Jing Hongchen had blasted one wall of the Book Tower to pieces with his own hands, but the building had not collapsed entirely. Only that wall lay in ruins. Bright light streamed inside, falling on Jing Hongchen and Huo Yuhao.
Jing Hongchen sat down again. He looked at neither Huo Yuhao nor the steward, merely lowering his head and closing his eyes, his right hand pressed against his forehead, his expression despondent.
The steward, Ah Heng, asked cautiously, "Master?"
"I'm fine. Let me have some time alone," Jing Hongchen instructed flatly. "Go, Ah Heng. Tell them to come to the Hongchen Residence. Say I have important instructions for them."
"Yes, Master." Having served Jing Hongchen for so many years, Ah Heng naturally understood his temperament. Without asking any further questions, he went off to carry out his task.
After Ah Heng left, only Jing Hongchen and Huo Yuhao remained inside the partly exposed Book Tower.
Huo Yuhao did not speak first either. He simply stood there quietly.
He knew that Jing Hongchen had chosen to take his side. Several factors had combined to bring about that decision: perhaps awe of the Northern Douluo, trust in Huo Yuhao, suspicion of the Royal Family, and a willingness to stake everything on the Hongchen Family's future...
Whatever had ultimately driven Jing Hongchen to support Huo Yuhao, he must have endured a fierce internal struggle.
At that moment, Jing Hongchen felt his mouth go dry, his heart filled with unbearable bitterness. He picked up the teapot on his desk and drank straight from it in great gulps.
Ah Heng had brewed this tea when receiving Huo Yuhao. By now, it had gone stale, and the water had long since cooled. Its dreadful taste made Jing Hongchen's already bitter mood even more desolate.
Once he