At the courtyard gate, Liu Xiujie froze for a moment, then forced an awkward smile. "Lord Fang, what are you... We... He..."
He pointed at Shen Yi, stumbling over his words.
He looked just like a child who'd gone to a playmate's house, only to be caught by the other child's elders.
As if someone couldn't bear to watch him embarrass himself, a hand yanked Liu Xiujie back.
Li Xinhan, who had been leaning against the outer wall, straightened with an impassive expression and strode to the courtyard gate.
They were both three-mark Demon Suppression Lieutenants and should have been on familiar terms.
Yet Li Xinhan's brows knitted tightly. After hesitating for a moment, he cupped his hands with obvious reluctance, his tone distant. "I've been ordered to investigate the demons and must leave at once. Shen Yi already agreed to travel with me. I hope you'll do us a favor, brother."
Liu Xiujie fell silent and stepped back, joining the other three.
Besides the beggar, there was a man as small and thin as a child, and a voluptuous woman with her hair tied in a ponytail.
Including Chief Li, the five of them made up the entirety of their remaining forces. Everyone else had been left in Baiyun County and couldn't return anytime soon.
That was why, even though Li Xinhan was loath to face Fang Heng, he had to hold his temper and step forward.
"..."
Fang Heng didn't turn around or even look at the people by the courtyard gate.
He merely uttered one word, crisp and decisive.
"Get lost."
At that, Li Xinhan's hands, which had just dropped to his sides, clenched involuntarily. His breathing quickened.
He came from a martial-arts Household and had been exceptionally gifted since childhood. When had he ever suffered such