"Why did you throw me into the river?"
"Your teacher told you, didn't he? I am Keleisi's priestess. I do not like people who show disrespect toward Keleisi," said that marble-cold voice.
"Then I'm afraid you'll have to kill everyone in Rome, because there aren't many people in this city who believe in Keleisi."
"Do not quibble. They are not one of us, but you are—or rather, you may be in the future... Your teacher chose you as his successor. You must inherit not only his skills, but also his mission: to preserve the balance of all things in the world." The Priestess's fingers stroked the edge of the carriage.
"Otherwise, why do you think I went to such lengths to get close to Commodus? To contribute to Rome's prosperity and stability?" Zhang Heng retorted from inside the carriage.
"Do not try to deceive me. I know you joined the Blade of Balance only for the assassin texts in the library. Someone like you, no matter how capable, will sooner or later become a menace without faith. Perhaps I should nip the danger in the bud before it is too late."
"Perhaps you should. But then no one will be able to tell you where Autrus is." Zhang Heng's tone was indifferent.
"Are you threatening me?"
"No. You were clearly the one who threatened me first."
Faced with the immense pressure from the Priestess, Zhang Heng did not back down. Instead, he met her blow for blow and refused to yield an inch, seemingly without considering the consequences of provoking her. If the Old Trainer had been there, he probably would have rolled his eyes in exasperation, because it was as if Zhang Heng had not heard a single word of what he had said on the bridge.
Yet after