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Chapter 92: Chapter 76: Hubris Is the Blade of Self-Destruction

”Brother Zhu, you seem quite concerned for this ruffian’s well-being!”

Zhao Ci’s tone was perfectly calm as he spoke, as if he were completely unaware that he had just crippled a man’s arm. But his words were filled with accusation.

Zhu Yan’s expression faltered. He clenched the hand behind his back, which trembled slightly, and forced a smile. ”Your Highness, that was not my intention at all. I simply thought this man had some talent, and it would be a shame to see him crippled. I acted in haste, just as Your Highness couldn’t bear to see Brother Xiao injured a moment ago.”

”You have a point!”

Zhao Ci seemed to agree wholeheartedly, then added, ”It’s just a shame Brother Zhu lacks experience in saving people. Had you been a little stronger, you might have been able to preserve a talent for the Great Yu. What a shame...”

Zhu Yan: ”...”

’Are you calling me incompetent?’

’Tch,’ Zhao Ci scoffed internally. It wasn’t that he wanted to spare them any face. Zhu Li had already told him that the Bao Family was related to the Zhu Family through marriage. If he really wanted to press the issue, he could certainly put Zhao Yong in an untenable position.

However, that kind of struggle wouldn’t cause Zhao Yong any real harm. At best, it would just be a case of mutual annoyance.

’In any case, I’ve already achieved my goal. There’s no need to get tangled up with them over this.’

He gave a faint smile. ”I didn’t believe it when Bao Longtao said that blades have no eyes, but it turns out they really don’t. Look at this accidental injury.”

Everyone: ”...”

’You call *that* an accidental injury?’

But to be fair, history really was repeating itself.

First, there was Bao Longtao trying to hack off Xiao Shenke’s right hand; now, there was Zhao Ci cleaving off Bao Longtao’s.

The only difference was that Zhao Ci had stopped the first attempt, while Zhu Yan had failed to stop the second.

It was truly ironic, when you thought about it.

However, this gruesome scene didn’t inspire the slightest fear in the Scholars present. On the contrary, they grew even more excited.

Especially those who had been vexed by their losses to Bao Longtao. Seeing the man who made them look like fools get his just deserts filled them with an indescribable sense of satisfaction.

Xiao Shenke’s gaze was particularly fervent; he felt as though Zhao Ci was literally glowing.

Zhao Ci casually kicked the severed forearm onto the unconscious Bao Longtao’s body. ”Cuiyun, get someone to staunch his bleeding, toss him out the main gate, and then have men watch him. Let’s see if his master comes to collect him.”

”Yes!”

Cuiyun nodded and had Bao Longtao carried away, severed arm and all.

[Notification]: Wish granted. Reward: Comprehension Value +10, Peace Talisman x1.

[Notification]: ...

[Notification]: ...

Three identical notifications appeared in a row, granting him 30 Comprehension Value and three Peace Talismans. The properties of the talismans were displayed as well.

[Peace Talisman]: When used on a target, reduces the probability of a negative event occurring to a certain degree. Duration: one quarter-hour.

’To a certain degree?’

’What degree is that, exactly?’

’I wonder if it’s enough to make all attacks miss, like they’re just tracing my outline.’

’Still, it’s a good item to have.’

Zhao Ci put away his spear and returned to the high platform. He looked at Zhao Yong and Zhu Yan, his words laced with insinuation. ”Brother Huang, Brother Zhu, neither of you is in a rush to get anywhere, I trust?”

Zhao Yong replied hastily, ”Not at all!”

”If you’re not in a hurry, then sit and have a few more drinks!”

Zhao Ci smiled, refilled his cup, and raised it to the crowd below the platform. ”That concludes today’s friendly martial exchange! Now, let’s all drink to our hearts’ content! Also, my Brother Huang graced us with his presence today to help me vet candidates for Mansion Official. You must all be sure to have a few drinks with him! Come, a toast to the Ninth Prince!”

”To the Ninth Prince!”

”To the Ninth Prince!”

”To the Ninth Prince!”

Everyone raised their cups in unison.

Zhao Yong had been on the verge of leaving, but after being toasted like that, he had no choice but to stop.

’This time, Zhao Ci didn’t expose me publicly. If I leave too abruptly, I’ll reveal my own guilty conscience.’

He forced a smile and said, steeling himself, ”Thank you all for your staunch support of Lao Shi. Whether or not you become Mansion Officials in the Tenth Prince’s Mansion, I hope you will all continue to support him in the future. I’ll drink to that!”

With that, he tilted his head back and drained his cup.

Zhu Yan looked at him anxiously. ”Your Highness! Your Highness!”

Zhao Yong lowered his voice. ”Don’t be rash. This matter...”

Zhao Ci called out, ”Let’s raise another toast to the Ninth Prince!”

Zhao Yong: ”Alright! Bottoms up!”

Zhu Yan was completely dumbfounded.

’Don’t be rash?’

’How can I not be rash!? The people from the Tenth Prince’s Mansion may have stopped Bao Longtao’s bleeding, but reattaching a severed limb is a race against time! If it’s done quickly, he might regain some use of it in the future. But if we delay any longer, then... ’

Watching Zhao Yong drink just to save face, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of resentment.

’So I guess a cousin’s cousin doesn’t count as a cousin, is that it?’

He was growing impatient, but he knew Zhao Ci was just looking for an excuse to cause trouble. Left with no other choice, he could only join in the toasts. He forced down a few large gulps of wine, then feigned being overcome by the alcohol and needing to vomit. He hastily left the banquet and had his men take Bao Longtao away.

The back and forth had wasted a significant amount of time. He had no idea how much function, if any, could be preserved in that arm.

As for Zhao Yong, he was detained until the banquet was nearly over before he was allowed to leave the Tenth Prince’s Mansion.

”Tch! And they think they can mess with me.”

Zhao Ci pursed his lips and let out a satisfied, wine-scented burp.

He glanced around to make sure all the nuisances had left, then pulled a piece of paper with names written on it from his robes and handed it to Zhu Li. ”Here you go! Chief Mansion Official, go gather your new recruits.”

”Oh!”

Zhu Li gave him an odd look, then bounded down from the high platform, eagerly going off to gather her new recruits.

The five people whose names were called were ecstatic. They had been thrashed quite badly by Bao Longtao, so they never expected that Zhao Ci would still recognize their hidden talents.

The feeling of being pulled back from the brink of despair was intoxicatingly good.

Their gazes turned hazy with elation.

”What are you all spacing out for?”

Zhu Li waved her plump arms. ”Your skills have been personally approved by me, the Chief Mansion Official, and His Highness himself! So get a move on and come be Mansion Officials.”