Treasure-hunting: Into the Unknown

"I'd seize every opportunity to secure an apprenticeship under your father. That would be exciting!" Zachary admitted ardently.

"You plan on having my father as your master?" Pollard furrowed his brows upon hearing Zachary's words. He knew fully well that if Zachary became his father's disciple, his plan to marry Joan would be ruined.

"Do you have any problem with me being under his tutelage?" Zachary glanced at Pollard, finding the latter's tone rather unusual.

Letting out a sigh and with a defeated look across his face, Pollard tipped his head back to gulp down the glass of wine before slamming it on to the table in front of him. He should be happy that Zachary was so willing to become his father's disciple. After all, he would be a great addition to the clan and would be a more than capable assistant to him once he inherited the position of the Qiu Clan's head one day.

However, with every gain came a loss—and this loss would be his happiness with Joan, a woman who loved him deeply. He never wished to hurt her or be unfaithful. Pollard found himself in quite a dilemma.

"Pollard, talk to me," Zachary said. "We've gone through hell and high water together. It's safe to say we're like brothers now. Don't you think so? You can tell me anything." He squinted as he fixed his gaze on Pollard.

"You know I'm a straightforward man, Harley. It's just that, well, you've placed me in quite a dilemma this time!" Pollard shook his head helplessly.

"Tell me!" Zachary begged him.

"Alright. Joan told you that the Phoenix Pavilion's head was very interested in you and wished to recruit you, right?" Pollard reminded him.

"Yes, I remember. Once the contest ended, she came over to talk to me," Zachary replied and nodded his head to confirm.

"I saw that too. I had overlooked the situation and thought that it wouldn't affect me. But now that everything has been decided, I guess it does," Pollard said. "I was planning to talk to her after the King Level contest to ask permission for Joan's hand in marriage."

"That's great news, Pollard. I'm happy to hear that!" Zachary exclaimed as he raised his eyebrows. He was delighted to hear of this news, especially since he thought that Pollard and Joa

ds too. Throughout the entire history of the Shura College's King Level contest, only a single disciple has ever won the two first places during the same contest. That was many years ago." Pollard knew that Zachary's tremendous strength would cause a great disturbance after the King Level contest. By then, all the clans and sects would scramble to recruit him.

"Really? I was unaware of that," Zachary sighed. It was not until now that he knew someone had successfully won the two first places during a King Level contest in the past.

"Although he was peerless, he was also quite a genius for his time. He possessed both great strength and incredible weapon refining skills. Also, he kept the record for being the youngest Imperial Level warrior—until I became one. To be fair, I was only about a dozen days younger than him by the time of becoming an Imperial Level warrior," Pollard pointed out in admiration.

"I assume he's a current big shot at Shura College, right?" Zachary inquired out of curiosity.

"No. As far as I know, he conspired together with a band of heterodox warriors and slaughtered not a few orthodox warriors. As a result, he was hunted down throughout the entire Devil Kingdom. Ever since his whereabouts have been a mystery. But rumor has it that he returned to Shura College and caused quite a stir," Pollard explained.

Zachary was momentarily dumbstruck. Suddenly, a figure came to his mind. He wondered if the person Pollard mentioned was Logan.