In the main hall, Sikong Yi sat in the seat of honor, silver wing patterns embroidered on the cuffs of his dark crimson brocade robe.
Sikong Hongyue stood beside him in light silver armor, a sword at her waist and her arms folded across her chest. The hall doors were closed, and all the guards had withdrawn outside.
Sikong Yi tapped his fingers lightly twice against the armrest. His tone was unhurried as he spoke. "Duan Jian went out with Nie Li. Do you think that boy will come back alive?"
Sikong Hongyue tilted her head. "Royal Father, do you mean Duan Jian or Nie Li?"
"Duan Jian," Sikong Yi said. "Whether Nie Li comes back depends entirely on whether he brings back the medicinal formula. Duan Jian is different. He is the bastard that person left behind. Every extra day he lives is another day of danger."
Sikong Hongyue fell silent for a moment. "Royal Father, do you think Nie Li will bring back the antidote?"
"He will." Sikong Yi leaned against the back of his chair, his fingers going still on the armrest. "His friends are still detained here. If he doesn't return, they become hostages. He can run, but those others can't."
Sikong Hongyue frowned slightly. "Then how should we deal with Duan Jian once the medicinal ingredients are brought back?"
"Kill him." Sikong Yi's tone did not fluctuate at all. "Duan Jian absolutely cannot be allowed to live. Once Nie Li hands over the formula, Duan Jian will be of no further use."
Sikong Hongyue nodded. "Rest assured, Royal Father. I'll handle it when the time comes."
Sikong Yi fell silent again, his gaze settling on the hazy gray daylight beyond the hall doors.
"Once I've united all the families in this Dark Realm, I want