"Zhongshan Yanwen?" Cang Shen frowned. "What's he here for?"
Unlike Kujue, a True Person with no official post, rank, or authority, who merely held an honorary title at the Hanging Temple, Zhongshan Yanwen was the great general of the Eagle Soaring Guard of Jing State!
The commanders of the Six Protectorates and Seven Guards were the very core of the Military Court Empire. Even though Cang Shen had spent years in seclusion and rarely concerned himself with worldly affairs, he still knew the man's name.
Fu Dongxu glanced at Kujue.
Kujue showed not the slightest awareness that he ought to avoid eavesdropping. In fact, he even gave Fu Dongxu an eager, curious look, as if urging him to get on with it.
Fu Dongxu thought for a moment. It wasn't really a secret, so he said without reservation, "Zhongshan Yanwen is with Qiu Tie right now, following him around. He's here to convey two things on behalf of Jing State. First, Jing State will allow us to keep the restricted area under lockdown for no more than two days. Second, he wants to observe our search operation freely."
Cang Shen noticed that Fu Dongxu had said "convey," not "discuss."
He was instantly furious. "We haven't even locked down Jing State's borders. What gives him the right to make demands of us?!"
Fu Dongxu had almost said, "Times have changed," but after a moment's thought, he only gave a rueful smile. "This region is closer to Jing State, after all."
"Barbarians, utterly ill-mannered!" Cang Shen raged. "Tell him to get lost!"
"If he wants to watch, let him watch. It's no big deal, so there's no need to get angry," Fu Dongxu advised. "With you here to help, two days will be more than enough for us to turn this entire