Beyond the Range

Moonlight streamed through the curtains, barely outlining the large pieces of furniture in a bedroom.

In the dim, shadowy room, a tall figure sat before the vanity, turned sideways to the moonlight, head bowed as she read something:

"The southern outpost in Holy Sect City was attacked by an unknown force. Two intermediate deacons have gone missing, their fates unknown.

"We still haven't determined which force was expressing hostility, but it was most likely a probe by a local force in Yehuai.

"They're suspicious of something. They're trying to confirm something."

After reading to the end, the figure slowly rose and went to the window. She reached out and pulled the curtains aside, letting in more of the brighter moonlight.

At the same time, the White Deer mask on her face came into clear view.

White Bone Sect's senior deacon, White Deer.

Squeezing the message talisman in her hand, White Deer suddenly sighed. Her words were difficult to read:

"The Yehuai authorities? A probe? What are they probing for?"

After saying this, she shook her head.

"So they did find out after all."

At that thought, White Deer clapped her hands.

Soon, a figure emerged from the shadows in the courtyard and dropped to one knee.

"Go to the southern outpost." White Deer traced the markings on the message talisman with her fingers. After a moment's thought, she said evenly, "Ask them again, carefully, about the exact details of what happened there."

The figure said nothing. It stood, took a step back, then slipped into the shadows and vanished.

White Deer withdrew her gaze and gave a slight nod.

The information from the sect was too simple, too cursory. It only gave the result, without any detailed account of what had happened. How was anyone supposed to figure out what