"Dragonhead, Chen Neishi has brought the guests."
Spring had warmed and flowers had bloomed. Jia Runshi's voice suddenly rang out, interrupting Zhang Xing as he wrote something. Zhang Xing hurriedly covered the document and rose to greet them.
But before he reached the threshold, he asked in surprise, "Where's Jia Yue? Didn't I send him to meet them? Why did Great Chief Chen bring them in?"
"Not the guests from the Northern Lands Brother Jia went to meet. These are guests from Qinghe whom Chen Neishi brought," Jia Runshi promptly explained. "They're sitting in the front hall. Chen Neishi asked you to come over... three or four men surnamed Cui and one surnamed Fang."
Zhang Xing understood at once. Of course. Even people from the Northern Lands had arrived. Qinghe was right on their doorstep, facing an imminent large-scale battle; it would have been strange if that family could sit still... however lofty they were, surely they had to come ask for a protective talisman? If they did not understand that much, how could they have endured from before Lord White Emperor's time until now?
In fact, their deliberate choice of the Fang Clan, which had close ties to the Exorcising the Dragon Gang, as a ladder made it plain enough: they probably understood everything they needed to.
At that thought, Zhang Xing considered briefly, then gave instructions. "Hasn't Brother Xie arrived from the west? Invite him over, and fetch that surrendered general from the Feng Clan, Feng Duan, too. Have them keep the guests company. I'll be there shortly."
Jia Runshi left with his orders. Great Dragonhead Zhang returned behind his desk and sat idly for a while, staring blankly at his document. Only then did he rise again, leave the rear courtyard, turn the corner, follow a corridor