[Chen Gong wobbles on his feet a bit too much before standing upright again, but it could be less of the pain and more of the surprise at what Zhang Liao does next. Oh... yes, of course he falls to his knees. This person isn't as essential as Chen Gong himself is. He should know his place. And Chen Gong has the urge to flip the switch back to his normal demeanor, before nonchalantly dismissing him 'out of mercy'.

But Chen Gong hasn't been using his normal demeanor for days. Maybe even weeks.

(He knows what it's like, to be lost in your own ideals and philosophy. Every rumor has a smidgen of truth.)]

Well, by your definition, I've wronged you as well. So I suppose I can consider us both even. [...He's being civil also because he doesn't want to get punched again. That's definitely a contributing factor. But no human is a completely hopeless slimeball, Zhang Liao- he does have some empathy! He just doesn't pay attention to it much. Chen Gong would only spill about his real feelings when death is truly staring down at his face, though- so he'll not tell anyone about his own annoyances. At least, not now.

And thus, he never will.]

Do you believe we can unite the lands now?

[Do you, Zhang Liao?]