A Way Out

"What are you putting on airs for? Your survival rate may indeed be high, but who knows if you've just been hiding in Konoha the whole time? With Marshal Yu's status and abilities, keeping you safe and comfortable in Konoha would be no problem at all."

At the head table, Zhang Xun mocked Cao Kun without restraint.

His aim was clear: he was targeting Cao Kun. His words even carried faint praise for Zhang Zuolin.

Zhang Yulin might not have been among the absolute strongest in terms of combat ability, but the uniqueness and high priority of his Space Ability had always set him apart. Many times, he could accomplish things that others were powerless to do.

With no conflict of interest between them, Zhang Xun chose to win him over.

He was even considering whether to arrange a marriage alliance with Zhang Yulin. Zhang Xun's one wife and ten concubines had borne him nine sons and five daughters, while Zhang Yulin also had six daughters.

Both men had children they could use as bargaining chips for marriage alliances. In terms of status, cooperation would benefit them both. If Zhang Zuolin could help him seize control of the Zhili Clique, the combined strength of the two factions would become a force to be reckoned with throughout Beiyang.

Yet although he had clearly been trying to win over Zhang Yulin while attacking Cao Kun, once he finished speaking, Zhang Yulin merely lifted his eyelids and said calmly,

"Though we did not do much this time, we still dealt the enemy a heavy blow. The results were fairly good."

"Haha, Marshal Yu, of course I wasn't talking about you. You must have exhausted yourself protecting everyone, racking your brains and sparing no effort. I meant certain people who rely on you and