Humble Before Your Superiors

"Deputy General Han."

Yan Tieyi took his hand off his sword hilt and saluted Han Dingshan.

"Deputy General Shen Jingxian sent me here on official business to assess the situation in Longwind Commandery."

"Official business?"

Han Dingshan snorted. "I was merely in seclusion to heal. I have no obligation to explain my decisions to a Deputy General."

Yan Tieyi said nothing.

His gaze settled on Han Dingshan as he studied the man closely.

A few more white hairs streaked his temples, and the wrinkles on his face had deepened. His official robe was creased, as though he had not changed it in ages.

Most striking of all was his complexion.

Ashen, pale, and shadowed by an unhealthy darkness.

At his level of cultivation, ordinary illness could no longer trouble him. It was more likely that hidden injuries from a fight with a Demon had yet to heal.

Yang Xiao was watching Han Dingshan too.

His senses were sharper than Yan Tieyi's, and he had already noticed something unusual.

Han Dingshan breathed shallowly, as though afraid of disturbing something. With each breath, a faint wisp of black vapor stirred around his chest and abdomen.

It was so faint that Yang Xiao would never have noticed it without his powerful body and keen senses.

What concerned him more was Han Dingshan's right side.

Beneath the official robe, a sinister poison was steadily eating into his flesh.

Its presence was well concealed, and it bore a striking resemblance to the Spear Baleful Intent and Demon Poison Yang Xiao had often used before.

Han Dingshan seemed to sense Yang Xiao's gaze.

He turned toward the young man, scrutiny flashing through his eyes.

"Who are you?"

"Yang Xiao, Deputy General of the Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division." Yang Xiao saluted, his voice calm.

He raised his