Huang Yingying started to speak, then stopped, stealing a glance at Bai Qiru. Old habits died hard-when serious matters were discussed in her presence, he had no say. In truth, he was still puzzled about why this woman had come to offer herself to him last time. It had left him without even the desire to visit a brothel.
Bai Qiru looked back at the rat spirits, their faces full of shock and suspicion. Knowing they had seen little of the world, she asked on their behalf, "What are the conditions for receiving the Qingqiu Fox Clan's protection?"
Yin Xu asked in return, "Do you know Shi Chun?"
Bai Qiru was briefly taken aback. By now, she knew Wang Ping's and Gao He's true identities. The last time she had been thrown into prison, she had been specifically interrogated about Shi Chun's whereabouts. How could she not know?
She turned to look at the rat spirits.
Most looked utterly blank. Huang Yingying, however, ventured a reply. "I've heard of him. The champion of that Skyfall Meteor Assembly, and the winner of some Divine Fire Pact competition or other. You mean that man?"
Yin Xu did not know whether they were feigning ignorance. After weighing it over, she said, "Once you reach Green Mound, tell them you were sent by Shi Chun, a friend of their ancestor. They will shelter you. Naturally, you can only invoke his name if you're on good terms with him. Otherwise, you'll only be inviting trouble. Also, the Extreme Fire Sect has people watching the Xun Gate exit. Even if you don't go to Green Mound after leaving, get somewhere safe as quickly as possible."
That was all she had to say. With a flicker of movement, she flew straight away.
Had she not been completely