Dawn had just broken.
The bloodstench at South City Old Beast Pen had yet to disperse.
The rain-soaked ground was covered in mud and puddles. Broken iron cages lay scattered nearby, while several soul beasts subdued by the Corona Emperor Domain cowered in the corners, their bodies still trembling.
Spirit Hall's Law Enforcement Team was counting the corpses and Account Ledgers.
People from Seven Treasures were checking the goods transported along the trade routes.
People from the Crown Prince's Mansion had sealed off the outer streets, forbidding unrelated Soul Masters from approaching.
Hu Liena helped Di Yao sit on a relatively clean stone step, her expression terribly unpleasant.
"You need to go back and treat your injuries right now."
She crouched before Di Yao with bandages in hand, suppressing the anger in her voice.
"You activated the Corona Emperor Domain twice in a row last night, and Tang Hao's Hammer Intent struck you as well. Your Soul Power is depleted, and the old wound in your chest has reopened. If you keep sitting here checking accounts, Tang Hao won't even need to come for you. You'll exhaust yourself to death."
Di Yao lowered his head and glanced at the blood seeping through his clothes again.
"I won't die."
Hu Liena abruptly looked up, her gaze turning cold.
"Di Yao, I'm not negotiating with you."
She pressed the bandage against the wound on his shoulder. Her movements were gentle, but her tone was anything but.
"You want to check the accounts? Fine. You want to divide the spoils? Fine. You want to nail every one of these people to the wall? I have no objection."
"But wrap that wound first."
Di Yao looked at her.
Hu Liena looked back at him. There was anger in her eyes, but also a trace