He reached out and shook Mo Wu's hand.
"Wang Zhi."
"I've heard so much about you."
Mo Wu smiled and sat down across from him.
"The Youth Ranking Champion. The name 'Shadow' has been on everyone's lips lately."
He personally picked up the teapot and refilled Wang Zhi's cup, then poured one for himself.
The gesture carried a deliberate air of familiarity.
No one would believe it if they heard that a Federal Councillor had poured tea for a ten-year-old boy.
"Your actions saved everyone aboard the train, including my daughter, Mo Lan. I'd like to personally express my gratitude."
Mo Wu set down the teapot, rose to his feet, and gave a solemn, slight bow.
It wasn't a polite nod, but a genuine bow, his body leaning forward nearly thirty degrees.
His posture even seemed somewhat humble, utterly unlike how a Federal Councillor should act toward a boy.
Wang Zhi's gaze sharpened slightly.
Mo Wu was being far too courteous.
So courteous that it felt abnormal.
Even in gratitude for saving his life, a Federal Councillor didn't need to go this far.
What's more, he wasn't thanking Wang Zhi solely for saving his daughter...
The other passengers on the train were what gave weight to the word "everyone."
Thousand Gold Buys Horse Bones.
Those four words flashed through Wang Zhi's mind.
Mo Wu was making a statement.
He was sending a message to everyone.
The Federation valued heroes, and those who stepped forward in times of danger.
Today it was Mo Wu. Tomorrow, it could be any Federation official.
This tactic had worked time and again throughout history, both at home and abroad.
But Mo Wu was clearly doing more than putting on a show for the public.
When he straightened up, the admiration in his eyes as he