Inside the Inner Manor, in the Quiet Courtyard.
Listening to Yang Sanhai's answer, Wang Tudou could not quite describe what he felt, much less figure out how to respond.
The two sat facing each other in silence for a long time. In the end, Yang Sanhai broke the awkward atmosphere. He lifted his teacup somewhat uneasily, seemingly trying hard to appear more composed.
"Ah."
He let out a long, melancholy sigh and said, cup in hand, "Tudou... please don't overthink this. I really am just a little tired."
"Mm." Wang Tudou nodded calmly.
"Brother, speaking from the heart... if I, Yang Sanhai, hadn't met you, I would never have reached my current grade realm, much less had the money to throw around at the gambling table. I know my own talent and temperament... surviving all those secret realms in one piece was really just the good fortune of following the right person. You're perceptive, clever, and steady enough... following you, all I needed to do was put in some muscle and keep everyone getting along."
Yang Sanhai took a sip of tea, his voice trembling. "But no gathering in this world... lasts forever."
Wang Tudou continued listening quietly without interrupting.
"Following you gave me prestige, standing, and plenty of star source to earn. These days, it isn't just those disreputable gambling buddies who envy me... even plenty of Heavenly Prides in Huangling City look at me differently once they learn I'm your squad's deputy captain." Yang Sanhai's gaze went still, and he sighed again. "Ah... but fighting and running nonstop, day after day for over a decade... really has worn me out."
"Our squad was founded on the principle that everyone must do their own job, that no one owes anyone anything when it comes to assignments. Everyone must pull