Nightwatcher

# 346. Conversation in the Night

The deck descended into an eerie silence.

The officials of the three judicial departments and the guards were as quiet as cicadas in winter, not daring to provoke Xu Qi’an. Especially the constable from the Ministry of Law, who had just accused Xu Qi’an of harbouring delusions of autocracy.

Now, his cheeks burned with embarrassment. He finally understood the anger and helplessness of the Minister of Law toward this audacious child. He hated Xu Qi’an to the bone but could do nothing about him.

Of course, the one who suffered the greatest humiliation was Chu Xianglong. As the deputy general of the Zhenbei King, he wielded real power on the borderlands. Even in the capital, he rarely had to defer to others.

Not even the most powerful officials of the court intimidated him. After all, his life and career were controlled by the Zhenbei King, and no one else could truly deal with him. Over time, this nurtured his arrogance and brazenness—until now, when he was utterly defeated under Xu Qi’an’s command.

While struggling to suppress his resentment and anger, Chu Xianglong tried to convince himself to focus on the bigger picture. But he no longer had the face to remain on deck. After casting a deep, resentful look at Xu Qi’an, he left without a word.

He could feel the mocking gazes of the others boring into him, making it impossible to stay any longer.

Both on the deck and within the ship, the gazes directed at Xu Qi’an subtly shifted. Where once there had been scrutiny and a sense of watching the drama unfold, there was now respect and awe.