Late at night, on the eighth floor of Moon-Gazing Pavilion in Vermilion Bird City.
The New Year's Watchers' Ministry of War Minister, Ruan Yin, Vice Minister of Revenue Qin Ming, and Vice Minister of Rites Wen An stood together in the council hall, speaking in hushed voices.
"Lord Softy, the young Human Emperor is trapped in the Gutan Sect Secret Realm. Do you have a good plan?" the white-haired Qin Ming asked quietly.
"A good plan, my ass." Lord Ruan turned toward Wen An and immediately began spouting "poetry": "You son of a bitch! Ren Ye being trapped in the Gutan Sect is a huge deal. Why didn't you come to me first when you got back to Vermilion Bird City? You just had to leave me completely unprepared. What am I supposed to say when Lin Xiang asks me about it?!"
Although Lord Ruan's name did not sound particularly masculine, he was actually a fiery, hot-tempered old man. He had headed the Ministry of War for years and had disciples everywhere. Even Fan Ming had to be as respectful as a schoolboy before him.
Lord Ruan was a hundred and twenty years old, with a head of white hair and a thin frame that drew little notice in a crowd. But a closer look revealed his vigorous spirit and abundant vitality, especially his sharp, hawklike eyes, which always inspired fear.
Of the three officials present, he alone wore white.
Although Vice Minister Wen served in the Ministry of Rites, he still took every scolding from Ruan Yin without a peep.
"You're wronging me, Elder Ruan," Vice Minister Wen said helplessly. "I went straight to your residence the moment I returned to Vermilion Bird City. But your household said several men in white had picked you up, and they didn't