[Fate destiny: Golden seal edict, Jade Register Bearing Heaven]

The atmosphere at Peaceful Fishing Village's grain-drying ground was heavy with murderous tension.

Pang Song's face was three shades darker than the bottom of a soot-blackened pot.

After learning of the utterly depraved crime of "child sacrifice," the fury in his heart had completely overwhelmed his reason.

As a human, this was a line that could not be crossed.

"Men! Take those temple keepers who led this into custody and keep them under strict guard! Once this matter is settled, we'll determine their sentences!"

Having dealt with those traitors to humanity, Pang Song refused to waste another moment. He turned to a trusted subordinate beside him. "Have you gotten the location of that wild god's River Mansion out of them?"

"Reporting to the captain, we've pried it out of them!"

The subordinate pointed toward a bend in the distant river. "According to that old temple keeper, it's beneath the stretch of water called Ghost-Sorrow Bay. The water there is deep and swift, with frequent whirlpools. There's a natural cavern underneath, and that's the Three-Bath Lady's Divine Mansion."

"Good!"

A vicious glint flashed through Pang Song's eyes as he drew his saber. "Everyone, heed my orders! Prepare your Water-Avoidance Talismans and follow me into the river to slay the demon!"

"Captain Pang, wait."

Chu Bai, who had been watching coldly from the sidelines, suddenly spoke up to stop him. "The Three-Bath River is under the Water Office's jurisdiction, after all, and underwater combat isn't our Demon-Suppression Office's specialty. That wild god has held this place for years, so it must have some tricks up its sleeve. We should inform the Water Office first and ask them to—"

"There's no time!"

Pang Song waved a hand, cutting Chu Bai off, his voice urgent. "Patrol Officer Chu, you heard it too! That wild