Tian Wenguang dispensed with further courtesies. He tossed a few fried peanuts into his mouth, chewed a few times, then raised his wine cup and drained it.
Then he shook his head and clicked his tongue several times, satisfaction written all over his face.
Next, his gaze fell on Chen Shi'an. "You handled the matter at Blackwater Ridge well. Thank you for your efforts."
Chen Shi'an's heart tightened, but a faint smile appeared on his face. "It was all to ease the burdens of the Demon Hunting Camp and the stronghold."
Tian Wenguang continued, "Blackwater Ridge was where I captured Fu Qingyang. I took a look around the ridge. Those two Blazing Fire Lizards were hiding somewhere very secluded. For you and your subordinates to have tracked their movements so precisely was no simple feat."
Chen Shi'an immediately broke into a grin. "Senior, I'm not trying to claim credit.
"The reconnaissance at Blackwater Ridge was actually something I completed alone.
"Most of my subordinates have low cultivation. Had they encountered the Blazing Fire Lizards, the odds would have been stacked against them.
"So I chose to scout the area alone."
"Oh," Tian Wenguang said. "No wonder I didn't find many traces in Blackwater Ridge. So you were the only one scouting.
"In that case, you take quite good care of your subordinates."
Chen Shi'an added, "That was part of it. Another important reason was that moving alone made me less likely to give away my position, which actually made it safer."
Tian Wenguang nodded. "When you were scouting Blackwater Ridge, did you discover anything unusual besides the Blazing Fire Lizards?
"Such as traces of other people's activities."
"Traces of other people's activities?"
Chen Shi'an considered this briefly, then shook his head. "Blackwater Ridge is vast, so I can't be certain.