The middle-aged man with a sword on his back said, "It's not that I wish to contend with Brother Song. It's just that Brother Song doesn't know what matters and is ignoring the bigger picture. Immortal Lord Cheng has already given his orders: this place is under Brother Dongfang's responsibility. Why must Brother Song involve himself in everything and point fingers?"
Song Qiuhu was on the verge of exploding.
Dongfang Tuo stepped in to smooth things over. "Brother Huang, don't argue. Brother Song, don't take offense. Let Brother Song handle negotiations with the other factions. How does that sound?"
The middle-aged man with a sword on his back cupped his fists. "I'll do as Brother Dongfang suggests."
He hadn't picked this fight entirely for Dongfang Tuo's sake. He simply couldn't stand Song Qiuhu and, at the same time, didn't want Song Qiuhu to walk away with such an enormous benefit for nothing.
Song Qiuhu gave Dongfang Tuo a stiff fist salute, then fell silent.
Of course he was displeased. He'd judged Dongfang Tuo's temperament correctly: he wouldn't contest the matter, so Song Qiuhu had planned to take the reins of leadership without a fuss.
But such a thing had to be understood without being spoken aloud.
With the middle-aged man's intervention, Song Qiuhu's carefully laid plans had fallen apart completely.
Although he still held the authority to negotiate with the other factions, the added step of Dongfang Tuo's appointment meant he had lost all claim to leadership.
Knowing Song Qiuhu was unhappy, Dongfang Tuo sent him a thought transmission. "Rest assured, Brother Song. If Immortal Lord Cheng asks about it someday, I won't forget to mention your contributions."
Dongfang Tuo wasn't stupid; he knew exactly what Song Qiuhu had planned. He simply didn't want to fight over it and was