However, Mark shook his head, dispelling their thoughts. "I don't care for righteous men. Or heroes who chant about justice and fairness and all that bullshit. That idealism doesn't sit with me.
He turned his head slightly, just enough to catch Lan Xia's face with the corner of his eye. "I only care about three things."
He could see that those three seemed a bit tense, observing him. He didn't exactly keep his voice low and casually spoke.
"One," he said, holding up a single finger. "Can you grow strong enough to be useful?"
"Two." Another finger. "Will you stay loyal to me, not to the sect, not to the flags, not to the elders, me?"
"Three." His voice turned razor-edged. "Never cross my bottom line."
Lan Xia tilted her head slightly, her voice soft but precise. "And how are they supposed to know what your bottom line is?"
Mark shrugged. "Simple. Travel with me. And pay attention to what I do. In what situation, I spare people, and in what situation, I don't care."
