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On an unremarkable little hillside in the central region of the Heaven Dou Empire.
Two steady figures stood bathed in the dying sun's glow.
Ming Xiangyun gazed at the sunset staining the horizon crimson and gold, then spoke slowly. "Brother Li, I never expected your Tenth Legion to be dispatched for this mission."
Li Lingfeng glanced sideways at Ming Xiangyun's profile. "Brother Ming, you don't sound particularly pleased."
A familiar trace of a smile appeared on Ming Xiangyun's face. "How could that be? With you personally leading the team, I couldn't be happier."
The corner of Li Lingfeng's mouth twitched, his voice betraying little emotion. "I thought you were disappointed that it wasn't the Ninth Legion coming."
Ming Xiangyun's smile faded a little. His gaze drifted toward the wilderness farther away, and only after a brief silence did he say, "You're overthinking it, brother."
"It's just... the trouble surrounding Brother Wufeng and the Demon Dragon Legion gave me a great deal to think about."
Li Lingfeng did not answer immediately. The evening wind stirred their robes.
After a while, he asked quietly, "Brother... what are your thoughts?"
Ming Xiangyun's voice was steady and thoughtful. "Brother Wufeng's several operations seemed to produce decent results."
"But didn't every operation also increase the risk of exposure?"
"In the end, the Chen Clan caught them by the tail and came knocking at their door, leaving the Demon Dragon Legion badly weakened... that price was far too high."
Li Lingfeng's expression visibly darkened, and a shadow entered his eyes. "That is indeed a weakness we can hardly avoid."
Ming Xiangyun raised a hand and patted Li Lingfeng's shoulder. He understood that those words also touched upon the wounds the Li Clan had suffered in the previous great war.