The man playing the zither wore blue-green robes, his long hair casually pinned atop his head with a hairpin.
His features were hidden behind a mask, one that clearly blocked divine sense. Judging by his bearing alone, anyone would have thought him exceptionally easy to get along with, but beneath that exterior...
Whatever Shui Rao'er recalled made her shudder despite herself. Still, there were questions she had to ask.
"You owe me an explanation about Qian Xin and those disciples!" If her first demand had been a challenge, this second one left no room for argument.
The male cultivator smiled faintly. "I thought I should have half the control over the people there, too. After all, without me, you wouldn't be where you are today."
Shui Rao'er pressed her lips together, plainly disagreeing. "In other matters, I can follow your advice. But this is the Water Moon School. Shouldn't you show me the respect I'm due?"
A Message Talisman appeared in his hand. "I thought that when you sent this plea for help, you had already given me full authority."
At the sight of the Message Talisman she had sent earlier, Shui Rao'er's breath caught. Whatever else she might dispute, that much was true.
Shui Rao'er gritted her teeth. "Qian Xin and the others are disciples I've spent years nurturing, after all. Besides, we've already lost half the people down below. The sacrifice hasn't even begun, and we've lost so many. If the Enforcement Hall attacks..."
As though he had understood something, the male cultivator nodded. "In plain terms, you still don't trust me enough." He gave a leisurely sigh. "We've worked together for so many years. I thought you should at least trust me on this point."
Shui Rao'er replied coldly, with a hint of mockery, "Worked together? If