Zhao Ritian had been hypnotized into sleep.
Facing the four Patriarchs, Xia Ying calmly gave her assessment:
"Zhao Ritian is very simple-minded. Even within my personal barrier, he is still simple-minded in an endearing way."
"He has always looked down on Lu Chengwen and Long Aotian, but deep down, he truly acknowledges them. Perhaps, in his heart, real heroes should be simple—simple like him."
"He cannot understand overly complicated social conventions and relationships. He does not have as many schemes and calculations as Long Aotian and Lu Chengwen."
"His moral outlook is so simple that... it makes people like him."
"You could say he is the one most worthy of trust. That is all."
"Ahem." Mo Chen cleared his throat. "That will do. Next one. This idiot was never the main event anyway."
Long Aotian had fallen asleep as well.
Xia Ying remained seated in the same spot. "Long Aotian, what is your objective?"
"I have no objective."
"You do. King Tiechi trusts and admires you most. As one of the Thirteen Protectors of the Iron Red Army, he did not leave you trapped in the Mohist Great Array to struggle until death. Instead, he let you out, allowed you to develop, and even intended to make you one of the Iron Red Army's real powerholders. There is no way you know nothing! Speak! What is his objective?"
Long Aotian said nothing.
"You refuse to speak because you know how evil and dark he is! Is that it?"
"If you dare insult my adoptive father again, I'll kill you!"
Xia Ying smiled. "Then let us talk about someone else. Oh, it seems Zhao Ritian is about to die."
Long Aotian frowned slightly. "Is that so..."
"Will you save him?"
Long Aotian smiled. "Let him die, then."
After that, Xia