Her eyes were clear, lively, and bright. There was not a trace of ill intent in the way she looked at Zhang Yuan; she seemed to be studying him purely out of curiosity.
Sensing neither malice nor killing intent, Zhang Yuan gave a polite nod.
Seeing Zhang Yuan nod, the woman nodded back from across the room, then continued staring at him.
"Sister Jingxin, what are you looking at?" Zhao Lian asked curiously, noticing the woman's movements.
The woman was not a member of the Zhao Xia Imperial Family. Her name was Xie Jingxin, and she was a one-time Guard brought along on this trip to White Tree City specifically to protect Zhao Lian and Zhao Chen.
Of course, "One-time Guard" did not mean they would dispose of Xie Jingxin once the trip ended. It meant that even the Zhao Xia Imperial Family could, at most, ask her to serve as a Guard once.
"Him."
Xie Jingxin pointed her small hand at Zhang Yuan as she spoke.
Following Xie Jingxin's gaze, Zhao Lian looked toward Zhang Yuan, who was hiding at the very back. Her eyes brightened slightly at his Sword Immortal appearance: white robes, a sword at his side, and a gourd hanging from his waist.
What a handsome Daoist.
"Brother."
Zhao Lian addressed Zhao Chen, who was arguing with Wei Liu, signaling him not to continue.
Zhao Chen had still wanted to say something to Wei Liu, but at those words, he hesitated briefly and closed his mouth. His gaze, however, remained fixed unabashedly on Wei Liu.
Wei Liu snorted coldly and shifted a little farther back.
Without their argument, the hall immediately fell quiet.
Zhao Lian cleared her throat, turned her gaze to Wei Jianxing, the leader of the group, and said:
"Young Master Wei's campaign against