Inside the council hall.
"People from the Vast Sea Sect are here?"
"Doesn't that mean the Fish-Dragon Assembly is about to begin?"
"Yes, it's time for the annual Fish-Dragon Assembly again!"
"With the Fish-Dragon Assembly approaching, what is Deacon Qiu doing at the River Bureau? Is he planning to select promising talents from among us?"
"Give it a rest. Would the Vast Sea Sect lack outstanding talents?"
Aside from a scant few, the other Commanders clearly recognized Qiu Yang and began discussing him.
"The Vast Sea Sect?"
Hong Ming kept his ears open in every direction, gathering information to fill the gaps in his knowledge.
He soon learned Qiu Yang's identity. Judging from the Commanders' remarks, Qiu Yang was the deacon the Vast Sea Sect had sent to Clear River City to recruit disciples this time.
The Vast Sea Sect came from Prefecture City and seemed to wield considerable power.
"Gentlemen, silence!"
As Hong Ming listened, Qi Ruhai spoke, suppressing every other voice in the hall.
He briefly introduced Qiu Yang. "This is Deacon Qiu Yang of the Vast Sea Sect. He has come here on account of Vice Thousand-Commander Huang."
"Vice Thousand-Commander Huang?"
Until Qi Ruhai mentioned Huang Yucheng, the Commanders had not noticed his absence.
Besides, Qi Ruhai never personally handled receptions like this. Such matters had always fallen to the Vice Thousand-Commanders.
With Jiang Yingfeng on sick leave this time, Huang Yucheng should have been the one receiving their guest.
Yet instead of Huang Yucheng, it was Qi Ruhai—the man those powers from Prefecture City could not avoid quickly enough.
This change naturally drew the attention of quite a few sharp observers.
One Commander could not resist asking, "Lord Thousand-Commander, has Vice Thousand-Commander Huang also taken sick leave?"
Qi Ruhai did not answer. He looked at Qiu