Cao Ming, administrative officer of the Patrol Bureau, sighed and entered the bureau chief's courtyard. He followed the cobblestone path up the steps and looked into the chief's office.
A long rectangular pine table stood in the middle of the office, with chairs lining both sides.
At the far end of the office, stacks of documents rose on either side. Behind the large square desk between them, Patrol Bureau Chief Li Qingxian was reviewing paperwork.
Li Qingxian raised his head and looked at Cao Ming.
"Reporting to you, Daren: Heaven's Mandate Sect has yet to reply."
"That's easily handled. Order every team in the Patrol Office to post notices at all major intersections in the capital. Say that suspected disciples of Heaven's Mandate Sect have used the Grim-Faced Spider to force people in the Divine Capital into the Eerie, and urge the citizens to exercise caution. Since the Patrol Bureau has no jurisdiction, we can only issue a warning," Li Qingxian said.
Cao Ming's brows knitted tightly. "Wouldn't doing that anger Heaven's Mandate Sect?"
"What, is Heaven's Mandate Sect going to attack a fifth-rank official appointed by the court?" Li Qingxian asked with a smile.
"I meant, might it have repercussions for you?" Cao Ming said.
"Do you think it would be better for me to say nothing in the face of something like this, or to issue a notice about it?" Li Qingxian asked.
Cao Ming paused, considered briefly, then nodded. "You see far ahead, Daren. I was being far too hidebound."
"Go."
"Yes."
Watching Cao Ming leave, Li Qingxian opened a document and read a few columns. Suddenly, his heart gave a violent thump.
Something's wrong...
Li Qingxian was startled. He was a fifth-rank Fate Arts Master with treasures all over his person. A sudden palpitation like this