One hundred and thirty miles north of the Gan River.
A streak of emerald light flashed across the azure sky like lightning.
Mo Wuzhou was shrouded in mist, like a faint wisp of white cloud, keeping the emerald Messenger Bird's trail locked from afar.
Another quarter-hour later, the Messenger Bird flew into a dense forest. When it emerged again, the tiny bamboo tube tied to its leg had vanished.
Above the clouds, Mo Wuzhou frowned deeply. "Ganhe Lower Courtyard was only just established. Which Daoist sect got wind of it so quickly?"
"Or are they casting a wide net, simply conducting a large-scale intelligence-gathering operation?"
"I'd like to see exactly who they are."
For half a month, he remained hidden among the clouds, circling the forest. Yet no matter how long he waited, no contact person appeared.
"How cautious!" Mo Wuzhou's expression turned grave.
"That guy is way too cautious!" At the bow of a Black Canopy Boat on the Gan River, Tantai Zong gritted his teeth and sighed.
"He followed the Messenger Bird here, but he just hid in the sky and watched."
Lin Su chuckled. "I told you already. The bait was too small. He wouldn't show himself on his own."
Tantai Zong looked troubled. "Do we really have to lure him here? But Young Master, you..."
Lin Su tapped the tabletop with his fingers. "You can't catch a wolf without sacrificing the bait."
"Without someone like me, someone who looks like a core member, showing up, why would he reveal himself?"
"Go arrange it. Have those messages pass through a few more hands and get delivered to me as secretly and credibly as possible."
Tantai Zong solemnly cupped his fists. "Yes!"
That afternoon, in an unnamed grove.
A golden monkey burst in, pulled fifteen tiny