The Mushroom People's faces darkened. One of them gritted his teeth and said, "Those damned Lizardmen did this."
Jiang Yue was visibly taken aback. "Qing Zhe, were you really attacked by Lizardmen? How's your brother doing? He didn't..."
Qing Zhe had been watching Jiang Yue closely, trying to see whether he was putting on an act.
But the more he watched, the more obvious it became that Jiang Yue's anger was genuine. Qing Zhe sighed. "Brother Gao Yu was out on patrol. He'd barely stepped outside when the Lizardmen ambushed him. He didn't make it."
Jiang Yue cursed furiously. "Those damned Lizardmen just won't leave us alone. They chased us all the way here. Besides, they have a grudge against the three of us, so why are they attacking innocent people indiscriminately? This has nothing to do with you. They're like mad dogs, biting anyone they see!"
He sounded righteously indignant, as if he were speaking up for Qing Zhe and the others. There even seemed to be a hint of self-reproach in his tone.
But that was all it amounted to. He showed no further sign of concern.
He didn't even politely invite them inside to sit for a while. Gao Yu's death and the fact that both groups had been attacked by the Lizardmen did nothing to bring them closer, and he showed no inclination to engage with them further.
This left Qing Zhe somewhat dejected, but he couldn't very well lose his temper in public.
A Mang, however, said unhappily, "Zu Yao, when it comes down to it, those Lizardmen chased you here. My brother Gao Yu was an innocent victim caught up in your affairs."
The warrior named Lie Chi was short and heavily built, with broad shoulders and a waist like a bear's. He stood