Chapter 393: Lai Heng, Lai Ji: Damn, we got tricked!

At the same time, the Lai brothers, Lai Heng and Lai Ji, dressed neatly early in the morning, bringing books and writing supplies, arrived in front of the General's Office.

They were about to explain their purpose to the two guards at the gate, but unexpectedly the two soldiers already seemed to know who they were.

"Your surname is Lai, right?" one of the soldiers asked with a rather strange expression.

Lai Heng hurriedly nodded: "Yes, we two brothers are surnamed Lai; yesterday the County Magistrate ordered us to come here......"

"Mm-hm, I know." The soldier tried not to laugh, "You're here to study, we know."

"Come with me; the magistrate said the teacher he arranged for you has already arrived."

Saying that, he gestured with his hand and then walked inside.

The two brothers exchanged glances, feeling that something was off, but upon further thought it seemed nothing was wrong.

Since Chen Yan arranged for them to come here, wouldn't it be normal to give advance notice?

The two brothers, unable to figure it out, followed the soldier to a set-up tent.

Upon entering, the Lai brothers saw three young men inside; one was unusually tall and sturdy, with slightly dark skin, idly wiping his blade, while the other, even more so, was earnestly sharpening his sword.

For some reason, hearing the sound of the blade scraping against the whetstone, the brothers felt a chill down their backs.

As for the last person, he was fine—he wore a smile, sat upright, and carried an air of scholarly elegance.

Moreover, they knew this person—he was Qin Qiong's eldest son, Qin Huaidao.

"Commandant, the people Lord Chen mentioned yesterday have arrived," the soldier who brought the Lai brothers in reported.

Hearing that, Cheng Chumo and Yu Chi Bao Lin paused their actions, glanced casually, then withdrew their gazes indifferently.

"Gentlemen, long time no see—how have you been lately?"

Qin Huaidao spoke gently.

The Lai brothers felt great pressure, unsure what was happening, but hearing Qin Huaidao's words relaxed them a little.

Lai Heng stepped forward, clasped his hands, and said: "Sorry to trouble you, Commandant Qin... we've been fine lately; we came today because Lord Chen yesterday said to let us come study here, saying he had found a master for us......"

"Huh?"

For some reason, Lai Heng felt as if the eyes of the two young men he didn't know lit up all at once.

Qin Huaidao couldn't help but smile and said: "Yes, Old Chen found you a master; just study here in peace. The General's Office provides food and lodging, and Old Chen will prepare the books for you—you needn't worry about anything, just focus on your studies."

Pausing, he added: "The imperial examinations will officially begin local selections this autumn; you have only a little over six months. Frankly, that's tight. To help you pass, Elder Chen has prepared a reasonable study plan for you, hoping we can get along well in the coming time."

Hearing this, the Lai brothers were very pleased; such conditions were already excellent—nothing to worry about, everything else arranged by others, they just needed to study in peace—what more could they ask for?

Not to mention there was a master to teach them.

The only thing that left the two brothers somewhat puzzled was Qin Huaidao's mention of a "reasonable study method."

What is a reasonable study method?

As the two were thinking, Qin Huaidao cleared his throat and said: "By the way, brothers, because of our relationship, to avoid giving you special treatment through me, Old Chen has excluded me from the arrangement."

"I came today just to tell you a few things; if you have any problems later, you can go to them."

Saying that, he pointed to the two beside him: "They are respectively the son of the Duke of E, Yu Chi Bao Lin, and the son of the Duke of Lu, Cheng Chumo."

"Alright, get to know each other; I'm leaving now."

Having spoken, Qin Huaidao rose, patted the bewildered Lai brothers on the shoulder, and left.

"Heh heh, Lai Heng, Lai Ji, right?"

Cheng Chumo grinned, pointed at the nearby table and chairs, and said: "Sit down; from now on, I and Yu Chi Xiaohei will teach you!"

"Don't worry, we are masters!"

The Lai brothers: "......"

Their faces turned green: "You two's reputation in Chang'an City—others may not know it, but we do!"

"A bunch of street ruffians—what a so-called master."

At this moment, the two brothers realized they seemed to have been tricked!

"Hahahaha!" Yu Chi Bao Lin laughed hysterically at their green faces, "Exactly, exactly—we are masters!"

"Or maybe Old Chen is being kind to us?"

"He keeps finding us this kind of nonsense work!"

"To be a teacher—I, Yu Chi Bao Lin, never imagined I could be one in my lifetime!"

"No...... not." Lai Ji went numb, completely numb, and stammered: "Is there some misunderstanding?"

"I......"

"What do you mean 'I'?" Cheng Chumo slammed his freshly wiped long sword onto the table with a clang, strode over, and pressed the blade against Lai Ji's neck,

"Didn't you hear clearly what I, the instructor, just said?"

"I, the instructor, told you to sit down and study! Do I need to repeat it again?!"

Lai Ji also flared up—he was naturally stubborn, not intimidated by Cheng Chumo, glaring and saying: "What right do you have to do this? We came to study, not to be threatened by you!"

"If you lack genuine talent and only bully people with your influence, then my brother and I cannot obey!"

"Not playing along?" Cheng Chumo laughed as if hearing a huge joke, "Do you think this is a place where you can just refuse to comply?"

"Is the General's Office a place where you can come and go as you please?"

"And you still dare to act tough before the young master?"

Lai Heng shuddered all over, realizing the seriousness, and quickly tugged his brother, intending to have a proper talk with Cheng Chumo.

Unexpectedly, Cheng Chumo didn't listen to their chatter at all, summoned Yu Chi Bao Lin over, and placed a knife against each brother's neck.

Pressing them down to sit at the table, he said: "Don't fucking waste the young master's breath; keep nagging the young master and he'll really have you beheaded."

"Let me see if your necks are harder than my blade!"

Yu Chi Bao Lin said gloomily: "Forgot to mention, people dying in the General's Office is common. Especially those bold spies who sneak in to gather military intel... dying would be meaningless."

He tapped the book on the table with the back of his blade: "Now, immediately, at once—open the book Old Chen gave you and memorize it hard for me!"

If you get a character wrong......

Cheng Chumo picked up the conversation, excitedly licked his lips: "Hehehehe, if you get a character wrong, I'll give you a slash!"

Did you hear that? I'll give you a slash!

Feeling the chilling cold from their necks, Lai Heng and Lai Ji's faces turned ashen, completely bloodless.

They could already anticipate what life lay ahead.

Under the constant urging of Yu Chi Bao Lin and Cheng Chumo, the brothers, on the verge of tears, took out their books, and under the prodding of the blade at their necks, began the long and painful road of study.

"......"