Waiting for the Pill to Form

The orders were swiftly issued. The atmosphere within the Marshal's Manor grew ever more grim and murderous. The emergence of a traitor was more chilling and enraging than an enemy faced head-on.

Mo Qianqiu said coldly, "It seems the Third Prince's faction has extended its reach in the Northern Frontier farther than we thought. Zhou Wu's defection was likely not an individual act alone."

A cold gleam flickered in Lu Chen's eyes. "Their aim may be more than simply sowing chaos. The breach at Fallen Eagle Ravine may be small, but if the Sky Wolf Sect's elite use it to infiltrate and coordinate with insiders, they could wreak immense havoc at a critical moment—perhaps even... work from within and without to open a far larger gate."

He recalled the vague references in Yin Jiu's memory fragments to certain shadowy connections with the "Shadow Council," as well as the traces of those elusive black-robed figures in Wolf Howl Valley.

There might be an even deeper hidden hand behind Zhou Wu's defection.

"Report—!" A third urgent military dispatch arrived. "The armory at Rock Fortress inside the pass has caught fire! The blaze has been contained, but some newly manufactured crossbow bolts and talismans were damaged! It is suspected to be arson. The arsonist swallowed poison and killed himself; his identity is being verified!"

The string of bad news sank everyone's hearts.

Clearly, Wolf Owl's counterattack and the sabotage by enemies within had already begun! And their methods were ruthless, stopping at nothing.

Xu Polu drew a deep breath and forced himself to calm down. The imposing might of an old general seasoned by countless battlefields emerged in full force. "What are you panicking for? It's nothing more than a case of ringworm and scabies! Send orders to every army: strengthen vigilance, purge