"Even if you and Meng Zhao had nothing to do with each other, I never intended to specifically target you. I merely wished to use you to convey a message to Meng Zhao.
"I bear him no ill will, nor do I pose any threat. On the contrary, I now need his help. Perhaps he may obtain something from me as well. This would be a win-win for both of us."
Zhao Rulíng's tone was calm, yet it carried an invisible authority—gentle as jade, yet impossible to resist. His eyes shone brightly, and with a single casual sweep of his gaze, he pierced straight into the hearts of the three men, leaving them with a thousand words in their throats but unable to utter a single refusal.
In the end, Liu An and the other two left the small courtyard in a daze, muddled and bewildered, returning to the rooms the Meng Family had prepared for them.
The three gathered in Liu An's room. Even as the delicacies delivered by the Meng Family servants gradually went cold and spoiled, none of them had the slightest appetite.
"Do you think that lord truly guessed that we have ties to Dragon King Meng, or was it merely a guess?"
Liu An was doubtful. Their connection with Meng Zhao was extremely well concealed. Given Meng Zhao's cautious mind and exceptional methods, he should not have exposed a flaw so easily. Thus, Liu An was more inclined to believe that Zhao Rulíng had merely been trying to bluff them.
"Even if it was only a guess, it still means that this lord does not wish to involve himself too deeply in our affairs. Nor does he intend to investigate what kind of relationship we have with Dragon King Meng.
"Think carefully about the entire