In the small courtyard of the Chancellor's Residence in Chen Capital Prefecture, Yun Qing drew back his wandering thoughts and lowered his gaze to Ye Hui in his palm.
"The Imperial Examination is just a bit of fun."
His fingertip lightly tapped the snake's head as he said unhurriedly, "But Great Xia used the bride-snatching incident to issue the Immortal-Slaying Order, and Ye Tianchen's Heavenly Pivot Sect will bear the brunt of it. You used to belong there. Do you have any friends or loved ones in the sect you can't let go of?"
"If there are any old friends, we can bring them out beforehand, so they don't get caught in the crossfire."
Ye Hui paused.
The lamplight in the room was still. After a moment, the little snake slowly shook his head.
"No."
Aloof and cold by nature, he had always kept to himself in the Heavenly Pivot Sect. Every disciple there was merely a passing acquaintance, and he felt no attachment to any of them.
Some disciples respected him, some feared him, and even more secretly hoped to see him fall into the mire.
Then Ye Tianchen had burst onto the scene, and his reputation had been utterly destroyed. All that former respect and fear had turned into gloating and contempt.
As for anyone he had truly been close to... Ye Hui lowered his serpentine eyes slightly, a trace of icy killing intent flashing through their depths.
If he had to name someone, there was one.
His "dear master," the Heavenly Pivot Sect Master.
Seemingly sensing something, Yun Qing asked, "Tell me about this master of yours-oh, former master. What sort of man is he?"
The moment that man was mentioned, Ye Hui's aura grew noticeably darker, and the little snake's tail struck the tabletop with a