"Four esteemed seniors, could you introduce us to the Turtle Ancestor?"
Little White Tiger looked utterly devout. "To be honest, we brothers owe our rise to Demon Ancestor's Blood, so we've long... um... admired the Demon Ancestors."
"Exactly, exactly." Old Ninth put on a shameless, ingratiating smile. "We're really close with the Two-Headed Flood Dragon. Sword Crane is even my sister-in-law."
But Old Ox's expression shifted slightly. Whenever the Turtle Ancestor came up, this bunch from Chun Prefecture acted like they'd taken the wrong fucking medicine.
Still, he wasn't worried that Little White Tiger had any designs on the Turtle Ancestor.
After all, the ancestor was a genuine Nine-Star.
"What... do you want to see the venerable ancestor for?"
Old Ox remained wary. Their attitude had changed far too quickly.
"To be honest, before Senior Silver-Patterned Tiger died, he entrusted me with an important message. I can't disclose the details."
"But I've always kept his final request close to my heart."
Little White Tiger spouted his nonsense with perfect seriousness, as though it were all true.
But Old Ox was no fool either. After a moment's hesitation, he sighed, feigning difficulty. "Ah, little brother, it's not that I won't help. The Turtle Ancestor's whereabouts are elusive. Even I rarely encounter the ancestor."
"Forget it, then." Old Ninth shook his head regretfully. "If Jiao Jiao really does kill Old Turtle, it's fate."
"What do you mean?" Old Ox froze.
"You didn't know? The Two-Headed Flood Dragon wants to kill..." Old Ninth broke off, looking troubled, and pressed a hand to his chest. "Ah, technically, Jiao Jiao and I are sworn friends. I shouldn't betray her."
"But... to prevent a massacre... ah, forget it. I won't say any more."
Old Ninth left Old Ox plenty of room to fill in the blanks.