Old Acquaintances

"Junior brother, what did Jade Toad Granny say in her letter? What trick is she up to now?"

After all, Ink Bamboo Mountain had been the one to propose peace talks. Though it had taken some effort, Lord Tushan had pleaded so desperately—crying, throwing tantrums, and threatening to hang himself—that Jiang Liuqing had checked the reply for poison and curses. Still, to be safe, she had made the trip herself and delivered Jade Toad Granny's letter straight to Zheng Zetian.

"Senior sister, this Jade Toad Granny..."

Zheng Zetian looked at the letter, then at Liu Qing.

"She used to be a disciple of Ink Bamboo Mountain, too? And was she a human or a demon?"

Jiang Liuqing stiffened. "Th-that was all a long time ago. Does it matter?"

Zheng Zetian shrugged, folded the letter, and tucked it away.

"It doesn't really have anything to do with me, but from what I've heard, Jade Toad Granny is so difficult to deal with that even the sect's disciples—including the abbots and elders—have failed to catch her time and again. Perhaps we've overlooked some unknown secret, and that's why our calculations have gone awry.

"We've made such a grand show of force this time, even setting up the Heavenly Thunder Formation. If that woman throws another wrench into the works and causes a miscalculation, the thunder might miss its mark and give the Lion Demon a chance to win. Everyone's lives would be at stake."

Jiang Liuqing froze, but she knew that when it came to formations and calculations, the slightest error could lead to a vast difference. The lives of so many Southern Faction disciples of Ink Bamboo Mountain were at stake. This was far too important to keep secret. She gritted her teeth and nodded.

"Fine. Come with me, junior brother.