Romanov stopped outside the hall doors, trying to pierce the mist with his gaze, but his efforts were futile.
Suppressing a flicker of displeasure, he declared, "You are certainly cautious, Witch Ancestor. I have come with no other intention than to thank you personally for your unstinting assistance to our Great Luo Dynasty, especially your careful instruction of His Majesty."
He all but said outright: What have you done to my puppet emperor, you bastard?
Moreover, the special Barrier the Witch Ancestor had erected made Romanov instinctively suspect that the Witch Ancestor feared him, which was why he dared not show his face.
After all, the Witch Ancestor also knew that the Great Luo Dynasty's Imperial House wanted him dead.
At that thought, Romanov's inward arrogance swelled a little more.
The voice within the mist remained utterly calm. "It is my duty. No thanks are necessary. As His Majesty is my disciple, I naturally must safeguard him and help him grow."
Romanov changed tack, his tone taking on a meaningful edge. "However, throughout the Holy Capital and beyond, word has spread that you maintain rather intimate relations with our Imperial Harem. Heh, I am no hidebound old man, but you must know that gossip can be fearsome. You stand above worldly affairs, so why entangle yourself in such mundane controversies and needlessly tarnish your good name?"
This was a probe, as well as a veiled warning.
His meaning was: Few people know about this because I have kept it under wraps. If you still value your reputation as the Witch Ancestor, you had better rein yourself in.
Li Chen naturally heard the probing and warning in Romanov's words. His voice carried through the Barrier, bearing a trace of unquestionable authority as he challenged him:
"My good name? Why must I