Seeing Xue Wuding's expression, Patriarch Bodhi chuckled, stroking his beard and said, "Don't look at me like this. Don't worry, I'm not a bad person."
Xue Wuding was a little embarrassed, "How could Mr. Xu be a bad person? I don't dare to guess your identity at will."
"You say you don't dare to be suspicious, but you are very curious in your heart, right?" said Patriarch Bodhi.
Xue Wuding smiled awkwardly and did not dare to speak.
Although Patriarch Bodhi is smiling, his aura is very strong, giving people an invisible pressure.
Patriarch Bodhi looked away and saw that he and Xue Wuding were the only ones left in the inn. He took out a golden sign from his body and slapped it on the table.
"This, this, this..."
Xue Wuding looked at the Shark Clan emblem engraved on the gold medal, his pupils gradually dilated, his mouth opened slightly, and he felt a little awkward when speaking.
The gold medal in front of me is the Shark King's Token, and it is also the Shark King's Token with the highest authority. It can command all the Sharman clan to see the Token as if they were seeing the Shark King.
Why is this token in Mr. Xu’s hand?
Ancestor Bodhi showed an expected smile, put away the Shark King Token again, and said, "This Shark King Token was given to me by King Shark when I left the Cape of the Sea. He said it could be used at critical moments."
."
"And King Shark gave me this King Shark Order to hunt down Zong Yi. This time Zhang Xiaoyou entered the palace to help me find traces of Zong Yi."
"I think Zong Yi is very likely to have noticed something now. Otherwise, why would Zhang Xiaoyou not enter the palace yet? There are so many eye spies around him. You can imagine what kind of danger Zhang Xiaoyou will face when he enters the palace tomorrow."
"Therefore, I would like to ask you to help Zhang Xiaoyou find Zong Yi."
Xue Wuding was frightened, knelt down on one knee, and clasped his fists and replied, "Mr. Xu, you are serious. You hold the Shark King's Order in your hand and command the entire Shark clan. Not to mention helping, you can even let me, Xue Wuding, die!"
"Furthermore, we, the Undead Alliance, are also responsible for Zong Yi's escape, so finding Zong Yi is also what we, the Undefeated Alliance, should do. I don't think it's appropriate to help."
"I just don't know what Mr. Xu wants me to do?"
Ancestor Bodhi raised a scheming smile and waved to Xue Wuding, "Come here and I will explain it to you in detail."
Xue Wuding was stunned for a moment, then stood up and approached.
"We will then..."
Xue Wuding nodded while listening. During this period, his face changed again and again, and his brows wrinkled again and again.
"...Okay, that's about it, what do you think?" Patriarch Bodhi asked.
Xue Wuding looked sad, "You won't be discovered, right?"
"Don't worry, how can you be discovered when I'm here? Just do it with confidence and boldness." Ancestor Bodhi stood up, took a deep breath and said, "I also have other important things, so I'll leave first."
Xue Wuding nodded and looked at Qin Tian's room with a hint of envy in his eyes, "Mr. Xu has really worked hard for Brother Zhang."
At this time, Qin Tian was hard at work practicing his sword in the small world, unaware of the plans of Patriarch Bodhi and Xue Wuding.
Time passed little by little, and before I knew it, the whole night passed by.
Near noon, Qin Tian finally walked out of the small world, preparing for the upcoming ceremony of being enshrined.
Qin Tian first came to Liu Xianxin's room, intending to meet her before entering the palace.
However, after knocking on the door for a long time, there was no response. When I opened the door and took a look, I found that no one was in the room. Everything was neatly arranged, and there was no sign of being occupied at all.
At this time, the waiter passed by Qin Tian. Qin Tian grabbed him, pointed to Liu Xianxin's room and asked, "Where is the girl who lives in this room?"
"She checked out with a few people early this morning."
"Checked out? Did they say where they were going?"
"I only heard what they said about escaping from the land of right and wrong. I didn't know anything else."
"Okay, thanks."
"You're welcome."
Qin Tian thought with a heavy face, escaping from the place of right and wrong? Could it be that they are leaving the city now?
But Yuan City is sealed, where can they go?
Or is it that they were kidnapped by people from the palace?
But according to Mr. Xu's strength, it should be difficult for them to capture Xi'er and the others, right?
"By the way, Mr. Zhang."
Just when Qin Tian was still thinking seriously, the waiter who left the store came back again, "Do you know how popular you are now? Everyone in the city came to see your enshrinement ceremony early this morning. They are all here now."
I’m waiting downstairs.”
"Really? Let me take a look." Qin Tian walked to the end of the corridor, opened the wooden window, and saw two long queues lined up on both sides of the street leading to Tongfu Inn.
They looked at the door of Tongfu Inn, eagerly waiting for Qin Tian to come out.
"Zhang San! Zhang San!!"
At this moment, a loud call sounded from downstairs. Looking down, he saw Lu Tongren walking over with two guards.
The waiter had a flattering smile on his face and congratulated Qin Tian, "Colonel Lu is here to take you to the palace. Mr. Zhang, please go down quickly. I would like to congratulate you in advance on becoming the new captain of Haijiao Land. Sir, please
Don’t forget the little one.”
Qin Tian smiled bitterly and nodded, thinking to himself, he still doesn't know if he will become a captain today.
When they arrived at the door of the inn, Tongren Lu looked up at Qin Tian and congratulated Qin Tian with a smile on his face.
"After we arrive at the palace, we will be colleagues. I would like to congratulate you on starting a new life."
When the word "new life" is spoken out, it sounds like it means something counter-intuitive.
No matter how stupid Qin Tian is, he still understands what this means.
It would be dangerous to go to the palace here, so it's no wonder Mr. Xu asked himself so cautiously yesterday.
It seems that Xue Wuding was right. He might have a narrow escape from death.
Qin Tian smiled and replied politely, "You're welcome, we don't know yet whether he is a new student or not."
"Humph." Lu Tongren snorted coldly and glanced at the two guards. The two of them understood each other and walked behind Qin Tian, one on the left and the other on the right, as if they were arresting criminals.
Tongren Lu pointed his head at the road leading to the palace and said, "Let's go, it's time to hit the road."
"Master Zhang, I am Zhang Yuanwai. This is my great gift for you. Please don't forget me after you become the captain!"
"I am Wang Yuanwai. This is a thousand-year-old gem. Please accept it!"
"Master Zhang, I am..."
Qin Tian just walked out of the guest house When he arrived at the store, a group of people rushed up with valuables in their hands, trying hard to please Qin Tian and get Qin Tian's care.
Before Qin Tian could say anything, Lu Tongren stepped forward and angrily shouted, "How outrageous! You are so brave, you dare to bribe in the street."
"This three is not yet a school captain. It will be worse when you become a school captain. Come here, please confiscate all these things from me!"
The two guards came forward, grabbed all the gifts for Qin Tian, and threw them into Lu Tongren's storage ring.
The wealthy businessmen who gave the gifts all tacitly understood that the gifts had been embezzled by Mr. Lu, but they were helpless.
Who made this colleague a school captain?
After occupying the gifts belonging to Qin Tian, Lu Tongren glanced at Qin Tian provocatively and asked, "Master Zhang, do you have any objection if I confiscate these things?"
Qin Tianzhen waved his hand generously and said, "You can take as much as you like, I don't care."
"Then since you said so, I won't be polite."
After saying that, Tongren Lu walked at the front like a rooster, and threw all the gifts for Qin Tian into his storage ring. His proud smile almost reached the back of his head.
.
It was nearly two kilometers from Tongfu Inn to the palace gate. Both sides of the two-kilometer street were filled with people who came to watch the ceremony. Almost half of Yuan City came.
Due to the closure of Yuancheng, many people who came to Yuancheng to watch the Sea and Land Championships could not go back, so they simply stayed in Yuancheng to continue watching the conferment ceremony.
There was a lot of discussion on both sides of the street.
"Why is there only Zhang San? Isn't there another Black Lotus Holy Envoy?"
"I heard that he was invited to the palace a long time ago. Maybe he is waiting to be conferred in the palace now."
"Then what kind of general should the Black Lotus Holy Envoy be able to confer?"
"Who knows..."
"..."
There were too many discussions, and Qin Tian simply chose to turn a deaf ear.
When he arrived at the palace gate, Liu Zhaocai, who was gathered in the crowd, waved to Qin Tian.
"Master Zhang! Master Zhang!"
Seeing Liu Zhaocai waving to him, Qin Tian walked up directly and said, "Shopkeeper Liu, why are you here too?"
Liu Zhaocai smiled and pointed at several residents of Dengjiangtuo behind him and said, "I'm not the only one here, they are also here. We are really happy to see you become a captain."
Qin Tian laughed twice, "I'm just a school captain..."
Suddenly, Liu Zhaocai held Qin Tian's hand and said sincerely.
"Mr. Zhang, no matter what your status is, we will support you unconditionally."
Qin Tian was a little confused and didn't understand what Liu Zhaocai meant.
"Hey, it's over, we can't leave!" Lu Tongren urged impatiently from the front.
Liu Zhaocai waved his hand at Qin Tian and pushed Qin Tian toward the palace gate.
"Mr. Zhang, go quickly and remember what I said."
Qin Tian was even more confused and wanted to ask the reason, but due to time constraints, he could only give up.
In front is the gate of the palace. The three-foot-high big red gate is carved with two lifelike portraits. On the left is King Shark, and on the right is Lord Puxiu of the Land. Each holds a spear and a sharp blade, with sharp eyes, which makes people look in awe.
.
Ten guards stood on each side in front of the gate to guard the city gate. In the center of the gate was hung an exquisite lens three feet high. Anyone who entered the palace gate would be invisible.
Behind this gate is the majestic palace. You can feel its majesty just by looking outside the gate.
Qin Tian came outside the palace gate, and two guards stopped him at the door.
"Please open your hands and do a routine check before entering the palace. Dangerous items are not allowed to be brought into the palace!"
Qin Tian opened his hand with a look of despair and let the two guards touch it randomly.
When he touched the root of his thigh, Qin Tian trembled subconsciously, holding his crotch and shrinking back, "What are you doing! Sexual harassment? Believe it or not, I was the first to deal with you after I became a captain?"
The guard showed fear and looked at Lu Tongren to ask his opinion.
Lu Tongren waved his hand to tell them to stop searching, then stretched out his hand towards Qin Tian and said, "Should you hand over the sword yourself, or let us search it?"
"A rusty sword without an edge is also called a dangerous item?" Qin Tian laughed at himself.
"One sword almost destroyed the entire Shanhai School. Can you tell me this is not a dangerous item?" Lu Tongren asked.
Qin Tian was unable to refute, so he could only stretch out his hand to summon the Dragon Sword, and threw it directly to the guards on the side.
The guard stretched out his hand to take it, but there was a 'clang' sound, and both the man and his sword fell to the ground.
The guard looked in pain and waved to the other guards for help, "Hurry, help me move away, I'm about to be crushed to death!"
"How heavy a sword can be, how useless you are!"
Lu Tongren swore and stepped forward. When he wanted to pick up the Dragon Song Sword with one hand, he realized something was wrong.
Damn, why is this sword so heavy?
How did Zhang San wave it?
Lu Tongren wanted to use both hands, but he felt embarrassed, so he could only cough awkwardly and called a few guards over, "Ahem, what, I don't want to touch this rusty sword, please move it away!"
Qin Tian stood aside and looked at Lu Tongren with a playful smile.
After practicing last night, Qin Tian can now easily swing the five-hundred-jin Dragon Sword.
Now his arm strength is really amazing.
Lu Tongren met Qin Tian's gaze and immediately became angry and said, "What are you looking at? You will see something nice when we enter the palace gate!"
"Open the palace gate!"
Following Tongren Lu's loud shout, the guards on both sides pushed open the three-foot-high red door, revealing the palace gate.
Qin Tian followed Tongren Lu and walked into the palace gate, feeling a little uneasy in his heart.
In front of you when you enter is a square of nearly three acres of land. In the center is a staircase leading directly to the main hall of the palace. A rough estimate shows that this staircase must have at least 500 steps.
There were eighteen captains standing on the left and right sides of the stairs, eight on one side and nine on the other.
On both sides of the square, there were three neatly arranged teams of soldiers on the left and right, holding patients in their hands and looking majestic.
Right outside the main hall door
There were four brave warriors wearing golden armor standing respectively. Looking at their appearance, Qin Tian could probably guess that these eight should be the eight generals.
In the center of the palace, sitting in front of a man wearing a golden crown and golden clothes, he is the ruler of this land in the corner of the sea, Puxiu.
On his right side was Zong Yi, dressed in pitch black with only one eye exposed.
On his left is the internal official who issued the decree to Qin Tian yesterday.
As Qin Tian entered the palace gate, the palace door closed with a bang, and the people outside the door left one after another. After leaving, many immortal cultivators continued to watch the conferment ceremony with Xuanguang mirrors.
"Go up and accept your conferment ceremony."
Lu Tongren's body flashed and he returned to the queue of the eighteen captains.
Qin Tian subconsciously looked back at the closed door behind him, and it seemed that he had no way out.
After taking a deep breath, Qin Tian's eyes returned to the front again. He was surrounded by soldiers and generals from the palace, but he was alone.
The entire palace was filled with a depressing atmosphere, and everyone's expressions were very serious and solemn, giving Qin Tian an invisible pressure.
Looking at the long stairs, Qin Tian took the first step and slowly entered the palace.
With every step he took, Qin Tian felt a little bit more pressure.
Especially when he came to the palace gate and felt the gazes of the eight generals, Qin Tian felt as if he was being pierced by their gazes and felt a sense of suffocation.
After entering the palace gate, Qin Tian came to the center of the hall and bowed to Puxiu who was sitting on the throne, "Join the Lord of the Land."
Puxiu's face darkened and he looked very ugly.
Pu Xiu's expression changed, and the atmosphere in the entire palace became depressed, and no one dared to make a sound.
Since Pu Xiu became the Lord of the Land, Qin Tian was the first one who dared to stand and salute Pu Xiu. No wonder Pu Xiu looked so ugly.
Lu Tongren looked at Qin Tian, his eyes as wide as copper bells. He couldn't help but wonder in his heart, is Zhang San really not afraid of death or is there something wrong with his brain? He dares to be so rude in front of the Lord of the Land. He is simply desperate for his life.
.
Not only the people inside the palace, but also the people outside the palace couldn't help but gasped and trembled in their hearts when they saw this scene.
The internal officer standing on one side carefully observed Pu Xiu's eyes, and seeing that his expression was still clouded, he immediately shouted loudly at Qin Tian.
"How arrogant, Zhang San, you are so brave. You didn't kneel when you received the order yesterday, but you dare not kneel when you meet the Lord of the Land today. You are simply arrogant!"
Qin Tian grinned, not feeling the strong pressure at this moment at all.
"I already said when I received the order yesterday that I will only kneel to my parents in this life. The Lord of the Land is also the Lord of the land in this corner of the sea. He should not care about a little person like me."
Qin Tian invisibly wore a high hat on Pu Xiu. Even if Pu Xiu wanted to have a seizure, Qin Tian could not do anything about it. After all, there were many people outside the palace watching now.
If he attacks Qin Tian because of this kind of thing, it only shows that he has no sense of general cultivation.
Pu Xiu swallowed down the anger in his heart and waved his hand to the internal officials, "Forget it, today is also Zhang San's ceremony. If you don't kneel down, don't kneel down."
"Let's start the canonization."
"Yes!" The officer nodded, took a breath, and loudly shouted, "The conferment ceremony officially begins now!!"
"boom!!"
At this moment, there was a loud noise from the palace door, and two guards banged on the palace door, causing the heavy palace door to open.
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty, someone forced his way into the palace gate!!"
The remaining dozen or so guards looked fearful and faced each other with weapons in hand, but were forced back step by step by the people outside the door.
"Who dares to break through the palace gate and risk his life?" The official shouted at the gate.
I saw a man wrapped in black cloth, with only his eyes exposed, slowly walking in. He exuded a powerful aura and walked into the palace gate with confidence.
As he passed the palace gate, the exquisite lens hanging in the center reflected his dark figure.
When he saw this person, Zong Yi's pupils suddenly shrank, and he exclaimed in his heart, Black Lotus Holy Envoy!!!
Seeing that it was the Black Lotus Holy Envoy, Zong Yi was both surprised and confused.
Why does the Black Lotus Holy Envoy appear here?
Wasn't he put in prison by himself?
How could he come in through the palace gate so openly?
Zong Yi winked at the close guard on the side and asked him to check in the prison.
The Black Lotus Holy Envoy here did not notice Zong Yi's little move, ignored the internal officials, looked at Pu Xiu sitting on the throne and shouted.
"After all, I am number one on the list of heavenly beings. Today is the conferment ceremony. How could I not be here? You guards blocked me from the door and refused to let me in. So I had to force my way in and invite the Lord of the Land.
Don’t blame.”
Pushu's face showed a gloomy expression, and he clenched the armrests of the throne with both hands. He made an impression on the throne made of black iron.
First, Qin Tian was rude in front of the palace, and now the Black Lotus Holy Envoy forced his way into the palace gate. No matter how easy it was to talk, it was impossible not to be angry.
But what the Holy Envoy of Black Lotus said was not wrong, Pu Xiu could not confess his crime in front of the whole city.
Pushu took a deep breath, swallowed the anger in his heart, and smacked his palm, sending a wave of domineering energy straight towards the dozen guards in front of the door.
Just hearing a "boom", the twenty guards responsible for guarding the palace gate were instantly turned into ashes.
"!!!"
Qin Tian showed a look of shock. He didn't expect that Pu Xiu would be so cold-blooded and ruthless and directly executed the guards.
Pu Xiu forced a fake smile out of the corner of his mouth, looked at the Black Lotus Holy Envoy and said, "The Black Lotus Holy Envoy said that you are number one on the list of heavenly beings. It is indeed their fault for not letting you enter the palace. I have already put these things into consideration."
People have been executed, but I wonder if the Black Lotus Holy Envoy is still satisfied?"
The corners of Black Lotus Holy Envoy's eyes slightly curved, a smile appeared, and he cupped his hands and said, "It would be fine if the Lord of the Land taught them a lesson. Why kill them? You make me feel flattered and frightened."
Pu Xiu hummed in his heart, "You don't look frightened and frightened by this flattery. I'm afraid you are already extremely proud of yourself now."
"Your Majesty, will the conferment ceremony continue?" the internal manager at the side asked cautiously.
Pushu waved his hand, closed the open palace door again, and said in a deep voice, "Go on."
When the Black Lotus Holy Envoy came to the front of the temple and stood beside Qin Tian, Qin Tian couldn't help but asked curiously, "Weren't you invited into the palace last night? How did you appear outside the palace gate?"
The Black Lotus Holy Envoy showed a mysterious look and replied, "It was Mr. Xu and the others who rescued me. I just came out. Fortunately, I caught up."
Qin Tian smiled with relief and thought to himself, no wonder he couldn't see Mr. Xu and the others. It turned out that they were going to save the Black Lotus Holy Envoy.
"The conferment ceremony begins now!!"
As the official gave a loud voice, everyone in the palace instantly stood in awe and looked solemn.
Qin Tian and the Black Lotus Holy Envoy did not dare to whisper anymore. They stood up straight and waited for the internal officials to issue the edict.
The internal official unfolded a silk scroll in his hand and recited plausibly, "In accordance with the destiny of heaven, Lord Lu has decreed that I can only govern the world with letters and quell chaos with force. And the military commanders and generals are the mainstay of the imperial court and the main city of the country..."
Listening to this complicated and lengthy edict, Qin Tian couldn't help but want to yawn.
Just when Qin Tian was distracted, a guard came from the back of the palace. He was holding a tray in his hand. There were two glasses of wine on the tray. These two glasses of wine are called "loyalty wine" and are the gifts of all canonized soldiers.
Need a glass of wine.
It means that after drinking this glass of wine, you will be loyal to the land of the Cape of the Sea in this life.
The guard came to Zong Yi with a tray and asked Zong Yi for his opinion, "Master Zong, do you think this is okay?"
Zong Yi looked at the two glasses of wine and pondered for a moment, and thought to himself that although Zhang San was a great threat to him, his strength was indeed good and he had opened his eyes many times.
It's a pity to kill him like this. If you can keep him for your own use, that's not impossible.
And so is the Black Lotus Holy Envoy.
As long as the Black Lotus Seal can be planted in their bodies, they will be puppets in his hands from now on.
Involuntarily, Zong Yi's lips curved into an evil smile, and two flower petals appeared in the palm of his hand. The petals floated into the wine glass like catkins and melted into the wine.
Zong Yi nodded with satisfaction, "That's enough. I'll serve them the loyalty wine later."
"yes!"
The guards were waiting aside with a cup of Zhongzhong wine, waiting for the official to finish reading the edict.
"...Today, thanks to the Holy Grace of the Lord of the Land, I consecrate the Holy Envoy of Black Lotus as the General of Yuan and Ming Dynasty, and I consecrate Zhang San as the Lieutenant of the British Guards. I hereby honor you!"
After the words fell, the guards carrying the loyal wine came forward and came to Qin Tian and the Black Lotus Holy Envoy.
The internal officer pointed to the two glasses of water and wine on the tray and said, "This is the loyalty wine. It is a process that every soldier must go through before being conferred. Please two of you drink the loyalty wine before the conferment ceremony can be completed!"
Qin Tian picked up one of the glasses of Zhongzhong wine, put it to the tip of his nose and smelled it.
Seeing Qin Tian holding the Zhongzhong Wine in front of him, Zong Yi felt like his neck was stretching, and he couldn't help but feel nervous.
He clenched his fists and hoped that Qin Tian would drink the cup of loyalty wine as soon as possible. As long as Qin Tian was controlled, he could sit back and relax and concentrate on ruling the Three Realms.
Qin Tian frowned and smelled something wrong in the wine glass.
In the past two days, Qin Tian has smelled this scent many times, first from Feng Monk, then from the 'son' who helped Feng Monk seek explanation, and then from the internal official.
The aura on their bodies is similar to the aura in this wine glass. I guess this is the aura of the Black Lotus Seal mentioned by Mr. Xu.
Since this black lotus Buddha seal was produced in the palace, Ao Jiao and Ao Bing must also be in the palace.
Qin Tian put down the wine glass, looked at Pu Xiu and said, "Lord of the Land, can I discuss something with you?"
Pushu asked with interest, "What's the matter?"
"I would like to trade my position as a captain with you for two people. Do you think that's okay?"
"???"
"!!!"
As soon as Qin Tian said these words, everyone in the palace once again widened their eyes, opened their mouths slightly, and looked at Qin Tian with different expressions. Some were surprised, some were confused, and some looked at Qin Tian as if they were looking at a fool.
Those who watched the conferment ceremony with Xuanguang mirrors were all astonished.
"What is Zhang San thinking? If you exchange the position of captain for two people, you have to know how many people have wanted to get the position of captain for their entire lives."
"Well, I don't know how many people die every year because of the competition for a quota."
"Zhang San also gave up the school captain who was easily available. Are these two people not Zhang San's parents?"
"If it were me, not to mention my parents, I would be willing to trade the lives of my whole family for the position of captain. Once I become a captain, I will be rich, powerful and powerful. I really don't know what Zhang San is thinking.
What."
"Who says it isn't!"
Liu Zhaocai and others sat aside and listened to the discussions, remaining silent and looking worried.
They were worried that if Qin Tian refused to be granted the title in public in the main hall, he might anger Pu Xiu and even the entire palace.
"Bang!"
As expected.
In the palace, Pushu angrily slapped the table and glared at Qin Tian, his face gloomy, and the anger in his eyes seemed to devour Qin Tian.
"Zhang San, you have challenged my bottom line again and again. Do you really think that I dare not kill you?"
"The position of captain has been replaced by two people? Do you think this palace is the vegetable market in front of your home?"
The Holy Envoy of Black Lotus smacked his lips and said, "If the position of a captain is not enough, why don't you add me as a general? In this way, you can always replace two people, right?"
This time everyone in the entire palace had dark faces.
Even Qin Tian couldn't help but glance at the Black Lotus Holy Envoy. What kind of understanding does the Black Lotus Holy Envoy have?
When did this guy become such a tough guy?
"Hehehe." Pushu laughed angrily, and the armrest of the throne was almost crushed by him. "Okay, very good!"
"You two are really good! Since you don't want to be under my command, I won't force you."
"Really?" the Black Lotus Holy Envoy said in surprise, "I didn't expect you to be easy to talk to. Then hurry up and return those two people to Zhang San, so that we can go back early."
"If you want to ask me for someone, that's fine, as long as you, Zhang San, are willing to trade with your life."
"Oh no, haven't we already said it? If you exchange two positions for two people, this deal should be very cost-effective for you. How could you go back on your promise?" said the Black Lotus Holy Envoy.
"When did I promise you?" Pu Xiu's face turned cold, and murderous intent burst out from his eyes. "Since Zhang San is unwilling to join me, then let's settle the old accounts!"