Fang Yuan raised his cup, sipped leisurely, and said in that same calm tone,
"Continue."
Elder He Song's face twisted, his temper snapping like dry twigs.
"Continue? Do you take me for one of your little slave elders? Hah! You've got cow dung for a brain—"
The insult broke off in a strangled gasp. His knees buckled, his body crumpling to the ground.
He knelt there, suddenly short of breath, arms trembling, unable to move as if invisible chains had wrapped around him.
Fang Yuan calmly set his teacup down, his eyes cool and unreadable as he looked down at the struggling elder.
"You do realize the only reason you're alive is because I deemed you useful, don't you?"
He leaned forward slightly, their faces nearly level, though one was seated and the other brought low.
