211: Coincidence or intentional

After discussing matters concerning the Luo Lan Empire, Bai Shan brought the conversation back.

"Seriously, no country has invited you yet?"

"No, not yet. I'm also wondering why I'm so unpopular that no one has invited me."

Xu Bai joked with him.

The two were already very familiar with each other, and Bai Shan had told Xu Bai to be at ease. Xu Bai was also unaccustomed to being overly respectful to him, so they conversed as they always had.

"Perhaps the smokescreen we released made them all believe that you drank the Mental Corrosion Potion. The teachers at the training camp all know about this, and other countries must have gotten wind of the news, which is why they haven't tried to win you over."

"No wonder many teachers looked at me strangely. I thought they felt sorry for me, a single person raising his younger brother."

"One could say the two factors combined made you seem even more pitiful. You don't blame us for releasing that information, do you?"

"I know it was also for my protection, and I don't mind. And so far, you haven't done anything to wrong me, so I haven't thought of leaving."

"Of course, if you did something to wrong me, I believe I could create even better cardss and negotiate with other countries."

Xu Bai had confidence in himself, or more accurately, in his golden finger.

Both sides had an unspoken understanding of what had happened. Xu Bai knew that the gentlemen were aware he hadn't drunk the Mental Corrosion Potion, and Bai Shan knew that Xu Bai knew they were aware of it.

However, since the matter involved the Qian Family, it wasn't brought into the open. Fortunately, Qian Yonglu, the Qian Family's key figure, got along well with Xu Bai, so even if the lie were exposed, there wouldn't be much trouble.

Of course, that incident had just passed, and they weren't on their own territory now, so it was best not to have it exposed.

Otherwise, many countries would likely try to win over Xu Bai, and he wouldn't be able to live in peace.

Although he was currently in trouble... "By the way, when I changed clothes today, my belongings were touched. Is there an insider among our teachers?"

Xu Bai was quite concerned about this; no one wants to constantly be in danger.

"I know about that. We thought someone was sending you an invitation. That's why I initially asked if any country was trying to win you over. As for the insider, you don't need to worry about it. 'When the water is too clear, there are no fish.' We've always had someone monitoring him, and he won't harm anyone."

"If we were too strict with our defenses, it would attract more attention. After all, to the Luo Lan Empire, our country poses too great a threat to them. They wouldn't feel at ease without planting someone or bribing someone."

"Actually, we don't care too much who becomes the King; we just choose the better option among them."

Hearing him say that, Xu Bai let the matter go.

"As long as it's controllable, I won't think too much about it."

The two exchanged smiles... In another bedroom.

Two people were also talking in secret.

"The letter has been delivered?"

"Yes, Your Highness, I personally handed it to Bai Xiaobai."

"There were no problems afterward, right?"

"It seems there was a slight issue afterward, but I saw that the Second Prince's side didn't find any evidence, so it might just be a test."

"I hope the Tianlong Republic will lend a hand."

"Your Highness, why do you want to help the Luo Lan Empire's First Prince?"

"Of course, it's more beneficial for us if the First Prince ascends to power. Anyway, we've done what we can; the rest is up to others."

"Understood, Your Highness. I will forever follow in your footsteps. Where your heart points, my sword shall go."

... The next day.

Security at the gladiator arena was even stricter than yesterday.

The official reason given was: to protect the contestants' cardss from being tampered with.

Xu Bai entered the venue with the teachers, his expression normal.

The entrance they used today was different from yesterday. Yesterday, they went to the stands; today, they needed to enter the arena itself.

Xu Bai was worried that something unexpected might happen today, and since the students didn't have to come today, he entrusted Xu Le to Fang Mu and the other two, asking them to take Xu Le to play.

Of course, he didn't tell the three of them about the Luo Lan Empire's affairs, but he did warn them not to go to the gladiator arena for these three days. He believed the three of them would understand his meaning.

As for the matter the First Prince had requested, it was resolved this morning.

Early this morning, Bai Shan went to the palace to visit His Majesty the King, who was gravely ill in bed. At the same time, he proposed to His Majesty the King the idea of having the Queen serve as a judge, and the King agreed.

This was also the reason for today's stricter security: partly to protect the Queen's safety, and partly to prevent the Queen from being rescued...

"Dear subjects, I deeply regret that His Majesty the King is unable to attend due to his health. Today, I am here by His Majesty the King's command, serving as a judge for this competition to score the students' cardss..."

After delivering a speech from the high platform, the Queen descended and joined the teachers.

Xu Bai, Bai Shan, and the Queen were assigned to one team.

Xu Bai didn't know if this grouping was a coincidence or intentional.

The main group moved forward.

An hour passed.

Two hours passed.

Xu Bai didn't notice any strange behavior from the Queen at all.

Unbeknownst to them, the group found the area where the Tianlong Republic students were competing.

Each cards was read out and displayed in its corresponding spot, with a sign next to it introducing the product's use.

When they reached the walkie-talkie cards, the Queen spoke up.

"What's the maximum range for this walkie-talkie?"

Bai Shan: "They can communicate with each other within 50 kilometers. You can have the soldiers test it."

The Queen didn't speak, but a quick-witted attendant next to her used a cards reader to read two walkie-talkies and handed them to a soldier for testing.

"This person next to you must be Card Maker Bai Xiaobai, who created the electric energy. Truly young and promising."

The Queen looked at Bai Xiaobai and extended her right hand.

Xu Bai's heart sank when he heard her mention him; he was starting to develop a phobia of handshakes.

But since she had already extended her hand, he couldn't ignore it.

So, he looked her in the eye, stepped forward, shook her hand in return, and then politely responded to the Queen's words.

"Your Royal Highness, I am Card Maker Bai Xiaobai. Currently, I am just an ordinary teacher."

Fortunately, she didn't hand him anything else this time.

To reassure others, Xu Bai, after shaking hands, casually showed his palm to others.

He didn't want his clothes to get dirty again today.