Am I That Famous?

The oppressive pressure was not overwhelming, but it was at a very high level—roughly that of a peak knight. The next moment, someone let out a soft exclamation of surprise. "Huh, someone's actually here? State your background!" Wu Youren made no response, acting as if he hadn't heard a thing. "A mere apprentice knight," the voice snorted. "The cave you're staying in was dug by me, understand?" "If you still refuse to state your identity, we'll have to consider releasing poison gas!" Two key terms: one was "we," and the other was "poison gas." "A student on a Red Pine patrol mission," Wu Youren answered, unable to hold out any longer. "I ended up stranded here by accident." "Then we're coming in," the other party spoke in a low voice. "You don't want to alert the Guizu either, do you?" Three figures entered the cave one after another—two apprentice knights and one knight. They first took out glow sticks and snapped them lit. The knight looked remarkably ordinary and slightly plump. "We are from the Military Intelligence Bureau. We need to inspect you now." "You need to inspect me?" Wu Youren wore an odd expression. "Has your biguijue been damaged?" "The biguijue is intact," the knight stated calmly. "However, the Guizu are evolving as well. One can never be too careful." "Then I need to inspect you as well," Wu Youren took out his identification token and gave it a flash, stating neither servilely nor overbearingly, "I am on patrol duty." The Intelligence Bureau was overbearing, but within Red Pine's sphere of influence, his demand was not excessive in the least. One of the apprentice knights also produced an identity token and flashed it in imitation. "Fine. Keep your hands away from your gun." When Wu Youren had left, he hadn't deliberately put down Instructor Keli's handgun, and he had just picked up another one. As for not having a rifle, that was entirely normal for an apprentice knight. Needless to say, the result of the inspection showed he was certainly clear. As for inspecting them, that was purely for show. Judging by the fact that his biguijue had not reacted in the slightest, there was nothing wrong with their condition. He didn't want to display his jade talisman either; at a time like this, the less trouble, the better. Yet the knight opposite him would not let it drop. "Didn't you want an inspection? Has your biguijue been damaged?" Having a biguijue destroyed was not unheard of, but failing to produce one in an area shrouded in Guizu aura would make far too many people suspicious. "The biguijue is right here," Wu Youren raised a jade piece and gave it a shake, replying expressionlessly, "It's even better than yours." He could shoulder some blame when necessary, but he had no interest in getting involved in things that had nothing to do with him. "Huh, this style?" Sure enough, the knight noticed something peculiar. "You're not from Liang?" Wu Youren answered calmly, "I grew up in Liang from childhood. This is my home!" "Cut the talk," the knight sneered dismissively. A flicker of greed showed in his eyes. "I already told you we're from the Intelligence Bureau. Do you think we're so easy to fool?" "Sir," one of the apprentice knights spoke up, nudging his chin toward a certain direction. "It's a python, freshly skinned." Wu Youren had devoured the entire python, scooping out even its brains, but... python skin wasn't edible. "Huh, a python actually got in here?" The knight looked distinctly surprised. "Good thing someone from Red Pine arrived first." With his cultivation, he wouldn't care about a measly little python. Yet the issue was that the three of them had arrived at night! Caught off guard, any clash that broke out would inevitably alert the Guizu! How could they carry out the rest of their mission then? Immediately after, he realized another problem. "With so many Guizu aura clusters around... did you kill that python all on your own?" "Yes," Wu Youren nodded. "I got separated from my companions. I had no other choice." He didn't try to show off, deliberately emphasizing that he had companions. "This isn't a matter of having no choice," the knight said, shaking his head and eyeing him thoughtfully. "Where's the python meat?" "Ate it," Wu Youren tossed out two indifferent words, having no interest in elaborating—it was his spoil of war, so what did it have to do with them? "Impossible to finish," an apprentice knight stated. "It was packed with blood qi. Only another knight could have pulled that off." Wu Youren was rather speechless at that. "Can't I just have a big appetite?" "Please get this straight, we are from the Intelligence Bureau!" the apprentice knight retorted sternly, showing no courtesy at all. "Everything you know, we know; what you don't know, we know as well... Are you trying to question our judgment?" He truly possessed the right to be proud—ordinary people simply couldn't access much of the relevant intelligence or detailed data. "I meant no such thing," Wu Youren shook his head, thinking to himself: *Why would I bother questioning you?* If winning a debate gave some kind of reward... never mind, he couldn't be bothered to win even with a reward. Why draw unnecessary attention to himself? "You ate at least twenty jin?" The knight had calculated it as well, his eyes turning somewhat strange. "Aren't you afraid of bursting your stomach?" "Patrol missions are just like this," Wu Youren replied without a ripple of emotion. "Feast one meal, starve the next. You get used to it." "Going five or six days between meals is a regular occurrence too. The main thing is not to embarrass my instructor!" To someone who didn't know better, he would sound like an outstanding student whose thoughts were dedicated entirely to Red Pine. However, the knight chuckled noncommittally. Emphasizing over and over that he had an instructor? "All right, this place is ours now. You can leave." *Do you have a deed?* In that moment, Wu Youren really wanted to ask that. Claiming you dug this cave and just flapping your gums means others have to give up their spot for you? Still, what was the point? Debating wouldn't settle anything. More practically, if he pushed too hard, they could forcibly drive him out. He spoke slowly, "Can I wait until dawn? It won't be long." "Then stay," the knight said, not wishing to waste more words. "However, we will inspect your supplies. If we need anything, we will requisition it." "Don't," Wu Youren waved a hand, speaking solemnly. "If you want to talk requisition, go find a Red Pine instructor." "Why so many words?" One of the apprentice knights grew irritated. "We've already told you our identities. Are you trying to resist?" There were no saints in the Intelligence Bureau; speaking to him like this was already considered polite. "Enough," the knight intervened. "Then we will only inspect them. Take them out yourself." It remained an overbearing demand, but it was already a step back. If Wu Youren didn't agree, he would have to leave right now. Silently, he opened his backpack and dumped its contents onto the ground. "Leave the first-aid kit and wound medicine," an apprentice knight instructed. "We'll buy them!" Those had been left behind by the corrupted knight! Wu Youren shook his head. "Trade for them with ghost-dispelling powder!" On the battlefield, both were hard currency that money couldn't buy, and the latter was even more precious. "What are you dreaming about?" the man sneered back. "Don't think being a Red Pine student makes you special. If we weren't worried about alerting the Guizu..." Three against one, and with a knight on their side, the only thing holding them back was the fear of being detected. "Then no trade," Wu Youren stated briskly. "I need to use them too!" Hearing that, the three exchanged glances, appearing somewhat hesitant. "One of us is injured," the apprentice knight spoke again. "Name your price." This place was very close to the battlefield... Wu Youren asked impassively, "Can't you head back to fetch some wound medicine?" He couldn't tell which of the three was wounded; he couldn't even smell blood. "That is not for you to know," the man stated sternly. "I don't want to repeat myself." "Then I'll just give them to you," Wu Youren waved a hand. "Don't talk to me about requisition; they are two entirely different things!" In such a chaotic environment, he couldn't show weakness even if he wanted to. Softness would only invite greater peril. "At least you're sensible," the apprentice knight said, unconcerned with his phrasing and only caring about the outcome. The other apprentice knight stepped forward, gathered the first-aid kit and wound medicine, and went behind the knight. The knight pulled off his damp upper garment, revealing a long strip of bandages. It was clear the wound was on his back, tied across his chest merely to secure the dressing. Soon, the scent of medicinal ointment drifted through the air as the apprentice knight treated the wound behind him. The knight wore a blank expression, fiddling with the wristwatch on his arm instead. A dozen seconds later, he casually glanced at Wu Youren and remarked in surprise, "Your wristwatch... is turned off?" "Yes," Wu Youren nodded. "In dangerous territory, one can't be too cautious." The knight pondered for a moment before abruptly asking, "Are you called Wu Youren?" "Huh?" Hearing that, the Jin youth's perpetually calm face finally registered astonishment. *When the hell did I get so famous?* "I heard Sister Hua mention you," the knight said with interest. "Your appearance really is quite distinctive." Wu Youren was struck speechless, alarm bells ringing furiously in his mind. This was definitely not a good omen. "She said you have a strong intuition for Guizu aura," the knight continued, quite talkative. "No wonder you dare stay out here alone." The Jin youth remained silent. Since the other man knew his name, his identity could hardly be concealed either. Yet the knight did not expose his background, instead asking another question, "But this realm of yours... how does it feel like you're almost a knight?" "Far from it," Wu Youren had no choice but to speak up. "I'll be satisfied if I can attempt a breakthrough before twenty." "Before twenty?" The apprentice knight tending to the bandages chuckled softly. Having finished the wrapping, he tied a knot in the bandage and looked over at the youth opposite him, an undisguised sneer on his face. "Kid, don't brag so casually, all right?" Though not old himself, he was already in his early twenties and still an apprentice knight; he truly couldn't stomach hearing such words. *I was already holding back...* Wu Youren felt utterly helpless. He wasn't trying to show off, but the knight across from him had already sensed his cultivation. Hiding it any further would only arouse suspicion. The man surely knew he was a hostage from Jin; any abnormal behavior he displayed could easily be overinterpreted. He did not reply. Instead, the knight spoke up again. "Enough. Just because you can't do it doesn't mean others can't."