Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu could feel Guo Wei’s seething emotions. It was true what they said about old enemies—their eyes burned with a particular fury. Both men stared fixedly at Xie Xiaohuan.

All it would take was a single command from Guo Wei, and they would strike without a moment’s hesitation, executing Xie Xiaohuan where he stood.

But Guo Wei was unnaturally calm. His gaze merely swept over Xie Xiaohuan before moving on to meet the eyes of the others in the tent.

Not until Mahmoud’s voice rang out, saying, "Clan Leader Xie."

Only then did his gaze return to Xie Xiaohuan.

Xie Xiaohuan set down his teacup and looked first at Mahmoud.

Mahmoud chuckled. "Clan Leader Xie, Master Guo has come a long way. Aren’t you going to greet him?"

At those words, Xie Xiaohuan slowly turned his gaze to Guo Wei.

Their eyes met.

The Qi Sea in Guo Wei’s body roiled. He had imagined this moment countless times: the day he saw Xie Xiaohuan again, he would hack him to pieces and carry his head to Wolf Valley Pass to trade for his son’s freedom.

He hated that Xie Xiaohuan had sold out his country for personal glory.

He hated that Xie Xiaohuan had been treacherous and faithless.

He hated that Xie Xiaohuan had chosen to live a dishonorable life.

He hated that Xie Xiaohuan had repaid kindness with betrayal.

But most of all, he hated that Xie Xiaohuan had separated him from his son!

Yet now, seeing Xie Xiaohuan today, Guo Wei forced down the inferno of rage in his chest. His Qi Sea soon calmed, and he simply watched Xie Xiaohuan in silence.

"Mr. Guo, it’s been many years. I trust you’ve been well."

Xie Xiaohuan stood up and bowed deeply to Guo Wei.

"I’m well enough. I just wonder if Tian can survive twenty years at Wolf Valley Pass."

Guo Wei had repeatedly told himself to remain calm, but at the mention of Guo Xiaotian, his voice still trembled uncontrollably.

Xie Xiaohuan’s expression froze. He dropped to his knees. "Mr. Guo, I know I have wronged you, and wronged Tian even more. Today, whether you want to kill me or cut me to pieces, I will submit to your will."

Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu were both stunned. ’Could it be?’ they thought. ’Does Xie Xiaohuan still have a conscience?’

"Then kill yourself now. I’ll take your head to Wolf Valley Pass and ransom my son. When Tian learns you gave your life to save him, perhaps he’ll even find it in him to forgive you."

Guo Wei tossed a small mutton knife from the table, and it landed in front of Xie Xiaohuan.

"Fine."

Xie Xiaohuan picked up the knife and carefully wiped the blade with his sleeve. He then closed his eyes, tightened his grip, and thrust it toward his own chest—only to stop at the last possible second.

He opened his eyes. "Mr. Guo, I just realized something. Even if you take my head to Wolf Valley Pass, you won’t be able to save Tian. The Emperor of Great Yuan is a foolish tyrant, and the Court is run by treacherous ministers. Back in the day, during the Provincial Examination and the Martial Arts Examination, you showed such incredible talent. Yet because you spoke up for what was right, you were stripped of all your achievements and even thrown in prison."

"How can we trust a Court, a country, like that? Even if I give you my head, you won’t be able to save Tian. However, he is imprisoned at Wolf Valley Pass because of me, and I have another way to rescue him. I wonder if you would be willing to hear it, Mr. Guo."

"Speak."

Guo Wei watched Xie Xiaohuan with a placid expression. He was curious to see what the man would say next.

Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu both clenched their fists. They had almost been fooled. They had actually believed his conscience wasn’t dead, that he was truly going to atone for his sins with his life. They never expected he was just toying with them.

"Wolf Valley Pass is a bitter, cold place. I worry Tian won’t last twenty years there. If we want to save him, we can’t delude ourselves into thinking the Emperor of Great Yuan will show him mercy. The only way is for us to coordinate an attack from the inside and out and storm Wolf Valley Pass together. Only then can we save him."

"If you are willing to cooperate, Mr. Guo, I can have Prince Andre dispatch men to help. When the time is right, we’ll storm Wolf Valley Pass, rescue Tian, and live freely for the rest of our days. You’ll finally be able to enjoy the happiness of being with your family again!"

Xie Xiaohuan said, his voice laced with temptation.

"A moment ago, Elder Ma called you Clan Leader Xie. Now, you mention Prince Andre. It seems you’ve done quite well for yourself with the Turkic people over the years."

Guo Wei said tonelessly.

"Prince Andre knows how to recognize and use talented people. He respects true heroes. He has treated me very well over the years, and I have mentioned you to him many times. The Prince holds you in extremely high regard, Mr. Guo. If you are willing, not only can the Prince help you rescue Tian, but he can also grant you wealth and glory beyond your wildest dreams."

Xie Xiaohuan continued.

Guo Wei closed his eyes, focusing all his will on suppressing the power roiling within his Qi Sea, struggling to keep his aura in a state of peace.

But Xie Xiaohuan’s words were like peals of mocking laughter. They weren’t just a reminder that he was forced to watch Guo Xiaotian suffer at Wolf Valley Pass; they were an insult, screaming that he deserved it.

If Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu hadn’t been standing behind him, Guo Wei would have been unable to restrain himself. He would have struck Xie Xiaohuan dead with a single palm strike, even if it meant being shattered into a thousand pieces himself.

The expert warriors of the Aika Tribe inside the tent all had their eyes on Guo Wei. Every one of them was on high alert, terrified that Guo Wei would suddenly lose control and harm Xie Xiaohuan.

They had already learned from Mahmoud that this Guo Wei was suspected to be the mysterious cultivator from the Great Yuan who had once slain thirteen Generals in succession.

Even Xie Xiaohuan himself couldn’t help but retreat behind his Guard.

He had grown up with Guo Xiaotian. He knew that Guo Wei was a man of strict loyalty and righteousness. Even after suffering such a grave injustice, even though he despised the Court’s bureaucracy, he had never once thought of overthrowing the Great Yuan Dynasty.

On the contrary, he had focused on training his disciples, hoping they could one day reform the darkness within the Court.

’The words I just spoke,’ he thought, ’seemed to be for Guo Wei’s own good, and they genuinely offer a way to save Guo Xiaotian. But in Guo Wei’s eyes, they are probably just another form of torment.’

But Xie Xiaohuan needed Guo Wei’s help, which was why he had orchestrated this entire meeting.

Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu felt the atmosphere grow incredibly tense. They saw Guo Wei’s knuckles turn white as he clenched his fists. Xie Xiaohuan’s words might have offered a way to save Guo Xiaotian, but they were also tempting Guo Wei to betray his country for personal gain.

Chu Lingguang had followed Guo Wei for over two years.