Xu Ke didn't expect that after the man in the hat came in, he would perform a grand salute without another word and even reveal his identity.

This came as a huge surprise.

His mind started to race. Could it be that I unwittingly exposed my identity? That's impossible! I didn't even bring the card that symbolizes my identity as the Seasoned Envoy, so how could I have been exposed? Or did Ki Qinyin spill the beans? No way… Why would Ki Qinyin do something so unnecessary? Then that means this fellow figured it out on his own! Based on the current clues?

Xu Ke was somewhat astonished.

If that's the case, this man's judgment is quite formidable… He truly lives up to the reputation of a talent from the Northern Dragon Guard!

"You can get up first."

As thoughts swirled in his mind, Xu Ke didn't forget to have the other person stand up.

The man in the hat hurriedly nodded and stood up. "Yes!"

"When did you learn of my identity?" After a moment of contemplation, Xu Ke asked the question he most wanted to know the answer to.

Upon hearing this, the man in the hat seemed a bit embarrassed. "I knew the moment I saw you."

Xu Ke and Tang Yingchang exchanged a look, truly astonished this time.

The interested expression on Xu Ke's face grew. "Why would you know?"

He knew at a single glance? That's some incredible deduction!

The man's embarrassed look became even more pronounced. "Because my uncle told me."

Xu Ke's interested expression froze. He asked haltingly, "What's your name?"

That mention of an 'uncle' felt vaguely and strangely familiar.

"My lord, I am Duan Zhuo'e."

"And who is your uncle?"

"Duan Chongfeng."

Xu Ke was silent.

Now I understand why Duan Zhuo'e knew who I was. It had nothing to do with great deductive ability…

"Come sit over here."

After a sigh, Xu Ke pulled Duan Zhuo'e into the living room.

Although Duan Zhuo'e revealing my identity has no negative impact on me, the trial Ki Qinyin gave them was to find the Seasoned Envoy. Duan Zhuo'e clearly cheated…

"Thank you, my lord!" Duan Zhuo'e appeared very excited, yet also nervous and uneasy.

"Do you all know the task Madame Yu gave you?" Xu Ke asked, getting straight to the point after sitting down.

"We do!" Duan Zhuo'e recited word for word, as if from memory, "Madame Yu had her subordinates assign the task to us. The first option is to retrieve the Seasoned Envoy's badge and bring it back to the Northern Region. If we really can't find the badge and bring it back, we can also pass successfully as long as we gain the Seasoned Envoy's recognition through other means."

Xu Ke smiled.

Duan Zhuo'e gave a wry smile. "Until now, we still thought the 'Seasoned Envoy' in the second requirement was Madame Yu. We thought it was a safety net in case we really couldn't find the badge. But when I received my uncle's message, I realized that Madame Yu knew from the very beginning that we wouldn't be able to get the badge from you. Our mission all along was simply to gain your recognition."

But Xu Ke just smiled. "You're wrong. That's not it."

"Ah?" Duan Zhuo'e was taken aback.

"You can still go with the first option. I can sell the badge to you, as long as your price is high enough."

Duan Zhuo'e broke out in a sweat. "Please, stop joking!"

Xu Ke's expression turned serious. "You know Madame Yu won't stop you from trying to snatch my badge back."

I'm very clear on this. This is not only a trial for them but also for me. This trial is about preventing my badge from being taken. If this group could actually take the Seasoned Envoy's badge from my hands, then I wouldn't deserve to be the Seasoned Envoy. It's not that Ki Qinyin is deliberately making things difficult for me despite knowing my strength. Rather, this is a situation that was bound to arise the moment this task appeared and I accepted the role of Seasoned Envoy.

But when Duan Zhuo'e heard this, he flinched and shook his head. "Lord Seasoned Envoy, please don't joke like that. Snatch the badge? I don't have a death wish!"

The image of Elder Xuu being sent flying with a single kick was still vivid in Duan Zhuo'e's mind, leaving him with lingering fear.

"You may not have a death wish, but I think the other two are quite eager to spar with me," Xu Ke said with a faint smile.

Duan Zhuo'e flushed. "Qianqian is a natural-born fighter. The very day she joined the Northern Dragon Guard, Lord Yu asked if anyone had any requests, saying he would try to grant them. Qianqian immediately said she wanted to have a one-on-one fight with Lord Yu."

Xu Ke and Tang Yingchang's eyes widened.

Is Bai Qian'er really that bold?

"What did Lord Yu say?" Xu Ke asked, his interest piqued.

"He said Qianqian's courage was commendable and worthy of his attention, and he hoped we could all learn from her spirit."

"And then?" Xu Ke pressed.

Duan Zhuo'e replied, "Qianqian was bedridden for half a month after that."

Xu Ke paused. "...Let's talk about Fang Caizhe."

"He likes Qianqian, but his head isn't screwed on right. He's probably jealous of you... Do as you please with him," Duan Zhuo'e said dismissively.

"Alright, understood," Xu Ke smiled. It was quite clear that Duan Zhuo'e and Fang Caizhe didn't get along.

"So, why did you come looking for me?" Xu Ke steered the conversation back on track.

Duan Zhuo'e came all this way to find me. Surely he didn't just come to tell me about Bai Qian'er being laid up for half a month after fighting Yu Kangan…

Duan Zhuo'e looked a bit sheepish. "I wanted to confirm something with you."

"Speak."

"My uncle said you plan to test others with one move but test me with five moves. That can't be true, right?" As Duan Zhuo'e spoke, he couldn't even meet Xu Ke's eyes.

Xu Ke didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

What is this nonsense? Did Duan Chongfeng really think I was serious?

"It's not true. I was just joking with your uncle. It's his fault for trying to pull strings," Xu Ke said, waving his hand dismissively.

Duan Zhuo'e let out a huge sigh of relief, his spirits lifting. "Thank you, my lord, for clearing up my worries. I've been anxious about this for a long time. I wasn't even planning to come to this auction, but when my uncle said you would be here, I came over to ask you first…"

Xu Ke was speechless.

I can't believe a single offhand remark made Duan Zhuo'e worry for so long.

"You don't have to worry anymore," Xu Ke said. "I haven't decided how I'll test you all, so you can put your mind at ease."

"That's good," Duan Zhuo'e said, relieved. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"However, keep my identity a secret for now. I don't plan on revealing it to the rest of you just yet."

Xu Ke had never expected to run into them at the auction.

"Yes!" Duan Zhuo'e nodded.

After this matter was confirmed, to Xu Ke's even greater speechlessness, Duan Zhuo'e took his leave. Even after Duan Zhuo'e had gone, Xu Ke could hardly believe it.

I had thought that since he came so cautiously to find me, he would at least have some other information to share. But it turned out the guy really just came to confirm whether I was going to test him with five moves.

Just as Xu Ke was at a loss for words, the phone beside him rang.

He looked down and saw an unfamiliar number.

He answered the call. "Hello, may I ask who this is?"