Hattori retreated.
After hearing Gainan's introduction, he left without looking back.
A single sentence had sent an Eight Awakenings fighter retreating, just as he had talked the Pope and the Marquis into withdrawing.
He left Old Ninth and Little White Tiger looking utterly bewildered.
Gainan, however, was in no hurry to leave. He studied Little White Tiger and Old Ninth with interest.
His eyes held a measure of anticipation, appreciation, and regret.
"He... isn't trying to screw me, is he?" Old Ninth leaned back. "I've seen that look in Kou Island movies. They're usually staring at a woman."
"What a shame... what a shame..."
As he spoke, Gainan took a handful of injections from inside his clothes and handed them to Little White Tiger. "These drugs can help you recover quickly."
Little White Tiger looked wary. "What the fuck are you trying to do?"
Someone with a formidable background had appeared out of nowhere and saved them.
Who would believe he had no ulterior purpose?
"Don't misunderstand. I only saved you because I didn't want to provoke Guan Guoxing."
"The Coalition Forces will withdraw soon. The war is over."
With that, Gainan removed his cloak.
He revealed a face weathered by life.
He bore some resemblance to Instructor, just as burly and unkempt.
With a full white beard, he looked like a middle-aged neighbor.
"I mean you no harm. On the contrary, you fit Eden's principles very well."
"Whatever you might think, I like you both very much."
"Just fucking like Tiger. Don't like me. I'm not up for crossing swords," Old Ninth said disdainfully, taking out a cigarette and lighting it.
Dying for his brothers when trouble struck and making his brothers take the fall when nothing was wrong had always been Old Ninth's style.
"You misunderstand. I like