At the former city lord's mansion in Small Continent City, the place where Ning Xiao had stayed had been built in extraordinary splendor. Now, however, it had become the temporary headquarters of the Third Commandery's Battle Hall. With war at hand, the Battle Hall members of the entire Third Commandery were being funneled here.
Inside a secret chamber that Ouyang Mi had turned into a command room, Lei Dong and Zhang Heng stood side by side, both broad-shouldered and clad in exquisite, deep-black armor. When they appeared before Ouyang Mi, they each dropped to one knee and said solemnly, "Zhang Heng and Lei Dong pay their respects to Commander."
Only then did Ouyang Mi slowly lower the Jade Slip in his hand. A rare smile appeared on his face. "You two are here. There's no need for formalities."
"Thank you, Commander." They rose together and stood ramrod straight.
"Zhang Heng, your team did a fine job on this ship-seizure mission." Ouyang Mi smiled broadly. "You not only wiped out the enemy, but brought back all the cargo completely intact. You haven't let me down." As he said "completely intact," he gave the two of them a sidelong glance.
Under that glance, sweat began to seep down their backs. Fortunately, they had done nothing to feel guilty about. With clear consciences, they had little reason to be afraid. Zhang Heng cupped his fist and bowed. "It was all thanks to your careful arrangements beforehand, Commander. This subordinate merely followed the plan."
"Good. Do you know the total value of the cargo?" Ouyang Mi asked with a beaming smile.
"This subordinate does not know."
"It's worth a total of one billion eight hundred and thirty million Spirit Stones." After naming a figure that left them stunned, Ouyang Mi casually tossed the Jade