A-Lan more or less understood what she meant and answered, "Yes."
After that, they carried out the plan.
Once the eight arrived in Distant Mountain City, A-Lan followed the original arrangement, stationing some around the inn and putting the others directly inside the inn where the ring was. They took two nearby rooms to keep watch at close range.
Shi Chun remained in his room, observing the area around the inn where the ring was. Humans and demons lived side by side in this city; unless he knew the existing residents well, he could not compare the changes and find the answer he wanted.
Once the eight additional Demon Cultivators were in position, Shi Chun knew his judgment had been right. There really was something wrong with that ring.
He did not linger. He left the inn and headed straight out of the city.
The Red-Clad Woman, who had been sensing carefully with her eyes closed, soon detected that he was leaving the city. Her eyes snapped open, filled with suspicion. "How did he know our people were in position?"
A-Lan, waiting beside her for orders, asked in confusion, "My lady, what happened?"
The Red-Clad Woman said, "Shi Chun has left. He seems to be heading out of the city."
A-Lan was astonished. "So soon? Our people only just got into position, and he already noticed?"
The Red-Clad Woman pondered. "That is precisely the issue. I have sensed the surroundings here. He could not have directly seen those eight arrive from where he was. It seems there really are accomplices nearby helping him keep watch. Someone must have tipped him off. That was probably why we were exposed last night, too."
A-Lan immediately pointed out, "My lady, if someone tipped him off, his accomplices must also be watching near the