Well, Xu Anchang had more or less been persuaded.
That was to say, he did not quite approve, but he had decided to try doing things Shi Chun's way and see how it worked out. If it proved useful, they would keep using it; if not, they would abandon it. Shi Chun should have nothing to say then, and Xu Anchang would have an explanation for his superiors afterward.
And so the matter was settled for the time being. The two went back to make arrangements with their respective people.
Apart from Tong Mingshan, who was in seclusion, Shi Chun called all his people aside and laid out the situation first. "I just heard from the Four Cauldron Sect that they've planted an infiltrator in each of the other five sects. Xu Anchang's side will send five people, and we'll send five too. They'll pair up into five teams, contact the infiltrators in those five sects, and follow those sects' movements.
"The aim is to ensure that whichever of the five sects discovers traces of divine fire, the news reaches us promptly.
"The infiltrators will leave marks along the way. All you need to do is follow those marks. Keep a sensible distance, and you won't have to get too close, so as long as you're careful, there shouldn't be much danger. Who would be willing to take on the trouble?"
They were still searching for divine fire. With Tong Mingshan's example before them, An Wuzhi and Zhu Xiangxin practically raced to answer in unison.
"Me."
"I'll go."
The others exchanged looks, then also expressed their willingness to help, though they were not especially eager. After all, searching for divine fire offered them no benefit.
Of course, what Tong Mingshan had gained had stirred them somewhat.
Besides, they were already