"This hidden hand was left behind by Alliance Leader Zhang, and now you're using it... How was that good news?" the man in the blue robe said disdainfully.
"I intend to seize these five thousand men in my grasp and stir the Misty Sect into a muddy mire. Only then can I seize victory amid the chaos and take the position of Great Sect Leader of the Misty Sect!"
"Fine, fine. At your pace, when would the Misty Sect ever fall into the Righteous Path Alliance's bag? I fear Abbess Jingyi would have discovered you long ago. Don't forget, the Misty Sect still has several thousand disciples from the Incense-Passing Cult!"
"This... I ask Commander Jiang to inform Deputy Alliance Leader You. At this point, this is the only road I can take!" Shui Yupeng said somewhat shamefacedly.
"There is no need. The moment I received word that the Misty Sect had returned to Misty Manor, I sent the news back to the Righteous Path Alliance. I also reported the situation you might encounter to Alliance Leader Zhang. Alliance Leader Zhang has already sent down orders through Deputy Alliance Leader You. Otherwise, why would I have summoned you here?"
"Yes, Shui is foolish. When I met Commander Jiang that day, I never imagined the Misty Sect disciples would actually return to Misty Manor. Though the instructions I received afterward gradually changed as well, they still could not keep up with the shifting circumstances, leaving Shui stretched thin. I only wonder how Alliance Leader Zhang has arranged matters this time...?"
"Heh heh, how else could it be arranged?" The man in blue reached into his robes, took out something, and tossed it over.
Shui Yupeng caught it. It was a jade bottle, and he asked curiously, "This is...?"
But then his