A Hard-to-Read Classic

Zhao Feng's expression was more grave than ever before.

With an unwavering firmness that left no room for doubt, he told his friend, "I'll pretend you never said those words today, and that I never heard them. Once you leave my tent, don't mention this to anyone else. It's absolutely impossible!"

The scholar lowered his eyes. "I didn't come here to sound you out."

Zhao Feng continued, "I never suspected you came to sound me out! That's exactly why I'm willing to help you keep your thoughts hidden. When did you start thinking this way? Our lord certainly has his faults, but things haven't gone so far as that."

Over the past two years, Zhao Feng had endured plenty of frustration. As an outsider, he had never been accepted by the local factions of Tianhai. Yet it was also an undeniable fact that Wu Xian had treated him well. Zhao Feng had always despised the ungrateful, so how could he betray Wu Xian for something like this? If he were capable of that, he wouldn't have risked his life to save Wu Xian back then.

The scholar said, "It's been on my mind for a long time."

"For a long time..."

Zhao Feng was at a loss for words.

He couldn't help reflecting on himself. Had he been too careless, failing to notice his old friend's situation until he had grown so deeply resentful of their lord, Wu Xian? Of course, his friend's temperament played a part as well. He had never hidden his principle of "people climb to higher ground, and water flows downhill." If he couldn't see enough value in Wu Xian, he really would walk away.

Zhao Feng asked, "What has our lord done to displease you?"

But the scholar didn't want to say much. "I don't