The Martial Virtue Star Lord's Mansion.
The scissors clicked and snipped. Holding them in his hand, Wude trimmed a potted evergreen on his desk without expression. His cuts were ruthless. A few sharp snips, and the stray branches that jutted out and offended his eye were severed at their bases and fell onto the desk.
This was called cutting off loose tails.
Ever since his visit to drink tea with the South Dipper Star Lord, he had needed to learn to keep his mouth shut.
He had to stay obediently in his mansion, keep a low profile, say nothing, and cut every tail that needed cutting clean away. Everything else could wait until this storm blew over.
Snip.
Another branch fell to the floor.
Wude tossed down the scissors and stared at the bare bonsai, the resentment in his chest still refusing to settle.
He commanded military forces and had swept across the Three Realms for years. Even in the Heavenly Court, he was a powerful figure who could turn clouds and summon rain. Yet now, a mere brat like Chen Wei had driven him into such a corner?
He did not even dare strike back. All he could do was hide in his mansion and vent his anger on tree branches.
"Bring tea!"
"Hm?"
Wude's brows shot up. Out of habit, he barked toward the door, about to summon his trusted aides and give them a few assignments.
His voice had barely faded.
Outside the study, all was silent except for the rustle of leaves in the wind.
Wude froze for a moment. Only then did he remember that Lu Siji and Tie Kui had been sold out as expendable pawns.
The spacious study stood empty.
"Ah!"
Looking at the empty doorway, Wude let out a long sigh. This