Shi Kun choked. Despite his careful maneuvers, he had still fallen into Zu An’s trap.

If he said that he’d failed to find Chu Chuyan, he would be admitting to being incompetent. If he said that he did, that would mean that he had indeed concocted a deliberate ploy to feign a coincidental meeting with her. Neither outcome was acceptable to him.

Fortunately, someone stepped forward to cover his awkwardness—Yuan Wendong. “Zu An, it looks like the time you spent loitering in the streets has taught you how to bandy words with others. Who do you think young master Shi is? A gentleman like him doesn’t get into arguments with others, so it’s only natural that he’s at a disadvantage in your sort of exchange. In any case, how could young master Shi possibly be incompetent?

“Not one person hasn’t heard of young master Shi’s talents. He’s a prodigy in cultivation, and it’s said that he’s already on the verge of reaching the sixth rank, despite his young age. On the other hand, what are you good at? Mooching off women? Bickering like a common street urchin?”

Shi Kun’s entourage immediately burst into laughter. They were making use of this opportunity to help...