"Think nothing of it—I'm used to dressing this way. I heard General Li is here as well, and that there's something important he wants to discuss with me?"

  "That's right. General Li is a busy man—he had pnned to leave here a few days ago, but stayed on specifically to meet you. Follow me. General Li and the others are all waiting for us." Captain Guan said, then led Rulu deeper into the mountain area.

  After a short while, the two arrived at a rge, secret stone chamber within the mountains. The chamber was spacious and well-lit, furnished with long tables and chairs. Around ten to twenty people were seated at the tables, with several dozen more standing in the open space within the chamber. Rulu looked them over and found most of the faces familiar—Kallen, A-Bing, other minor Rebel leaders, and General Li were all present.

  "Sorry to have kept everyone waiting. This is Rulu—I trust you all know him by now." Captain Guan addressed those assembled in the chamber, then turned to Rulu and said: "Rulu, everyone was curious about your identity, so I told them your name. I hope you don't mind."

  Rulu said calmly: "I wasn't pnning to let anyone know who I am, but since everyone already knows, I suppose it doesn't matter. I should also make clear to everyone here that I have no intention of revealing my face. If anyone finds that disrespectful, I will leave immediately."

  At those words, the people in the chamber exchanged surprised gnces. The Bald scarred man stood up, a broad grin on his face, and said to Rulu: "No need for that. I've heard you've been lying low in Blue Sea City all this time, hiding from the Sanctuary—it makes sense to be cautious. Come and take a seat. We've been waiting a good while for you."

  But Rulu didn't sit down. He looked toward General Li at the head of the table and said: "And what does General Li think?"

  General Li chuckled and said: "If it were anyone else, I wouldn't permit it. But you're different, young Rulu." As he said this, he gestured with an open hand toward the seat directly across from him.

  "In that case, I won't stand on ceremony." Rulu sat down in the seat directly opposite General Li. The others then took their seats as well. Once everyone was settled, Captain Guan said: "General Li, you said there was something important you wanted to discuss with Rulu, and specifically asked the rest of us to be here too. Now that we're all assembled—what is it you called us here for?"

  General Li smiled and said: "That can wait a moment. First, I'd like to express my gratitude to this young man called Rulu. From what Captain Guan and the others have told me, it was entirely thanks to your help that we were able to rescue our captured comrades and withdraw safely from Blue Sea City. Without your assistance, none of us would have made it back here. On behalf of everyone present, I want to thank you."

  Rulu waved a hand and said: "General Li, there's no need for that. What happened st time was set in motion because of me, so helping you was only right. Besides, I had made a promise to rescue everyone who had been captured—what I did was simply keeping my word."

  General Li smiled approvingly and said: "Young Rulu, despite your age you're remarkably humble and dependable. That's rare. But you helped us, and it is only proper that we express our gratitude—please don't deflect it."

  Rulu said: "Since General Li puts it that way, I'll accept your thanks. However, there is one matter in which I feel I've wronged everyone here, and I must apologize for it."

  "Oh? And what would that be?" General Li said, somewhat puzzled.

  Rulu said: "During the incident in Blue Sea City, I did manage to get Governor Suwen under my control, and I had the opportunity to kill him. But for certain reasons, I let him go. I had promised you all that I would kill Suwen and avenge your fallen comrades—and in that, I broke my word."

  "Is that so." General Li stroked his beard and said thoughtfully: "Then what were your reasons for letting Governor Suwen go?"