"Well... actually... it wasn't... the main thing, I suppose... but it really wasn't..."
Le Luoluo stammered. As he struggled to find the words, the vanguard reported back in the Barbarian Language, which Wang Yang could not understand. Le Luoluo looked as though he had been granted a pardon, and his tongue suddenly loosened:
"I truly didn't mean to keep anything from you, Brother Wang. I really had my reasons. But rest assured, the Wenyang Tribe would never harm you, no matter what! We're almost there. How about this? I'll go make the arrangements first, then come back and apologize properly!"
With that, he imitated Han etiquette by cupping his fist, then hurried away.
Wang Yang neither pressed him nor stopped him. He shifted into a more comfortable position and leaned back in the Carriage to rest.
He was resting with his eyes closed when he suddenly felt a warm breath brush his ear, bringing a faint, tingling sensation.
Chen Qing Shan had quietly drawn close, her lips almost touching his ear as she whispered in a breathy voice only the two of them could hear:
"Do you want me to subdue Le Luoluo?"
Wang Yang opened his eyes and asked curiously, "Can you subdue him?"
Chen Qing Shan had witnessed Le Luoluo fighting desperately on the night of the assassination attempt. She knew he was formidable, but could not be certain just how strong he was. Still, they were surrounded by barbarian troops. If her first strike failed and those soldiers swarmed them...
The briefest flicker of hesitation crossed her face, but it was quickly replaced by a calm resolve. Her voice was soft yet firm as she said:
"I'll do my best."
To do one's best was to ask nothing of success or failure, only to give everything one