Chen Changan and Mu Yunyao had both successfully advanced to the top ten, leaving everyone astonished.
Had their luck really been that good?
"Oh?"
"Two First-class Guards advanced straight to the top ten in this competition?"
"They actually earned the right to compete against us? Interesting."
"Are you talking about Guard Chen and Guard Mu?"
"I feel like I've been hearing their names a lot lately. I heard Yun Hao tried to recruit them?"
"That's right. Yun Hao seemed intent on recruiting them even before the competition began."
"Hmph. As if someone like Yun Hao deserves to?"
"Let's wait and see how far they get. If they're really capable, I won't mind recruiting them myself."
"Master, given your status, wouldn't it be inappropriate to recruit a guard? Wouldn't that be giving them too much face?"
"It's fine, as long as they're useful."
Once the top ten spots had been decided, the competition took a brief break. The final showdown would begin five days later.
"That's enough. More than enough."
"You mustn't reveal yourselves in the next round."
"You can show what you're capable of, but don't show too much."
"Listen to me. In the next round, lose, no matter how strong your opponent is."
Chen Changan and Mu Yunyao had only just returned to their lodgings when Yun Hao came calling again.
"But I heard the rewards for this competition are pretty good. Why deliberately lose?" Chen Changan asked with a smile.
"Guard Chen, aren't you thinking too highly of yourself?"
"What do the rewards have to do with you?"
"Do you think you can win the final prize?"
"Those rewards are meant for certain people. They have nothing to do with you."
"And don't forget what we agreed on before. What, now that you've gotten what you wanted, you