Several days later, in Tower City, Bu Yuan sent someone to Fang Qianyuan's lodgings to invite him over for a talk.
Fang Qianyuan was somewhat puzzled, but went nonetheless.
Bu Yuan was already waiting for him at the Commander-in-Chief's Residence. Once host and guest had taken their seats, Fang Qianyuan asked, "May I ask what you wished to see me about, Elder Bu?"
Although they both belonged to the Azure Cloud Sect, their relationship was unremarkable, amounting to little more than surface courtesies.
Bu Yuan knew this, so he dispensed with lengthy pleasantries and went straight to the point. "We discovered some members of the Xiao Clan of Central Province among the prisoners. They said they knew you, so we intend to leave them in your hands."
"Members of the Xiao Clan?" Fang Qianyuan paused slightly at those words, then understood. Bu Yuan was offering him an easy favor by handing over these well-connected prisoners.
Indeed, Fang Qianyuan did have some ties with the Xiao Clan of Han City in Central Province. When he had traveled through Central Province, the Xiao Clan had hosted him.
That alone amounted to no more than a casual acquaintance, but if he counted the matter of the Dark Demon Ice Nether Soul and the secret Dark Dao manual, he owed them a favor.
"Very well. You have my thanks, Elder Bu," Fang Qianyuan said, accepting Bu Yuan's goodwill.
Still, he found something puzzling and asked, "We seem to have taken quite a few prisoners this time. What do you intend to do with the others, Elder Bu?"
"The sect has already decided to release them, though some will remain in our custody. I've been helping with the reviews these past few days," Bu Yuan said, then handed Fang Qianyuan the confidential letter sent to