterward?"
Daji and Yan Mo Bei also stared at Qin Jun curiously. Every diner on the first floor was listening. At first, they had not cared, but as Qin Jun told the story of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, they gradually became engrossed in it.
Qin Jun had always maintained a friendly attitude toward the guests at Luoya Inn. Although most of them were merely Qi Refining Realm cultivators, they still constituted no small force.
If he could win them over, that would be even better!
"The Fifth Prince has arrived!"
At that moment, a shrill cry like a rooster's crow came from outside the inn. One could tell at once that it was a eunuch's voice.
Qin Yu is here?
Qin Jun instinctively frowned, then swiftly snatched the white veil tied around Daji's waist. Ignoring her resentful expression, he quickly put it on.
Before the duel between the two kingdoms, he had no intention of exposing his identity.
The surrounding diners were not puzzled either. After all, the visitor was Qin Yu, and this world had no such thing as photography.
Soon, Qin Yu entered Luoya Inn in luxurious pearl-embroidered robes, accompanied by Imperial Guards from the palace. Unlike his previous incognito visit, he had come this time as a Prince. Two rows of Imperial Guards stood at the entrance, forcing even the innkeeper to bow.
"May I ask what brings the Fifth Prince here this time?" the innkeeper asked nervously.
When facing the Imperial Family, even Luoya Inn had no choice but to bend its rules.
Qin Yu ignored him outright. His gaze swept across the room before locking directly onto Guan Yu.
Having embarrassed himself at Luoya Inn last time, he no longer wished to give the innkeeper any face. He had come openly in his capacity as a Prince to recruit someone.
"Senior, the battle between the two kingdoms is imminent. I hope you will join me in battle!"
Qin Yu came before Guan Yu and clasped his hands, his righteous expression making him seem as though he acted for the kingdom and its people.
His words contained hidden meaning. To fight alongside him meant joining his ranks. When Guan Yu earned merit, Qin Yu would receive a share of it, and the entire kingdom would then believe that Guan Yu was his man.
"Not interested!"
Guan Yu replied coldly. He was already in a bad mood. He had just reached the part about passing five gates and slaying six generals, only for Qin Yu to interrupt him.
Compared with Qin Yu, Qin Jun suited his tastes far better. Being able to create a novel with him as its protagonist, Qin Jun was simply the wisest lord in the world.
Qin Yu had been rebuffed again, and a surge of anger rose within him. His gaze unconsciously shifted to Qin Jun. Among the three people sitting with Guan Yu, Qin Jun was clearly the leader.
"Are you Young Master Jun?" Qin Yu asked, suppressing his anger.
Over the past few days, Young Master Jun's name had become the talk of the royal capital, and he had risen to fame by stepping on Qin Yu.
If Qin Yu had not first tried to befriend Guan Yu, how could Young Master Jun possibly have become famous?
Thus, in Qin Yu's eyes, Young Master Jun was nothing but a despicable villain!
"Mm."
Qin Jun merely snorted while sipping his tea. To everyone else, this posture was practically a blatant refusal to show the Fifth Prince any respect.
The diners exchanged excited looks. Qin Jun had usually treated them quite kindly, and they had assumed he was an easygoing young master. Now, however, it seemed that Young Master Jun had a domineering side as well.
"Young Master Jun, how about letting Senior join the duel between the two kingdoms?" Qin Yu asked through gritted teeth. The two rows of Imperial Guards behind him quietly placed their hands on the hilts of their swords.
Qin Jun did not answer, lest he expose himself. Qin Yu was not as easy to fool as Nan Yu Xin. Though his face was concealed, if he spoke too much, Qin Yu would surely recognize him.
"For the sake of the kingdom, I hope Young Master Jun can put the greater good first..."
Seeing Qin Jun remain silent, Qin Yu grew even more enraged and continued trying to persuade him. But before he could finish, Guan Yu cut him off. "Enough! Get lost and stop interrupting us while we drink and talk!"
Guan Yu usually paid attention to Gan Yue Kingdom's politics. He knew Qin Yu was Qin Jun's greatest rival for the throne, so naturally he would not treat Qin Yu kindly.
After spending these days together, he had found Qin Jun outstanding. The way Qin Jun handled himself did not match his age at all. He respected the worthy and treated those beneath him with courtesy, even mingling easily with ordinary cultivators at Luoya Inn.
Where else could he find such a lord?
Furthermore, Qin Jun's late mother's ancestors had once shown him kindness. He had to be loyal to Qin Jun.
In his view, with his Void Transformation Realm cultivation, helping Qin Jun ascend the throne would not be difficult.
His confidence came from his strength!
"How dare you! You dare speak to the Fifth Prince like this? Today, I'll have every one of you thrown into the imperial prison!"
A Captain of the Imperial Guards behind Qin Yu roared. Though Guan Yu's aura was imposing, they were in the royal capital and had a squad of Imperial Guards behind them. When the palace guards wanted to arrest someone, who would dare resist?
"Shut up!"
Guan Yu shouted displeasedly and stomped his foot. In an instant, Qin Yu and the Imperial Guards felt an irresistible force erupt beneath their feet, sending them flying. One after another, they crashed miserably onto the street outside Luoya Inn.
Boom!
All the diners on Luoya Inn's first floor erupted into an uproar. Guan Yu had actually dared to attack the Imperial Guards in public!
More importantly, Guan Yu had taken down an entire squad of Imperial Guards with a casual stomp!
Such terrifying strength!
Happy New Year's Eve! More and more people are sending tips and voting. Thank you all~ Looks like I'll have to post extra chapters sometime.
Before you continue