Chapter 35: THE EXAMINATION(9)

It was the examinee who had spoken up for him during the written examination earlier that afternoon.

The young man carried a small package as he walked toward one of the nearby inns. He had barely passed an alley when three grown men stepped into his path, and Li Yan’s relaxed expression immediately disappeared.

One of the men grabbed the young man’s shoulder while another snatched the package from his hands.

"Hand over your storage pouch as well," the man demanded. "Anyone who can come to Floating City for the Nine Jade Sect examination should have something valuable."

The young man tried to pull himself free, but the three men quickly surrounded him and blocked every direction he could use to escape.

Li Yan’s brows drew together.

He remembered the young man standing up for him when Elder Shen had accused him of cheating. They had only helped each other once, but that was enough for Li Yan to recognize a favor when he saw one.

"Uncle Yan," Li Yan said as he pointed toward the street below, "that is the examinee who spoke for me during the examination."

Hu Biyan followed his gaze and immediately understood why Li Yan was concerned.

"You want me to help him?"

"Please."

Hu Biyan nodded and stood from his chair. "Then let us go before those men take things any further."

Li Yan followed him downstairs, but he had no intention of confronting the men himself. His cultivation was only at the first stage of Martial Qi, and the people surrounding the young man were grown men who clearly had more experience fighting than he did.

There was no reason to put himself in danger when Hu Biyan was beside him.

By the time they reached the street, one of the men had grabbed the young man’s collar and shoved him against the wall.

"Give us your pouch, or you will regret refusing us."

The young man clenched his teeth and tried to pull the man’s hand away. "I already told you that I don’t have anything valuable."

Hu Biyan stepped between them before the situation could escalate further.

"Let him go."

The three men turned toward him, and the leader looked Hu Biyan over before scoffing.

"This has nothing to do with you."

Hu Biyan’s expression remained calm as he met the man’s gaze. "It does now."

The pressure of his cultivation descended upon the street before the men could respond.

Their expressions changed immediately as their knees buckled beneath them. The leader tried to remain standing, but the overwhelming pressure forced him to lower himself toward the ground.

Only then did he understand that the person they had provoked was far beyond anything they could afford to offend.

"Leave," Hu Biyan ordered.

The pressure disappeared, and the three men immediately scrambled away without daring to look back.

The young man remained against the wall for a moment before straightening his robes. He looked from the fleeing men to Hu Biyan, then finally toward Li Yan as he realized who had brought the older cultivator there.

Li Yan bent down and picked up the package that had fallen onto the ground during the confrontation.

"You dropped this."

The young man quickly accepted it with both hands and checked that nothing inside had been damaged before looking back at Li Yan.

"You helped me again."

"This time, Uncle Yan helped you." Li Yan glanced toward Hu Biyan before returning his attention to the young man. "I only noticed that you were in trouble."

The young man shook his head. "You still came down because you saw me."

Li Yan did not deny it.

The young man hesitated for a moment before introducing himself. "My name is Gu Jun. I am sixteen years old, and I owe you for what happened today. I will repay you when I get the opportunity."

Li Yan studied him for a moment.

Gu Jun had helped him during the examination without asking for anything in return, and now Li Yan had returned the favor. As far as he was concerned, the matter could end there.

Then an idea occurred to him.

A small smile appeared on Li Yan’s face.

"Since you owe me, become my lackey."

Gu Jun stared at him, clearly caught off guard by the request.

Hu Biyan turned his head to hide the amusement that had appeared on his face, but Li Yan noticed it anyway.

Li Yan continued when Gu Jun remained speechless. "If you follow me faithfully, I will make you the strongest and richest man on the continent."

Gu Jun’s eyes widened.

"You are serious?"

"I am."

Li Yan looked at him calmly, though there was a trace of amusement in his eyes. He had no idea whether Gu Jun would actually agree, but the young man’s reaction was already entertaining.

Gu Jun stared at him for several moments before his expression suddenly brightened.

"Then I agree!"

Li Yan had not expected such an immediate answer.

Gu Jun straightened his clothes and bowed toward him with complete seriousness. "From today onward, I will follow you. If you say you will make me the strongest and richest man on the continent, then I will believe you."

Li Yan looked at the earnest young man before him and could not help laughing softly.

"Then you had better stay alive long enough to see whether I can keep that promise."

Gu Jun nodded firmly. "I will."

Hu Biyan finally turned back toward them and shook his head with an amused smile. "You two have already decided everything without asking whether I agree."

Li Yan looked toward him. "You disagree?"

"I did not say that." Hu Biyan’s smile widened as he motioned toward the restaurant. "Now come back upstairs before the food gets cold."

Li Yan’s stomach reminded him that he had left several dishes unfinished, and he immediately turned toward the restaurant.

"Let’s go."

Gu Jun followed beside him without hesitation.

Li Yan had only intended to enjoy a quiet meal after a long examination, yet by the time he returned to the restaurant, he had somehow acquired a sixteen-year-old lackey.

He was not sure whether that was fortunate or troublesome.

For some reason, he suspected it would be both.