Two puppet men led the way ahead, guiding Xu Chunniang into the courtyard.
"Wait here. Commander Lord will summon you shortly."
With that, the two puppets headed toward the gate.
As they left, they kept looking back at her from time to time, whispering among themselves about something and letting out strange laughter.
Xu Chunniang pretended not to notice, her gaze discreetly surveying the courtyard.
After looking around, she indeed spotted quite a few puppets.
Some were as tall as three zhang, steady in aura and serving as courtyard guards; others were no larger than a palm, nimble and lifelike puppet birds and beasts.
Puppets of every kind filled the courtyard, too numerous to count, numbering no fewer than several dozen.
Their strength varied greatly. The strongest even carried an aura no weaker than the mid Void Refining stage.
Just as she was examining these puppets, the door creaked open from within.
A puppet wolf half the height of a man stared at her for several breaths before opening its mouth and speaking in a human voice.
"Are you Xu Chunniang, who vanished after killing Ji Xin?"
"I am."
As the puppet wolf assessed her, Xu Chunniang assessed it as well.
The wolf's fur seemed to be made from some unknown material. It looked exceedingly soft, yet reflected a cold, gray sheen.
"Follow me."
The puppet wolf turned and stepped into the hall, leaving only half the door unclosed.
Xu Chunniang smiled and followed the puppet wolf into the room, casually closing the door behind her.
"You do not seem afraid."
At the top of the hall's steps sat a small girl.
She tilted her head, her expression innocent and blank. Her two short little legs dangled beneath the lofty steps, while her tone was utterly certain.
"Why should I