Clear River Commandery, Jade Balance Sect

Dawn had just broken.

Ye An packed his things, tucked the jade Invitation Letter securely against his chest, and headed for the mountain gate.

A Qi Condensation Elder would accompany him on this trip.

The elder looked about fifty. He wore a gray-brown robe, with a string of wooden beads hanging from his wrist.

Elder Huang greeted Ye An with a familiar smile the moment he saw him approach.

"Chief Disciple Ye, my surname is Zhou, and I came from Black Tortoise Hall. The Sect Master instructed me to accompany you and show you the way to Clear River Commandery."

Ye An replied, "Sorry for the trouble, Elder Zhou."

Elder Zhou waved a hand with a chuckle. "No trouble at all."

Elder Zhou handled external affairs. He had traveled the road between Clear River Commandery and Cangwu Prefecture for nearly twenty years; he could walk it with his eyes closed.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two descended the mountain.

Along the way, Elder Zhou casually described the local customs and scenery.

"Clear River Commandery is flat, with better soil and water. It has far more medicinal herbs and spirit grasses than Cangwu. Even people from the provincial capital come here specifically to buy supplies."

Ye An listened, nodding now and then.

After they had traveled for about half an hour, Ye An voiced the question on his mind.

"Elder Zhou, what is Jade Balance Sect's relationship with our Four Symbols Sect like?"

Elder Zhou stroked his beard and thought for a moment before answering. "Not bad, but not especially good either."

"We aren't particularly close, but we've never had any conflicts. There are no major interests tying the two sects together."

Ye An gave a quiet acknowledgment but said nothing more.

Seeing that Ye An was still thinking it