At those words, Li Quan's officers erupted in curses.
Li Quan studied Bai Xiaowen's calm face, and the unease in his heart only deepened.
He stepped forward and said earnestly, "I don't know who you are, or whether the Song Court has misled you. I had my reasons for turning against the Great Song. The court repeatedly mistreated my army and failed to recognize loyal men. Song generals killed my son and my old comrades! If not for that, why would I have joined the Mongols?"
Li Quan was quick on the uptake. He had taken Bai Xiaowen for a young hero out to rid the nation of a traitor, and hoped to reason with him.
Bai Xiaowen shook his head. "Save your breath, Li Quan. I know there were reasons, and the Song Court was certainly at fault. You could have made yourself a local ruler and ignored its imperial orders. But you joined the Mongols to destroy the Great Song. Haven't you seen the bones strewn along both banks of the Yellow River? For the sake of the common people, you must die."
Guo Anyong and Zhang Lin shouted together, "Commander, why waste words on this wet-behind-the-ears brat? If he blocks our way, cut him down!"
Li Quan abandoned his last hope. He ran a hand over the iron spear he held and said slowly, "If you insist on taking Iron Spear Li's life, let's see whether you have the skill."
Bai Xiaowen waved a hand.
A giant wolf appeared. It was Rageclaw, the wolf demon who had just advanced to Lord Tier.
"Go on. One Rare Boss, two Boss Tier fighters, and a pack of Rare Elites. Just right for you to practice your hand... or your claws." Bai Xiaowen gave Rageclaw's enormous head a pat. His