Chapter 0: 59. Treasure Medicine
“Indeed, what is heard is false, and what is seen is true. We almost believed the rumors and misunderstood Young Master Xu Jin.”
“My man mocked Young Master Xu Jin yesterday for being unable to even lift a chicken, saying he was just born into a good family. Just wait until I sit on him when I get home today.”
“Alas, I listened to slander earlier and insulted Commander Xu Zimu greatly. Thinking of Lord Xu’s heartbroken appearance just now, I feel so ashamed and have nowhere to hide.”
“Lord Xu, we were wrong, we shouldn’t have wrongly accused you!”
“Hahaha!” Xu Zimu burst into hearty laughter, his face beaming with spring breeze, his smile amiable. “It’s alright, everyone, you don’t need to apologize to me! It’s all in the past. As long as everyone understands that I, Xu, have always been noble and upright, enforcing the law like a mountain, and would never bend the law for personal gain even if it meant death, that is enough! Loving the people as if they were my children and upholding integrity, this official is precisely that kind of person!”
“Heavens, Lord Xu is truly a good official.”
“Such an upright and incorruptible official is still just a minor Guardian Colonel. It is truly unfair of heaven!”
The sounds of praise from the spectators’ stands rose one after another, creating a harmonious and moving scene of unity between officials and the people.
This made Qin Gou couldn’t help but suspect that Xu Zimu’s main purpose this time was not to boost his own reputation, but to smoothly advance his own rank.
After descending from the dueling platform and returning to the resting room away from the spectators, Xu Shuangshuang immediately rushed over and gave Qin Gou an enthusiastic hug: “Little brother, you were amazing! Big Sister never noticed before, how did you become so strong!”
This foolish girl…
Qin Gou’s face turned red with embarrassment. Could Xu Shuangshuang really not see the strangeness in this battle? She wasn’t like those ordinary people who hadn’t cultivated. It was likely because she absolutely and unconditionally trusted and cared for him that she automatically ignored the flaws that could usually be seen at a glance.
*Creak*
The door to the resting room was opened, and an unwelcome guest greeted them.
Dressed in a golden robe, Xu Wenrui, who exuded an imposing aura, said with a contemptuous smile: “What a good little brother I have. I watched the entire performance just now from beginning to end, and it was truly eye-opening.”
Qin Gou frowned, saying somewhat annoyed, “What are you doing here?”
“Heh heh, I heard that my good third brother tied for first place with me yesterday, and was called ‘Dragon Brother, Tiger Brother’ by the common folk. With such a big event, how could I not care? It’s just a pity that seeing you today has greatly disappointed me!” Xu Wenrui shrugged and sneered.
“Big Brother, can you not say that? Third Brother has already tried his best…” Xu Shuangshuang tried to defend Qin Gou a few words but was rudely interrupted by Xu Wenrui’s angry shout.
“Shut up.”
Xu Wenrui glanced at Xu Shuangshuang with extreme displeasure: “Second Sister, can’t you see I’m disciplining someone? You know my temper. It’s better not to interrupt at this time.” As he spoke, a sharp spiritual power flew out from his sleeve, heading straight for Xu Shuangshuang to force her back.
A cold glint flashed in Qin Gou’s eyes, and he punched away the invisible spiritual power.
For a moment, Xu Shuangshuang looked at Xu Wenrui in disbelief.
But Xu Wenrui couldn’t help but sneer: “Interesting, this is beyond my expectations. It seems that third brother is not entirely a showman, so he won’t lose too badly to me in the end.”
“I will wait for you in the final round. There will be even more unexpected things waiting for you then,” Qin Gou said with a somber expression.
“Haha, shouldn’t I be the one saying that? You are not worthy. Well, let third brother enjoy a few more days of glory. After all, this is probably the first time in your life you’ve experienced this feeling of being surrounded and admired.” Xu Wenrui shook his head with a laugh, ignoring the startled Xu Shuangshuang, and left uninvited and decisively.
“Are you alright? Second Sister,” Qin Gou immediately asked with concern.
Xu Shuangshuang’s pretty face turned pale, and she shook her head with a dejected expression: “I’m fine. I just didn’t expect Big Brother to try to attack me again. He clearly promised not to fight me again, and even apologized so solemnly…”
Qin Gou’s expression startled: “He attacked you before?”
Xu Shuangshuang pretended to be nonchalant and chuckled: “That was many years ago. It seems Big Brother is truly angry this time.”
“This bastard,” Qin Gou sighed, anger burning in his eyes.
…
The martial contest for marriage progressed hotly, gathering almost all the young heroes of the Tian Kun Dynasty. The rankings posted daily changed, revealing the unwillingness of countless people, but only two names stood firm forever.
Xu Jin and Xu Wenrui, brothers from the same mother, were both astonishingly talented and stole the spotlight in this marriage contest. This matter had subtly become a good story passed around by the people in the imperial city.
“Young Master Xu Jin, you will be dueling with Commander Xu in the palace tomorrow before His Majesty the Human Emperor and the Sword-bearing Princess. This official can’t help you at all this time,” Xu Zimu said, rubbing his hands together, with a hint of reluctance in his eyes.
Make no mistake, Qin Gou wasn’t the only one who had gained fame these past few days. He, Xu Zimu, had also become the ‘loyal and righteous official’ in the mouths of the common people, reaching the pinnacle of his reputation.
“General Xu, I have been under your care these past few days. The Marshal’s Mansion will not forget your contributions,” Qin Gou said with a smile.
Xu Zimu was greatly moved and nodded vigorously: “However, I ask Young Master Xu Jin to rest assured that Grand Manager Ji Wu also hinted to me, intentionally or unintentionally, that he will definitely handle the upcoming matters properly.”
Qin Gou smiled knowingly, not surprised: “I know.”
At the same time, in the Tian Kun Imperial Palace.
“Old Ancestor, aren’t we being too presumptuous? Commander Xu is going to duel before His Majesty tomorrow. If we secretly poison his food and drinks and are discovered, the crime…” a timid eunuch with a shifty look said fearfully.
Eunuch Ji Wu, pale and beardless, played with a small dark green bottle in his hand and immediately glared furiously: “Bold! What do you mean poison? Who dares to poison? How dare you speak such treasonous words! Slap yourself!”
The little eunuch, wanting to cry but having no tears, slapped himself twice, and said with extreme frustration: “Didn’t Old Ancestor just say to add some special things to Commander Xu’s food and drinks?”
Eunuch Ji Wu glared at the little eunuch with anger at his incompetence: “This is why you are still stuck in that small Imperial Kitchen! If you weren’t my godson, who would look up to you? This is not poison at all! It speeds up excretion, removes congenital waste from the body, purifies the marrow, makes one feel comfortable throughout the body, and is colorless and tasteless. Even a Dao Comprehension Realm cultivator wouldn’t be able to taste it unless they carefully investigated with spiritual power beforehand. It is clearly a great treasure medicine, very beneficial to Commander Xu! Do you know how much I paid for this small bottle? This is my heartfelt care for an excellent junior like Commander Xu. Don’t slander me without understanding the facts!”
“Besides, is helping His Majesty with his worries called poisoning? This is righteousness! If His Majesty had to explain everything clearly, what would be the point of us ‘intimate people’? Are we just eating for free?”
“When you understand this point, you might be able to inherit my position in the future!”
