บท 96: Ambition's Bitter Taste

In a city far from Kyoto, Zhang Kai strode into his superior's office, his steps exuding an arrogant swagger born of recent successes. A wide smirk played across his features, a testament to the newfound respect he had garnered from the rookies ever since the death of his former rival, Bai Yunshu. This was what he had wanted, and more.

As he entered the office, an elderly man wearing spectacles raised his head slightly, his gaze appraising Zhang Kai with a scrutinizing stare. "Sit down," he commanded, his voice laced with a steely undercurrent of authority. "Let me finish here first."

Zhang Kai obliged, settling into the chair as the older man methodically signed a stack of paperwork. When he was done, he opened a cabinet and tossed a thick file towards Zhang Kai, who caught it deftly.