Yi Yang paused halfway down the mountain.
He first used wood-nurturing astral force to dispel the dampness from his clothes, then brushed the mud off his trouser legs and straightened his collar and cuffs.
The underground altar at Benevolent Temple was far larger than expected, and those stationed there were far more powerful.
If he forced his way in alone, even ten lives would not be enough to pay the price.
Going back to find Yan Wuyuan was the safest choice.
Yan Wuyuan could overpower a late-stage True Astral Force cultivator, and the Nether Spring Office's personnel specialized in tracking and containment. They were perfectly suited to sealing off the underground passages.
Once they took the stronghold, they could also trace the people who had dealings with Benevolent Temple's abbot and root out the Nine Evil Sect's mole within the Heaven Patrol Office.
Benevolent Temple's location, the hidden passage entrance, the direction of the oil-lamp mechanism, the layout of the underground hall-Yi Yang went over these details three times in his mind. Once he was certain he had missed nothing, he activated Treading Water to Cross the River, and his figure vanished into the mountain woods.
Before noon, Suining Prefecture's southern city gate grew larger in his field of vision.
Yi Yang stopped using his movement technique, resumed a normal walking pace, and took out his Command Token to pass the gate inspection.
When he was just a few steps from returning to the Pacification Guard's camp, a young personal guard in a Judgment Hall uniform hurried toward him. He stopped in front of Yi Yang, cupped his fists, and said in a lowered voice:
"Lord Yi, Deputy Hall Master Pei requests your presence."
Yi Yang stopped in his tracks.
The guard did not keep him guessing. He immediately added,