Exposed

Two days later.

In a residence near the Baiyang Academy, Jin Xuanzi sat on a stone chair beneath a pavilion. He raised his head, looked at Yang Lan and Zhao Cheng across from him, and said with a smile:

"You've done well. In such a short time, you've managed to contact quite a few people."

Ever since he'd handed out their task, the "survivors" had split up and scattered through the streets and alleys of Yehuai City. Their familiarity with the various families' symbols had helped them get in touch with several similar groups.

Zhao Cheng took no credit, instead saying ingratiatingly:

"It's because you're here, Guest Elder Jin, that we have the confidence to get things done. Otherwise, we'd only be hiding cautiously, with no guts to act like this."

He said it with heartfelt enthusiasm. Since Jin Xuanzi had arrived, the anxious, unsettled atmosphere within the group had indeed vanished.

This Guest Elder of the Jingyang Family had given everyone hope.

Hearing this, Jin Xuanzi didn't respond. He only gave the faintest nod.

Then he said to Zhao Cheng:

"We can stop this now."

They'd found another dozen or so members of the Jingyang Family—enough to report back to their employer. Besides, if they kept making contact, they might expose their own whereabouts.

Zhao Cheng froze, then quickly replied:

"Sure."

After a moment, he ventured to ask:

"Senior Jin Xuanzi, are we heading back to Nanyan City?"

Yang Lan raised her head as well, gazing at Jin Xuanzi with eager anticipation.

Yehuai was no family stronghold. Staying here didn't mean they'd truly escaped danger. Even with a powerful expert like Jin Xuanzi protecting them, everyone still felt uneasy.

"Mm." Jin Xuanzi made no attempt to hide it. He nodded and said with a chuckle:

"My abilities are limited.