The expression on Wen Ning's face had yet to fade when those words startled him.
He stared at the man on the dais, his mind racing as he made sure he had heard correctly.
Long time no see? I've never met him before.
He frowned instinctively, his gaze sweeping over Qin Shi Huang's face twice.
He searched his memory, trying to recall that face.
But no matter how hard he thought, nothing came to him.
He was certain he had never met this man.
Not in this life or his previous one. Well, admittedly, he couldn't remember his previous life.
"What do you mean by that, Your Majesty?"
Wen Ning spoke, a note of uncertainty in his voice.
"When have we met? We've never met before, have we?"
Qin Shi Huang looked at him, his expression unchanged, though his eyes held the warmth of someone seeing an old friend.
But rather than answer Wen Ning's question right away, he rose and descended from the dais, step by step.
His footsteps echoed through the empty hall, each one seeming to tread on their hearts.
Beside Wen Ning, Lu Ming could barely remain standing. That overwhelming presence was almost more than he could bear.
Wen Ning stayed still, his eyes fixed on Qin Shi Huang.
Qin Shi Huang stopped before him and looked him up and down.
Then, as though something had occurred to him, he raised a hand and tapped his forehead.
"You haven't been there yet at this point, have you?"
The cryptic words seemed directed at Wen Ning, yet also sounded like he was talking to himself.
Wen Ning's brow furrowed even more deeply.
"Haven't been where?"
Wen Ning asked Qin Shi Huang.
Qin Shi Huang did not answer directly. He merely turned and headed back toward the dais,