Chapter 95: The King of Beliqi

At last, the anger in my heart has been spent.

Chen Fan gave the elder, who had possessed a retainer, a thorough beating. When it was done, he even let out a laugh of such exuberance that it could have belonged to a certain sleepy detective.

After beating him up, he felt wonderfully refreshed. Before, when the man had been hidden away in the cards, Chen Fan had been powerless to do anything to him. Now that he had finally come out on his own, of course he had to be taught a proper lesson.

The elder, battered black and blue, collapsed to the ground without moving. Judging by the sight of him, Chen Fan had not held back in the slightest.

Young people always love to settle things with their hands and feet, the elder said mildly as he brushed the dust from his robes and straightened his back against the wall. Though bruised and swollen, he looked as though nothing had happened at all.

Your blows did not even register to me. The body is not mine anyway. You ought to calm yourself and continue on your path of card fusion, he gently chided, with not a trace of anger.

I thought you would hit back at least... or at the very least sneer at me a bit. You being like this actually makes me feel a little off, Chen Fan said, his feelings in a tangle upon seeing that the elder intended no settling of scores.

The elder tugged at his shoulder and said, Are you actually some sort of masochist? If no one curses you for a while, your skin starts itching, huh? Tsk, tsk. Hopeless, utterly hopeless.

Chen Fan: ...

Oh? Is that not Lord Chen? Why did you come to the Jixia Academy and not even greet me?

At the sound, Chen Fan turned to look. To his surprise, it was the King of Qi.

In his panic, Chen Fan blurted out, Your Majesty, this humble Chen was merely passing by and happened upon this place. I had nothing to do, so I thought to come for a visit and behold the splendor of the masters. Unexpectedly, I lost my way and somehow wandered here.

Oh? I was just thinking of seeing you today as well. Why not take this chance to witness the contest of the hundred schools? The king did not doubt him. As he spoke, he even took Chen Fan by the hand, his gaze glinting with unreadable meaning, as though hiding some unspeakable secret.

Ah, and who is this? Only then did the King of Qi notice the elder beside Chen Fan, though to him the man was merely an anonymous retainer.

A retainer under General Tian's command. Lord Chen and I were discussing state affairs here a moment ago, but I am a man of shallow learning. What little I know is only a scrap of trifling skill, hardly fit for polite society, and enough only to make a meager living.

The elder's nonsense-spouting ability was first-rate as well. In the age of the Warring States, nobles commonly kept retainers. Among the famed Four Princes of the Warring States, each claimed to have three thousand men in his service, though in truth only a handful were truly capable; the rest were mostly dandies living off others and drifting through life.

Oh, excellent. Then you should come along with me too and broaden your horizons, said the King of Qi, suddenly becoming very talkative.

As you command.

The elder played his part with remarkable skill. He looked every inch the professional actor.

When they entered the council hall, three or four seats were already empty. It was probably the third or fourth day of the game; if the board being played was the same as before, then the balance of advantage and disadvantage had likely already become clear.

Come, Lord Chen, sit here. The King of Qi took his throne and deliberately left a space beside him, signaling for Chen Fan to sit there.

Your Majesty, I fear that would look rather improper, Chen Fan said softly.

What is improper about it? Everyone likes this sort of thing. Come, come, sit down. You are not going to deny me face, are you? The King of Qi coaxed and threatened in equal measure, pressing Chen Fan firmly into the chair.

And me? the elder asked, pointing to himself.

The King of Qi casually pointed and said, There are so many straw mats over there. Take whichever one you like and spread it on the floor. Just do not block the view.

As you command.

This time, the elder's response was less spirited than before. He seemed somewhat displeased.

Lord Chen, though I do not claim mastery over the strengths of the hundred schools, I have heard much and seen much. Since the founding of this Jixia Academy, men of renown from all under heaven have come to know Linzi, flocking here in admiration. Tell me, do you not think the grand design of unifying the realm is already within reach?

His tone, his bearing, all seemed to tell Chen Fan: Look, behold the realm I have conquered for you.

Before Chen Fan realized it, the king had leaned so close that he was almost sitting on his lap. Out of the corner of his eye, Chen Fan saw that the bench was still mostly empty on that side. It was obvious the man was doing this on purpose.

Damn it, this mixed-blood card is cursed. Fine if it can influence the NPCs, but why is it attracting men too?

Seeing the situation turn bad, Chen Fan hurriedly shot a look at the elder below. The elder noticed Chen Fan's embarrassment too, and after the two exchanged glances for a moment, he silently raised a thumb and moved it up and down thirty-two times, then turned his head away again and pretended he saw nothing.

Damn it. Believe me, I can have the King of Qi cut off your dog head, Chen Fan thought, only to turn and discover that the king's stubble was nearly brushing against his face.

Chen Fan covered his face with a sweep of his sleeve and said, Your Majesty, in a public place such as this, behaving like that is rather lacking in decorum.

It seemed the King of Qi finally realized it and leaned back, regaining his composure. You are right, my dear minister. I am the ruler of a nation; I must not lose my dignity.

Chen Fan let out a breath of relief and prepared to watch in earnest.

Number Nine, the spy, has surrendered. I ask Your Majesty to decide his fate, Zou Ji suddenly stepped forward to report.

Let him be torn apart by horse-drawn carriages. There is nothing more to say. The King of Qi waved a hand and disposed of him without hesitation.

Zou Ji looked toward Chen Fan on the throne. A flicker of something strange passed through his eyes, but it quickly returned to calm.

As you command.

Damn, so soon it's already turning dark, Chen Fan muttered to himself uneasily.

As expected, the King of Qi took the initiative and warmly invited him, Lord Chen, it is late. Why not stay the night in the Qi palace?

Not at all, not at all. My wife, children, and the rest of my family are still waiting for me to come home for dinner, Chen Fan said, finding an excuse as he hurriedly rose to leave.

The King of Qi laughed. Come now, Lord Chen, that is a joke. You are a bachelor with both parents long gone; where would you have a wife, children, or family? There is no need to be so formal with me. The road to South City is far, and the way there is full of dangers. The palace is safer.

Far, my ass. It would only take three minutes to walk there, and less than one if I ran. I think staying in your palace is what is dangerous, Chen Fan did not dare say aloud. He shook his head repeatedly, ready to bolt.

The King of Qi insisted, Lord Chen, do not be polite. The more you are like this, the more excited I become. Guards, please escort Lord Chen back to the palace.

As you command.

Zou Ji reluctantly accepted the order and directed several fully armed palace guards to carry Chen Fan away.

This is armed robbery of a good man! Let me out!

Chen Fan did not even know where he had been locked up. He only felt the air around him was bitterly cold, and there was not even a maid to warm the bed.

The door had been locked from the outside. The beam overhead was at least five meters above the ground. Chen Fan did not know any lightness skill, and digging a tunnel was out of the question. He could only leave it to fate.

Lord Chen, thank you for waiting.

The King of Qi pushed open the door. Seeing Chen Fan with an anxious look on his face, he even seemed a little shy.

Chen Fan roared, You damned rogue, I will not submit!

The King of Qi smiled sweetly. You will not suffer. I guarantee I will keep you standing straight, and very comfortably too.

To hell with you, you gay bastard. I refuse to believe I cannot outdo you, Chen Fan said, rolling up his sleeves and preparing to go all out against the King of Qi.

Lord Chen, why make this difficult? It would be a shame to ruin the harmony between us.

As soon as the king finished speaking, several armored men rushed in from outside and, without another word, bound Chen Fan hand and foot at once.

I curse you... mmph mmph mmph...