The atmosphere in Zhang He's room was extremely strange.

What should have been a deadly encounter between two sworn enemies had unexpectedly turned into a game of truth or dare.

Much to Zhang He's surprise, Wang Zhan, who had previously appeared like a wreck, now exhibited a strong sense of confidence in his speech and behavior, as if this was his home turf. This made Zhang He even more unable to figure him out.

But he didn't dare to act recklessly, not even daring to take out the object hidden under his chair for fear Wang Zhan would interpret it as a precursor to another assassination attempt. After all, not just anyone can survive being thrown out a seventh-floor window and crashing through a wall.

GLUG...

After posing a number of questions, Wang Zhan finally stopped to take a sip of tea, smiling at Zhang He.

"The tea is very good. I like it a lot."

He didn't ask Zhang He why he wanted to assassinate him, nor was he curious about what kind of leverage the Original Organization had over Zhang He. But one thing was certain: if Zhang He had been holding a knife at the moment of the assassination, with his skill, he likely could have pierced right through Wang Zhan's heart. A Martial General was not an immortal, legendary myth, after all.

This only added to Zhang He's confusion, leaving him completely baffled.

I've been sitting here carefully drinking tea and exchanging words with you for a while now, my throat nearly dry, and all you have to say is that you like the tea?

"...Thanks. So, how are you planning to deal with me? Of course, if you're suggesting that I commit suicide, I wouldn't recommend saying that out loud. I just regained some respect for you; it would be a shame to lose it again."

After pausing for a moment, Zhang He joked lightly, acting as if it didn't matter.

Wang Zhan remained noncommittal.

As a serving military officer, Zhang He had colluded with the Original Organization, betrayed the Federation's will, and conspired to murder a Federation Hero. This was a capital offense at any time, deserving nothing less than public scorn and a death sentence.

That wasn't a judgment Wang Zhan could make with just a few words, nor was he so arrogant and dismissive as to ignore everyone else. He just smiled and slowly stood up.

"Anyway, thank you for your hospitality today. I'm leaving now."

Wang Zhan's abruptness left Zhang He feeling a complex mix of emotions. Is this just a student? Why can't I, someone who holds some influence in this Giant City, understand what's on Wang Zhan's mind?

As for Wang Zhan, he wasn't acting without reason. After surviving the assassination attempt by the Original Organization, he realized that rashness would only lead to a quicker death when dealing with such ruthless characters.

For instance, what if the Original Organization had succeeded? What if Li Chengyuan hadn't shown up? Or what if Li Chengyuan hadn't had the Blood Essence Pill with him?

He was just a mud-legged child who came from the slums; his lifelong wish was only to let his mother and Wang Qi live a slightly better life. Where would he get the audacity to have Li Chengyuan kill for him?

Fortunately, his natural acting skills and not-so-smooth reverse psychology successfully planted a seed of inscrutability in Zhang He's heart. This could be interpreted as goodwill, leverage, or a life debt Zhang He owed to Wang Zhan.

When he reached the door and pushed it open, revealing the gloomy corridor outside, Wang Zhan raised his hand and waved behind him.

"The tea was really good. I liked it a lot. So, I won't kill you this time. I'm leaving; no need to see me out."

At this moment, Zhang He watched Wang Zhan's receding figure with a profound gaze, listening to the sound of his footsteps.

"One cup of tea in exchange for one life? Seems like a fair trade…"

Murmuring to himself, Zhang He knew that the life he'd bought with this cup of tea had actually transferred from the hands of the Original Organization into those of Wang Zhan.

「...」

"He's out."

By the time Wang Zhan walked out of the building and reached the ground floor of the residential complex, countless veterans had already sealed off the entire complex, making it impenetrable. Their knives and armor gave the impression of a return to the era of cold weapons. Only the heavy weaponry, glinting with a chilling bronze light, was being faithfully operated by loyal soldiers, their concentrated fire aimed at the residential building's exit.

When Wang Zhan appeared, countless lines of sight converged on him. At that moment, while everyone sighed in relief, their expressions remained serious, their eyes no longer holding the respect they once did for the young hero. The air was thick with killing intent and an iron-blooded resolve, a chilling atmosphere that made one's hair stand on end.

However, Wang Zhan's expression remained unchanged. A faint smile touched his lips; he showed no surprise at the sudden change in attitudes. It was simple. He was just a student, perhaps also holding the title of hero, so they usually looked at him as a junior.

But from the moment Wang Zhan was targeted for assassination, many sharp-eyed soldiers had instinctively figured out the truth. The one who had targeted the young hero was one of their own. They were even comrades who had charged into the battlefield together, because this was their city.

So, as Wang Zhan appeared, the fate of the weapons in their hands was sealed—Infighting was inevitable.

Even Old Zhang Head, who would normally welcome Wang Zhan with a friendly face and open arms, sighed deeply. He had tried to be so cautious. Who would have thought that Zhang He, that rotten kid, could cause such a huge mess? How were they going to resolve this?

Old Zhang Head slowly lifted his head, looking at the tall young man who walked somewhat awkwardly, his own back unconsciously bent. With a complex expression, he said, "Student Wang... Zhang He really messed up, and I'm not going to defend him; wrong is wrong. But before you came here, he was always at the front line of the Beast Tide..."

He spoke, enumerating Zhang He's battle achievements and character traits one by one, but he simply couldn't bear to plead for Zhang He. In the end, he couldn't stop the silent tears from falling.

Wang Zhan gently patted Old Zhang Head's rough hand, which was gripping his own, and spoke softly. "Uncle Zhang, don't worry. He only made a mistake. When I was in the wheelchair, someone told me that spending a lifetime in it for some worthless military merit isn't worth it in the slightest. But when I asked him, he told me it was very much worth it because he had avenged his brothers, and they could reincarnate."

Hearing this, Old Zhang Head seemed to understand. He looked up, his gaze trembling, at Wang Zhan's bright smile.

Wang Zhan continued to speak gently, his face relaxed. "So, I can't destroy a warrior's life because of one mistake. Don't worry. The tea he served me earlier was very good, and I liked it a lot. I'll come back to have a few more cups with you all in the future."

"Good, good, good! Student Wang Zhan, next time you come, we'll make sure there's plenty of tea for you!"

Old Zhang Head, overjoyed to the point of tears, held onto Wang Zhan's hand tightly, tears streaming down his aged face.

Qin Guanglu, who had been waiting on the side, unable to give the order, finally let out a sigh of relief, his brow smoothing slightly.

"Bring that damn bastard down here, alive or dead! If he resists, kill him on the spot!"

"Yes, sir!"

A team promptly stepped forward, though they were one person short. Their expressions were extremely solemn, as if the one sitting up in the dormitory building wasn't their captain, but a matter of life and death itself.

The door swung open, and they charged straight in. Zhang He's judgment was about to arrive.

Wang Zhan watched this team intently, quickly noticing their unusual demeanor. Their relationship with Zhang He was clearly not ordinary; their tense anticipation transformed their actions into something resembling a deployment for a critical battle.

Qin Guanglu had originally wanted to say something to Wang Zhan, but Mingyue, after a brief greeting, had already walked over to Wang Zhan.

He sighed deeply. This time, it was he, Qin Guanglu, who had let Wang Zhan down. Wang Zhan had risked life and limb to deliver the map to him, yet because of a favored and beloved subordinate, Qin Guanglu had repaid Wang Zhan's expected gratitude with what felt like callous ingratitude.

The guilt buried deep inside made his back stoop even more.

「...」

Wang Zhan left.

After asking someone to pass on the message that he was still alive to the young nurse who had taken care of him for so long, he decisively left the Eastern Camp. Like Li Chengyuan before him, he departed cleanly, without taking so much as a wisp of cloud.

"Why did you spare Zhang He? I remember your character; 'vindictive' seems a more fitting description for you. And do you truly not resent what the Eastern Camp did to you this time?" Mingyue asked, not understanding where things had gone wrong. The attempted assassination of Wang Zhan shouldn't have been left unresolved; someone should have been held accountable.

Besides, although the Eastern Battlefield command said nothing explicitly, their actions clearly showed their favoritism towards Zhang He. They essentially dismissed Wang Zhan—once an enviable hero—as if he were nothing.

Wang Zhan just smiled. "Why do you say that? Should I demand millions from Zhang He as compensation for that blow I took?"

"Shouldn't you?"

Wang Zhan chuckled and shrugged. "That kid has nothing but a house facing the battlefield, assigned by the Military Department, and a set of furniture. Even if I wanted compensation, he couldn't afford it. Besides, what General Qin did wasn't wrong; he was just being protective of his subordinate."

Yes, being protective of one's own. It's a simple principle, one that could apply to anyone.

Mingyue's gaze suddenly deepened; she immediately sensed the subtle yet significant changes in Wang Zhan. Sun Kelan, on the other hand, though she understood a little, couldn't fathom what Wang Zhan had experienced to change so dramatically in such a short time, making one see him in a completely new light.

However, Sun Kelan was merely a tool. Mingyue, who understood the full picture, felt that the Wang Zhan of today was even more satisfactory than the genius youth of before—the one who was reckless, quick to fight, and vindictive. She nodded and said, "Since you feel that way, let's leave it at that. There's more than a week left. I hope you can properly train your teamwork and prepare to lead the Chu State Military Martial Academy Team to victory in the Martial Arts Academy competition."

Wang Zhan responded with a light laugh. "Sure!"

The mission to explore the unknown area was almost over. What came next was the true contest, a head-on clash: the Martial Arts Academy Team Extra Time Competition.

So, to those opponents aiming for first place... are you ready?

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.