"To show off in front of you, Young Master-how embarrassing, how embarrassing..."
Old Chief kept professing his embarrassment, yet his grin stretched from ear to ear. His smug delight climbed along his wrinkles to the tips of his brows, impossible to contain. Then he heard Wang Yang continue:
"But I saved your life too, so shall we call it even?"
Old Chief's smile abruptly froze.
"You laid this trap well, but judging by the outcome, it wasn't perfect. After all, Zuo Youhaye died, while you and your son survived. Le Luoluo is brave, and he fought a bloody battle with the assassins and suffered injuries, with so many people watching. There's nothing suspicious about his escaping death. But for you to survive as well, Chief-that's a little too 'fortunate.' Of course, there are plenty of possible explanations: the guards fought to the death, the assassins underestimated their opponents, or you weren't the main target of this assassination, and so on. Still, some people are bound to have doubts. With your cunning, you couldn't have overlooked that. So I suspect you originally intended to use your own life to play the final move, dying alongside Zuo Youhaye tonight. Le Luoluo would naturally succeed his father, dispelling suspicion while winning the sympathy and support of the tribespeople. That would have been a more perfect endgame."
"Indeed, nothing escapes you, Young Master... But do you know why I didn't die?"
Old Chief fixed Wang Yang with a burning gaze.
"Because you needed to see me. First, to clear away any ill feeling I might harbor; second, to explain your scheme honestly and make sure I wouldn't blame Le Luoluo for this. That's why I said I saved your life. I wasn't merely referring to watching your game without saying anything. Without me, you