"Who is this man?"
The instant he saw the young man, wariness rose instinctively from the depths of Pine Daoist's heart.
Although reason told him that this was the Dragon Lord's flagship, that no outsiders could possibly intrude, and that this young man should be a rogue cultivator recruited just like himself, his instincts kept sounding the alarm. He felt an urge to leap up right there and strike first, killing the man.
Pine Daoist found the thought arising in his heart utterly absurd, yet the itch to act was almost unbearable.
"Pine, what are you doing?"
Just then, a stern, authoritative shout stopped Pine Daoist.
Startled, Pine Daoist came to his senses, only to discover that he had stood up without knowing when. His Refined Gold Flying Sword had already been summoned from his Sword Pouch and hovered at his side.
He looked for all the world like an assassin about to strike at the Dragon Lord.
The Dragon Lord's gaze burned bright, a dangerous cold gleam shining in his eyes.
The other fellow cultivators wore differing expressions as well, regarding him with looks that invited speculation.
"I... I..."
Pine Daoist was tongue-tied, at a loss for what to do.
"Fellow Daoist Pine, you've gone too far!"
"Although we come from rogue cultivator backgrounds and are used to living like idle clouds and wild cranes, we cannot disregard the rules like this."
"What exactly are you trying to do before the Dragon Lord?"
Pine Daoist stammered, "Dragon Lord, I didn't mean to."
The Dragon Lord slapped his armrest and thundered, "Such disgraceful behavior! How could I dare entrust you with important matters? Guards, throw him out!"
Pine Daoist felt shame, humiliation, and anger. A roar erupted in his mind, as though something had exploded.
Throw me out?
*I am