"Yes. Earlier, I went to Jade Feather and learned how they planned to swallow up the Seven Flood Dragons."
Shang Huaitong smiled. "What, have you bewitched someone over at Jade Feather too?"
Qi Zhaohua smiled. "Just a friend."
"Tell me. I'll judge whether it's true." Shang Huaitong made room for her and poured her a cup of tea.
Qi Zhaohua sat down against him. "Before sunset today, Jade Feather will begin moving on the southern city."
Shang Huaitong nodded. "That's what we expected too. We intended to use the southern city to tie them down and buy time to properly dispose of the other holdings we can't keep."
Qi Zhaohua frowned slightly. "How long will that take?"
"Seven days?"
Qi Zhaohua shook her head. "No, it has to be faster. Jade Feather's biggest operation will coincide with the Martial Competition. Once it begins, the Seven Flood Dragons won't be able to dispose of their holdings in peace."
Shang Huaitong nodded slowly. "The Martial Competition. Right, understood."
He looked down, puzzled. "But what does that have to do with the lake deed? Even if the Seven Flood Dragons lose power, we can still hold on to Moon-Catching Lake for over a month."
But Qi Zhaohua did not smile. She looked at him seriously. "Within three days, Jade Feather will sever the connection between the Seven Flood Dragons and the Five Lakes Gang."
Shang Huaitong's brows suddenly drew together.
"...Three days?"
"Three days."
"I know the Seven Flood Dragons still intend to use the income from this property to sustain the sect, but now they're about to have the firewood pulled from beneath their cauldron," Qi Zhaohua said. "They'll go through Bai Sibing and use official channels."
Understanding immediately dawned on Shang Huaitong, and his expression grew grave.
The moment she said