Despicable

Luo Zhan finished speaking with a brazen laugh.

Ignoring the Ji Family steward's grim expression, and caring even less what choice Shen Xiuhan would ultimately make,

he beckoned and strode away with the outer courtyard disciple surnamed Zhang whom he had recruited.

That disciple Zhang, meanwhile, cast Shen Xiuhan a pitying glance, as though looking at a man already marked for death.

All his earlier envy had vanished without a trace.

He hurriedly cupped his fists toward Xu Chuan and Xiang Yunting, then followed Luo Zhan away without a word.

A cold wind swept through the courtyard.

Shen Xiuhan stood where he was, a barely perceptible flicker passing through his eyes.

It seemed the rift between the Luo Family and the Ji Family ran even deeper than he had expected.

But that was perfect...

At a time like this, if he still chose to accept the Ji Family's assignment, he could instead win the trust of the Ji Family's upper ranks through the courage of offering "charcoal in the snow."

No sooner had the Luo Family left

than the silence in the courtyard was shattered.

Suppressed whispers surged into Shen Xiuhan's ears like a rising tide.

"Senior Brother Bai, just what kind of force is this Sunken Sword Dock? They actually dared to kill a Ji Family genius in public?!"

"Shh, keep your voice down. You may not know Sunken Sword Dock by name, but surely you know the Raging Water Gang on Cloudwater Lake?"

"The Raging Water Gang?! That colossal force entrenched on Cloudwater Lake, gathering fierce bandits and desperate outlaws from Qi, Yue, and Wu beneath its banner?"

"That's right! The Raging Water Gang has gathered underworld experts from all three kingdoms, with clearly divided factions. Sunken Sword Dock comes from the Qi Kingdom, and most of its members are ruthless figures from our Great Qi. I heard the several chiefs seated in command are all Dark Force experts!"

"That's far from all... I heard from people in the underworld that Blood Ascetic, the one who slew the Ji Family genius, is a demon monk who betrayed the Buddhist faith. Ten years ago, he was already a late-stage Dark Force expert. Now, he is even more unfathomable!"

"Gasp, he's terrifying to such a degree? Senior Brothers, this junior entered late and does not know—who exactly was taken away in that tragedy years ago?"

"It was Ji Guannan, the Ji Family's young genius of that time. That boy possessed astonishing talent; before reaching twenty, he had already attained the peak of Bright Force, a talent dazzling beyond compare. What a pity..."

"Ahem!"

Just as everyone was getting more engrossed in the discussion, Xu Chuan darkened his face and coughed heavily.

The disciples' voices halted as they followed Xu Chuan's gaze.

The moment they saw the Ji Family steward's eyes, which looked ready to devour someone alive, their faces turned ashen. They fell silent as cicadas in winter, not daring to even breathe loudly!

For a moment, the entire outer courtyard of Mei Martial Hall was silent enough to hear a needle drop.

Seeing how awkward the atmosphere had become,

the stewards from the other factions felt it was unwise to wade any deeper into these troubled waters and began rising to take their leave.

"Brother Shen."

The Ji Family steward suddenly spoke.

His gaze swept across everyone present before finally settling on Shen Xiuhan, his expression solemn.

"The assignment on Cloud Ripple Island involves dealing with water bandits all year round, so it is indeed somewhat dangerous."

"But my Ji Family has stood in Longcloud County for a hundred years. We are certainly not the sort of heartless people who send those under our command to die for nothing!"

"To give the island's stationed patrol envoys a few more genuine means of killing enemies and preserving their lives, my Ji Family has made an exceptional offer..."

He paused, then said each word distinctly.

"Any martial artist approved by this old man and willing to accept the patrol envoy's token for Cloud Ripple Island may enter the first floor of my Ji Family's Library Pavilion and freely select one martial skill or stance art!"

The grounds first fell silent.

Then, like fierce flames poured over boiling oil, the whole gathering erupted in shock!

The entire training ground boiled over!

The Library Pavilion!

That was the true lifeblood and foundation upon which the great clans of Longcloud County stood.

Methods were not lightly passed on.

Martial skills and stance arts had always been the untransmitted secrets of every major faction.

Not to mention outsiders who served under them—even collateral descendants of the clan itself might not be qualified to enter without rendering immense merit.

Had the Ji Family been driven mad by the Luo Family's provocation?

To recruit an outsider, they were actually willing to pay such a staggering price?!

Ignoring the discussions around him, the Ji Family steward took out a waist token forged from black iron and held it flat in his palm. His eyes burned as he looked at Shen Xiuhan.

"Brother Shen, you are a genius this old man recognizes. Whether you are willing or not, the choice lies in your hands."

Shen Xiuhan's heart gave a slight leap.

There was an unexpected bonus?

No matter how dangerous Luo Zhan had made Cloud Ripple Island sound, Shen Xiuhan had never once considered refusing.

Because for him, there could be no better opportunity than attaching himself to the Ji Family and using the chance to approach the inheritance of Sea-Fishing Tower.

Yet he had not expected that, merely to fight for a breath of pride, the Ji Family would actually give away one of their treasured martial arts!

What was there left to hesitate over?

"I will remember the Ji Family's sincerity," Shen Xiuhan said without pretense, promptly cupping his fists in return. "I accept the position of patrol envoy on Cloud Ripple Island."

"Good!"

The Ji Family steward's tightly drawn expression instantly relaxed. Unable to stop himself from clapping his hands and laughing, he said "good" three times in succession. Then he strode forward and handed over the token.

"Brother Shen, you are forthright, and my Ji Family will not treat you unfairly!"

"Over the next two days, settle your household affairs. The day after tomorrow, come find me at the Ji residence north of the city. This old man is named Ji Zhong. When the time comes, I will personally guide you through the Library Pavilion!"

Shen Xiuhan stepped forward, accepted the waist token, and cupped his fists in salute. "Thank you, Steward, for making this possible!"

The recruitment gathering dispersed, and the stewards from the various factions departed one after another.

Xu Chuan and Xiang Yunting hurried over, their faces bearing the look of men who hated that iron had failed to become steel.

"Junior Brother, you're confused!"

Xu Chuan lowered his voice, his tone full of anxiety.

"The Luo Family has a Transformative Force expert holding the fort and relies on the county yamen behind them. They have always suppressed the Ji Family. Today, Luo Zhan was so shamelessly overbearing, yet the Ji Family did not even dare let out a fart. Aren't you just..."

"Second Senior Brother, haven't you seen through it yet?"

Shen Xiuhan raised a hand to interrupt him, shaking his head helplessly with a bitter smile.

"Did you truly think Luo Zhan was kindly warning me? It was only because the Han and Ji Families had offered too much, and he no longer had any intention of recruiting me."

"Since he could not have me, he simply put on a show of tearing open someone's bloody scab in public. He disgusted the Ji Family and took the chance to plant unease in my heart—that was all."

Xu Chuan froze at those words.

The fire in his belly seemed to have been doused by a basin of cold water poured over his head, leaving him standing there in a daze.

Beside him, the meticulous Xiang Yunting stroked his chin and nodded deeply in agreement.

"Junior Brother sees matters clearly. Your talent may indeed be extraordinary, but at the end of the day, you have only just entered Bright Force and have not truly grown yet."

He paused, laying bare the heart of the matter in a single sentence.

"Who can say whether a genius who has not grown up will become the next Ji Guannan?"

"So Luo Zhan simply flipped the table, using Sunken Sword Dock's fearsome reputation to make you afraid and retreat of your own accord."

"If you had truly been frightened into backing down, the Ji Family's face would have been completely swept into the dirt today."

"Phew..."

That thread-by-thread analysis made Xu Chuan's expression shift repeatedly. His fists clenched until they crackled.

He could not help cursing in a low voice.

"Luo Zhan, that old dog, is truly despicable to the extreme!"

After a long while, he let out a long breath of stifled air, turned to Shen Xiuhan, and spoke seriously.

"Junior Brother, though the Ji Family is willing to pay dearly, Cloud Ripple Island... is ultimately far from peaceful. Once you are out on the water, be sure to keep several extra eyes open. When trouble comes, do not force yourself to take the lead."

"Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother. I understand!"

Shen Xiuhan cupped his fists and nodded, his expression sincere.