"Lord Xu, it's been a long time." Zhao Feng cupped his hands, his face expressionless.
"Come in, please, come in!" Xu Commandant laughed heartily, all warmth and affability, with none of his former airs.
After inviting Zhao Feng into the command tent.
He personally brewed tea for Zhao Feng.
"I hear you've earned merit time and again in Prefecture City, Lord Zhao. Commander Wang has been full of praise for you. Those above think very highly of you."
"All thanks to your recommendation, my lord," Zhao Feng said coolly.
Xu Commandant caught the sarcasm in his tone and gave an awkward smile.
Although Zhao Feng's official rank was now half a grade below his, merely Subordinate Seventh Rank, his Pill Embracement strength was the genuine article. He was also a true disciple of the Five Sects Alliance, so Xu Commandant naturally no longer dared treat him as he once had.
"Lord Xu, what I fail to understand is why you've allowed the Demonic Sect to preach openly in the County Seat," Zhao Feng asked, his tone accusatory.
"There are things you don't know, Lord Zhao. I've actually killed quite a few people already, especially those preaching. But these ignorant troublemakers act as though they're possessed. They aren't afraid at all..." Xu Commandant sighed.
"As you know, the internal unrest has yet to be quelled, and the rebels in neighboring Bing Province continue to grow stronger. Although Black Cloud Stronghold has been destroyed, rebel bandits are still causing trouble in northern Qingzhou. If my forceful suppression provokes a popular uprising, perhaps even one that joins forces with the Bing Province rebels, every head in my lineage, young and old, could be lost."
Xu Commandant looked utterly helpless.
Zhao Feng said nothing. Before coming, he had already guessed this was the reason: