Ride the Wind with a Sword

As soon as he entered, the waiter sidled up as though he had long known Xu Qing.

Xu Qing smiled faintly and tossed him a source stone. "Well done. You've worked hard."

The waiter grinned and silently pocketed the source stone. "You're too kind."

With that, he led Xu Qing upstairs to a private room.

Inside the private room, a cultivator clad in black robes and wearing a conical hat sat quietly.

With his back to the door, he seemed to have melded into the surrounding air.

The moment Xu Qing stepped into the room, the cultivator slightly turned his head.

Half his face was revealed beneath the shadows, his eyes flashing with sharp light.

Rather than walking directly toward him, Xu Qing went to the window. Looking down at the bustling street outside, he asked softly, "Are you the person Qing You Pavilion arranged?"

The cultivator nodded, his voice hoarse and low. "That is correct. I am Qing Ying, one of Qing You Pavilion's hidden agents.

Young Master Xu, I already know of your plan, but this journey is exceedingly dangerous. Are you truly prepared?"

Xu Qing turned around, his gaze resolute. "I have long been prepared. A gentleman's word is as good as gold. Since I promised Qing Youzi, I will fulfill that promise.

Brother Qing Ying, do you have any information from within Bao Dan Sect?"

Qing Ying nodded and took a parchment scroll from his robes, handing it to Xu Qing. "This contains maps of Bao Dan Sect's interior and exterior, as well as a layout of the Sect Protecting Grand Array. Here, and here—these two locations are reserved entrances to the Mountain Protecting Grand Formation.

But please remember, Young Master Xu, this map is extremely valuable. Do not let it fall into anyone else's hands."