"My lord, may I ask what instructions you summoned this junior here for?" Seeing Huang Qitao look toward him, Tuoba Xing hurriedly rose and asked respectfully.
"Sit down!" Huang Qitao said.
Only after Tuoba Xing sat down as instructed did Huang Qitao continue calmly, "What are your thoughts on the position of Arrest Sage of the Yellow Gate?"
Tuoba Xing was puzzled by the question. Did that even need asking?
"Naturally, this junior will not yield it to anyone!" Tuoba Xing said hastily.
"Will not yield?" Huang Qitao sounded somewhat doubtful. "True enough. I imagine that is what everyone outside thinks now, too?"
"My lord, do you believe this junior is unfit to serve as Arrest Sage?" Tuoba Xing asked with a slight frown.
Why did he feel that something was off about Huang Qitao's tone and expression today?
"At present, it really is hard to say," Huang Qitao said.
Tuoba Xing's expression changed at those words, and he thought, Has something changed? Does Huang Qitao no longer support me? Or have some of the deals between my Tuoba Family and Huang Qitao been canceled?
If his Tuoba Family no longer supported Huang Qitao, Huang Qitao naturally would not give him the position of Arrest Sage. He could find someone else to take that position at any time. But without the Tuoba Family's support, would Huang Qitao still have the strength to do so?
"This junior does not understand what you mean, my lord," Huang Qitao asked, forcibly suppressing the trace of unease and panic within him.
He did not want to give up the position of Arrest Sage, nor would he.
"You have a rival now, and his strength is considerable," Huang Qitao said calmly.
"A rival?" At those words, Huang Qitao's tightly knitted brows relaxed, and he smiled.