["So, why are you helping me copy?" Stelle asked.]
["Cover for me, I need to report to the Seat of Divine Foresight…" the Cloud Knight requested.]
["Alright." Stelle nodded. Their goals aligned, so cooperation was fine, but one thing did pique her curiosity: "How are you copying so fast?"]
[The Cloud Knight waved his hand: "Pfft, what's the big deal… I did clerical work for 150 years before, I'm just used to copying."]
["..."]
[The two looked up. Green Hibiscus was still supervising those who were copying, muttering under his breath: "Please calm your hearts, copy slowly, slowly comprehend the supremely good and beautiful enlightenment of the 'Thousand-Handed, Merciful, Medicine King's Salvation Treatise'."]
["We've finished copying." Stelle and the Cloud Knight handed over the copied scriptures together.]
["You've both finished? So fast? Let me check…" Green Hibiscus was shocked and quickly took the copied scrolls for a careful look. "Hmm… hmm… you really did finish, and it's copied quickly and well. It seems you have quite a predestined affinity with the Immortals."]
["Can I join the Denizens of Abundance now?" Stelle asked.]
["Keep calm, keep calm." Green Hibiscus said unhurriedly: "The entrance trial has two steps. You and that Cloud Knight have completed the first step. Now there's only the final step left."]
["Great, can we do this next step tomorrow? I'm on duty right now, I sneaked out. If I don't go back soon, they'll get suspicious."]
["No need to worry. The second step is very simple, it'll be over very quickly." A fierce glint flashed in Green Hibiscus's eyes as he chuckled: "If you doubt someone, don't employ them; if you employ someone, don't doubt them. So… please duel here, you two. The one who survives can officially become a Disciple of Sanctus Medicus."]
Baki Universe.
"Despicable!"
Witnessing the entire entrance trial process, Retsu Kaioh couldn't restrain himself from letting out a furious roar, startling nearby Tokugawa who nearly dropped his teacup.
Beside him, Kaoru Hanayama – the second-generation leader of the Japanese yakuza group, the Hanayama Group – also erupted with an astonishing aura, his fists trembling inside his pockets.
Precisely because he values loyalty, emotion, and proper conduct, Hanayama earns the respect and admiration of his subordinates. He holds his subordinates to the same standards, adhering firmly to the group's principles… which is why the Hanayama Group enjoys its current glory.
The fact that the Denizens of Abundance would use such shameless methods – for this reason alone, Hanayama was the first to look down on this bunch.
"That Cloud Knight is also a talented individual. Why doesn't the Denizens of Abundance recruit him as well? Letting him die by Stelle's hand, isn't it a waste?" Though furious, Retsu Kaioh was perplexed by the Denizens of Abundance's method of wasting talent.
"...Hehe, obviously, it's a 'pledge of allegiance'." Kaioh Kaku laughed.
"Pledge of allegiance?"
"In ancient times, if someone wanted to join bandits or horse thieves, they had to take a person's head as a pledge of allegiance." Kaioh Kaku explained. "Getting blood on your hands… both demonstrates sincerity and is a means to better integrate with the other side."
"After all, once you've killed someone, committed a homicide, you can't go back. Only the bandits and horse thieves would accept that person."
"If Stelle kills this Cloud Knight, she will have committed a homicide on the Xianzhou… Compared to two newcomers, the Denizens of Abundance need someone with blood on their hands, completely loyal, more."
"B-but… that Cloud Knight…" Retsu Kaioh knew full well the Cloud Knight was no match for Stelle. If they truly fought, he would undoubtedly die, and he couldn't help but worry.
——
["Why?" Stelle asked, puzzled.]
["Copying the scriptures can judge the sincerity of your devotion, but whether you are loyal to the organization requires a more substantial guarantee." Green Hibiscus spread his hands, wearing an expression of helplessness: "…Can't be helped, the rules weren't set by me."]
["Wait, wait!" The Cloud Knight panicked immediately: "Don't! We came seeking longevity, not to die. Suddenly making us duel like this puts us in a very difficult position!"]
["It's not that you're forced to duel." A murderous light appeared in Green Hibiscus's eyes as he said coldly: "If you refuse to fight, that's fine too. But then, I cannot allow either of you to leave."]
"How can Stelle hold back?! Quickly, hit his head with the bat! He's getting more and more insolent!"
"Let this guy know who's in charge around the Exalting Sanctum!!"
During lunch, Kiana brandished the chopsticks in her hand, imagining them as two baseball bats, swinging them with ferocious vigor.
"Eat first." Mei sighed helplessly, reaching out to gently tap Kiana on the head, coaxing her like a child: "Eat your fill, pass the afternoon test, then you'll have the strength to deal with Green Hibiscus."
"If I could take action, I'd have whacked him with a stick the moment he made me copy that book." Kiana chewed on her vegetables, saying stiffly: "That Cloud Knight big brother is so nice. If he really got hurt by Stelle, I wouldn't be able to sleep at night!"
Mei looked up at the screen, pursed her lips and smiled: "But if Kiana really went, wouldn't that alert the enemy?"
Kiana pouted: "I just can't stand seeing bad guys push their luck right in front of me…"
"Green Hibiscus dares to recruit in a bustling market district; he probably has a backup plan. What if the Denizens of Abundance have hidden experts, with some master protecting him…"
Kiana tried to pick up the scrambled eggs with her chopsticks. They slipped off once, she didn't get them.
She puffed out her cheeks and continued trying to clamp down hard: "So what if there are experts? This young lady will beat one up if they come, beat up a pair if two come!"
After saying that, the girl lifted her lake-blue eyes again, putting on a pitiful act: "Besides, if I make a move, you definitely wouldn't let me fight alone, right, Mei?"
So that's what she meant. Mei smiled slightly, extending her chopsticks to lift the scrambled eggs in the girl's lunchbox: "Of course, I wouldn't feel at ease leaving it just to you."
Kiana finally picked up the scrambled eggs, happily putting them in her mouth, smiling: "I knew it. No matter when, you'd always stand by my side, Mei."
["O-okay…" The Cloud Knight nodded, trembling: "Then let me prepare myself mentally first, is that alright? I've never done this kind of thing before…"]
[Green Hibiscus neither agreed nor disagreed, letting him and Stelle prepare properly.]
[The two walked to a corner, both unconsciously lowering their voices.]
["How about this, I have a good idea. It can let you join the Denizens of Abundance, and also let me get away unscathed…"]
["You duel with me, then I'll lose to you, pretend you killed me. You use the excuse of helping them dispose of the body to take me away from the scene… This way, both our goals can be achieved!"]
["Uh… I've seen your skills, please don't accidentally really kill me…""]