Chapter 97: Section 98: Let me challenge Zhenjin


    In the tent, Cang Xu continued, “However, Zong Ge is undoubtedly powerful, and he is not alone — he also has Sanda following him. By Sanda’s side are his former mercenaries.”


    “The rumors about Half-Beasts eating humans, along with the suspicions regarding the true murderer of the Captain, have created divisions between the crew members and the mercenaries.”


    “Nevertheless, the mysterious attacks did not cease, and almost every night someone lost their life, leaving everyone in the camp terrified. Would leaving the camp avoid the attacks? Surely everyone must have thought that.”


    “The more fearful people become, the more dangerous the outside seems, and the stronger their dependency on those more powerful. Despite all the rumors pointing to Zong Ge, Zong Ge was indeed stronger than Xi Suo, leading to Xi Suo’s diminishing influence.”


    “In such a situation, if Xi Suo did not take advantage of his remaining influence to start anew, the crew members would soon gravitate towards the Half-Beast, Zong Ge.”


    “Although people look down on Half-Beasts, when it comes to matters of life and death, these prejudices are secondary.”


    ...


    “With that in mind, it wouldn’t be strange for Xi Suo to secretly encourage others to flee the camp while the main group was establishing a second exploration team.”


    Bai Ya gazed at the old scholar before him, blinking repeatedly, momentarily at a loss for words.


    It was as if a door to a new world had suddenly opened—Bai Ya felt a mix of thrill, fear, and joy. The complex emotions were hard to articulate, leaving the young man experiencing a burst of enlightenment.


    “I understand now!” Bai Ya suddenly exclaimed.


    “I understand why Zong Ge did not verify the wound. Is it just pride? No! Because he too knows that verifying is pointless! Xi Suo would definitely try hard to prove that he is the murderer. If the wounds match Zong Ge’s short spear, it would mean Xi Suo’s efforts succeeded. If they don’t match, Xi Suo could claim that it was altered from soaking in seawater.”


    “So even if Zong Ge went to verify, he could not prove his innocence. It’s very likely that he would fall deeper into Xi Suo’s trap. Xi Suo must have crafted that wound with great care.”


    Cang Xu nodded and smiled approvingly, “Young man, you’ve finally learned to think for yourself. Maintain this good habit, and you will benefit immensely.”


    Bai Ya furrowed his brows again, “But Zong Ge is so powerful, and Xi Suo is merely at Bronze Level. He dares to frame Zong Ge, which is incredibly bold. Zong Ge fully understands Xi Suo’s plot; doesn’t Xi Suo fear that Zong Ge might just kill him with a punch?”


    Cang Xu explained, “The strangeness lies in the fact that Zong Ge is a Half-Beast. If he were a pure member of the Human Race, it would be different. Xi Suo sees an opportunity in this. More importantly, human nature is greedy and selfish. Blinded by personal greed, how uncommon are those who take risks for personal gain?”


    “However,” Cang Xu’s expression became serious as he stared deeply into Bai Ya’s eyes, “you must understand that our discussions are but speculations, without any evidence. If you speak of these things, you’ll be the biggest fool in the camp!”


    Bai Ya felt stifled.


    He believed this to be the truth, yet he could not voice it!


    “Everyone is confused, some genuinely so, others pretending.”


    “I used to be genuinely confused, do I now have to pretend?”


    Bai Ya’s emotions grew even more complex.


    Cang Xu reiterated, “Unity is the utmost priority right now. You must understand that this is the most important matter!”


    “Also, our discussion is indeed just speculative. As Lord Zhenjin once said, until the truth is fully revealed and the facts are proven, do not easily trust others, nor overly trust your own judgement. Our hearts must be broad, ready to accept and prepared for any possibility.”


    “So, Lord Zhenjin had actually seen through the tricks long ago. I was so naive before… truly befitting of a lord,” Bai Ya admired.


    Cang Xu laughed, “Do you know the family motto of the Hundred Needle Family — one must neither overestimate nor underestimate others. Lord Zhenjin is a true Holy Temple Knight, possessing noble virtues, yet he is also a qualified Noble. In this game of power, he navigates with ease.”


    “But Lord Zhenjin is really too lenient, he even provided Zong Ge with Healing Potion!” Bai Ya sighed again.


    “Ha ha, that’s precisely where the lord shows his brilliance!”


    “Could it be a counterfeit medicine?” Bai Ya widened his eyes again.


    “The likelihood is quite minimal. Lord Zhenjin is not that kind of person,” Cang Xu assured.


    “But what if Zong Ge is healed? What if he becomes harmful to the lord?” Bai Ya worried.


    Cang Xu’s smile deepened with significance, “Lord Zhenjin indeed provided the potion, and Zong Ge accepted it. The question is… does Zong Ge dare to use it?”


    Back in his tent, Zong Ge quietly surveyed the potion in his hand. S~ea??h the ηovёlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The potion was contained in a small glass vial in liquid form, displaying a slight blue hue that was quite appealing.


    Yet Zong Ge had no intention of using the medicine.


    Because he could not guarantee that the potion was harmless to him.


    He and Zhenjin had just met for the first time; although others relayed Zhenjin’s noble knightly spirit, Zong Ge preferred to trust his own judgement.


    “Zhenjin might not resort to such despicable tactics, but what about that lass, Zi Di?”


    “This is a potion made by Zi Di, possibly concealing something from Zhenjin.”


    Without his Fighting energy, Zong Ge wouldn’t have the ability to resist if the potion were poisonous.


    “While I can’t use my Fighting energy and am much physically stronger than Zhenjin, he too can’t use Fighting energy, but Divine Arts… who knows.”


    In Zong Ge’s mind surfaced the confrontation when rescuing the shipwright.


    Zhenjin had shown an extremely tough stance, truly on the verge of action. Plus, he had willingly accepted Zong Ge and his people, and publicly offered the healing potion during dinner.


    “All this indicates that Zhenjin is utterly fearless!”


    “Thus, it’s very likely he can pray and access Divine Arts.”


    Zong Ge’s gaze was deep and contemplative as he pondered.


    The tent was filled with tranquility, while outside, conversations and discussions from members of Sanda’s mercenary group could faintly be heard.


    Zong Ge’s ears twitched slightly, his lion-man lineage endowed him with exceptionally sensitive hearing.


    “Is this potion useful at all? Could there be any problems?”


    Not only had Lord Zhenjin publicly given Zong Ge the potions, but he had also ordered his men to deliver a batch of healing potions to Sanda and the others after dinner.


    “Hey, what are you afraid of? Would Lord Zhenjin bother to scheme against us small fries? Don’t flatter yourself too much.”


    “Rest assured, I used it and it feels great, much better than the potions I had.”


    “Ah, I spent a lot of money on magic potions, only to find they had no effect once here!”


    “Help me apply it; I can’t reach my back.”


    “Wow, it’s cool and refreshing. The pain relieved immediately. It really works…”


    “Wait, you have wounds on your butt too. Let me apply it for you!”


    “This… I’d better do it myself.”


    “Can you even see it? Just lie down properly. Oh, are you shy now? Couldn’t tell that normally.”


    “Get lost! If you’re going to apply it, just hurry up and spare me the damn chatter.”


    Slap, slap, slap!


    “Sssss… Why are you slapping my wound!”


    “It needs to be rubbed in forcefully for the potion to penetrate. Do you get it?”


    “Get the hell away from me!!”


    “Hahaha…”


    After a bout of roughhousing, all the injured had their potions applied.


    The topic naturally shifted to Zhenjin.


    “Have you folks in the camp heard? Lord Zhenjin never abandons his fiancée and has repeatedly rescued the weak. When there was a food shortage, he even gave his own food to old men and water to those who had fainted.”


    “Isn’t that just something made up?”


    “I heard it too, doesn’t seem quite right. Rumors can’t stand questioning, but these matters are very specific, down to the small details.”


    “Not to mention anything else, but just by looking at how Lord Zhenjin accepted us and let us return to the camp together, it proves he’s different from other nobles!”


    “He’s a Holy Temple Knight, after all!”


    “The truly annoying ones are Xi Suo and his people; they wouldn’t let us sleep in the camp. Today, it was us who saved them.”


    “The camp is too small, they’re also afraid we might harm them.”


    “These crew members are selfish and not trustworthy. If Lord Zhenjin had been in charge, would that disgusting First Officer have mattered?”


    “I heard that Lord Zhenjin was taking this ship to the Wilderness Continent to compete for the position of White Sand City Lord. Unfortunately, because of this shipwreck, he’s already missed his chance.”


    At that, the conversation eerily ceased.


    When the conversation resumed, Zhenjin seemed to have been forgotten, with no one bringing him up again.


    In the tent, Zong Ge revealed a hint of bitterness.


    He understood all too well the psychological thoughts of these former mercenaries.


    They faced discrimination, lived dissatisfied lives, and were too eager to be accepted.


    “Master, are you asleep?” Sanda’s voice came from within the tent.


    He moved without a sound, and even Zong Ge did not notice his footsteps. It was only when he spoke that Zong Ge realized where Sanda was standing.


    “Come in,” Zong Ge said.


    Sanda lifted the tent curtain and approached Zong Ge.


    He knelt halfway to the ground, saluting Zong Ge, his gaze fixed on the ground beneath Zong Ge’s feet: “Master, let me challenge Zhenjin tomorrow morning to probe his true capabilities!”


    “Oh? Why do you want to do that?” A gleam of acuity flashed in Zong Ge’s eyes.


    Sanda raised his head, still kneeling halfway. “Master Zong Ge, although I have followed you for a short time, I feel your magnanimity and ambition. You ventured towards the Wilderness Continent alone with elite equipment, surely aiming to make a mark.”


    “To achieve great deeds, fighting single-handedly shows independence, but gathering everyone will provide you, Master, with greater value.”


    “Yet, the shipwright, whom you saved, has only paid homage to Zhenjin.”


    “Our status restricts us. Compared to Zhenjin, your greatest advantage, Master, is your immense martial power. Once everyone realizes that you are the strongest in the camp, then Zhenjin’s advantage of status will be greatly diminished.”


    “With just his physique, Zhenjin is no match for you, Master! The only concern is his Divine Arts.”


    “Let me pave the way for you, Master, and come tomorrow morning, we’ll clarify all about Zhenjin!”