The Imperial Martial Arts Tournament is…… Get Lost If You're Trying to Listen in for Free!

　　I hopelessly asked: "What exactly happened? How do I know who I should help if you don't tell me?"

　　Su Xiao who was leaning on me suddenly jumped up, turned around and blinked his large eyes. He looked at me with disbelief: "You're not helping me? Shouldn't you help me unconditionally since we're buddies?"

　　When did this kid learn to become so unreasonable like women?!

　　"Yeah, yeah, I'm always on your side." I scrubbed his small head and then changed the subject: "What happened?"

　　Su Xiao revealed a comforted expression like a cat sunbathing. He pursed his lips into a smile and said: "We chatted for a while. We were having a proper chat…"

　　I knew it. Su Xiao's personality actually goes well with Bai Ling, so they should be able to become good friends.

　　"But! When we started talking about the imperial martial arts tournament, she said some frustrating things."

　　"Imperial martial arts tournament?"

　　"Yeah. She said something about there being a fair number of contestants this time, but not many were skilled. She was worried that not even three would be selected from the contestants this time."

　　I almost laughed out loud. I could virtually imagine Bai Ling putting on airs as she usually does, acting proud like a teacher that enjoyed educating people. She must've pretended to cough twice, and then raised her head to say: "Since you asked, I shall kindly tell you."

　　She definitely then turned to face Su Xiao and bragged about how she can read things so well and is knowledgeable about the martial world. She must've given him an a.n.a.lysis for all sorts of stuff. She likes to talk to people about things in the martial world.

　　I couldn't help but smile and shake my head. You'll scare off all your new friends like that, General Manager Bai.

　　Su Xiao then continued: "She suddenly coughed, and then something like 'since you asked, I shall kindly tell you. I don't tell this to everybody'. Then she happily went blah blah blah."

　　Hehehe. I didn't laugh. No, serious, I didn't laugh… Pfft!

　　"I was listening to her properly at the start. But then I got frustrated when she said we don't have anyone talented. What made me mad most was that she underestimated Liu Shan Men." Su Xiao grumbled: "She said that while four of us made it, it's guaranteed that none of us will make it to the end. She even said the winner will be one of the wandering warriors if not Long Zaitian. G.o.d d.a.m.n that p.i.s.sed me off!"

　　"She's very…….."

　　……. She's quite right.

　　n.o.body would think that Liu Shan Men is something worth paying attention to given the state we're in. Even Boss Shen feels that us making it to the finals in itself is a win. The strongest in the emperor's entourage, Tie Hanyi has been defeated, and now there aren't many skilled contestants left. From Bai Ling's point of view, she can judge a person's skill without much observation. But Bai Ling lacks people-skills. If she happily disparages Liu Shan Men right in front of him, of course she'll p.i.s.s off Su Xiao.

　　"Didn't she tell you the reason?"