Provocation

"If I remember correctly, besides my nephew Lu, a wandering cultivator surnamed Shen was involved in that last mission. That would be you, young friend Shen Luo, wouldn't it?" The sword-bearing man beside them suddenly spoke with a smile.

He was tall and imposing, yet his manner of speaking felt remarkably kind.

"Senior Gong has an excellent memory. I did take part in that affair with Fellow Daoist Lu..." Shen Luo hesitated, then nodded.

Lu Huaming had just sent him a private voice transmission, briefly introducing the others. He had focused on the two beside Huangmu Adept: the sword-bearing man was Gong Dian, and the young woman in palace dress was Yin Yixian. Both were retainers of the Great Tang Government Office.

"Do you have any idea how the Jing River Dragon King's ghost escaped?" Gong Dian asked.

"I'm in a fog myself. I truly can't make sense of it." Shen Luo shook his head with a wry smile.

Gong Dian watched Shen Luo. Deep in his eyes, a strange gleam rippled like water.

Yin Yixian and Huangmu Adept turned to look. Gong Dian gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head.

"Enough. There's no point pursuing how the Jing River Dragon King escaped the Underworld now. The urgent question is how to deal with him," Huangmu Adept said, waving a hand.

"You're right, Adept," Gong Dian said with a nod.

"Seniors, I know it isn't my place to speak, but there's something troubling me. I'm not sure whether I should say it." A voice suddenly rang out. The young man surnamed Wu had stepped out from beside Qinghua Fairy and spoke respectfully.

Seeing him step forward, Shen Luo felt a flicker of foreboding.

"You're my nephew Wu Ming of Mount Putuo, aren't you? Speak freely," Gong Dian said with