Dugu Bo set down his teacup and slowly rose to his feet.
His tall figure cast a massive shadow across the study, once again engulfing the unsettled Prince Xue Xing.
"Time is the bottom line." Dugu Bo's voice was low, yet carried an unquestionable chill. "One and a half days. This old man will wait only one and a half days."
He strode toward the exit. His footsteps made no sound, yet each one seemed to land upon Prince Xue Xing's heartbeat. At the study door, he paused slightly without looking back, but his cold voice, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue, entered Prince Xue Xing's ears once more.
"Prince Xue Xing, remember this."
"This concerns more than just the friendship between you and me."
"You must understand that you are doing this for... those lords."
"They do not have much patience. This old man has said all he needs to say."
"Take care of yourself."
With that, Dugu Bo's figure seemed to melt into the shadows, vanishing silently beyond the doorway.
After Dugu Bo left the Prince's Mansion, Prince Xue Xing was the only one left in the study. He slumped weakly into the cold golden nanmu chair as though all strength had drained from him. Cold sweat had already soaked through his luxurious princely robes, clinging tightly to his skin and sending waves of chill through his body.
He gasped for breath, his heart hammering wildly as if he had just walked away from the gates of hell.
"Three lords... Sunset Forest... one and a half days..."
Prince Xue Xing muttered to himself, his voice trembling uncontrollably.
Dugu Bo's final words—"Even this old man might not be able to shield you"—lingered in his mind like the most vicious curse.
He had no doubt that if he failed