But Ki Qinyin simply smiled. "It's the Huang Family that wants someone to join my Northern Dragon Guard. The method of testing is my choice to make, isn't it?"

Shi Hongda's expression changed. That was indeed the truth.

"But…" Shi Hongda gritted his teeth. "Isn't testing Huang Sheng this way too harsh? And too unfair?!"

"Tell me, how many young people in this world can withstand the gazes of eight elite veterans returning from the Northern Territory battlefield? Even Xu Ke, who just won the championship, wouldn't be able to! If Xu Ke can withstand it, our Huang Family will leave immediately and never bother Madame Yu again."

Shi Hongda had deftly shifted the issue onto Xu Ke.

The faces of the onlookers immediately darkened.

How shameless! Wang Qiya inwardly cursed.

Wong Qifu's gaze grew a fraction icier.

Chen Xiong and Yuan Shang looked even more displeased. This old codger! He made it seem like he was here to stand up for Huang Sheng, but after all that, his real goal was to give Xu Ke a hard time. What an old dog!

But upon hearing this, Ki Qinyin just laughed, her voice filled with contempt. "And what business is that of yours?"

Does Shi Hongda think he can use me to give Xu Ke a hard time? He must be dreaming!

At her words, Shi Hongda's old face turned completely black. The others widened their eyes in shock. Ki Qinyin's words were truly uncompromising, showing the Huang Family no respect at all.

The subtext was clear. You want fairness? I'm not giving it to you! What are you going to do about it?

But this left many even more confused. Why was Ki Qinyin so protective of Xu Ke? It seemed a bit excessive… Testing Xu Ke with the gazes of eight men was hardly a big deal. Was it really necessary to treat the Huang Family this way?

Huang Zhendong was gritting his teeth in anger, and Huang Sheng wore an expression of deep humiliation. It was utterly mortifying!

Recommending yourself and failing was one thing. These days, very few could hope to enter the Northern Dragon Guard on intellect alone, and the Huang Family had already anticipated failure. What they hadn't anticipated was being utterly scorned by Ki Qinyin on top of it! This was a tremendous slap in the face! 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

But just then, Xu Ke suddenly stood up. "Madame Yu, I think Elder Shi has a point. Fairness and justice are the most reasonable approach. It would prevent people from spreading rumors that the Northern Dragon Guard and you, by extension, are unfair."

At these words, Shi Hongda and his men shot dark, unfriendly looks at Xu Ke.

What did he mean by that? Was he implying that if anyone spread rumors about the Northern Dragon Guard being unfair in the future, the culprits would obviously be the Huang Family?!

Huang Sheng seethed. This Xu Ke... he really never misses an opportunity to kick a man when he's down.

But as Ki Qinyin looked at Xu Ke, a flicker of confusion crossed her mind. "Then what are you suggesting?" She had a feeling his words weren't just aimed at attacking the Huang Family. He was laying the groundwork for something...

Sure enough, Xu Ke said thoughtfully, "Therefore, for the sake of fairness, please allow me to undergo the same test. If I can't pass, then I naturally cannot join the Northern Dragon Guard either!"

At those words, the entire venue erupted in shock. All eyes snapped to Xu Ke.

Wang Qiya, Wang Wu, Yuan Shang, and Chen Xiong stared at Xu Ke in disbelief. They desperately wanted to ask him if he had lost his mind. Ki Qinyin was clearly protecting him, preventing her subordinates from giving him a hard time. All they had to do was sit back and watch the Huang Family's humiliating exit. He could have even kicked them while they were down... So why on earth was he actively looking for trouble?!

The spectating families from the various clans thought Xu Ke's brain must be waterlogged. Did he think he was invincible just because he defeated Qian Jun? These were eight elite members of the Northern Dragon Guard—the best of the best, qualified to protect Madame Dragon King herself... Did he really think someone at the mere Postnatal Late Stage could withstand their combined gaze?

The members of the Huang Family were stunned, then furious. What does Xu Ke mean by this? Is he saying that he can do what Huang Sheng couldn't? That bastard!

Shi Hongda, however, quickly converted his anger into a cold sneer. Fine. Let's see how you handle the presence of these eight men. Did you really think a kept man, a nobody from Shan City, could withstand the killing intent of men who have crawled out of piles of corpses? What a joke!

But at this moment, only Wong Qifu wore a bitter smile. How could she not understand his intentions? First, this would preserve the Northern Dragon Guard's reputation, eliminating any possibility of rumors about their unfairness. Second, Xu Ke would surely fail the test. This would give him a legitimate reason to refuse Ki Qinyin's invitation to join the Guard, sparing him the need to invent excuses and risk offending her... It was a way to kill two birds with one stone!

Faced with Xu Ke's demand, Ki Qinyin frowned and sighed. "Are you serious?!"

Of course, she could see his "two birds with one stone" gambit. And that was precisely why she was unhappy. Did you really have to go this far just to avoid joining the Northern Dragon Guard? The very same Guard that others begged to join meant so little to you?!

Seeing Ki Qinyin's reaction, everyone was shocked. Could Ki Qinyin be angry?!

Nearby, the members of the Ye, Qin, and Kang Families immediately grew smug, casting scornful glances at Xu Ke. What an ungrateful fool. Now you see you're just courting death, don't you? Did you think you could do whatever you wanted just because Ki Qinyin appreciates you? Now you've overplayed your hand and offended the Northern Territory Dragon King. You're finished!

Chen Xiong and Yuan Shang's faces paled. Chen Xiong hurriedly spoke up, wanting to explain on Xu Ke's behalf. "Madame Yu, Xu Ke isn't—" They absolutely could not allow the situation to worsen.

But Xu Ke immediately nodded. "I am serious!"

"In all honesty, I have long admired the valor of the Northern Dragon Guard. What man in this world does not dream of protecting his home and country? But if I don't take the test, the accusations of unfairness will always be pointed at my back. How could I accept your invitation with a clear conscience?"

He felt his intention to refuse Ki Qinyin's offer was a bit too obvious, so he figured he should praise the Northern Dragon Guard to help her save face...

Beside him, however, Wong Qifu suddenly felt she had heard these words before. Her eyebrows lifted slightly as she remembered. Back when their engagement was first arranged, Xu Ke had said something remarkably similar when he found out he wouldn't have to be her fiancé... As this thought crossed Wong Qifu's mind, a peculiar expression formed on her face as she glanced at Xu Ke.

Chen Xiong and Yuan Shang felt as if they'd been plunged into an ice cellar, filled with deep regret. We should have gagged him!

When Ki Qinyin heard this, a glimmer of hope suddenly sparked in her heart, and her eyes lit up. Is he implying that if he passes the test, he'll join the Northern Dragon Guard? In that case, can't I just tell my men to go easy on him and bring him back to the Northern Territory? At this thought, Ki Qinyin's entire face brightened.