"My lord, Pei Sheng and Zhang Chong have been brought here."
They had been apart for only a few hours, yet Qin Xuan Shu had transformed into the thirteenth of the Embroidered Uniform Guard's Thirteen Guardians, while Pei Sheng and Zhang Chong, hosts of the Chess and Sword Music House, had become prisoners.
The two deeply felt how unpredictable life could be.
Pei Sheng and Zhang Chong followed the garrison officer to Cao Jinxing.
Given that neither had done anything particularly meritorious or blameworthy before, Cao Jinxing had taken no further action against them, merely holding them in custody for the time being.
Now that he was reasonably certain they had nothing to do with nurturing the demon, and that they truly had not known his identity when they attacked him earlier, Cao Jinxing did not intend to pursue the matter.
"My lord."
Their hands were shackled, but they were otherwise unhurt and still full of vigor. They bowed without servility or arrogance, barely maintaining their dignity as Jianghu experts.
"Rise."
Cao Jinxing gestured to the officer. "Remove their shackles."
"Yes."
The local officer obeyed the Embroidered Uniform Guard without question, especially when the order came from one of the Thirteen Guardians. He promptly unlocked their shackles. Noticing a change in Cao Jinxing's gaze, he also had the good sense to fetch two benches for them.
"Sit."
Cao Jinxing gestured.
The two thanked him and sat down.
"You may leave."
The officer bowed and backed out of the dark chamber.
"I assume you both know what Li Yuzhou has done." With a wave of Cao Jinxing's hand, two cups of tea flew from the table onto their benches. "By pulling back from the brink, you have at least preserved a little of the Chess and Sword Music House's strength."
His