The Nine Sha Hall, the main assembly hall.
The eight princes sat around a long black-iron table in the center of the hall. The atmosphere was oppressive, thick with murderous intent and grief. Di Long sat at the head of the table, his face still dark. His fingertips tapped lightly against the tabletop. Each tap seemed to strike at everyone's heart, leaving the guards and maids present too afraid to even breathe loudly.
"Your Highnesses, we found something!" A black-clad guard hurried into the hall and dropped to one knee. His tone was respectful, yet grave. "I mobilized all the Nine Sha Hall's informants and investigated the Eighth Prince's recent movements. We discovered that he left the Nine Sha Hall half a month ago and headed toward the Crimson Blood Territory. There has been no trace of him since. We believe something happened to him near the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion in the Crimson Blood Territory!"
"The Crimson Blood Territory? The Crimson Blood Cave Mansion?" A cold glint flashed in Di Long's eyes, and his fingers abruptly stopped tapping. "A tiny Crimson Blood Cave Mansion dares to lay a hand on someone from the Nine Sha Hall? They're courting death!" He considered this for a moment, a thoughtful look passing through his eyes. "Right. Before he left, Eighth Brother mentioned that he'd found a lead on the Jade Slip from the Nine Swords Immortal Mansion. It seemed to be somewhere in the Crimson Blood Territory."
As soon as he finished speaking, Third Brother Di Xu sprang to his feet, killing intent surging in his eyes. "Big Brother, I'm going with you! I'll personally raze the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion and tear the killer who murdered Eighth Brother to pieces!"
"Big Brother, I'm going too!" Fourth Brother Di Yang, Fifth Brother