Chapter 41: Exclusive Guide to Friendship

Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Exclusive Guide to Friendship

"Zhou Yangming, what did you say?!"

Su Hong, who already considered Yu Zhun a friend, fiercely glared at the middle-aged man. He then lowered his voice and quickly explained the situation to Yu Zhun.

"Yu Zhun, I’m sorry to make a fool of myself in front of you. This Zhou Yangming, like my dad, is one of the higher-ups in the Hanlong Guild. My dad has always opposed some of his methods, so their relationship is terrible. Today my dad is away on a business trip, so he..."

The middle-aged man sneered.

"Su Hong, I am still your elder. Addressing an elder by their full name—is this the upbringing of the Su family?

"Speaking ill of me right to my face... Do you think I’m deaf?

"Never mind that your dad isn’t here, so what if he was?" Zhou Yangming snorted heavily, shifting his gaze to Yu Zhun. "Your name is Yu Zhun, right? What level is your talent?"

"Yu Zhun is very impressive! He has at least an S-grade talent!" Su Hong said indignantly.

"I wasn’t asking you. Let him answer for himself." Zhou Yangming didn’t even spare Su Hong a glance, causing the younger man’s expression to turn even uglier. "Can a talent level be proven just by talking about it? Prove it to me!"

Yu Zhun finally found a chance to speak. He looked at Zhou Yangming. "The Hanlong Guild’s recruitment doesn’t seem to require publicizing one’s talent, does it? Everyone’s talent is a matter of personal privacy."

"There is indeed no such requirement, but you didn’t come in through normal channels." Zhou Yangming pointed at the concealed level and title above Yu Zhun’s head. "You are dressed in rags, wearing a [Concealing Mask], and unwilling to disclose your talent. On what grounds should you be allowed to enter our Hanlong Guild?

"Look at the long line of players outside." Zhou Yangming pointed toward the door. "Tell me, what gives you the right to stand in here while they stand out there!"

Su Hong’s face flushed red with anger. He spoke furiously, "Yu Zhun came in using an internal recommendation! There is absolutely nothing wrong with his spot. According to the rules, he doesn’t need to prove..."

Before he could finish, a hand pressed down on his shoulder.

It was Yu Zhun.

"Alright, Su Hong, let me handle this." Yu Zhun revealed a helpless expression. This guy was truly too enthusiastic.

He turned his head to look at Zhou Yangming. "I will never tell you my talent."

"Since that’s the case, there’s only one way left." Zhou Yangming walked down the stairs, stepping right in front of Yu Zhun. "Attack me.

"Attack me with the intent to kill, using all your strength.

"Let me see what you’re made of.

"If you don’t measure up, then get the hell out yourself."

Zhou Yangming stood with his hands behind his back, his face full of arrogance.

That old geezer Su Mingde had not only rejected his distant relative’s application to join the guild, but had also publicly humiliated him in front of the other executives multiple times. Today, he was determined to settle the score.

If he didn’t kick out this brat recommended by Su Mingde, how could he, Zhou Yangming, ever hold his head high in the Hanlong Guild?

As for whether this brat could pose a threat to him, Zhou Yangming didn’t even consider it. Anyone who could claim a [Concealing Mask] wouldn’t be above Level 20. But he was Level 42, an expert who had already gone through his first class transition. Zhou Yangming figured that if this kid could make him lose even a single drop of health, it would be an absolute miracle.

However, facing Zhou Yangming at such close range, Yu Zhun’s expression became a bit strange.

This guy knew his name and had even told him to attack with the full intent to kill.

The trigger conditions for [Open and Aboveboard] had been met.

He wondered if he really thrust his dagger forward, would the guy in front of him die on the spot?

"What are you just standing there for? You don’t even have the guts to strike?" Zhou Yangming sneered, the disdain in his eyes growing even stronger.

"Yu Zhun, attack!" Su Hong was brimming with confidence. "I know your strength! Even Zhou Yangming has no right to kick you out of the guild!"

Yu Zhun thought, "Bro, please don’t add fuel to the fire!"

The corner of Yu Zhun’s mouth twitched slightly. "Well... I’m afraid that if I stab you, you’ll actually die."

Zhou Yangming froze. A moment later, as if he had just heard the greatest joke in the world, he burst into loud laughter.

"Kill me? And with a single strike?" He looked at Yu Zhun mockingly. "You’re young, but your arrogance knows no bounds.

"I gave you a chance to prove yourself, but you didn’t cherish it." Zhou Yangming shook his head. "Since that’s the case, the Hanlong Guild does not welcome you."

"Zhou Yangming! This is against the rules!" Su Hong shouted furiously, stepping forward to pull Yu Zhun back. "Yu Zhun, don’t listen to him."

In truth, Su Hong was also a little confused as to why Yu Zhun didn’t attack. But he had already accepted Yu Zhun as a friend and wouldn’t question him at a time like this.

"Yu Zhun, don’t worry. I’ll contact my dad right now. He’ll be back in a few days, and then..." Su Hong raised his hand to make the call, but Yu Zhun lifted a hand to stop him.

"Su Hong, forget it.

"I really appreciate you helping me like this, but... there’s no need.

"It’s fine if I go to another guild." Yu Zhun smiled.

The Hanlong Guild was great, but at this moment, he had truly lost interest.

Even if he joined the guild, this Zhou Yangming would definitely still have it out for him. After all, the moment he joined, he would be labeled as belonging to Su Hong’s father’s faction. In the future, he might even be dragged into some inexplicable internal struggles.

He only needed a guild to gain entry qualifications for some Dungeons; he didn’t have the energy to get involved in this kind of drama.

Just now, when Zhou Yangming stood in front of him, he had had countless opportunities to strike, but in the end, he held back.

Killing a Level 42 expert wasn’t difficult. With the Divine Revelation Hall secretly backing him, he probably wouldn’t even face much trouble.

But a novice player killing a Level 42 expert in one hit, under the watchful eyes of the public, would instantly expose his SSS-grade talent.

Furthermore, a Level 42 expert was already considered a pillar of the Hanlong Guild. If he killed Zhou Yangming, he would inevitably forge a blood feud with the entire guild. Even the Su family wouldn’t be able to speak up for him.

There was no need to let things escalate to that point.

"I’m leaving." Patting Su Hong on the shoulder, Yu Zhun turned around gracefully and walked out of the Hanlong Guild.

The hall fell silent.

"Zhou Yangming!" Su Hong glared coldly at the man. "You will definitely regret this."

After saying that, he turned and chased after Yu Zhun, grabbing his arm outside.

"Don’t try to persuade me. Even if I don’t join the Hanlong Guild, we’re still friends." Yu Zhun smiled, thinking Su Hong had come to talk him out of his decision.

Su Hong was silent for a moment. He took out a notebook and shoved it into Yu Zhun’s hands. "This is an exclusive guide my dad gave me.

"You take it. I’ll ask my dad for another copy later."

Yu Zhun was stunned.

Exclusive guides for specific Dungeons were arguably a guild’s most precious asset.

And Su Hong was actually giving it to him.

Yu Zhun was just about to decline when Su Hong cut him off.

"If you don’t take it, you don’t consider me a friend."

After saying that, worried that Yu Zhun would refuse, he simply turned around and ran away.

Looking at the notebook in his arms, Yu Zhun was momentarily speechless.

Yu Zhun thought, "Are you kidding me? There are actually people who force Dungeon guides onto others? Am I really a child of destiny?"