Master Dao, the base's second-in-command, had been turned away when he tried to see Xie Chun. So it was no surprise that the Vulture Camp's commander, Baldy Nan, fared no better. Before he could even get close to Xie Chun's quarters, the Guard Camp had stopped him from a distance.
The Guard Camp wasn't polite to Master Dao because its members were mild-mannered. It was because Master Dao held high rank and was one of the base's original investors, second only to Master Xie. They had no choice but to be tactful.
As the commander of Vulture Camp, Baldy Nan might seem important to outsiders, but he was only where he was because of his old ties with Master Xie. Neither his strength nor his personal ability was enough to cow the Guard Camp's arrogant, battle-hardened men.
He'd charged in without a care, in such a hurry that he'd made no attempt to hide his intentions. Naturally, the Guard Camp stopped him in a thoroughly undignified fashion.
Under normal circumstances, the Guard Camp might have been more courteous. But this time, Master Xie had given the order: unless it was an earth-shattering emergency, turn everyone away.
Baldy Nan was already in a foul mood. When he saw the Guard Camp blocking him from a distance, their faces dark, his anger surged.
"What are you doing? Are you blind? It's me! I need to see Master Xie. This is an emergency—I have to see him right now!" Baldy Nan thought he was close to Master Xie, one of his trusted inner circle, so he spoke without the slightest formality.
If anything, he seemed to blame the Guard Camp for lacking the sense to recognize him and let him through.
"Master Xie is resting. All matters concerning the base's defenses have been