"Don't just stare, everyone, dig into the meat!"
I called out to the warriors beside me as if I were in my own home, urging them to eat.
They glanced at each other. Hu Tou, sitting at the head of the table, merely scowled without speaking, and gradually, everyone relaxed.
The scene returned to its former lively atmosphere, with only Hu Tou looking displeased.
As I ate the roasted meat in my hand, I kept glancing sideways at Hu Tou.
You think you can poison my ears? You're not good enough!
After we had eaten for a while, and I had started playing rock-paper-scissors with the warrior next to me, Hu Tou, who had been silent, could no longer stand it. He cleared his throat.
"Great Commander, you suddenly barged into my tent. Is there something you need?"
Finally lost your patience?
The show is about to begin!
I slowly swallowed the last piece of meat in my mouth, took out a piece of paper from my pocket to wipe my mouth, and then replied.
"What, can't I check in on my Deputy Commander's well-being?"
Upon hearing my words, Hu Tou's eyes flickered to the door panel lying on the ground, and his face grew even uglier.
"However, I do have something to discuss. I wonder how Gu Li is doing? Can he get out of bed?"
I didn't rush to question Hu Tou about Hu Jia Luo, but instead brought up Gu Li, whom I had severely injured earlier.
"Oh, Gu Li has been saved by the tribe's shaman. He's alive, but I'm afraid he'll be bedridden for the rest of his life."
Hearing this answer, I burst into laughter and looked at Hu Tou meaningfully.
"Hu Tou, do you think Gu Li ended up like this because he brought it upon himself?"
At my words, Hu Tou's expression instantly changed.
He abruptly stood up and ordered everyone to leave. Seeing Hu Tou's intense reaction, the other temple guards wisely departed.
In a short while, the tent, which had been boisterous, became much quieter, with only Hu Tou and I remaining.
"What does the Great Commander mean by this?"
What do I mean?
I snorted coldly and said in a low voice.
"In my opinion, Gu Li's current predicament is entirely his own doing! Hu Tou, what do you think?!"
"This..."
Hu Tou was momentarily stunned by the imposing aura that suddenly erupted from me. After a long pause, he slowly uttered a few words.
"I think Gu Li... he brought it upon himself."
"Good!"
That's exactly what I wanted to hear!
I slammed the table, and my imposing aura intensified by another three points.
"Since you think so, then let me ask you, why has Hu Jia Luo been completely sidelined by you all?!"
"This is just a normal task assignment..."
"I'm asking you, why has Hu Jia Luo been completely sidelined by you, damn it!"
Perhaps provoked by my relentless questioning, Hu Tou stopped pretending. He sneered and leaned back in his seat.
"He's only fit to guard the gate!"
"Hahahahahaha!"
My laughter echoed through the tent, almost bringing tears to my eyes.
"Hu Tou, Hu Tou, you've finally spoken your true mind!"
As I laughed, I slowly rose from my seat and walked step by step towards Hu Tou. I placed my hands on the table and stared coldly into his eyes.
"Do you really think that just because I dealt with Gu Li, I won't deal with a second person?"
Before Hu Tou could react, I pointed directly at his nose with my finger, almost poking him.
"You think too highly of yourself!"
Even Hu Tou, no matter how deep his schemes, couldn't maintain his composure when I pointed and swore at him like this.
His face turned red, and his hands trembled. He suddenly drew a hunting knife from his waist.
"Ba Du, do you think I'm easily scared?!"
Ridiculous!
"You want to draw a knife? I, Ba Du, am right here. If you're a man with any backbone, then cut me!"
My gaze never left Hu Tou's eyes. Eyes are the best window into a person's soul, and now, I saw not only anger but also fear in Hu Tou's eyes.
"I'll count to three. Don't say I didn't give you a chance! One!"
Hu Tou's hand trembled uncontrollably, showing his internal struggle.
"Two!"
I grinned at Hu Tou, my white teeth flashing with a bloodthirsty gleam.
"Three!"
As my countdown ended, Hu Tou's bones seemed to be drained of strength. He suddenly slumped to the ground.
I looked down at Hu Tou's eyes with utter contempt.
"You had a chance, but you were useless! Good!"
I crouched down, swiftly snatched the hunting knife from Hu Tou's waist, and pointed it at him.
"Now, I'll count to three again. Either you kneel down and apologize to me, or I'll cut you down! One!"