"Is that so?"
Jiang Yuechu neither confirmed nor denied it, her gaze sweeping one by one across the dozen or so faces.
Their armor was indeed somewhat damaged, and their faces were covered in marks left by wind and sand, making them look utterly bedraggled.
Yet every one of them merely looked bedraggled.
There were no wounds.
Not a single one.
Not even the faintest trace of blood could be smelled.
Jiang Yuechu slowly paced forward and stopped before Li Gui.
"So, you've rendered meritorious service?"
Joy rose in Li Gui's heart. Thinking she meant to let the matter pass, he hurriedly said, "I wouldn't dare claim merit. I only ask to be free of fault!"
"Very good."
Jiang Yuechu nodded, then suddenly raised her hand without warning.
A crisp, ringing slap exploded through the silent gate tunnel.
Everyone froze.
Li Gui was utterly dazed by the blow. Covering his face, he stared at Jiang Yuechu in disbelief.
"You defied military orders and left the pass without authorization, throwing more than a dozen brothers into danger."
Jiang Yuechu withdrew her hand, her voice icy. "That slap was on behalf of the Bureau."
She paused, then before Li Gui could react, backhanded him again.
"You twisted your words and deceived your superior."
"That slap was from me."
Jiang Yuechu looked at his face, caught between shock and fury, and a mocking curve touched her lips.
The two slaps had been heavy and loud.
'Li Gui's' already sand-caked face visibly swelled up to a Gao height.
The astonishment in his eyes was swiftly replaced by a fleeting, savage gleam.
Humiliation!
The most unbearable humiliation!
He, Dog Second—a mighty Great Demon of the Bone Resonance Realm—had never suffered such disgrace, not even under Lord White Ape!
And now some human girl barely weaned