IDWBE -Chapter 66 There’s Always Someone Better

He wasn’t the type to take advice lightly!

In the martial world, who didn’t have a temper?

A clash of words could easily lead to drawing swords—this was perfectly normal.

Right now, he seemed unusually calm because the world had changed too quickly. The gatekeepers of a single mansion were, unbelievably, all at the peak of sixth rank.

Fighting someone like him—a fourth-rank—was like a game to them!

Of course, just because someone was skilled didn’t mean he would bow to them.

He wasn’t the type to be intimidated. Even facing a seventh-rank like Shan Yin, he didn’t show any fear.

The only difference was that this gatekeeper, Sun Yi, had a dead eunuch named Hong Ying backing him.

The day they arrived at the He Mansion, he and his two brothers had tried to escape. After being caught by that eunuch, the helpless agony of being unable to live or die was something he would never forget.

From start to finish, the eunuch hadn’t said a single word to him.

Yet the three of them knew what to do—they weren’t fools.

Do not try to run. Obey the gatekeeper’s orders faithfully.

Shan Yin, on the other hand, didn’t understand and froze. When had Tian Shiyou ever become so reasonable? He lowered his blade just because he was told to?

“Brother Tian, we haven’t seen each other for over a year. It’s truly a delight to reunite here,” Shan Yin said as he approached, keeping a safe distance. He had just finished picking at his feet when the other rushed over. “I wonder how you came to be here?”

Tian Shiyou snorted. “The prince values talent. I’ve come to serve as a retainer here.”

“A retainer?”

Shan Yin’s face showed doubt. How could he believe such nonsense? Yet Sun Yi didn’t object—could it be true?

Tian Shiyou rubbed his bald head, grinning. “Naturally!”

Shan Yin smiled. “Even better! I’m about to take up the post of training instructor for the mansion’s guards. We’ll be working together from now on—looking out for each other will be important.”

Tian Shiyou shouted, “Don’t even think about extorting me, or I’ll have the prince intervene!”

He first met Shan Yin on a dark, windy night.

He and his brothers were eating at an inn when this stranger, Shan Yin, who he’d never met before, actually asked to borrow money!

He wanted to refuse, but his blade wouldn’t allow it.

Just as he was preparing for a fight of three hundred rounds, Shan Yin’s blade was faster and pressed against his neck.

After hearing him out, he realized the reasoning made sense. Out in the world, everyone had difficulties. Generously, he lent Shan Yin ten thousand taels of silver.

Shan Yin shook his head. “Brother Tian, you’re being too formal, which chills my heart. What do you mean by extortion? Such disgraceful behavior is not mine! Rest assured, I’ll repay you eventually. You come from a wealthy family—you’re not in urgent need of this ten thousand taels, are you?”

“Hmph.” Tian Shiyou turned away, ignoring him.

If you can’t beat it, hide first!

Sun Yi raised a hand. “Young Master Shan, follow me.”

Through a long corridor, they opened the door to a room.

Shan Yin saw that the room was spacious, with a wooden bed on either side—perfect for two people to sleep comfortably.

“Thank you, Brother Sun. I look forward to your guidance,” Shan Yin said politely.

“Guidance?”

Sun Yi smiled. “Here, you can do whatever you want. But in front of Manager Hong, it’s best to put away that playful attitude. Otherwise—”

“I understand the consequences!”

No explanation was needed—Shan Yin didn’t dare provoke Hong Ying. He had already suffered under him before.

“Then I won’t be formal.”

Sun Yi took the silver coins Shan Yin offered, flipped them in his hand, and tucked them into his sleeve.

He felt pleased. As the prince said, being a gatekeeper was much more promising than being a carriage driver!

Once he got this room settled, he could go home personally and bring over his father, mother, and sister.

As for his younger brother, he would stay in the capital to study and take the imperial exams!

The “junior student” position was something he had boldly asked Manager Hong to secure.

For the Sun family, the scholar line went back eight generations. Losing this one opportunity would mean never rising again.

That morning, when former mansion coach Hu Da and current physician Hulu set out for Yuezhou, Lin Yi personally saw them off.

After they left, Lin Yi retraced his steps along the river and saw the guards practicing lightness skills.

Those skilled leapt three feet high, landing across the river. The less skilled plunged into the water, floundering until pulled out by a boat stationed in the river.

Finding it dull, Lin Yi returned to fishing, scolding little troublemaker Fang Pi along the way.

He emphasized to Hong Ying: if the kids aren’t disciplined, they’ll be unruly.

Hong Ying smiled in agreement.

The prince was idle, but as chief steward, he couldn’t be.

After a busy day, once the prince rested, he brought seven or eight children—Hong An and Fang Pi among them—into a room to examine their studies.

Those who did well wouldn’t be praised, but those who failed would be punished.

After the kids left, he sat, just closing his eyes when he suddenly opened them, slowly opening the door, stepping across the wide garden, and onto a rooftop.

He watched the white figure approaching in the moonlight. Only when it stood before him did he bow. “Wen Zhaoyi, you still have such elegance.”

Wen Zhaoyi sized him up and smiled. “You have talent. I only knew you would become a Grandmaster, but I didn’t expect it to be so soon.”

Hong Ying said, “So this is what being a Grandmaster feels like.”

Wen Zhaoyi laughed. “You’re just as clueless as your master, entering Grandmaster without even realizing it?”

“My master is wise. Wen Zhaoyi, don’t speak recklessly,” Hong Ying said sternly. “Or we won’t be polite.”

“I forgot to tell you, not all Grandmasters are equal. You’re no match for me,” Wen Zhaoyi snorted. “Do you want to try?”

Hong Ying lifted his head. “You’re injured.”

Wen Zhaoyi’s expression faltered. “Don’t tell your master. Find me a room to rest.”

Hong Ying nodded, shock flashing across his face.

Wen Zhaoyi’s martial skill was already astonishing. Who in the world could harm her?

After leaping across two rooftops, Hong Ying opened a room, lit a lamp, and said expressionlessly, “Rest here, Wen Zhaoyi.”

Wen Zhaoyi glanced around the room and turned to him. “Remember, there’s always someone better, someone beyond the skies.”

Hong Ying froze, then left the room.

Outside, he saw patrol officer Shen Chu.

“Manager Hong.”

Shen Chu bowed to Hong Ying, then nodded at Wen Zhaoyi at the doorway before continuing his patrol with his guards.