"In today's pursuit of Yue Ting, you refused to retreat despite your grievous wounds, protected Circuit Inspector Pei, and helped Ye Wushang steady the remnants of the army. You rendered great merit."
Qing Chen gently pushed his palm forward, and the Black Jade Treasure Bottle slowly floated toward Jia Daoyi, wreathed in pale golden spiritual mist.
"This bottle of Nascent-Replenishing Heavenly Fluid is your reward."
With the Black Jade Treasure Bottle hovering before him, Jia Daoyi seemed utterly frozen.
Only after several breaths did he abruptly come to his senses. His hands trembled as he cradled the bottle, and his eyes reddened in an instant.
With his disposition, he was normally most adept at reading expressions, currying favor, and navigating social dealings. Even with seas churning and rivers raging in his heart, he could still muster a smile.
Yet at this moment, he could no longer maintain his usual smooth composure.
For what Qing Chen had bestowed on him was a path to the Great Dao!
"This subordinate... thanks you, Governor-General, for granting me a new lease on life!"
Jia Daoyi kowtowed heavily, his forehead striking the shattered azure jade floor, his voice trembling beyond concealment.
"You have granted this subordinate a chance to walk the Great Dao anew today. Even if my body is ground to dust and my bones shattered, I will repay your kindness in this lifetime!"
Qing Chen calmly accepted his bow and merely said, "As Commander-in-Chief, I have always drawn a clear line between reward and punishment."
"Even if the guilty have a Spirit Venerable behind them, I will suppress them all the same. And even if someone who has earned merit is only a Qi Refining foot soldier in the army, I will not shortchange him so much as half a spirit stone."
Hearing