Inside the great hall.
Qing Xuansu's wretchedly bowed head and the resentment almost blazing from Yan Ming's eyes drew everyone's attention.
Amid this oppressive atmosphere-
"Heh."
A soft chuckle came from beside the Snake Spirit Way's ranks on the right.
Everyone's heart jolted, and they looked toward the sound.
The tall, thin figure with an indistinct face, who had stood like a shadow beside True Lord Golden Snake all this time, leisurely took half a step forward.
As he took that step, his aura burst forth, transforming the atmosphere in the hall.
At first, it was gentle and ethereal, like morning mist in a spring forest, but in an instant, it turned into an icy coldness that looked down upon all living beings, as though it came from the heavens.
Dark gold flowing cloud patterns were faintly visible along the hem of his robe. On closer inspection, those patterns actually resembled wondrous black birds spreading their wings to take flight.
"Azure Abyss Marquis... such imposing authority, such fierce killing intent."
"A Prefecture Vice-Governor and a Regional Inspector, fellow officials of the same prefecture, both invested by the Central Authority, are treated like ignorant children before you, scolded at every turn and stripped of all dignity. Heh heh."
He shook his head gently, finally raising his gaze past the crowd to the throne above the jade steps.
Qing Chen remained reclining in his seat, his brows drawing together slightly.
"Who are you?" His voice remained steady. "Since when did a skulking wretch like you have any say in Qiongzhou's affairs?"
"A skulking wretch?"
Before the tall, thin figure could answer, another man beside him, a slightly stooped elder, let out a hoarse, strange laugh.
"Heh heh... Marquis, those words truly impugn our intentions."
Mist churned around him, and a cold aura,