Li Chen soon learned of Yu Youxian's intentions through a message from the Wu Household.
He had no objections.
He had settled his recent affairs anyway and had nothing else to keep him busy, so he might as well meet her.
The Golden Sun Gate wanted to assess him, but did he not also want to assess the Golden Sun Gate?
Though he had never traveled to the Vast Sea, a glimpse of the leopard through a bamboo tube could still reveal something: the character and abilities of its disciples should offer him a glimpse of the sect's atmosphere.
The next morning, Li Chen arrived as agreed. The Wu Household had already prepared a courtyard for their meeting.
"Master Artisan Yang, Envoy Yu is already waiting inside. Our Third Clan Elder told you the general details yesterday, didn't he? The household head instructed me to let you know that, if you haven't been informed, you can read them here." The maid leading the way discreetly handed Li Chen a sheet of paper.
Li Chen glanced at it, then handed it back. "How thoughtful. Put it away; we already discussed this yesterday."
The maid said nothing more. She put away the note and led Li Chen into the inner courtyard.
As they passed through a long corridor, the delightful notes of a zither suddenly drifted out from within, chiming like spring water.
Li Chen paused slightly and tilted his head to listen.
The music seemed to carry the spirit of flowing water. At first, it sounded like droplets falling and gathering into a stream. As though stirring images into being, it conjured a scene in his mind: "The bright moon shone between the pines; a clear spring flowed over stones."
When Li Chen stepped forward again and continued following the maid,