Xu Pei's smile squeezed all the wrinkles on his face together. Rubbing his hands, he stepped aside and said:
"Please, Director. This way."
Yi Yang glanced at the acting Deputy Patrol Director without moving immediately.
His gaze shifted from Xu Pei's face to the dozen or so Patrol Guards standing in a crooked, disorderly cluster nearby.
At that moment, a young Patrol Guard at the back leaned over to whisper to the man beside him.
His lips barely moved, but to Yi Yang's third inner qi perception, it was practically no different from speaking right beside his ear.
"This is the support the Prefectural City sent? He's over sixty, isn't he? Why did they send someone old enough to be our grandfather..."
Hearing that, another Patrol Guard chimed in. "Who cares? Maybe he's got connections and came here to retire while polishing his credentials."
"Polish his credentials? The last two both died here."
"Shh-don't let Brother Xu hear."
Yi Yang's expression didn't so much as twitch at their mockery and contempt.
He had heard such remarks all the way from Three Trees Village to the Prefectural City. They had long since stopped bothering him.
Besides, what they said didn't matter. Once he showed his strength, their attitudes would straighten themselves out.
"Deputy Director Xu."
Yi Yang withdrew his gaze and gave a calm instruction. "Lead the way."
Xu Pei answered and hurried ahead with short, quick steps. His mouth never stopped moving along the way.
"Thank you for making the long journey, sir. I've already had the Director's Office cleaned. The accommodations aren't up to the Prefectural City's standards, but the bedding is all fresh..."
As he spoke, he stole glances at Yi Yang's profile.
Yi Yang's face looked aged, but his hair at the temples was indeed jet-black. Several