Scouting Squad

Ganzhou, Huangtu Town.

The last time Li had come here, it had been because of a letter begging for help. Nearly half a year had passed, yet the place showed little change. The Ten-State War had scarcely affected this remote town at all; even fleeing soldiers and defeated generals had no desire to visit it.

The town lay on the only route through southern Ganzhou to Baiyao Mountain. If a large force entered the deep mountains, nine times out of ten, it would choose Huangtu Town as its final stopping point. Yet Li found no trace of tens of thousands of people having passed through. The townsfolk lived repetitive, monotonous lives, as though cut off from the world.

She rented a room at an inn.

"I've searched everywhere outside. No one is tailing us." Shanhui leaped in through the window and transformed back into human form.

Li removed her headscarf, revealing the pointed ears atop her head. "Good. Everyone can rest for now. Our contact should arrive tonight. Unless necessary, no one should leave the room."

Besides her old subordinates, Tengu and Gungun, Li was accompanied by the Owl Demon Wu Lie and the Rabbit Demon Jiulin. As a scouting team, they could fly and run, crossing mountains and rivers with ease. Their drawback... was equally obvious. They all had to conceal their distinctive appearances to avoid attracting unnecessary trouble.

Among them, Jiulin was the most unusual.

She seemed somewhat different from the other Rabbit Demon sisters, born with a little more courage. This had been evident back at Yuetai Villa, when she had been the first to step forward and declare her willingness to leave with Li and the others. Though she could not run as fast as Tengu or Li, and was only slightly stronger than an ordinary