Return to Void, North Mountain Gate
Zhou Qian stood on the stone steps, holding a list in his hand.
When he saw Li Xuan approach, he lowered his head and drew a line across the list.
"Tie Han has reported in. Gurqin's death is confirmed. The mission is complete." He glanced up at Li Xuan. "Guest Adviser of the Shadow Division, with elder-level authority over resource allocation. The token will be delivered to your courtyard the day after tomorrow."
Li Xuan knew this was both a reward and surveillance.
Zhou Qian did not care either way. He put away the list and turned toward the Shadow Division.
After taking a few steps, he paused. "What was that Gang Qi of yours called?"
"Crimson Blood True Gang Qi."
Zhou Qian nodded, and the sound of his footsteps quickly vanished into the morning mist.
Shi Yong muttered from behind him, "Guest Adviser? Isn't that even higher than an Inner Disciple?"
"Just a title," Li Xuan said.
"Let's go."
His back was soon swallowed by the morning fog.
An hour later, Li Xuan stood alone at the entrance to an abandoned mine.
The cave entrance had been cleared by the Shadow Division. Rubble had been piled to either side, revealing a gap barely wide enough to squeeze through.
He turned sideways and forced his way in, lighting a fire striker. The runes on the cave walls had already dimmed, like dried bloodstains.
There were fresh footprints on the ground. People from the Shadow Division had come through, but they had not gone deep inside.
He followed the passage downward.
Qin Lie's right arm floated at the center of a stone platform. The severed end had long since dried out, its skin a dark brown. The fingers were slightly curled, as though they still