Liu Xie stood before the wall with his hands clasped behind his back, carefully studying the Great Han Map hanging there. At those words, he said without turning his head, "Bring him in."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Gao Lan bowed to acknowledge the command and beckoned.
Soon, two guards dragged Yuan Shao inside, heavy shackles weighing down both his hands and feet.
Then Gao Lan withdrew with the guards.
Only Yuan Shao and Liu Xie remained in the Xuan Room.
With some difficulty, Yuan Shao raised his head to look at Liu Xie, who stood above him with his back turned. His bloodshot eyes were like a deep, ancient well, filled with profound indifference.
He did not speak, much less curse.
He was like a corpse devoid of feeling.
Liu Xie, too, seemed not to have noticed Yuan Shao's arrival. He merely studied the Topographical Map before him intently, never even turning around.
An eerie silence settled over the room.
Only after a long while did Liu Xie draw his gaze away from the Topographical Map and turn toward Yuan Shao, saying with a faint smile, "It has been days, Benchu."
"How has life in prison been?"
The corner of Yuan Shao's mouth twitched. He sneered, "You should know better than I do how I have been faring in prison. Why put on that hypocritical face and offer such false concern!"
"Don't you find it disgusting?"
He and Liu Xie had long since become irreconcilable enemies, with no end to their feud short of death. Liu Xie had slaughtered his entire clan, yet now greeted him with a smiling face. That sanctimonious manner was utterly sickening.
"A conversation has to begin somewhere, doesn't it?"
Liu Xie smiled, then said, "Today is the day my army swears its oath before marching south.