Li Tieya had mixed feelings about Xue Xiang's sudden rise to power. According to his original plan, he had drawn Xue Xiang in so they could band together. After all, based on his initial estimate, Xue Xiang would be lucky to receive a Principal Sixth Rank post upon joining them—his status certainly wouldn't compare to Li Tieya's.
He had secretly recruited Xue Xiang as an ally, figuring they could huddle together for warmth.
Who could have guessed that Xue Xiang would stumble upon such a rare opportunity? He had only just arrived, yet he had climbed to the heavens in a single step, becoming Kongming Prefecture's prefectural judge—and Li Tieya's direct superior.
Even more outrageous, Palace Elder Chen Fanghai, whom Li Tieya could barely glimpse even on tiptoe, had taken the initiative to become sworn brothers with Xue Xiang.
After that, Li Tieya had nothing left to rely on in front of Xue Xiang.
He worried that Xue Xiang would grow arrogant on the strength of his position, and that his own subordinates might start harboring other intentions.
Now, when Xu Yi made his position clear, Li Tieya secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Xu Yi didn't give Li Tieya much thought. He knew the man was capable and calculating, but for the moment, they had no conflict of interest and could make use of each other.
As for what sort of trouble Li Tieya might stir up in the future, Xu Yi wasn't worried. That is, unless Li Tieya went looking for death.
As for appointing Li Xin as his Personal Guard Commander, Xu Yi wasn't trying to placate Li Tieya. He knew Li Xin was a loyal and righteous man, not one to harbor ulterior motives. Even as Li Tieya's trusted subordinate, he could still be put to