Mutual Distrust

"Not the second guest master, but merely the second guest master in swordsmanship!"

Inside the inn, after Lei Bei struck by a Supreme Purity True Technique, he quickly removed the token from Qing Lingzi's waist.

Dong Zhongshu and the others didn't want to cause trouble, so it was clear that he had to take the blame for killing Qing Lingzi.

It was not uncommon for guest retainers to die in the struggle for rankings in the King of Huainan's Household; every year, more than ten or even dozens of people would die in such a contest.

However, while the rivalry among retainers for rankings is one thing, if they were to be forcibly killed by an outsider, it would involve a united front against a common enemy.

Lei Bei's eyes flickered.

He looked at Qing Lingzi's corpse lying on the ground, then at Zhang Xuezhou who had stopped treating him in the distance, then at Dong Zhongshu was offering congratulations, and then at Jin Chang who had a green face and was solemn.

The small inn had clearly become a place where hidden talents resided.

Not only did the deceased Qing Lingzi not expect this, but Lei Bei also did not anticipate that there were so many experts among the crowd who had greeted him earlier.

Lei Bei very confident in his swordsmanship and believed that he had the potential to fight against masters of short weapons such as swordsmen or knife-wielders, even if they were at a higher level.

However, Lei Bei would undoubtedly not clash with those skilled in Technique Method.

In the early stages of cultivation, a Technique Method might be chased by a brute wielding a butcher's knife, but in the later stages, they become a force that many martial artists need to be wary of, as a single moment of carelessness could result in their death.

Aside from a few exceptional martial artists, it's a reality that top-tier cultivators are inferior in skill to martial arts.

Lei Bei an awkward laugh, not daring to mention wanting the animal hide back.

"Possessing a treasure is a crime, and you shouldn't think that we're trying to harm you by taking what belongs to someone else," Dong Zhongshu said. "Above Qing Lingzi is the number one swordsmanship guest elder. Perhaps he disdains to compete, or perhaps he has already made his plans and is only waiting for Qing Lingzi to succeed before making his move."

"Tian Jiu used to be called Tian Ba, and before that, Tian Qi. Perhaps you should know what that means," Jin Chang said. "You were able to struggle against Qing Lingzi and use his personality flaws to escape here for help, but if Tian Jiu comes, we'll all have to run."

"You can't defend this top-tier technique!"

Zhang Xuezhou interjected.

He looked at Lei Bei, and he saw himself in the same way.

Revealing wealth when one lacks strength will inevitably attract attention and may even arouse greed and competition.

One wrong move and it wouldn't be surprising if someone who's in the limelight today ended up dead in the street tomorrow.

Zhang Xuezhou was glad that he had never had any desire to show off, nor did he have the formidable strength to do so, and he certainly didn't have the habit of constantly boasting.

This gave Zhang Xuezhou several decent Technique Method, but he never attracted the attention of others.

Without sufficient strength, without enough backing, or without proper order, it is extremely common for people to be unable to hold onto what they possess.

"I know that showing off will definitely attract the attention of those with ulterior motives," Lei Bei said helplessly. "But the inheritance I received is incomplete, and I need to look at other contents to make up for it. I can't accomplish this kind of thing unless I become a guest advisor to the King of Huainan's Household!"

"Then let's settle this matter. Now that you've gained attention, it's good that you're handing over the Horizontal Sword Technique," Dong Zhongshu said.

"Who will deliver this set of horizontal sword techniques?" Jin Chang asked, frowning.

"You want to go into Room A to see those secret manuals?" Lei Bei asked.

The purpose of everyone was obvious beforehand, but Lei Bei realized it belatedly.

"But the time you get to watch in the A-level room by submitting your Grade A skills isn't as long as mine," Lei Bei. "If you're not from the Prince of King of Huainan's Household, you won't be able to watch in the A-level room for more than an hour."

Lei Bei long been seeking a higher level of mastery.

If he could obtain it through other means, he wouldn't have to take this risky path. After all, while being glamorous in the arena brings temporary glory, the resulting troubles are unbearable.

However, Lei Bei unable to obtain what he needed within an hour, and without the protection of relevant personnel, it was uncertain whether his incomplete Horizontal Sword Technique would be certified as a Grade A technique.

"You're now the second-in-command in swordsmanship, you can act as guarantor," Jin Chang said, frowning. "The process will eventually be completed."

"I can enter the Jia-class room to watch," Dong Zhongshu said. "An hour is enough for me."

"An hour is enough for me," Jin Chang said in a low voice.

Dong Zhongshu and Jin Chang exchanged a glance, a hint of distrust flashing in their eyes.

From a certain perspective, Jin Chang was a wanted criminal by the imperial court, just like Qing Lingzi, who was lying on the ground at this moment.

In a short time, Qing Lingzi was rendered lifeless by Dong Zhongshu, Jin Chang did not want to become the second Qing Lingzi.

Dong Zhongshu had a simple way of dealing with him: whenever Dong Zhongshu mentioned that he hadn't remembered something, or gave him an incomplete Huang-Lao technique, Jin Chang felt that his luck was not good.

Bad luck can lead to misfortune, and misfortune can even be fatal.

The reason is quite simple.

For Jin Chang, who placed his hopes on the Huang-Lao philosophy, he believed in these heartfelt words.

As for Dong Zhongshu, it was impossible for him to trust a wanted criminal.

If Qing Lingzi was a normal wanted criminal by the imperial court, then Jin Chang was someone on the imperial court's blacklist.

Dong Zhongshu had to be cautious about the leader of the Yin Yang Nine People Sect, who was involved in provoking a war Han Dynasty and the Xiong State.

Most practitioners of the Yin-Yang School prefer to follow their hearts, prioritize practical benefits, and employ any means necessary.

He had seen Jin Chang's attitude towards Zou Bugui.

This made Dong Zhongshu even less likely to trust Jin Chang.

If Dong Zhongshu hadn't obtained a blank bamboo slip from the jar and instead learned Jin Chang's identity directly, he felt he would have avoided the other party and cut off contact a few days earlier.

He doesn't want to deal with Jin Chang now, nor does he have the ability to Jin Chang.

Thinking that Jin Chang might also know his identity, Dong Zhongshu stared at him for a long time.

"How should we resolve this matter?" Dong Zhongshu said, "Don't be fooled by the fact that we've obtained this animal hide; Tian Jiu might show up at any moment!"

"If you don't believe me, and I don't believe you, then we'll split it in half," Jin Chang said, brows furrowed. "If we can get into the top-tier room, how much we learn is entirely up to fate!"

"That's a brilliant idea," Dong Zhongshu nodded in agreement. "So you'd rather have incomplete cultivation than let us each obtain the complete content?"

"I don't trust you," Jin Chang said bluntly. "You probably don't trust me either!"

"That's right!"

Dong Zhongshu nodded.

"If you don't trust me, trust me!" Lei Bei volunteered. "I'll offer you my skills, and you just need a three-day Grain Avoidance powder. I can help you memorize the secret manuals you want to learn!"

"You haven't even memorized the cultivation techniques you need in five days?" Dong Zhongshu asked, frowning.

"I had remembered it, but after being chased and killed by Qing Lingzi, I forgot a little bit!"

After being exposed by Dong Zhongshu, Lei Bei dejected and felt that he would no longer be qualified to enter the Wenying Pavilion for the foreseeable future.

"Why do you all insist on reading those secret manuals? What's so interesting about them? You're all quite strong; seeking a top-tier technique is the right thing to do. I flipped through those manuals myself, and the contents were all so mystical and difficult to remember..."

Lei Bei holding the plaques for the second and third guest masters of swordsmanship at the King of Huainan's Household. He muttered to himself, but his eyes were fixed on every corner of the inn.

Dong Zhongshu is right; this matter must be brought to a close as soon as possible.

The mere thought of that sinister-looking old swordsman sent a shiver down his spine.

"You don't understand the problem..."

Lei Bei being nagged and kept asking Zhang Xuezhou to treat his injuries, which prompted Zhang Xuezhou to respond in a low voice to Lei Bei's puzzled questions.

But soon, Zhang Xuezhou felt two pairs of eyes fixed on him.

"If you don't believe me, and I don't believe you, then let him recite the secret text," Jin Chang said.

"Although his literacy is poor, his memory is indeed quite good!"

Dong Zhongshu nodded.

Lei Bei broke the deadlock between himself and Jin Chang with a hushed conversation with Zhang Xuezhou.

Jin Chang understood Zhang Xuezhou Zhang Xuezhou, and he also knew that this guy had unorthodox skills and couldn't do normal fighting, but he was very good at helping people.

Memory is also one of Zhang Xuezhou's strengths.