Linjiang Prefecture.
At the border between Wushan County and Bamboo-Take County.
The terrain rose and fell here, with a green mountain stretching between the two counties. It was not particularly high, but the thriving Precious Light Temple nestled on its slopes drew streams of visitors and crowds of worshippers.
The urgent thunder of hooves approached from afar. A party of nearly twenty riders galloped toward the mountain, trailing billows of dust.
Every rider had a fierce, capable air. Dressed for swift movement and armed with blades, they were clearly martial artists of the rivers and lakes.
Their leader wore a plain blue robe. His face was lean, his eyes held a restrained, penetrating gleam, and he was none other than Qinglingzi.
In moments, the party reached the foot of the mountain.
Qinglingzi looked up and saw a temple half concealed among the trees halfway up the slope, its incense smoke curling together into a hazy veil.
"Up the mountain!"
"Arrest them!"
Qinglingzi was the first to leap from his horse and issue his orders.
After publicly executing the remnants of the Guo and Hua families in Qingxu and Yangquan County, he had swiftly returned to the Prefectural City and received a new assignment.
Or rather, his original assignment.
Apprehend those so-called Immortal Maidens of the Jade Wutong Immortal Realm.
At first, Hong Yuan had killed only Wei Zhenzhu and left the others alone. He had had no choice; his forces were insufficient.
But now that he had brought the Sea-Calming Alliance into the fold, the good days of these fish that had slipped through the net were over.
A single word from him had sent his subordinates into a flurry of action. After searching and confiscating Wei Zhenzhu's and Zhou Wenjie's residences, they had unearthed a list of names.
The