Gu Changge let his hand fall limply and tucked the compass back into his robes, his face ashen.
"It's my fault for being useless... If only I were a little stronger... If I could have blocked even one strike from that beast, you wouldn't have had to split your attention and let the old demon escape."
As the younger brother of the Right Demon Suppression Envoy and a direct descendant of the Gu Family in the Capital City, he had grown up surrounded by praise.
He had never been arrogant or overbearing, but he had always thought highly of himself.
But today...
"That's enough."
Zhao Zhongliu casually brushed off his cloak and said evenly, "Don't put on such a childish display."
"You..."
"You're still young. Core Formation at seventeen or eighteen, in your early twenties... Even in my day, that was rare."
"It's our generation that failed you. We couldn't clean up this world, or win you enough time to grow."
Gu Changge froze, his eyes reddening.
Jiang Yuechu stood quietly to one side, listening.
Watching the old man's slightly stooped figure, she felt her heart stir.
In either her previous life or this one, how many people in high positions could say something like that?
Most of them sent their subordinates to die, to pave the way for their own fame and fortune.
People like Zhao Zhongliu... were far too rare.
Jiang Yuechu lowered her eyes and tucked that feeling away.
"Girl Jiang."
Zhao Zhongliu's voice broke into her thoughts.
Jiang Yuechu came to her senses and quickly cupped her hands.
"Present."
Zhao Zhongliu looked her up and down, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.
"You're impressive. Both your temperament and your methods are better than this boy's."
Gu Changge smiled wryly, but didn't argue.
"Though the