Blood stained the ground.
Su Ni, kneeling on the floor, still had crimson blood splattered across her face. Kailing, her lips trembling, couldn't speak for a long time, as the scene they had just witnessed was too impactful.
"Hoo!"
The little demon, leaning against her seat, was visibly weary.
She propped her head up with one hand, gazing at the pool of blood on the floor, and let out a long sigh.
"Are you satisfied?" The little demon frowned, looking at everyone in the reception hall. "I truly don't understand why you've all become this way. When you do certain things, have you never considered Chen Yu's feelings? How much he trusted you, do you know the pressure he carries, shouldering everything for your sake?"
Su Ni hung her head, unable to speak for a long time.
In her opinion, the little demon's words were directed at her. If she hadn't accepted Gouzi's money, if she had spoken these words to Kailing immediately, perhaps such a tragedy wouldn't have occurred.
"Sister Ba, what does this have to do with us?"
Rou Si shrugged slightly, nodding towards the blood on the floor.
"From beginning to end, I was just stating facts. Gouzi couldn't bear the burden himself and did something out of line. Does that mean we're to blame?"
"Rou Si..."
"Yes."
"You were one of the earliest to follow Chen Yu, weren't you?"
Rou Si, lounging on the sofa, nodded slightly, his eyes filled with reminiscence.
"You could say that. Before me, there were Master Hei and Kuka. After me came Gouzi and Hei Lu. Jack and I joined the boss around the middle. Does Sister Ba have any questions?"
The little demon narrowed her eyes slightly, her tongue flicking across her lips subtly.
"No questions, just suddenly recalling the past with some nostalgia. I still remember when you and Jack first joined the camp. Although you were more feminine, you weren't as effeminate as you are now." The little demon gazed into Rou Si's eyes. "The Soul of the Divine General has had a significant impact on you."
"It's alright."
Rou Si chuckled lightly.
"When I first fused, I admit the divine soul had a great influence on me. But later, my own soul took the dominant role, consuming the divine soul."
"If you can achieve that, then you haven't disappointed Chen Yu."
"I suppose so."
"Since your soul is dominant," the little demon's tone suddenly shifted, "why have you become so indifferent now?"
"Have I?"
Rou Si maintained his smile.
No matter the situation, Rou Si's face was always adorned with a smile, as if nothing could affect his state of mind. Yet, it was precisely this smile that made him seem incredibly cold.
It was as if nothing could move Rou Si's heart.
He maintained a certain distance from everyone.
"Gouzi, no matter what, was once your comrade, a brother who shared hardships together. Seeing him act like that, haven't you felt even a sliver of emotion? You're even considering whose responsibility it is. When did you become so cold-blooded?" The little demon gazed into Rou Si's eyes, as if trying to probe his soul through them. "Rou Si, I really want to ask, are you truly Rou Si?"
Suddenly, the atmosphere in the reception hall became much heavier.
Rou Si, who had been motionless on the sofa, moved his fingers under the oppressive weight of the silence. Even though his movement was slight, the sound of his heavy armor betrayed his subtle action.
It was evident Rou Si wanted to conceal it, but feeling it was impossible to hide, he simply raised his hand.
His metal-gloved hand rested lightly against his chin.
"If I'm not Rou Si, then who else could I be?" Rou Si sighed with a hint of helplessness. "I know I've changed quite a bit in the past half year, but who hasn't? Hasn't Gouzi changed? Hasn't Kuka changed? Hasn't Kailing changed? Or perhaps, the once most gentle and virtuous Su Ni, hasn't she changed?"
"Why bring me up?"
Since arriving at the reception hall, Kailing's heart had grown increasingly disappointed.
She felt she was a failure as City Lord.
Despite spending day and night in the city, racking her brain for its development, and believing herself to be diligent, no major or minor affair in the city escaped her notice.
Yet—
The commander of the city's defenses was in secret correspondence with the enemy, and her most trusted sister harbored secrets from her.
City Lord?!
She now felt her position as City Lord was a joke. She wasn't the City Lord at all, but at best, a rather foolish proxy.
If not for the little demon and Suo Na being present, she would have already walked away.
"No, I'm just using examples," Rou Si said with a smile. "Thinking back a year ago, when you first took the position of City Lord, you were cautious in everything you did. Look at you now, you possess a strong aura of authority. From a small city of a few thousand people to a city with millions, nearing ten million, you still manage everything in an orderly fashion. Isn't this a change in you?"
"I'm not as good as you say."
Kailing narrowed her eyes slightly. "If I were truly that outstanding, I wouldn't have been played around by you few. If it weren't for Sister Ba and Sister Suo Na sitting here, I fear I would never have known these things until my death. I am the City Lord, yet you are not my subordinates."
"If you think that way, then you are mistaken."
Rou Si, with his effeminate appearance, revealed a smile.
"The relationship between us has never been one of superior and subordinate. In the end, we are all working for the boss. If we talk about rank, we are equals. Then, it's only natural for equals to have small secrets between them, isn't it? It's harmless."
"Yes, yes, you are all right."
Kailing leaned back completely into the sofa, tilting her head back and closing her eyes.
"You say what you need to say. No matter what happens here, don't call me anymore. I don't want to be involved any further. Unless it's something special, don't discuss me. Regardless of what changes you've undergone, at least I can guarantee I have done nothing to betray the boss. You can investigate me freely; I'm not afraid."
"See, you're unhappy again after just a few words."
Rou Si, with a look of regret, spread his hands and glanced at the little demon and Suo Na.
"Elder sisters, what do you think we should do now? Looking at the current situation, our meeting seems unlikely to continue. Or should Kailing and Su Ni leave, and the three of us discuss it alone?"
"Kailing is the City Lord. She has the right and obligation to know everything that happens in the city."
The little demon immediately rejected Rou Si's suggestion. "Say whatever you need to say right here. We are all core members of our camp, considered an inaugural council. There is nothing that cannot be said here, and no one who cannot listen. Kailing's emotions are not for you to manage."
"It was my presumption."
Rou Si nodded slightly, a smile in his eyes.
"Then... shall I continue?"