Yes, he was an exceedingly proud man. There had been few failures in his life. Even if this time he truly suffered a crushing defeat, how could he possibly reveal such a bedraggled state for others to see?
Meng Zhao had no intention of mocking Si Peng. Instead, he looked toward Xiang Qing and the others. After observing them closely, he vaguely understood that Mo Li had likely not truly been planted beside Si Peng by Xiang Qing. There was another hidden hand at work.
The basis for this judgment was simple. Everyone on Xiang Qing's side, Xiang Qing himself included, had shown surprise and confusion when they saw Mo Li suddenly backstab Su Hongtu and use some method on him.
The difference was that after his initial surprise, Xiang Qing's expression became one of sudden realization and calm, with a trace of delight mixed in. Clearly, he had not known from the very beginning that Mo Li would do this. Only after Mo Li acted did he realize that he was one of their own.
At this moment, Si Peng spoke as well.
"Xiang Qing, if he possessed such ability—if he could take in Mo Li and plant him at my side—I would not have needed to fight him for so long. I might as well slit my throat right here and spare myself the ridicule. Xiang Qing, am I right?"
His killing intent toward Mo Li surged sky-high, yet he turned to question Xiang Qing instead, full of confidence.
Xiang Qing nodded. He too glanced at Mo Li, his gaze complex as though he was lost in thought, and said, "You are right. If Mo Li truly had been planted beside you by me, perhaps you would have been defeated long ago and driven from the Divine Might