Ignorant, Worthless?

Houtu bristled on the spot, disbelief written all over her face. Ling Xiao had actually refused her—and even declared that he would enter the divine hall through his own efforts.

This was somewhat different from what she had expected. Why had Ling Xiao refused to come?

"Could it be that he's being cautious, afraid we might harm him?"

Houtu calmed down slightly, a thoughtful glint appearing in her eyes. Then she abruptly turned to Paper Kite and asked sternly.

"Didn't you mention me to him?"

It had to be because Paper Kite had not brought her up. Ling Xiao did not know her identity, nor did he know that the supposedly insignificant Second Divine General was an old acquaintance, which was why he had been unwilling to come.

"I did. I even specifically emphasized that the Divine General greatly admired him and wanted to assess him personally."

Paper Kite nodded repeatedly, hurriedly explaining.

After hearing this, Houtu became even more perplexed. Given Ling Xiao's intelligence, he should have been able to guess her identity.

Had she overestimated Ling Xiao's wisdom? Had he failed to figure out who she was?

"Did you tell him my true name?" Houtu pressed on unwillingly.

"Of course. He even asked whether you were male or female, my lady, and when you joined the divine hall," Paper Kite said.

"Did you tell him the truth?" Houtu pursued.

"I told him everything. I didn't conceal a single thing."

At this point, Houtu's expression grew even uglier. Since Ling Xiao had asked about those things, it meant he had already guessed her identity.

Since he knew who she was, why was he still unwilling to come?

Houtu's defenses cracked. She could no longer deceive herself—Ling Xiao clearly knew her identity, yet he still did not want to come.