For some reason, Shangguan Ye looked fine on the surface, yet he was already drenched in sweat.
The sweat ran down from his temples, dripping onto his collar and spreading into a small dark stain.
He did not dare wipe it away. He did not even dare move. He merely sat there obediently, as though countless ants were crawling over his back.
A shocking battle had taken place in the city, and as a general, he could not escape responsibility.
City defense was his duty, and patrols were his charge, yet despite the enormous commotion last night, he had known nothing at all.
It was not until word spread this morning that he crawled out of bed and hurriedly sent people to investigate. Such negligence might have been overlooked in ordinary times, but now...
Although the City Lord had said nothing, there was still the adviser before him. Setting aside the matter of pride, if they truly pursued the issue, his days would likely not be easy.
Shangguan Ye secretly swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing.
Ordinarily, he could address the City Lord as a brother.
That was a relationship he had spent years and endless effort cultivating. His gifts during holidays and festivals, his constant service day in and day out—had he ever been anything less than devoted?
When the City Lord was in a good mood, he would even clap him on the shoulder and call him "Old Shangguan." What official in the entire city was not jealous of that honor?
But when disaster truly struck, that honor would likely mean he had to silently bear even the largest blame.
Serving a ruler was like living beside a tiger. He understood that better than anyone.
The adviser, Wen Zhou, was different.
Though he had seen the strange phenomenon in