"Martial Uncle Qu, why stand on such ceremony?"
Wang Ba turned slightly and stepped forward to stop Qu Zhongqiu from bowing.
Then he said with a smile:
"It has been over a decade since we parted, but your cultivation seems even greater than before, Martial Uncle Qu."
Qu Zhongqiu wore a bitter smile.
"Chief Director..."
Wang Ba feigned displeasure.
"Martial Uncle Qu, where is there a Chief Director here?"
Qu Zhongqiu froze, then apologized repeatedly.
"My mistake, my mistake. Senior Nephew, Senior Nephew Wang, I've been so swamped lately that my head is spinning... Enough of that. You came without sending word ahead. I'll have my subordinates prepare a banquet to welcome you and wash away the dust of your journey."
The sharpness he had possessed at their last meeting was now much more restrained.
Only then did Wang Ba smile. "Then I'll have to enjoy a good meal at your expense, Martial Uncle. You mustn't begrudge it."
Qu Zhongqiu concealed the weariness on his face as well and smiled.
"Haha, your coming here does me honor. However much it might hurt to spend, it won't hurt now."
With that, he extended one hand in invitation.
Wang Ba immediately walked out ahead of him.
Following behind Wang Ba, Li Yingfu saw that he had been in such a hurry before, yet was now taking his time. Anxiety stirred within him, and he could not help transmitting his voice.
"Chief Director, why don't you question Garrison Commander Qu immediately?"
Without betraying anything, Wang Ba reassured him.
"Don't rush."
Since Qu Zhongqiu was close to the Acting Sect Master, and there was now a mole of unknown identity, even if he really had discovered something, he could not possibly reveal it casually.
He followed Qu Zhongqiu out of the Great Hall housing