(Third Update)

The wind on Wild Fox Ridge carried a dry, biting chill, rattling the two white paper lanterns outside the Mortuary.

The group waited outside.

Qin Geng stood at the windward end with his hands behind his back, his gaze calm.

He knew perfectly well that these extraordinary people, each with a skill of their own, were only the first wave drawn by the scent.

With Tianjin such a fat prize and the Dragon-Guard Office such a glittering name, more River-Crossing Dragons would come, and their methods would only grow more ruthless.

As the local snake, he figured those outsiders were bound to take a dislike to him.

A moment later, the Mortuary's heavy wooden door creaked open a crack. A powerful medicinal smell, mingled with rot, rushed out.

Third Master Cao's hoarse voice came from inside. "Come in, everyone. This is delicate work. We'll need all hands."

At the sound, the Great Xin Soldiers on the perimeter lowered their guns with a clatter and parted to make a path.

Qin Geng stepped across the threshold first.

Behind him, Partridge Sky the Corpse Driver, Old Lady Liu the spirit medium, Old Hai the treasure hunter, Old Tan the Golden Dung Peddler, and the boy called Tiger Cub filed in.

Everyone else remained outside. They had no standing to enter.

The light dimmed sharply as soon as they entered the Mortuary.

The main hall was spacious. It had once held coffins awaiting claim, but those had been moved into the corners, leaving a broad open space in the middle.

The scent of burned yellow paper drifted through the air.

Seven or eight tall figures stood in the center of the hall.

By the dim yellow light of several oil lamps, they could see Yellow Talismans plastered all over the figures' bodies—their foreheads,