Let's go back to one night a few days earlier...
At this point, the people of the Huashan Sect, led by Yue Buqun, were still on the road. They might not even have reached Hangzhou yet, let alone the port outside Jiangyin where the attack would take place.
At that moment, inside the main hall of the Mount Song Sect, the flames atop the bronze candlesticks flickered in the night breeze. The orange light danced uneasily, illuminating the mottled, ancient walls and lending the solemn hall an eerie air.
Though it was already late, Zuo Lengchan sat cross-legged on a cushion in the middle of the hall, as still as a meditating monk. He wore a dark blue robe, its embroidered Mount Song Sect insignia barely visible in the candlelight, adding to his imposing presence.
After meditating for a while, he began forming hand seals. A faint stream of white vapor rose above his head. It seemed he was working hard to master his Ice True Qi.
Suddenly!
The hall doors burst open with a bang, and Ding Mian's tower-like figure hurried inside.
"Senior Brother, Sect Leader!"
His eyes were wide as bells, his face full of urgency. Clearly bearing important news, he strode straight into the hall and clasped his hands in greeting.
"..."
Zuo Lengchan ignored him and continued circulating his energy.
Only after some time, when he had completed a minor cycle and finished his practice, did he slowly open his eyes. A sharp glint flashed in them as he looked displeasedly at Ding Mian and asked coldly:
"What's so urgent?"
"Have you no sense of decorum?"
His brows furrowed, and his tone carried a hint of displeasure.
His reaction was hardly surprising. Anyone would be annoyed to have their training interrupted.
"Senior Brother!"
Seeing that Zuo