Zhao Prince’s Manor.
Zhao Prince finished reading the spy report, his face glowing with satisfaction.
“As expected of my dear royal brother. Even a perfect situation can be ruined by him. That petty and narrow-minded temperament has not changed in decades. No wonder Father Emperor said he lacks the ability for great responsibility—this position should have been mine!”
The strategists below passed the report around and all congratulated him.
Zhao Prince stroked his chin.
“I heard that Xie Yi could actually fight Bai Xingmao to a standstill. Bai Xingmao’s abilities are well known even in the capital. Since Xie Yi is on par with him, I do feel some desire to recruit him…”
One strategist hesitated: “But he is said to be arrogant and difficult to deal with…”
Zhao Prince laughed loudly.
“I am not like Zhao Jinghuan, jealous of talent. If he truly has ability, I can tolerate a bit of arrogance.”
“Your Highness is broad-minded—indeed a blessing to the realm.”
Another quickly added, “The report also says Xie Yi only used ordinary sword techniques when fighting Bai Xingmao. He must be a rare genius.”
“Oh? Is that so?” Zhao Prince narrowed his eyes.
As someone who also practiced martial arts, he understood how difficult that was.
He even felt a trace of regret—if such a man had been recruited earlier and trained with the best techniques, he would now have another great general under him.
At that moment, he noticed Shen Xian, who had been frowning in silence.
“Sir Shen, why are you silent today?”
Shen Xian cupped his hands.
“Your Highness, I simply feel this matter is too coincidental. Could it be a scheme from the Eastern Palace?”
Zhao Prince was not angered. Instead, he smiled kindly.
“Sir Shen is too cautious. The reason I am eager to recruit talent is not only his martial skill, but also the Shock Troop Camp in his hands.”
Shen Xian was shocked: “The General has even handed over the Shock Troop Camp to him?!”
“Indeed.” Zhao Prince nodded in satisfaction. “If we gain his loyalty, we essentially gain the elite forces of the Shuofang army. Why complicate things further?”
Shen Xian showed an expression of admiration.
The master is truly foresighted—he has Zhao Prince completely calculated.
He bowed.
“Then I shall congratulate Your Highness in advance on gaining a talented general, like adding wings to a tiger.”
—
Meanwhile, Lin Zhiji was staring at the system shop, grinding his teeth so hard he wanted to drag System 03 out and scold it.
The first-time body purchase: 10,000 points.
After that: 2,000 points per month, or it gets repossessed.
Down payment ten thousand, monthly installment two thousand!
Are you running real estate?!
But he had no choice but to buy it. Others had housing needs—he had a body need.
Although Xie Yi had been treating him fairly well lately, he had not forgotten how he had been treated at the beginning.
Besides, who would willingly live in someone else’s house?
Especially a volatile landlord who could read minds.
But ten thousand points… that was really hard to save.
He had only accumulated a little over three thousand so far, and after spending some on healing items, he was left with barely over two thousand.
And worse—he could not earn it alone. It depended on Xie Yi.
After the “injury” in the Eastern Palace, Xie Yi returned to Qingping Courtyard to recover.
Except “recovering” meant he was still busy every day.
Lin Zhiji secretly peeked at him.
Almost immediately, Xie Yi noticed.
But he did not expose him, continuing his work while dividing part of his attention toward him.
Lin Zhiji sighed.
He did not know how to bring it up.
He couldn’t just say: “Hey host, I want to take a loan for a body, can you help me?”
Even if Xie Yi agreed, what would he gain?
He had already promised to give all points to Xie Yi for saving the Cen siblings.
Now it felt like asking him to work for nothing while still handing over his own earnings.
Lin Zhiji did not have that thick a skin.
He sighed again.
Xie Yi finally set down his brush.
【What is it?】
Lin Zhiji jumped.
Xie Yi picked up a handkerchief and slowly wiped his fingers.
【You’ve been restless since yesterday. What do you want to say?】
Lin Zhiji swallowed nervously, realizing again how sharp he was.
So he gave up hesitation and asked softly: 【Host, do you have time lately?】
【Mm?】
Lin Zhiji smiled obsequiously: 【If you do, could you do more tasks?】
Xie Yi paused, then smiled faintly.
【Just for this? Say it directly. I wouldn’t refuse you.】
Lin Zhiji froze.
That easy?
He had prepared a whole set of excuses.
But Xie Yi had already returned to his writing, seemingly unconcerned.
So Lin Zhiji seized the opportunity: 【Then… can I farm points for a whole day?】
【Yes.】
Lin Zhiji: !!!
At that moment, Qingli entered with a post.
“Master, this is a visiting card from the Zhao Prince’s Manor.”
Since Xie Yi had entered the Eastern Palace and gained the Shock Troop Camp, he had become a rising figure in the capital.
Many people now came to visit or send gifts.
Xie Yi smiled faintly.
“Zhao Prince is more impatient than I expected.”
He did not even glance at the gift list.
“Return it in full. Let him wait a little longer.”
“Yes.”
Lin Zhiji immediately jumped in: 【Host, do a praise task first!】
Xie Yi said calmly: “You handled this well.”
Qingli froze.
Huh? But nothing has happened yet?
Next.
【Care for subordinates task.】
Xie Yi did it.
Then the third task.
He completed it without any hesitation.
Qingli left in a daze.
Lin Zhiji felt a faint trace of guilt—but it was quickly drowned by the rising points.
For several days, everything went smoothly.
Lin Zhiji became increasingly confident.
At this rate, ten thousand points were within reach!
Xie Yi suddenly spoke.
【You seem very anxious.】
Lin Zhiji: 【What?】
Xie Yi said slowly: 【You suddenly need a large amount of points. What are you trying to exchange for?】
It was like a bucket of cold water poured over him.
Lin Zhiji froze.
He had gotten too comfortable.
Too careless.
He forced a smile: 【Host, what are you talking about…】
Xie Yi smiled gently.
【You originally had about two thousand points. Even with these days’ earnings, it’s still not enough. Whatever you want must be expensive.】
Lin Zhiji: !!!
True fear finally crept in.
This man… seeing through people was far too dangerous.
Xie Yi tapped the table lightly.
“DONG” sounded, startling him so much that like a bird frightened by a bow, his whole body exploded in panic.
【Have you figured out how to quibble?】
Although Xie Yi was still smiling, the tail of his tone carried faint traces of danger.
Lin Zhiji knew he couldn’t hide it anymore.
He gritted his teeth: 【I… I saw my own body in the system mall.】
He knew he couldn’t deceive Xie Yi, and he had no intention of deceiving him.
He simply chose to tell part of the truth.
But even so, in front of Xie Yi—this “human lie detector”—he still felt terrifying pressure.
After he finished speaking, Xie Yi did not open his mouth.
Silence surged in like a tide, almost suffocating Lin Zhiji.
He frantically simulated in his mind the questions Xie Yi would ask, such as how this body appeared in the mall, and why he didn’t tell the truth at the beginning… etc.
He prepared for everything.
Yet he only heard Xie Yi ask in a cold voice.
【So, you want to leave me?】