C21 He Calmed His Heart

Witnessing Jing Chong's brazen demeanor, Nie Haiyuan was seething with anger. He sprinted up from behind and gave Jing Chong a sharp pat on the shoulder. As Jing Chong turned to look, Nie Haiyuan quickly pressed his hand to his forehead, feigning a look of deep contemplation and steadiness. After a prolonged act, he finally spoke with a cool edge, "Kid, do you even know the rules?"

Jing Chong was genuinely taken aback by Nie Haiyuan's performance. His gaze lingered on the other's plump face before he responded with a hint of indifference, "Rules? What rules?"

The look of innocence in Jing Chong's eyes was enough to drive Nie Haiyuan mad. Yet, to preserve the facade of absolute authority, he averted his gaze and maintained a stoic expression as he stated, "The rules you're supposed to abide by now that you've joined our Skyreach Keep's Ninth Squad!"

Nie Haiyuan's ability to put on a show was unexpectedly convincing. His tone was spot-on, measured and fitting, exuding a natural leadership quality.

But Jing Chong was unimpressed by such antics. He continued to shake his head woodenly, casting an inquisitive look at Nie Haiyuan.

At this point, Nie Haiyuan couldn't keep up the act any longer. He sighed in resignation, the image of a teacher unable to reach a stubborn student. Glancing around to ensure they were alone, he quickly dropped the pretense and bowed to Jing Chong, "Big brother, my benefactor, could you please play along? Didn't I inform you about your night shift earlier? Why are you still here at this hour? Don't you realize that the entire Ninth Squad is mocking me back at the dormitory? They're saying that what Captain Nie brought back isn't worth the paper it's written on, but rather just a big joke!"

Nie Haiyuan's words grew more impassioned, spitting with fervor as he spoke, yet Jing Chong remained silent, respecting the gravity in his voice.

Jing Chong was no fool, though. As the truth dawned on him, he realized he had been overly sentimental. Nie Haiyuan hadn't trekked all the way from Skyreach Keep to check on him out of concern for his safety; it was all for the sake of his own fragile pride!

In that moment, Jing Chong felt deflated, his enthusiasm evaporating completely.

It seemed I had really overestimated Nie Haiyuan. What a heartless charlatan he turned out to be—a complete fraud and a liar!

My opinion of him did a complete 180. The once noble image of Nie Haiyuan crumbled to nothing in a matter of moments.

Yet, despite my deep displeasure, Jing Chong didn't let it show. He remained as impassive as always, responding to the other's complaints with nothing more than a slight nod, too disinterested to engage in further conversation.

Silence might as well have been consent. Nie Haiyuan, seeing the fruits of his laborious persuasion, was visibly thrilled. His broad face broke into a wide grin as he fawned over Jing Chong with renewed vigor.

"Brother, you truly understand the bigger picture!" Nie Haiyuan's eyes gleamed with insincere flattery.

But as soon as the words left his mouth, Jing Chong silently scorned him, thinking, "Hypocrite!"

Nie Haiyuan, mistaking Jing Chong's silence for agreement, laughed triumphantly and pressed on, "Just keep at it, and you're bound to rise to the top!"

"Liar," Jing Chong retorted inwardly.

"Don't worry, following me is the right choice. Together, we'll divide the spoils, drink heartily, and feast—our future is bright!"

"Despicable scum!" Jing Chong added silently to himself.

...

The two men, one leading and the other following, made their way back to the stronghold's gate amidst Nie Haiyuan's relentless promises.

Of course, the gate of Skyreach Keep was nothing like the grand entrance of Blood Razor Keep they had first encountered. It was a simple wooden fence, erected to protect against wild beasts, with a tall wooden gate at its center—the modest entrance to the ninth Skyreach Keep.

At the gate, a few sleepy guards barely paid them any attention, effectively serving as mere ornaments. The two passed through without incident.

Upon entering the ninth Skyreach Keep, Jing Chong immediately spotted the large wooden house belonging to the tenth team, tucked away in an inconspicuous corner. Despite the distance, he could clearly see the house was teeming with people.

Through the dim light, he observed a mix of tall and short, fat and thin figures, most of whom were middle-aged.

In the midst of the bustling crowd, Zou Cang stood out, hopping around with the agility of a monkey.

At that moment, Zou Cang was encircled by a group of people. In the dim light, he spoke with such fervor that it seemed to turn the world upside down.

Witnessing this, Jing Chong couldn't help but halt his advance, struck by curiosity. He wondered what Zou Cang, who was known for his warm heart, could be discussing that had everyone so captivated and enthralled.

Jing Chong, now composed, had keen ears, yet he could only catch a few words. Coincidentally, they were the exact words Nie Haiyuan had been incessantly inquiring about: "Bo, the skin is hard!"

A sense of foreboding washed over Jing Chong, and he suddenly grasped the situation, his anger flaring uncontrollably. Almost instinctively, his icy glare fell upon Nie Haiyuan, who was trailing close behind.

With great effort, he contained his rage and managed to ask with restrained contempt, "You bastard, what's this about the 'bo, skin' matter?"

Jing Chong was acutely aware that the only person he had discussed this issue with in the wooden house was Nie Haiyuan. Yet, in such a short span, it had become common knowledge. Without further thought, he knew he had pieced it all together.

Nie Haiyuan's nerves were on edge, and before Jing Chong could finish speaking, he bolted into the wooden house like a frightened rabbit, vanishing in a puff of smoke.

The uproar outside brought a sudden halt to Zou Cang's narrative and the room's laughter.

Eyes wide with surprise turned towards the door, and upon seeing the slender yet formidable silhouette of Jing Chong, they couldn't contain themselves and erupted into uncontrollable laughter once more.

Each chuckle was like a needle, relentlessly pricking at Jing Chong's pride. Already grappling with a strong sense of self-worth and reeling from recent events, his heart was on the brink of shattering, vulnerable to even the slightest disturbance.

But Jing Chong was resolute, his stubbornness magnified by his sorrow. Determined to persevere, he steeled himself and took laborious steps forward, moving through the waves of laughter. One step, two steps, three steps...

Soon, he entered the wooden house amid a cascade of laughter. Yet, he didn't raise his eyes to meet those of anyone present, nor did he opt to turn around and leave immediately.

He was aware that this crowd was nothing more than unrefined bandits and ruffians. Having just arrived, he found himself the subject of baseless slander by a couple of gossips. He fervently reassured himself that such defamation was trivial. Let them laugh; he could withstand it.

Despite his internal reassurances, a discerning observer could see that his gaze had turned icy, as if he were on the verge of shedding tears of frost. His lips quivered, purpling slightly from excessive blood flow, and his fists were clenched so tightly that his sharp nails began to pierce his own flesh. Yet, through it all, he remained silent.

Clearly, he was enduring an immense amount of humiliation and ridicule, all the while fortifying his remarkable resilience.