Zhou Xuan walked up to A Gu and stopped.
A Gu's eyelids twitched.
He opened his eyes, his little face deathly pale, without a single tear. Having grown up in a place like the Wilds, he knew better than anyone what it meant for the strong to devour the weak. To have received this man's protection once before dying, and even been given a name-that was enough.
He braced both hands against the ground and struggled to rise. Instead of shrinking back, he took a step forward.
Bending both knees, A Gu knelt heavily before Zhou Xuan.
"You saved my life and bestowed a name upon me, Master. My life is worth little, but I am willing to die for the Mystic Court." His young voice echoed through the hall. It was quiet, but every word was firm.
Standing behind them, Ji Chen blinked. His lips moved, but he said nothing. After holding a position of power for so long, weighing gains against losses had become instinctive-rationally speaking, Black Raven's proposal was indeed worthwhile. Yet something about it felt wrong. This way of doing things resembled the Divine Court far too closely.
Zhou Xuan lowered his head and looked at A Gu kneeling at his feet.
He said nothing.
The next instant, Zhou Xuan raised his leg and kicked A Gu in the shoulder.
The force was precisely controlled, leaving his bones and tendons unharmed, but it was irresistible. A Gu was sent flying and landed behind Ji Chen.
A Gu landed sitting on the ground, utterly bewildered.
Zhou Xuan lowered his leg and turned to meet Black Raven's lone eye.
"Who the hell are you to tell me what to do?" Zhou Xuan's voice was level, but an icy aura was already bearing down on the Divine General's avatar