Deep in the forest.
All was silent.
Xu Yuan stood in the darkness, his expression impossible to make out, like a shadow drawn by the dark itself.
He did not even radiate any killing intent.
He simply stood there, watching Bai Yuanze thoughtfully.
It was as simple as could be.
Make your move, and you live.
Don't make me do it. If you do, we'll become enemies, and you'll die anyway.
Xu Yuan waited in silence.
Across from him.
Bai Yuanze sighed quietly.
He could guess a little of what Xu Yuan intended.
After all, Xu Yuan commanded a division, and so did he. They were equals in rank.
Xu Yuan
was harboring a fugitive wanted by the imperial court.
Wasn't that a direct challenge to the royal family?
What was wrong with that?
But his subordinate had reached the Foundation Establishment Realm and, seeing Xu Yuan was only in the Qi Refining Realm, had tried to threaten him.
Utterly foolish.
From the Spirit Communicator and Treasure Communicator to the Blood Demon, then the Elder and another commander—
Did he have any idea how many people Xu Yuan had killed?
...And yet his subordinate had dared threaten him.
Keeping a fool like that nearby was inviting trouble.
The subordinate froze, still unaware of what was happening. He merely smiled and said:
"Commander Xu is remarkably bold. I was just impressed and spoke without thinking. In truth, we aren't on the royal family's side. Unless we have absolutely no choice, we won't report anything to them." "Commander Xu, you can rest easy for now."
Squelch.
Bai Yuanze drove his sword forward.
The blade pierced the subordinate's head and pinned him to the tree behind him. His body jerked a few times, then went still.
Bai Yuanze looked at his other subordinate