Just as they were speaking, footsteps sounded outside the hall.
Yan Ze, the young man carrying twin blades from earlier, hurried inside again and bowed as he reported,
"Reporting, my lord, Xie Hui, the Jade Parasol Sect's foremost true disciple, has arrived together with Zuo Muxian and Shen Xiuhan, the two chief disciples of the Star-Picking Sect."
"Oh?"
Jiang Chong was startled at first and instinctively turned to look at Mei Shuangning. Seeing her nod, he immediately said,
"Invite them in."
A moment later, the three entered the hall in single file and saluted in unison.
"Greetings, Lord Prefect. Greetings, Lineage Master Mei."
Jiang Chong's gaze swept across the three of them.
Xie Hui was the Jade Parasol Sect's foremost true disciple and the personal disciple of Sect Master Guo Weisheng. He was widely acknowledged as the sect master's successor.
Zuo Muxian and Shen Xiuhan, meanwhile, were both chief disciples of the Star-Picking Sect. In all likelihood, they would inherit the positions of sect master and academy master in the future.
Jiang Chong did not put on the airs of a prefect. He raised a hand in a token gesture of support, smiling courteously.
"Young talents, please rise."
As he spoke, his gaze shifted and fell upon Hua Ying behind the three.
Though the woman's face was deathly pale and her hair disheveled, neither her exquisite figure nor peerless beauty could be concealed. His brows rose slightly.
"And this young lady is?"
Xie Hui hurriedly replied,
"Reporting, my lord, this woman is a hidden agent the Baleful Yin Sect planted within the city. We captured her..."
"What?!"
Before he could finish, Jiang Chong slammed his palm onto the table and sprang to his feet, a fierce gleam flashing through his eyes.
"So she is a demonic witch of the Devil