Chapter 903: Different Paths, Irreconcilable Aims

In an instant, the Fourth Prince was left hanging by Ling Feng, his expression darkening ever so slightly with displeasure.

"Ling Feng, are you deaf? The Fourth Prince is speaking to you, how dare you ignore him?"

Yan Jinghong's eyes glinted with menace as he yelled coldly at Ling Feng.

"

Hehe,

just because some people like to play dog and bark at their master's feet doesn't mean I'm the same," Ling Feng shrugged, completely unconcerned.

"What did you say?!"

Yan Jinghong's pupils shrank, killing intent surged in his eyes. "You're asking for death!"

"Stand down!"

The Fourth Prince turned to glare at Yan Jinghong. That proud and unruly genius clenched his fists tightly, then finally stepped back and forced himself to swallow his rage.

"Ling Feng, aren't you being a little too arrogant and full of yourself?"

The Fourth Prince narrowed his eyes, his gaze once again locking onto Ling Feng.

Ling Feng let out a cold chuckle, finally looking at the Fourth Prince. Smiling faintly, he said, "Your Highness, the Fourth Prince, is it? I wouldn't say I'm being arrogant. It's just that I'm a member of the Tianfeng Sword Team, and since our captain hasn't told me to speak, what right do I have to open my mouth?"

Earlier, it was clear that the Fourth Prince had no regard for Gu Tengfeng. And though Gu Tengfeng had to swallow his anger because of the prince's status, he wasn't in a position to lash out.

But with these words, Ling Feng had given Gu Tengfeng all the face he could.

The corner of the Fourth Prince's mouth twitched slightly. It was obvious that Ling Feng had spoken up to vent Gu Tengfeng's frustration.

Gu Tengfeng looked at Ling Feng with gratitude, then quickly stepped forward and smiled as he explained, "Your Highness, the Fourth Prince, Ling Feng just has that kind of temper. Please don't take it to heart."

The Fourth Prince took a deep breath and ignored Gu Tengfeng entirely. He said flatly, "Ling Feng, this prince knows that you are no ordinary man. A small place like Tianwei Academy is far too limited for someone of your talent. From now on, follow me."

Ling Feng glanced at the Fourth Prince, then suddenly burst into laughter. "Your Highness, surely you're joking?"

"Joking?" The Fourth Prince flicked his sleeve and stood with his hands behind his back. "This prince never jokes. After learning of your talent, I personally humbled myself and came all the way to Tianwei Academy to recruit you. That alone is more than enough respect. Not even Yan Jinghong received this kind of honor. And you, you're still not satisfied?"

"

Oh?

" Ling Feng raised an eyebrow. "Then I suppose I should thank Your Highness for such generosity?"

"

Hehe,

no need for thanks." The Fourth Prince, hearing Ling Feng's words, assumed he had accepted. He immediately laughed heartily. "From now on, just work for me. You'll be well rewarded, I guarantee it."

Nearby, Gu Tengfeng, Li Bufan, and the others all frowned.

The Fourth Prince had actually come at this moment to poach Ling Feng. If Ling Feng left the Tianfeng Sword Team, then what hope would they have of competing against the Royal Sword Team?

None of them wanted to see Ling Feng become the prince's man. But if Ling Feng refused, the Fourth Prince likely wouldn't let it go so easily either.

"Big Brother..."

Li Bufan clenched his fists, unwilling to believe that Ling Feng would abandon his teammates.

"Sorry, but you'd best give that kindness to someone else. I, Ling Feng, can't accept it."

Just then, Ling Feng shrugged, looking completely disinterested.

"What did you say?"

The Fourth Prince's expression suddenly shifted. The smile on his face slowly disappeared. He stared coldly at Ling Feng and said in a chilling tone, "Say that again!"

"I never repeat myself."

Ling Feng pointed to the main entrance and said calmly, "If you could be so kind as to leave the way you came. Our Tianfeng Sword Team still has things to discuss."

"You!"

A flicker of anger rose in the Fourth Prince's eyes. "You're really rejecting me? For the so-called Tianfeng Sword Team?

Heh...

what a joke."

He pointed at Gu Tengfeng and the others, laughing wildly. "Do you really think that with these people, just these nobodies, you can stand against this prince's Royal Sword Team? Naive. Absolutely naive!"

"

Hahaha...

"

As the Fourth Prince laughed, the Royal Sword Team and his attending guards couldn't help but laugh along.

No matter how they looked at it, aside from Ling Feng, the so-called Tianfeng Sword Team was nothing but a band of misfits, a bunch of useless trash.

And these weaklings wanted to challenge the Royal Sword Team?

What a ridiculous dream.

"No matter what they are, they are my teammates. And they will be my only teammates. There won't be anyone else."

Ling Feng's expression didn't change. He met the Fourth Prince's gaze head-on, without the slightest trace of fear.

"

Hehe,

you really are something else," the Fourth Prince laughed. "If you had agreed to my offer right away, I might have looked down on you. But now, you've proven you're loyal enough. And loyalty is exactly what I need."

"Loyalty goes both ways. If you treat people like dogs, how can they possibly be loyal to you?" Ling Feng replied coldly. "You and I walk different paths. We won't work together."

"Well said, different paths, irreconcilable aims!" the Fourth Prince laughed loudly. "You're insisting on challenging the Royal Sword Team just because of that bet with Yan Jinghong, aren't you? Don't worry. With one word from me, that bet is void. And if you join me, I promise I'll treat you with special regard. How's that for sincerity?"

"Your Highness..." Yan Jinghong clenched his teeth, staring daggers at Ling Feng. How could that worthless trash receive more recognition than him?

"Stand down! This has nothing to do with you!"

The Fourth Prince flicked his sleeve and locked eyes with Ling Feng. He spoke slowly, "The Royal Sword Team is unbeatable. You were destined to lose from the start. Risking your life over a meaningless wager is just foolish. I've always cherished talent. In the future, once I ascend the throne, you'll hold one of the highest positions in the empire. If you wish to command the Three Armies, it's yours."

"The sun's still up, and Your Highness is already dreaming? That's not a good habit."

Ling Feng remained calm as he spoke, "If there's nothing else, then I'll have to ask the Fourth Prince to excuse himself."

"You really won't submit to me?" The Fourth Prince's aura surged violently. "So you think that just because you defeated Liu Fanyu, you're qualified to challenge the Royal Sword Team? You clearly don't understand the gap between your so-called sword team and a true undefeated legend. You're nothing but trash!"

"Shut your mouth!"

Gu Tengfeng took a deep breath and stepped forward with force, standing by Ling Feng's side as he roared, "The Tianfeng Sword Team is not trash!"

Everyone froze and turned to stare at Gu Tengfeng. None of them had expected him to tell the Fourth Prince to shut up.

The Fourth Prince was royalty, part of the imperial family. Gu Tengfeng was merely the son of a general, a subject, a servant of the imperial clan.

And yet he had dared to shout at a prince.

Still, none of the Tianfeng Sword Team members backed down. Every single one of them stood behind Ling Feng and Gu Tengfeng.