"To the Western Desolate Region?"
Second Brother sprang up from the ground, swishing his dark red dragon tail twice.
"Who are we picking up? Can he fight?"
Zhou Xuan ignored him. He had already pushed open the secret chamber's door and headed out.
Ye Changqing braced himself against the table and stood, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and hurried after him.
"What are you planning to do?"
"Apocalypse can still fly."
Zhou Xuan did not look back.
"Second Brother and I are going to the Kui Kingdom Ruins. Two days there and back, if we're quick."
Ye Changqing faltered for a step.
"The Kui Kingdom? The one you wiped out, pot and all..."
"Yes."
Ye Changqing opened his mouth, apparently wanting to ask who could possibly be brought back from a place that had been wiped out. But seeing Zhou Xuan's hurried yet steady stride, he swallowed his words.
They passed through the corridor and reached the rear courtyard of the City Lord's Mansion. Qin Keqing was wiping her sword there. Seeing Zhou Xuan emerge, she put away her cloth and stood.
"Did something happen?"
"No."
Zhou Xuan stopped in front of her.
"I'm going away for a while. Two days at most. Keep an eye on Zhao Ji while I'm gone. Whatever he does, whoever he meets, every fart he lets out—write it all down for me."
Qin Keqing frowned.
"I've had people watching Zhao Ji all along. He's been very well behaved lately—"
"That's exactly what stinks."
Zhou Xuan cut her off.
"But don't touch him yet. We haven't pulled out the whole thread behind him. Kill him now, and Central Province will draw its hand back."
Qin Keqing considered this, then nodded.
"Ye Changqing." Zhou Xuan turned.
Ye Changqing leaned against the doorframe,