Dagan, Qingzhou.
Yangzhou City, Demon Suppressing Division Mansion.
After staying busy day after day, Yuan Benyu finally managed to steal half a day of leisure.
He lounged comfortably in a rocking chair, humming an unknown little tune and tapping out the rhythm on his knee.
"My lord, I don't understand..."
A Lun poured Yuan Benyu a full cup of tea, then asked with a puzzled expression.
Yuan Benyu didn't even open his eyes. "What don't you understand?"
A Lun asked, "Why are we helping the Cao Gang, helping Li Xian build such a great reputation here in Qingzhou?"
Yuan Benyu asked in return, unbothered, "What's wrong with the Cao Gang and Li Xian having a great reputation?"
"Of course it's wrong!" A Lun said indignantly. "Wouldn't that mean that everyone in Qingzhou would know only the Cao Gang, and no one would know about the Demon Suppressing Division?"
"Hahaha..." Yuan Benyu laughed. "That's exactly the outcome I want!"
"Why?" A Lun asked, bewildered.
Yuan Benyu's laughter faded, and he said unhurriedly, "Li Xian has been avoiding me all this time. He refuses to meet with me and doesn't want to cooperate with our Demon Suppressing Division.
"I understand how he sees things. With Qingzhou in turmoil, he doesn't dare rush into an alliance with anyone. He only wants to guard the Cao Gang's little corner of the world and live in peace!
"But with chaos already spreading across the land, it's wishful thinking for him to stay out of it!
"The greater the Cao Gang's reputation grows, the more people will look to them and depend on them.
"Go out and ask around. Aren't more and more people trying to join the Cao Gang?"
A Lun nodded. "They are!"
An inscrutable light flickered in Yuan Benyu's eyes.
"When the Cao