25: Chapter 25: Painting Portraits of Remnants of the Previous Dynasty!

"You... Zhao, since you claim you can catch the Remnants of the Previous Dynasty, fine. Do you dare to make a bet with me?"

Ge Hua barked angrily.

Zhao Zilong asked, "What do you want to bet?"

Ge Hua said, "If you can catch a Remnant of the Previous Dynasty within half a month, I will apologize to you and never cause you trouble again. If you can't, you'll resign from this Banner Master position. Do you dare?"

Not far away, Cai Wenjing was a bit nervous. "Zhao Zilong, don't let it get to your head. You can't agree to that."

She even felt the urge to step in and stop him, but Zhao Zilong had already spoken.

"Why wouldn't I dare to agree? However, half a month won't do."

"If you want to set it for a lifetime, then there's no point in betting."

Ge Hua snorted with a look of disdain.

Zhao Zilong said, "As Banner Master, I mean that half a month is too long. Let's make it three days. After three days, if I cannot catch a Remnant of the Previous Dynasty, I will resign. But if I do catch one, you, Ge Hua, will not only kowtow and apologize to me but also follow my lead and work for me from now on. Do you dare to accept?"

"Are you sure about three days?"

Ge Hua could hardly believe his ears. Had he misheard?

Although their Second Banner wasn't as formidable as the First Banner, they weren't bad either. Yet they hadn't caught a single Remnant of the Previous Dynasty in the past year. What made Zhao Zilong, a mere clerk, think he could?

Most importantly, the Third Banner was a useless banner. Even if useless people like Li Kai and the others didn't refuse to listen to Zhao Zilong, they still wouldn't be able to accomplish anything.

"Correct, exactly three days."

Zhao Zilong looked dead serious.

Ge Hua said, "Fine, I'll bet with you. Zhao Zilong, remember this: if you dare go back on your word, I, Ge Hua, will break your legs."

Zhao Zilong chuckled. "As long as you don't go back on your word, Ge Hua."

Ge Hua snorted, "My word is my bond. If you really pull it off, my life is yours."

After saying that, he led his people away in a huff.

Cai Wenjing's expression was quite grim.

Zhao Zilong was really pushing his luck. How could he make such a bet?

Where was he going to find a Remnant of the Previous Dynasty in just three days?

Was he counting on a Remnant of the Previous Dynasty to try and assassinate the Princess within these three days so he could catch one alive?

However, the chances were too slim. What if the Remnants of the Previous Dynasty didn't make a move?

"This guy really knows how to cause trouble for me."

Cai Wenjing felt very helpless.

In front of the door, Zhao Zilong looked at Li Kai and the others. He said loudly, "Everyone, you all heard the bet between me and Ge Hua, right? I know what you're thinking. You want Ge Hua to win and me to lose so I'll get lost. I can understand that feeling."

"But have you ever considered that since I dare to bet with Ge Hua, I naturally have hope of winning?"

"And if you all help me and we actually catch a Remnant of the Previous Dynasty, then everyone will share the credit."

"We did have some friction in the past, but it wasn't the kind of grudge born from killing a father or mother, nor the hatred of stealing a wife or child. What is there that can't be resolved?"

"We'll be working together from now on, so we're on the same side."

"Furthermore, even if you don't help me and I lose the bet, I, Zhao Zilong, will at most lose this position of Banner Master. I don't seem to have much to lose. But what about you? Just because of a little bullshit friction with me, you'd give up the merit of catching a Remnant of the Previous Dynasty. You're all smart people; you should be able to figure out which is more important."

"Besides, you didn't acknowledge me in the past and viewed me as incompetent. Why not take this chance to let me prove my ability?"

"Even if we don't catch a Remnant of the Previous Dynasty in the end, you'll only have been busy for three days, and you'll get what you want—I'll step down as Banner Master. You have nothing to lose, right?"

"Now, I'm asking you all: will you help me or not? Those who will help, stand on the left. Those who won't, stand on the right. I will not use anything to threaten you; it's entirely voluntary."

After Zhao Zilong finished speaking, he didn't say another word. He scanned the crowd, giving them the chance to choose.

"Li Kai, what Zhao said makes a lot of sense. There's no deep-seated hatred between us. At most, we just don't like the look of him. It's we who beat him up before, not him doing anything to us."

Zhang Da consulted with Li Kai.

Li Kai asked, "What about the matter between you and me?"

Zhang Da replied, "We'll talk about our business later. Let's talk about this now."

Li Kai said, "You're right, and Zhao Zilong has a point. We have no deep grievances. If we can really catch a Remnant of the Previous Dynasty this time, it shows he has skill. If we can gain merit following him, it's fine to let him be the Banner Master."

Zhang Da agreed, "Exactly. If we can't catch them, we've only wasted three days, and he'll still have to get lost afterward. We don't lose anything."

"Banner Master Zhao, I, Wu Chuan, will work with you."

After Wu Chuan finished speaking, he stood on the left.

Li Kai glanced at Zhao Zilong. He didn't say anything, but he walked toward the left.

Zhang Da followed suit.

With these two leading the way, those who were hesitant also moved to the left. The right side was empty.

A smug smile played on the corner of Zhao Zilong's mouth.

As expected, people are only willing to stand together when there are common interests, even if there's some friction.

Cai Wenjing was somewhat surprised. She hadn't expected everyone to stand on the left and choose to help Zhao Zilong.

Although it was due to common interests, Cai Wenjing had to admire that the speech Zhao Zilong just gave was the key.

By clarifying the pros and cons, he led everyone to make this choice.

"This guy really can keep giving people surprises. With his eloquence and ability to incite people, he'd have no problem being a general."

A smile flickered on Cai Wenjing's lips, but it slowly vanished. Although these people were willing to help Zhao Zilong, how to catch a Remnant of the Previous Dynasty was still an issue.

"Zhao Zilong, we'll listen to you for these three days. Now speak, what do you want us to do?"

Zhang Da spoke up.

Zhao Zilong said, "Follow me inside and you'll find out."

After Zhao Zilong finished speaking, he entered the office building.

The others followed him in one after another.

Once inside, they saw Zhao Zilong already standing behind the desk where the Banner Master worked.

"Wu Chuan, grind the ink."

Zhao Zilong called out. Wu Chuan was stunned for a moment, but he still went over to grind the ink.

Once the ink was ready, Zhao Zilong held the brush, struck a pose, dipped it in ink, thought for a moment, and then began to write.

Everyone gathered around the desk to watch.

"Is he painting?"

"Yeah, why is he painting at a time like this?"

Confused, the crowd began to whisper.

Before long, Zhao Zilong had drawn a portrait. It was lifelike, as if it were a real person.

Everyone was astonished by Zhao Zilong's artistic skill.

Zhao Zilong was equally surprised. He hadn't expected the original owner of this body, a clerk, to have such remarkable painting skills.

However, to make the portrait so accurate and photo-like, Zhao Zilong had also incorporated some modern sketching techniques.

Although he didn't know how to paint himself, he knew a bit of the theory. Combined with the original body's artistic talent, the result was surprisingly good.

It far exceeded his expectations.

"Banner Master Zhao, why are you drawing a portrait?"

Wu Chuan asked.

Zhao Zilong smiled slightly and said, "This person is a Remnant of the Previous Dynasty. Now, each of you must memorize this person's appearance clearly. Then, spread out your men, find him for me, and capture him."

What Zhao Zilong had drawn was precisely the person who had been watching him from outside his courtyard the day before.

Because he had become a martial artist, and the original owner knew how to paint, Zhao Zilong possessed a photographic memory for people's faces.

After saying that, Zhao Zilong began to paint again.

A moment later, he produced another portrait.

This time, it was a full-body drawing.

It was the person who had been watching him, disguised as a peddler.

"Remember this one well, too."

Zhao Zilong had Wu Chuan pass this portrait around for everyone to inspect one by one.

"If you've memorized it, then get moving."

Zhao Zilong said with a solemn face, looking quite like a Banner Master.

After looking at the portraits, the crowd left one after another.

Cai Wenjing walked in.

"Are you really sure you can catch a Remnant of the Previous Dynasty?"

Zhao Zilong shook his head.

Cai Wenjing was a bit angry. "If you're not sure, why did you make the bet? You're just making me waste my time."

Zhao Zilong said, "But if we win, the rewards are even greater. Sometimes, you just have to gamble."

"Fine, I hope you win the bet."

Cai Wenjing snorted softly, then looked at Zhao Zilong and asked, "What is hot pot? Is it really that delicious?"

Zhao Zilong was taken aback.

Cai Wenjing said, "Since you're free now anyway, let's go prepare the ingredients. I want to taste this hot pot at noon, too."

Zhao Zilong naturally wouldn't refuse. He and Cai Wenjing left the Fuzheng Division with Zhao Xiaotian.