Beauty and the Bodyguard

Zhao Qikun's Pull

"Team up?" Lin Yi paused.

"Meaning that if we move together when the test takes place- our scores will be shared too, and this will give us more of an edge!" Qikun had sent out the invitation to Lin Yi, though a bit sudden- the two had just met after all, but it seemed like a good moment for him to bring it up.

"That... I'm afraid I can't accept it right away. There are some rules from my sect that I have to think about first..." Lin Yi said, rejecting it at first.

Qikun was a bit disappointed, but this was to be expected. Lin Yi having his own concerns was only natural- nobody would team up with a stranger they had just met, especially when it came to a test like this.

"Haha, naturally- no need to answer right away, Brother Ling. You can think about it first," Qikun smiled, "Well, let's not talk about that for now- let's eat, there's no need to be courteous here, we're all men of the world!"

As Qikun spoke, he cut out a freshy cut lamb leg that had arrived and put it in his mouth- he chewed it loudly with his might! In the hidden house, he didn't eat like this- but Lin Yi was from a sect, and naturally he had a different sort of air about him. Eating like this would probably look better to Lin Yi's type of personality, increasing their chances of working together!

Lin Yi was a Mystic mid phase peak, after all, and that was a strong strength level. With Lin Yi in their team, victory would be even more likely.

"Alright," Lin Yi ate in that manner in the first place, so he cut out a big piece and started chewing as well.

After the feast, the three chatted a bit until Qikun got up to pay. It was a bit more expensive here, but he didn't mind.

The three exited the shop and went back to their cars- all of them were Mystic practitioners, and naturally couldn't get drunk, nor would they dare get drunk in this sort of situation! After all, while they may be all smiles and everything, both parties were extremely wary of each other.

After getting on the car, Qikun retained his composure instantly and turned to Qijiu, "This Lin Yi isn't as simple apparently. We already had a meal together and he still didn't give us any concrete promise."

"Master Kun, that is to be expected- in another perspective, if someone were to do the same to us, would we say yes right away?" Qijiu smiled, "Plus, we'll just keep eating with him these few days- even if he doesn't join us in the end, at least we wouldn't be enemies."

"Naturally, but it's just that the guy didn't even tell us anything useful, like which sect he was from. We don't even know that about him," Qikun replied, making Qijiu frown.

"Yeah, we really don't know anything about this guy. If it really is like what he told us, then his sect must be a big one."

Qikun nodded, "We don't have to worry about his identity, though- his car is from the special police department, so it's probable that he won't have any trouble on the road. Anyone could get even the director to help him out must at least be from a hidden house or sect- didn't the people from House Yu receive help from the special police as well?"

"That's true."

"I'm not questioning his status though- everyone here was definitely strong, after all, they wouldn't just come here to die. The problem is, we don't know which side he is from. What is the connection of his group to House Zhao?"

"I've never heard of any particular relationship between our House Zhao and other sects. Only the hidden House Yu is considered relatives with us... Though your situation is a bit complicated, Master Kun..." Qijiu smiled bitterly.

If Zhao Guangyin and Yu Xiaojin's child could join the test, then they would have had the prospect of being allies with House Yu. But now, they were lucky enough if House Yu didn't send anyone against them- Qikun was the next potential heir for House Zhao, after all.

House Yu wanted Yu Xiaojin's son to inherit the house, after all, while also maintaining the relationship of being allies between Zhao and Yu.

"That's fine, it's House Yu after all. According to what I know, it's Yu Bing and Yushan joining the test- No need to think about Yu Bing, but Yu Shan may be of some help to us. Yu Shan wants to be the heir of House Yu, so it would be a good match for us," Qikun continued, "As House Yu's two participants aren't on the same side- it'll definitely be interesting."

"As expected of Master Zhao!" Qijiu said, "But no matter what, we already have House Yu as allies- we have a pretty good chance!

After returning to the inn, Lin Yi said his goodbyes and went back to the room.

He didn't get much info today, but what he did get was all useful- he naturally didn't expect to learn everything from just one day. He knew that wasn't practical. Asking too much would arouse suspicion, as well, and from the looks of it, this Qikun was someone with brains.

He received two pieces of info- the first was that the location of the fire spirit's fruit and the Ice Palace were in the same direction- the second was about the rewards for passing the test! One was a chance to become an outer disciple of the sect, and the other was a chance to exchange a treasure with the Ice Palace!

As for becoming an outer disciple, Lin Yi wasn't very interested- the exchange right, however, was something relevant to his situation. If the Fire spirit's fruit really was controlled by the sect, then was it possible for him to exchange something for the Fire spirit's fruit?

Of course, this was only the initial information he had gotten- he needed more depth before making any decision going forward.

In the following two days, Lin Yi spent the days practicing his refinement fire, and spending the nights having dinner with Qikun and Qijiu- they ate plenty of food and drank plenty of beer, but that couldn't be said the same for the talks they had. It seemed like even they had limited knowledge, and even when Lin Yi looked at their invitation letter, there wasn't much detail in that either.

Lin Yi didn't bring up whether or not he would be joining their team too, and Qikun didn't ask.

From Qikun's perspective, he thought that one shouldn't force this sort of thing- Lin Yi hadn't made his decision yet, ,and was probably thinking of giving a few more days of thought regarding the strangers he had just met.

Though, Qikun felt that his purpose had been achieved- judging from the dinners they've had, they were at least now meal buddies. They weren't allies, but they weren't enemies, either.