「Great Cang Imperial City, Diligent Governance Hall.」
The night was deep. The light of the Everlasting Lamps bathed the hall in a dim, yellow glow, casting the elongated shadows of the two men within onto the cold, smooth Golden Bricks of the floor.
Zhao Xuanji sat upright behind the Purple Sandalwood Dragon Desk, the Star Map Fortune Scroll still spread open beside his hand. The crimson markings and calculation lines upon it now seemed to carry a certain glaring irony.
He stared at the deep blue figure standing not far in front of the Dragon Desk, hands clasped behind his back, a calm that bordered on indifference. Zhao Xuanji's chest rose and fell slightly.
Upon his usually composed face was a rare, clear gravity and... a hint of forcefully suppressed rage.
"Pause the plan?
Why?!"
His voice was not loud, yet it sounded exceptionally clear in the silent hall, carrying a heavy, questioning weight that made every word land hard on one's heart.
