Ning Fengzhi nodded at Tian Lin. "Since the crown prince invited you, you should go."
Although Xue Beng had always been hostile to Tian Lin, Ning Fengzhi wasn't worried about Tian Lin's safety. No one in the palace could threaten him, plus both Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin were present. Xue Beng wouldn't be so foolish.
As for poisoning, that was pointless too. After taking the immortal herbs, Tian Lin was immune to all poisons.
Following the palace maid, Tian Lin arrived at the eastern palace's rear garden. In truth, he didn't need a guide; when Qian Renxue was here, he came so often it was like home—he might know the place better than Xue Beng.
Under a pavilion, two young men were drinking together—it was Xue Beng and Tang San.
"Reporting to His Highness the Crown Prince and Earl Tang, Lord Sword Prince has arrived." The maid bowed.
Surprisingly, Tang San was already an earl. Truly, when one person rises, even their chickens and dogs do. The Heaven Dou Empire's noble ranks, from lowest to highest, were: baron, viscount, earl, marquis, duke, prince.
Earl was fourth in rank. For Tang San's age, that was impressive. Even Tian Lin was just a viscount for now.
"Alright, you may go." Xue Beng waved the maid away, stood up and said, "Brother Jun, it's been a while. You look well—I suppose your cultivation has improved greatly."
This was the first time Xue Beng had been so polite to Tian Lin, but Tian Lin couldn't sense any goodwill. If he had to guess, Xue Beng must want something from him today.
"Your Highness, if you have business, just say it. There's nothing for us to chat about," Tian Lin said bluntly, sitting at the stone table.
Although Ning Fengzhi had told him to be polite, Tian Lin just couldn't bring himself to be courteous to Xue Beng.
His casual manner made Xue Beng's face twitch. Ever since becoming crown prince, everyone treated him with respect—Tian Lin's attitude was too casual as if he didn't care at all.
If Tian Lin could read his mind, he'd mock him even more—he really didn't care about Xue Beng at all.
Seeing Xue Beng's expression, Tian Lin smiled. "Sorry, Your Highness. I got used to dealing with Xue Qinghe this way, hard to change suddenly. Hope you don't mind."
"I don't mind!" Xue Beng forced a smile through clenched teeth. "Since you followed such a despicable villain like Xue Qinghe, it's no wonder you don't know the etiquette of the upper nobility. From now on, I'm willing to teach you anew."
"Upper nobility etiquette? Oh, you mean exploiting the people, bullying the innocent, acting recklessly? My brother Xue never taught me that, and I don't want to learn from you either—it's too dirty!" Tian Lin retorted mercilessly.
Xue Beng wasn't even qualified to mock Qian Renxue in front of him.
"Jun Tianlin!" Xue Beng finally lost his temper, shouting at Tian Lin. He'd endured enough, but Tian Lin kept pushing.
"See? This is the real you. No need to pretend." Tian Lin crossed his legs, unafraid. "So, what do you want? Stop wasting time."
"Please, both of you, calm down," Tang San stood up to mediate. He looked at Tian Lin and said, "Brother Jun, you were called here for two reasons. First, I want to thank you. During the soul hunt, I was controlled by villains from the Spirit Hall, and you rescued me. I owe you a debt."
"Tang San, by now, how many debts do you owe me? Should I count them? The pill that let you break through level 30 came from me. Xiao Wu's chance to participate in the Continental Soul Master Academy Tournament was thanks to my Concealment Pill. I helped you hunt for your first and third soul rings, gave you a poison-type headbone, and even saved your life when my sect helped you during the Spirit City tournament. Sometimes I feel like I'm your bootlicker, giving you so many benefits."
Tang San was speechless. He'd never counted, but Tian Lin had helped him so much. Yet somehow, these favors made him feel more hostile, as if the more help he got, the worse it became.
That was indeed the case.
Tian Lin gave Tang San the pill to break through level 30, but all the immortal herbs that should have been his were taken away, and the pill was a lower-quality one.
He gave Xiao Wu the Concealment Pill, but thanks to Ning Fengzhi's meddling, the effect was forcibly dispelled and she was still hunted by the Spirit Hall.
He really did help hunt the first and third soul rings, but the external soul bone Eight Spider Lances was lost.
The poison-type headbone was snatched by Shi Nian before Tang San could even use it, and now it was with Meng Yiran.
The life-saving favor was real, since the three top clans were allied, but that was really to force the Clear Sky Sect to come out. Ning Fengzhi then sold them out, letting them get caught in Qian Renxue's scheme, leading to a disastrous fight with the Heaven Dou Empire.
Tang San had protagonist's fate, so every time Tian Lin helped him, he felt like he lost something. But unlike Tian Lin, who knew the story, from an outsider's perspective, Tian Lin had really helped him a lot. If Tang San stayed hostile, he'd seem heartless.
"Brother Jun, I will never forget your kindness. If there's a chance, I'll do my best to repay you," Tang San said sincerely. After all, talk is cheap.
Tian Lin didn't expect any repayment, and just said, "Alright, I accept your thanks. What's the second matter?"
"I'll speak to that," Xue Beng said, now completely calm. He was good at enduring. "Jun Tianlin, after the soul hunt, you should see how ambitious the Spirit Hall is. They've been eyeing the continent for a long time.
"To resist them, our Heaven Dou Empire has allied with three top sects, but verbal agreements alone aren't enough for deeper trust.
"So what do you want?" Tian Lin asked.
Xue Beng smiled slightly. "A few days ago, Tang San and I became sworn brothers, promising to share fortune and hardship. If you don't mind, we can swear brotherhood today as well. You're the youngest, so you'd be our third brother. Whatever your former brother Xue Qinghe gave you, I can give you double."
Xue Beng was truly good at forbearance. He hated Tian Lin but was willing to set that aside to win his support. He knew how terrifying Tian Lin's talent and potential were. His ambition was greater than just ruling the Heaven Dou Empire.
Once the Spirit Hall was destroyed, he wouldn't spare the Star Luo Empire. He wanted to rule the whole continent.
For that dream, the power of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Tian Lin was necessary. Even if he planned to settle accounts later, he'd give Tian Lin some benefits for now.