"You look like you already know who it is."
Dai Mobai smiled.
There was understanding in that smile. Clearly, he had expected this reaction all along.
"So, do you want to live?"
He looked at Xue Beng, his tone mild.
"Yes!"
Xue Beng nodded without thinking.
The word came out hoarse and hurried, as though he were clutching at his last lifeline.
"It's simple. Whatever happens when the time comes, you only need to do one thing."
Dai Mobai raised a finger.
"What?"
Xue Beng pressed him urgently.
He leaned forward slightly from the wall, his eyes fixed on Dai Mobai's finger.
"Keep track of Xue Qinghe. Wherever he is, you stay with him!"
Dai Mobai gave a faint smile.
"I'll remember that!"
Xue Beng nodded hard, engraving Dai Mobai's words deep in his mind.
His lips moved as he silently repeated them, making sure he had remembered them correctly.
"Then good luck."
Dai Mobai smiled and turned to leave.
His footsteps were so light they made almost no sound on the floor.
"Dai Mobai!"
Xue Beng suddenly called out to him.
His voice rang out sharply, echoing for a moment through the quiet room.
Dai Mobai stopped but did not turn around.
"If I successfully take the Heaven Dou throne, I swear I'll sign a peace treaty with the Star Luo Empire and never invade!"
Xue Beng's voice came from behind Dai Mobai, firm as an oath.
He gripped the bedding beneath him until his knuckles turned white. His eyes held a seriousness Dai Mobai had never seen in them before.
"Say that once you're on the throne."
Dai Mobai waved a hand and left without looking back.
The door closed softly behind him.
Xue Beng sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the closed door for