Crack!
Looking at the scroll in his hand, Li Yan's expression darkened. He gripped the armrest and crushed it.
"It's all my fault..."
Sha LiFei was filled with guilt. He murmured, "If I hadn't been greedy for credit and rushed ahead, there wouldn't have been a gap in our defenses."
Fatty Lin also lowered his head. "It was because of my family's affairs that everyone got dragged into this..."
"Enough!"
Li Yan raised his eyes and cut them off. He rose and said heavily, "There's no use talking about this now. Besides, this isn't your fault. Those demon practitioners had a clear objective from the very beginning."
"That's right." Kong Shangzhao nodded gravely. "I was closer at the time, but after that old demon captured Daoist Wang, he would rather take the long way around than seize someone nearby. He insisted on abducting Brother Lu. They must have planned this long ago and known that those who followed him first had the deepest bond with Brother Li."
As he spoke, he looked at Sha LiFei. "As for why they didn't capture Brother Sha, it was probably because they thought Daoist Wang and Brother Lu were more important—one presided over the ritual altar, while the other was responsible for reconnaissance."
Li Yan nodded. "Your analysis is correct. I've already sent word to the Golden Swallow Gate. Murong Yan will arrive soon. When she does, we'll ask where the 'Hongxiao Workshop' really is."
The Ghost Opera Troupe had left word about making a deal at the "Hongxiao Workshop," but after asking around, they learned that no such place existed on the Qinhuai River in Jinling. They could only seek answers from the Golden Swallow Gate.
"Young Hero Li, wait!"
At that moment, Qiu Mingyuan, who had remained silent nearby, grew anxious.
Because