Xia Jue looked at the Profound Spirit Command Token Su Jiu held out to him, his face plainly showing hurt and helplessness.
"Little Junior Sister, since you're returning the token, I assume Martial Uncle Chu has already explained what it does."
Su Jiu could hardly withstand the look Xia Jue gave her. She could only steel herself and lower her head. "The Enforcement Hall has no shortage of outstanding disciples. I know I'm not yet qualified to hold the Profound Spirit Command Token."
Xia Jue shook his head. "Actually, even if you keep it, it won't affect the Enforcement Hall's structure in the short term. They'll still obey me as they always have. After all, I'll be occupying this position for another hundred years. The token grants considerable authority, but it doesn't supersede mine.
"When I gave you this token, quite a few Enforcement Hall disciples already knew about it.
"If you return it to me now, they'll only think some rift has opened between us.
"After all, in the past ten thousand years, there's never been any precedent for returning the Profound Spirit Command Token."
Su Jiu's expression shifted. So she really couldn't return this token after all?
"Actually, you don't need to overthink it. Keeping this token will only benefit you. If, a hundred years from now, you still don't want to take up the authority it represents, I won't force you.
"But this is a critical time. This token can be a powerful weapon for keeping you alive."
At this point, Xia Jue fell silent for a moment.
An unconscious tenderness crept into his voice. "A Jiu, don't make things difficult for your Senior Brother, all right?"
Xia Jue gazed at Su Jiu with focused sincerity, as though coaxing a sulking little girl.
The moment Su Jiu