Thunderclouds still churned overhead, gathering strength. The earlier thunderbolts had been no more than appetizers, but now a little sunlight shone through the sparse clouds to the west.
The last glow of sunset seemed to bring a brief hush to the area near the center of Hele Mountain. Even the mist thinned in places.
The government troops, however, could no longer keep their composure. Several officers had stopped listening even to White Feather Daoist.
The prefectural soldiers were hardly elite troops, but most were loyal to their superiors. With their commandant missing, the White Feather Way disciples could not keep them in check.
"We must find the commandant!" "Exactly! The commandant has been missing for some time now. Master, please cast a spell at once and help us find him and our brothers!"
"Master, the fog has cleared now, and those strange cries have quieted down. Surely we can go now?"
Liao Wenzhi of the White Feather Way felt his head swelling with frustration. Without that officer present, he could not keep these unruly soldiers under control at a time like this, despite his standing as a White Feather Way ritual master.
"There are many demons in these mountains, and it will soon be dark. We should not stray far from camp. Wait until daybreak tomorrow, then-"
"Daybreak may be too late!" "There's sunlight now. This is the best possible time!"
This was already the third time the officers had taken the lead in proposing a search. The mountains seemed much calmer now, yet the ritual master remained unmoved, and the officers and some of the soldiers flew into a rage.
"This ritual master doesn't want to save the commandant or our brothers at all!"
"That's what I think too. We'll go ourselves!" "Come on! We'll go ourselves!"
"Bring torches!