Kai's footsteps echoed in the silent corridor, a stark contrast to the turmoil that churned within him. The revelation from Jiang Chen had left a bitter taste in his mouth, one that not even the finest wines of Lotus Pavilion could wash away. They were mere pawns in a grander scheme, bait for a high-level demon, and Kai's pride smarted at the thought. He clenched his fists, the frustration simmering beneath his calm exterior. Yet, he swallowed the protest that threatened to spill from his lips; his current strength—or lack thereof—muffled his voice of dissent.
Jiang Chen's words, "Come back tomorrow; we will need to kill the remaining demons," hung in the air like a decree, leaving no room for argument. Kai merely nodded, his resolve hardening. Tomorrow's group expedition would be a chance to prove his worth, to shake off the shackles of perceived weakness.