"Heh heh."
Ma Qingshan lit a cigarette with a guileless chuckle and smiled at the Ming King. "Old man, could we borrow your living room? I'd like a private chat with Ninth Master."
Old Ninth raised his eyelids slightly.
Hi Dog reached toward the small of his back.
The others all gripped their weapons as well.
The Ming King could not wait to leave this trouble spot.
He wanted absolutely no part in the business between the Ma Family and Old Ninth.
He hurriedly had the butler wheel him away.
"What brings you to Ice Prefecture, Ninth Master?"
Wearing his ever-present honest expression, Ma Qingshan pulled out a cigarette and offered it to Old Ninth with a guileless air.
The latter waved it away. "Sorry, I don't smoke."
A moment later, Old Ninth deftly fished a small iron case from his pocket, took out a cigarette, and lit it for himself.
"Heh heh. You came to see the Ming King because you want Ice Prefecture, didn't you, Ninth Master?"
Ma Qingshan laid Old Ninth's intentions bare in a single sentence.
It hardly took much thought.
The group from Chun Prefecture had just fought a major battle. They ought to be holed up in the city, resting and rebuilding their strength.
If a troublemaker like Old Ninth came to Ice Prefecture, he was either here to kill the Ming King or seize the city.
"Nope. The Ming King came to me in a dream yesterday and said he missed me, so here I am."
The corner of Ma Qingshan's mouth twitched.
Old Ninth really did talk nothing but nonsense.
The Ming King wasn't even dead. How could he have appeared in a dream?
"Ninth Master, let's speak plainly. I know you're here for Ice Prefecture." Ma Qingshan straightened and declared solemnly,