Liulan Dynasty.
Imperial Palace.
Imperial Study.
Zhong Kui Youzhi sat behind his desk, holding a vermilion brush as he reviewed memorial after memorial. Suddenly, a flurry of light footsteps sounded outside the door, accompanied by the tinkling of jade pendants.
Before long, the Empress hurried in, dressed in a phoenix crown and Zhai Attire. She spoke quickly: "Your Majesty, Jingyi just sent word through a bloodline secret art. She's found Yue Ji's whereabouts..."
At this, Zhong Kui Youzhi immediately set aside his state affairs and looked up at the Empress. "Where?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized something was amiss and quickly asked, "The message came from Jingyi?"
The Empress nodded slightly, but had no time to explain. She hurried on, "At Qingyao Mountain!"
"Jingyi found out somehow and went to Baicao Town without permission."
"She's found Yue Ji in Baicao Town, along with Ning Wuye of the Cold Abyss Sword Sect and Fu Xuanxu of Jiuyi Mountain."
"Qiao Ciguang of Suzhen Heaven is there with Jingyi as well."
"The Demon Race Your Majesty sent there earlier suffered heavy losses. Only five survived."
"But now, the Demon Emperor has personally taken action and sealed off all of Qingyao Mountain. Everyone is trapped there."
Hearing this, Zhong Kui Youzhi first froze, then immediately realized something. His expression changed.
He said quickly, "Since the Demon Emperor has taken action, I'll go see the Grand Emperor at once and report this."
"Also, issue an order to summon every Cicada Tower scout who returned from Baicao Town last time. Examine their bodies, souls, and fates!"
"And investigate everywhere they've been these past few days!"
The Empress nodded. "I'll see to it."
Then she turned and left.
Zhong Kui Youzhi rose as well. With a single step, he vanished from the