"Mr. Xia, this…" Xu Ke hesitated for a moment, somewhat puzzled. When had the Northern Dragon Guard ever offended me? It seemed unnecessary for Xia Wenfeng to apologize to me right off the bat, didn't it?

"Just call me Captain Xia." Xia Wenfeng waved his hand, his smile tinged with a hint of regret. "You Jinlong and I are both squad captains under Lord Yu.

"After You Jinlong told me all about you, I had really hoped you would join my team. But unexpectedly, for some reason, Madame Yu refused you."

Hearing this, Xu Ke finally understood. He's apologizing on behalf of the Northern Dragon Guard for rejecting me! 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Yang Shoukang snorted coldly at his side and said bluntly, "Ki Qinyin doesn't recognize talent when she sees it. Your Northern Dragon Guard is blind, and it serves you right to lose out on someone like him."

His words were laced with extreme anger over the Northern Dragon Guard's failure to recruit Xu Ke. He was already furious. The disciple of the exalted Medical Saint was willing to join your Northern Dragon Guard! It should have been your honor! And yet Ki Qinyin didn't take him?

Yang Shoukang had been so furious at the time that he wanted to cause trouble for the Northern Dragon Guard. It was Xiao Ji who had to call for help to hold him back.

Xia Wenfeng gave an apologetic smile. "Elder Yang is right. We at the Northern Dragon Guard truly did miss out on a great talent."

Xu Ke coughed twice and said awkwardly, "It's… it's really nothing."

I don't understand why neither Xia Wenfeng nor You Jinlong knows I'm already a Seasoned Envoy. But since Ki Qinyin didn't tell them the truth, I have no reason to reveal my hand. I'll just have to keep it a secret for now. As for Yang Shoukang letting the Northern Dragon Guard take the fall, Xu Ke figured he would just have to let Xia Wenfeng carry this burden for now…

Seeing Xu Ke's unnatural expression, Chen Xiong thought his sore spot had been poked again. He hurriedly tried to smooth things over, saying, "Right, right, it's nothing."

I just finished consoling Xu Ke and telling him not to dwell on the Northern Dragon Guard, so why is it being brought up again? This Xia Wenfeng is really something else. Of all the times to show up, why now? Couldn't he have come earlier or later?

"But it is something," Xia Wenfeng said seriously, shaking his head. "Besides my mission, I had another purpose for coming to Tianhai: to apologize to you.

"You Jinlong has been back for two days, and he's spent both of them sighing and complaining to me.

"You withstood the aura assault of the Eight Dragon Guards, effortlessly eliminated Qian Jun, and faced the combined forces of Tianhai's major powers, the Southern Territory's Wong Ting, and the Long Capital Martial Alliance without even batting an eye. You are exactly the kind of talent the Northern Dragon Guard needs.

"We all feel that with your strength, you could truly shine in the northern territories. But we've racked our brains and still can't figure out why Madame Yu changed her mind halfway through and didn't bring you back from Tianhai...

"Her actions were truly improper! We even submitted a joint report, but Lord Yu told us not to be hasty, so we couldn't say anything more...

"A pearl buried in dust. What a shame."

His words plunged the corridor into complete silence.

Yang Shoukang and Chen Xiong fell silent as well. They exchanged a look, both clearly moved by Xia Wenfeng's speech. Or rather, his words had struck a chord deep within them. In their eyes, Xu Ke truly was a pearl buried in dust. The more they thought about it, the more puzzled they became. What in the world was Ki Qinyin thinking, not taking Xu Ke with her?

But while they felt that way, Xu Ke was breaking out in a cold sweat, feeling utterly embarrassed.

I never imagined You Jinlong would think so highly of me. He even took his comrades to complain about Ki Qinyin in front of Yu Kangan… Suddenly, I feel like I'm doing Ki Qinyin a disservice by hiding my identity as a Seasoned Envoy. But I understand one thing even better—if I admit now that I was the one who didn't want to go, and that Ki Qinyin offered me the position of Seasoned Envoy just to get me to stay, forget whether that's fair to her or not, it would definitely make this situation even more awkward…

"It's fine, it's fine." After a moment of embarrassment, Xu Ke forced a smile. "Captain Xia, even though I can't go to the northern territories right now, I believe we'll still have a chance to fight side-by-side in the future."

I can't bring myself to say, 'Even though I can't join the Northern Dragon Guard right now…' After all, as a Seasoned Envoy who has already joined, I can't deceive Xia Wenfeng with a clear conscience.

Xia Wenfeng was delighted. "What a fine young man.

"Madame Yu treats you this way, yet you harbor no resentment and remain so earnest.

"Rest assured, I'll go back and continue to discuss this with Lord Yu.

"If Madame Yu is mistaken, we can correct her."

He assumed that when Xu Ke spoke of fighting side-by-side, it meant he still harbored a desire to join the Northern Dragon Guard.

Startled, Xu Ke quickly waved his hands. "No, no need to talk about it!

"Madame Yu didn't say I couldn't join the Northern Dragon Guard. She just said I needed to gain more experience. She's looking out for me, worried that I wouldn't be able to handle the rigorous training."

Talk about it more? Go complain about his wife to the Northern Dragon King again? That's not appropriate, is it?

Deeply moved, Xia Wenfeng patted Xu Ke's shoulder. "You don't have to worry about me!

"The atmosphere within the Northern Dragon Guard is very open. Saying a few words won't cause a rift between Madame Yu and Lord Yu.

"Just remember, the Northern Dragon Guard will always welcome you."

He knew Xu Ke was worried that he would be resented by Yu Kangan and Ki Qinyin, which was why he was so moved. Even at a time like this, he doesn't forget to speak up for Ki Qinyin, and he's even considerate of a stranger like me… Exceptionally talented, extremely strong, and kind-hearted. And from what Yang Shoukang said, he's also a doctor... So versatile! This is precisely the kind of talent the Northern Dragon Guard needs most!

At that moment, Xia Wenfeng was tempted to simply take Xu Ke back to the northern territories and report his actions later. They could sort out the details afterward!

But Xu Ke was on the verge of tears without any tears to cry. Is there any way to explain this now?

"Alright, that's enough. No matter how much you regret it, Dr. Xu isn't going to the northern territories with you now, so give up on that idea," Yang Shoukang cut in, interrupting Xia Wenfeng.

He could easily see Xia Wenfeng's desire to take Xu Ke away. All this talk from Xia Wenfeng is just to clean up Ki Qinyin's mess. Now that Ki Qinyin won't let Xu Ke report for duty, he's bound to drift to another power. So Xia Wenfeng is using these touching words to keep Xu Ke's hopes up about the Northern Dragon Guard, ensuring he doesn't join anyone else. That way, the Northern Dragon Guard can keep a top talent on the hook for free…

But since the Northern Dragon Guard had no intention of letting Xu Ke report for duty, Yang Shoukang couldn't possibly allow Xia Wenfeng to continue building a rapport with him. Trying to retain talent without even letting them join up? Does that make any sense? If you're going to make empty promises, at least make them believable!

Seeing Yang Shoukang's displeased interruption, Xia Wenfeng coughed awkwardly. "Elder Yang, don't be so harsh."

"It was your Madame Yu who was harsh first," Yang Shoukang retorted, clearly displeased. He then turned to Xu Ke. "Dr. Xu, let's find somewhere else to talk. The corridor isn't a suitable place.

"This is no place for a conversation."

Feeling as if he'd been granted amnesty, Xu Ke quickly agreed. "Elder Yang is right, that's a great idea. Let a junior like me handle it."

Xu Ke immediately headed out, though his real intention was to escape from Xia Wenfeng.

Yang Shoukang immediately glared at Xiao Ji. "What are you standing there gaping for? Go!"

Xiao Ji, who had been silent the whole time, quickly hurried after him.

...

After they moved to a private room that could seat seven, everyone was finally able to sit down.

Once seated, Xia Wenfeng intended to resume "building his rapport" with Xu Ke.

But Yang Shoukang cut in first. "Alright, kid, what do you want with me? Spit it out, and then you can head back to your northern territories."

Hearing this, Xia Wenfeng felt helpless. Yang Shoukang has no sense of decorum at all!

But since he had a favor to ask of Yang Shoukang, he could only comply and get straight to the point. "Here's the situation, Elder Yang. A contingent from the Northern Dragon Guard will be coming to Tianhai soon, and we were hoping you could assist as a temporary field medic."

At these words, everyone was startled. The Northern Dragon Guard is coming to Tianhai?!

Chen Xiong's expression changed instantly. Could it be that Ki Qinyin was really scouting the situation in Tianhai a few days ago? Is she planning to expand their influence?