All sorts of misinformation were going around in the chatter.
Lin Fan didn't bother much; he was busy scanning around the room, taking note of his competition.
When his eyes passed by one of the rich young lords, a familiar sound erupted in his mind.
[Ding!]
[Detected soul with malevolent intent incoming!]
[Terminate person with malevolent intent for 10 vengeance points.]
Malevolent intent out of the blue?
Lin Fan quickly looked back at the rich young lords again, memorizing their faces.
He didn't need to figure much.
The malevolent intent must be coming from one of them, who was from the Tan family.
Guess there's work to be done tonight, Lin Fan thought to himself.
"If you all are looking for one with a recommendation letter, here is one. Let's have a toast for young master Tan Rui here."
One of the rich young lords stood up and proposed a toast.
The table with all the rich young lords raised their cups and joined in.
When the other diners heard what the rich young lord had said, they gasped and continued their chatter.
"Damn, I heard having the recommendation letter lets you have a higher chance of enrollment."
"Really? If it's true, this Tan Rui would have such a bright future ahead."
"Hmph. Nothing to be envious about. He is rich and powerful while it's impossible for commoners like us to get it."
One of the diners wasn't too impressed and caught the attention of the rich young lord.
The rich young lord glanced over to his servants.
And the servants dragged the poor man outside for a beating.
"That is for slandering the honorable Qing Feng sect."
After witnessing what had happened, the chatter died down.
Everyone just focused on their meal.
Lin Fan took a hard look at this Tan Rui.
He was a young teenager like him, with a rounded face, sparse eyebrows, and wearing a bright red robe.
Instinctively, Lin Fan didn't like him as he had some resemblance to Master Tan.
"Brother Lim, let's not spoil the mood for everyone. Dinner is on me tonight."
Tan Rui stood up, gave an apologetic smile to everyone in the dining hall, stopping for a moment when his glance passed by Lin Fan.
Hearing the announcement, everyone got excited again.
"How magnanimous of young lord Tan Rui."
"That guy is just jealous of lord Tan Rui."
"Let us give young lord Tan Rui a toast."
While everyone was curry favoring Tan Rui, Lin Fan didn't bother; he was already busy ordering from the waiter.
Never waste resources, especially when they're from your enemy—that was his motto all along.
Lin Fan poured two teacups full of tea, placed one in front of Ho Ming and said, "Ho Ming, eat more. Get yourself prepared for the test tomorrow."
"I will," Ho Ming replied.
When their dishes arrived, Tan Rui walked over to Lin Fan's table with a big bright smile.
Tan Rui tried to introduce himself, but Lin Fan focused on his meal and tucked in, not even batting an eyelid at Tan Rui.
"Ho Ming, have more of the chicken drumstick."
"Thanks."
Both of them kept talking among themselves, not giving a chance for Tan Rui to enter the conversation.
Tan Rui felt the awkwardness, gave a fake smile, and walked back to his seat.
On his way back, he started thinking.
Did that Lin Fan notice something?
It can't be; he can't possibly know that I want to kill him.
Now his plan to be seen as friendly with Lin Fan is spoiled.
Whatever, so what if they suspect me.
No one would make much fuss about a dead commoner.
When he got back to his seat, his friends were angry at what they saw.
"How dare that commoner leave you in a lurch; let me teach him a lesson!"
Tan Rui pulled his friend back and, with a sly grin, whispered into his ears.
His friend nodded, and slowly his expression turned into an evil grin.
When Tan Rui was done, both of them burst out laughing.
Unknown to them, Lin Fan had activated his Rabbit's Hearing ability and knew what had transpired.
Lin Fan shook his head when he heard their plan.
Taking his last bite of the chicken drumstick, he motioned for Ho Ming to leave.
He also asked for paper and a brush to write with from the counter before going back to his room.
The night is just getting started.
Nightfall.
All the guests had retired early after taking their Qi concentration pills and doing their daily meditation.
Everyone wanted to ensure they were in the best possible optimal state.
Lin Fan and Ho Ming did the same.
With their beds opposite each other, they said goodnight and slept.
Soon, loud snoring noises emerged from their room.
Creak.
Out in the empty corridor, the wooden floor made creaking noises.
With knives in their hands, men in black masks and black clothes slowly approached Lin Fan's room.
The man nearest the door took a deep breath and slowly pushed it open.
Clank.
A flowerpot was placed behind the door; it cracked and made a loud noise when it toppled over.
"You..!"
One of the masked men was angry at the carelessness.
"What? Who are you..." Lin Fan got up from his bed and gave the men a frightened look.
This emboldened the men.
"Go in and kill him!" the man commanded.
They streamed into the room, raised their hands, and slashed down at Lin Fan.
Thud!
Their knives hacked at the blanket and wooden bed board, giving out a muted thud.
In the blink of an eye, Lin Fan had jumped out of the bed and gotten out of harm's way.
Before the men could turn and face him.
Lin Fan pushed them from behind, and they fell onto the bed.
"Get his friend!" the man standing at the back commanded.
The other men followed the instruction and went at Ho Ming's bed.
Thud!
Ho Ming wasn't at his bed.
"He is making a fool of us; get him!"
All the men then came rushing at Lin Fan.
Lin Fan faked a scared expression, turned to the open window, and jumped out of it.