Chapter 4432 — A Test of Human Nature
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
"Oh?"
If they could not kill him during the tournament, they would be right back where they started—afraid to kill him openly, unable to kill him in secret, left to flounder in the same dilemma.
"That is indeed a serious problem." Long Kuiba frowned at his words. "But there is no use in worrying about it now. We can only wait and see how things unfold, then respond as the situation demands."
If the Dragon Boat Escort Agency had been one of the Five Great Escort Agencies, they might have been able to exploit the authority of the judging panel, pull a few strings, and arrange for the Qingtian Escort Agency to be matched against their own. Unfortunately, they currently had no say in the matter at all!
"Very well, then. We shall let the brat live a couple more days." Cheng Haonan was unwilling, but there was nothing he could do. For now, all he could do was watch and wait, and take things one step at a time.
The five judges of the Five Great Escort Agencies ascended the platform one after another, but this time the center of attention had shifted to Qi Mingyuan. After all, judging by the current standings, the Qingtian Escort Agency was far ahead of the pack, with every chance of claiming first place in this year's tournament.
By contrast, Hai Wuliang, fighting on his home turf, was nowhere near as high-spirited today as he had been the day before. A fierce unwillingness lurked between his brows, and he had reined himself in considerably compared to before.
"Now, I shall announce the event for the third round: the Escort's Loyalty Test!" Hai Wuliang declared publicly.
The Escort's Loyalty Test? Everyone present was instantly baffled, looking at one another in bewilderment as discussion broke out on all sides.
Many of them were no strangers to the Southern Continent Escort Tournament. Some had been through several editions already. The events of the previous two rounds—whether the Escort Defense Challenge or the Perilous Seas Voyage—had been new twists, to be sure, but in essence they were old wine in new bottles. Similar events had appeared in past tournaments, so no one found them particularly strange.
This Escort's Loyalty Test, however, was a completely fresh event. No one had even heard of it before.
"This round requires no fighting and no danger. What the contestants have to do is very simple: just nod. Of course, they may also choose not to nod," Hai Wuliang continued.
The more he said, the more baffled everyone became. The more he explained, the more mysterious it sounded. Just nod? What sort of event was this supposed to be?
"Before I explain the rules to you all, allow me, on behalf of the Southern Continent Escort Tournament, to express our gratitude to the various merchant guilds who have come to watch. Because this third round will be jointly funded by the merchant guilds present, who will provide priceless escort goods free of charge for use in the competition." Hai Wuliang cupped his hands in salute to the guild representatives.
Escort goods? Everyone exchanged thoughtful glances. Combining this with the name "Escort's Loyalty Test," those with quicker wits had more or less already guessed what was coming.
"As everyone knows, many of the goods entrusted to escort agencies—especially the precious cargo of the great merchant guilds—are often priceless. And if the escorts responsible for guarding them harbor selfish motives, greed may take root, and they may help themselves to the goods along the way. Surely everyone has heard of such things?" Hai Wuliang asked the crowd.