Zhao Xuan raised his brush and pressed it toward the Northern Border's Beacon Tower, speaking at the same time.
"Then let the disciples of the Jade Emptiness Gate."
"Take this Disorder Verification Order."
"And read it to the end themselves."
Zhao Xuan's voice fell silent.
The White-Robed Daoist atop the Northern Border's Beacon Tower abruptly raised his head.
The Disorder-Review Jade Talisman in his hand had already developed a hairline crack.
Blue-white flames wormed out of the crack, as though trying to burn those three lines of small characters back into the talisman.
But the fiery glow of the Clear Gate Register pressed down upon them.
They could not be burned back in.
They could not be hidden.
Before Golden Turtle Island, all the immortals watched him.
This time, they were not looking at a Remnant List, an old register, or a gray thread whose origin they could not discern.
They were looking at a disciple of the Jade Emptiness Gate who truly stood upon a Beacon Tower in the mortal world.
The White-Robed Daoist finally spoke.
"This humble Daoist merely followed the talisman's orders to verify disorder."
"There are doubts on the Northern Border. Chaoge ought to investigate."
"If Grand Tutor Wen has a clear conscience, why should he fear a single report?"
He delivered those words steadily.
Yet the Beacon Fuel at his feet bore no fire warning of an enemy.
The jade talisman in his palm, however, was kindling fire for that Beacon Fuel.
Zhao Xuan did not argue with him.
The Vermilion Brush pressed down.
[The enemy has not arrived. Whence came the doubts?]
The Clear Gate Register illuminated the mountain road beyond the Northern Border's pass.
The night was deep.
There was no cavalry.
There were no rebel banners.
There were no border