Xu Ming's Crisis

As a purple-robed steward of the Peace Bank,

He Runhua knew better than anyone that, although he was almost certainly the victim of a setup, he would not uncover anything anytime soon. Losing his temper here would accomplish nothing.

If the powerful figures above him learned of this, he would lose more than his position as a purple-robed steward. His very life would be taken to fill the bank's losses.

The pressing question was how to deceive the heavens and cross the sea—how to keep himself alive.

He Runhua closed his eyes and drew a deep breath.

"Get out."

As though granted a royal pardon, the gray-robed attendant scrambled out of the room.

Silence returned to the room.

Several breaths later,

He Runhua reached into his robes. After fumbling for a moment, he carefully withdrew a blood-red jade pendant.

"Fairy..."

Before long,

The jade pendant trembled slightly, and an indifferent voice emerged.

"What? Have you prepared the three spirit embryos already?"

Hearing that voice, He Runhua's heart tightened. He forcibly suppressed his panic and spoke respectfully. "At some expense, I mobilized the covert network the bank has established over many years. At last, I have fulfilled Her Grace's trust and found excellent candidates for the three spirit embryos."

"Oh?"

The voice from the pendant seemed to acquire a little interest. "Tell me more."

"They are all rogue cultivators with no roots or backing, and their talent is astonishing. Only..."

He Runhua changed tack, feigning difficulty.

"They are extremely cautious and quite powerful... If we forcibly capture them alive, I fear it will cause too great a disturbance and attract unnecessary trouble..."

The other end of the jade pendant fell silent for a moment.

Several breaths later, a cold snort rang out, anger tipping into laughter. "What do you mean? You