"You're Chen Wu?" Bai Deyou glanced sideways at Chen Wu, his tone distinctly unfriendly.
"This humble one is." Chen Wu pretended not to hear the hostility in his voice and merely lowered his head to stare at the blue military uniform on the man.
"I've heard of you," Bai Deyou said. "You saved Duke Chen's Crown Prince, didn't you?"
"Indeed."
"Why save that Liu Zhenwu? If he lived, there would merely be one more worthless waste in this world." Bai Deyou spoke with extreme bluntness.
"Sir, mind your words! You've gone too far." Chen Wu immediately retorted.
The persona of a loyal retainer from Duke Chen's direct line had to be firmly established. At a time like this, he had to speak up in rebuttal.
"Hmph—" Bai Deyou looked disdainful. "Another petty opportunist!"
"Let me make this clear. I've accepted your letter of recommendation. But once you're under my hand, don't expect me to give you special treatment. I won't show the slightest favor."
"This humble one has no need for you to show me favor either!"
Chen Wu had figured it out. This Bai Deyou was a blockhead. He had made it this far purely by relying on his own martial strength and Duke Cai's family influence.
You couldn't indulge someone like this. The more you butted heads with him, the more he would think you capable—and the more highly he would regard you.
"Oh?" Bai Deyou remained disdainful, but still pressed on. "What skills do you have?"
"With this martial skill of mine, I'd have more than enough ability to sit for the military examinations. The Wude Palace exam would be as easy as taking something from my hand." Chen Wu spoke the truth, though his tone carried considerable arrogance.
Great Shun still retained the military examinations, but