Outside Jiankang City, a convoy rolled onward, guards thick as clouds and servants pouring along like rain. Its grand procession drew stares from everyone on the road.
Many people watched from the city wall as well. Among them stood two men in black, tucked into a corner. Soldiers patrolled nearby, yet acted as though the pair did not exist.
One of the men had delicate, almost feminine features. "He left in a hurry, but this chess piece is useful. Once he reaches Huainan, we can set up the sacrificial array. That land once belonged to the Qi Kingdom. Though the Chen Kingdom occupies it now, it has never truly absorbed it. Instead, it has become a no-man's-land outside the Three Kingdoms—perfect for evading the Underworld Office. When the time comes, we can refine Chen Fangtai into a puppet completely. We might even follow the vine to the melon and bring that Anomaly under our control!"
"Chen Fangtai is nowhere near the man his brother is!" The other man was powerfully built, and he gave a cold laugh. "That Anomaly cost us people, but we have to admit he's formidable. Even the Venerable has issued orders several times because of him! Chen Fangtai, though? An embroidered pillow stuffed with straw, a wineskin and rice sack. He thinks he has great ambitions, but he's even fooled himself. In the end, he's only draping a tiger skin of legitimacy over his absurd behavior!"
The delicate-featured man made a motion as though pulling strings and smiled. "That's exactly why he's so easy to use. Senior Brother Jing has grasped Chen Fangtai's thoughts and spun a web around his desires. All that remains is to refine him into a string puppet once his state of mind is stirred further... Hm? Pfft!"
Both men suddenly shuddered.