Matters at the doorstep, a clash of leaders, humiliation and collapse, the whole board revealed

The Waist Cuff hugged her waist and ribs, its intricate construction resembling the wrist cuffs. Li Xian concentrated his intent and corroded the golden bead. Strange rust gradually formed on it, jamming it inside the cuff. Unable to turn, it could no longer produce the "Scarlet Tone."

Li Xian next corroded the Neck Cuff. Roughly two fingers thick, it circled her neck and pressed close against her flesh without restricting her blood flow. Of the three golden cuffs, this was by far the most intricate. Li Xian focused his intent on the golden bead, corroding gold and silver until strange rust formed once more. He had struck the snake precisely at its vulnerable seventh inch. With that, Zhao Yingqiong's golden cuffs remained solid outside but had rotted within, rendering their Scarlet Tone useless.

Li Xian repeated the process for Ding Longxiang. After damaging all six golden cuffs, he rang the bronze bell. The two women continued snoring soundly, showing no sign of waking. Li Xian thought, Excellent. Without the Scarlet Tone's strange effect, these cuffs are merely sturdy golden shackles. But their metal is tough. Breaking them will still require a sharp treasure. He took the Boot Knife from his chest. The precious blade was more than sharp enough; half an hour of sawing would sever a golden cuff.

He unsheathed it and applied Intent Infusion. The edge grew sharper still, and cold filled the wooden dwelling. He murmured, "A fine blade! A fine blade. Once the time is ripe, I'll return it to its owner. The general may not trust me, but I cannot truly condemn her to eternal ruin!" He sheathed the knife and tucked it back into his robes. Crouching beside the window, he used Double Pupils to observe the hidden watchers nearby.

There were eight or