With the year's end approaching, most people had gone home, leaving the once-lively Crouching Tiger Manor rather deserted.
The group soon arrived at the Main Court.
The guard at the entrance recognized Commander Li and seemed to know why he had come. He hurriedly cupped his fists in greeting, then said with an awkward expression, "Commander Li, the Village Master has gone out."
"Gone out?" Commander Li paused, his brow furrowing.
"The Village Master was still here at noon. Why has he gone out now...?"
He had received the pigeon-carried message at noon and immediately reported it to the Village Master.
At the time, the Village Master had even said he would personally reward Mo Yun and the others. Yet now that they had reached his door, he was nowhere to be found.
Commander Li patted his forehead and looked helplessly at the three of them. "Why don't we come back another time?"
Just then, another guard hurried out of the courtyard and cupped his fists. "Commander Li, the young lady said she would handle this matter. Please come with me."
Following the guard through several covered corridors, the group arrived at the Reception Hall.
Charcoal burned in the Reception Hall, filling it with a cozy warmth.
Lin Qingxue sat upright in the seat of honor, a steaming cup of tea beside her hand.
Today, she again wore a moon-white dress. Her raven hair cascaded like a waterfall behind her shoulders, adorned with only a simple, elegant jade hairpin. Lamplight fell across her fair face, her brows and eyes as exquisite as a painting, her nose delicately sculpted and her lips like cherries. Her beauty defied description, as though an immortal maiden had stepped out of a painting.
Even Huang Shan, a woman herself, could not help stealing a few