The Struggle for Power

Before Zhe Kui could react, Yinghua struck first. "Su Jingyuan, you misled the Holy Lord with your words. What are you scheming?"

"I did mobilize Chou Ji and Shi Xuan that day, but ask them yourselves—did I ever order them to exterminate you, Su Jingyuan?"

Behind Yinghua and Su Jingyuan,

Chou Ji and Shi Xuan exchanged a glance, both seeing the resentment in the other's eyes.

It was resentment toward Yinghua.

This had originally been a struggle for power between Yinghua and Su Jingyuan.

Although Su Jingyuan had brought them up, his words pointed directly to Yinghua as the mastermind, merely glossing over their involvement.

Yinghua, on the other hand, had dragged them both into the mire with a single sentence, tying them to herself to increase her leverage.

In this kind of power struggle, one wrong move could cost them their lives.

Chou Ji and Shi Xuan did not want to get involved.

Yet Yinghua had dragged them into it???????????????, so naturally, they harbored resentment.

"Enough."

Zhe Kui spoke up.

"Jingyuan, and Number One and Number Two, you may leave."

"Yinghua, stay. I have something to say to you."

Su Jingyuan immediately rose and left the hall with Chou Ji and Shi Xuan.

The hall door closed.

Zhe Kui said nothing.

Only the charcoal in the fireplace occasionally crackled.

Yinghua walked over to Zhe Kui, leaned against his legs, and said, "Holy Lord, you aren't angry with me, are you?"

"I truly didn't know Su Jingyuan had come to see you because of the Mysterious Fish."

"I know the Mysterious Fish is very important to you."

"If I had known Su Jingyuan was coming back because of the Mysterious Fish, I wouldn't have dared stop him, no matter how unwilling I was."

"But that man surnamed Su didn't reveal