Watching Lingxiu's retreating figure enter the central courtyard, Xiang Yuan frowned. Xiang Yuan lowered his head to whisper a few instructions into Xiao Lingyue's ear, then his body flickered and vanished.
As for Lingxiu, had Xiang Yuan been a little more observant, he would have noticed that Lingxiu had not come alone.
The man leading the way ahead wore black armor and kept a short beard. He was at the Spirit Transformation stage, with a dignified and handsome bearing. He was none other than Xiao Yan's second son, Xiao Dong.
Xiang Yuan could not be blamed for overlooking him. Lingxiu was simply too good at showing off—his white monk's robes gleamed wherever he went, paired with that polished, gleaming bald head. Lingxiu was undoubtedly the brightest lad in any crowd.
In circumstances like these, who would still pay attention to Xiao Dong?
Besides, the area was filled with armored soldiers. Xiao Dong blended in perfectly, indistinguishable from an ordinary guard at first glance.
Having melted into the crowd, Xiao Dong was in an exceptionally good mood today. Gone was his usual imposing manner as the "great general"; Xiao Dong treated everyone with a pleasant smile. Xiao Dong had even warmly called out "Eighth Brother" to He Yuanzhi, Old Eight, whom he normally disliked.
The reason for Xiao Dong's drastic change in temperament and sudden maturity was not that Lingxiu had expounded two passages of Buddhist doctrine and elevated his spiritual realm. It was because he had brought in an eminent monk from Great Awakening Temple, one capable of resolving the King Zhao Residence's pressing crisis.
By that logic, Xiao Qian, who only knew how to handle internal affairs, was nothing but a little brother.
Xiao Qian, Xiao Qian—so what if you understood taxes, household registers, disaster relief, laws, and the