The Stillheart Terrace of Humankind's Great Qin Celestial Dynasty hardly lived up to its name. No visitor could find peace of mind there, for it served as something akin to an intelligence agency, one of the dynasty's most notorious shadowy institutions.
Zuo Feiyang was the head of the Stillheart Terrace.
At that moment, he sat in the seat of honor, looking down at Chong Wen.
"Lord Chong, correct?"
Chong Wen looked up at Zuo Feiyang, his expression calm.
"I wouldn't dare call myself a lord before you."
Contrary to the lofty impression his name gave, Zuo Feiyang looked like an honest, unassuming farmer who toiled in the fields. But anyone who knew him understood that his appearance could not have been more misleading. Even calling him ruthless would have been a compliment.
Zuo Feiyang showed no particular reaction to Chong Wen's words. Instead, he spoke with a genial smile, as though catching up with an old friend.
"I hear you volunteered for this diplomatic mission, Lord Chong?"
Chong Wen nodded slightly.
"That's right."
Zuo Feiyang's expression remained unchanged, his smile still genial.
"Then could you tell me why?"
Then, as though realizing his tone might have been inappropriate, he added,
"Please don't misunderstand, Lord Chong. Almost every official avoids diplomatic missions to the Demon Race like the plague, yet you were so... loyal and courageous. Naturally, that made me curious. Of course, this also needs to go into the written records, so consider it a mere formality. Please enlighten me."
Left with no choice, Chong Wen explained his background.
After hearing him out, Zuo Feiyang looked enlightened.
"Oh, so that's how it was."
He then looked at Chong Wen and continued, seemingly curious.
"But the Chong Family has countless branch families. Why were you the one who chose to take