Pei Ye nodded again.
"Within two days after it begins, you must board this great ship—that should be fairly easy—and then you will meet the master of Wild Goose Dock. Remember him. After that, on the second night, you will meet someone whom the master of Wild Goose Dock treats with trembling reverence," Zhang Siche said. "That is your target. Kill him."
"...I know nothing about him?"
"Very little. Extremely limited information."
"What realm is he in?"
"There is a very small chance he is at Entering the Palace Gate."
"How can I guarantee success? Something could go wrong at every step."
"People already inside will cooperate with you. You need not know their faces or identities, or even notice their help."
"What is the point of my doing this? And what happens afterward?"
"Because they need someone strong enough to wield the sword, and they have paved the road for you," Zhang Siche said. "Once you are inside, your understanding of the situation will be more current and accurate than mine. Every Feather Inspector knows what he should do. Anything I say would be meaningless."
"...All right."
Zhang Siche looked him over again and nodded. "Very good, then. The Immortal Platform's newly acquired, unstoppable sword-and I shall deliver its first thrust."
Pei Ye smiled.
"Any other questions?"
"No."
"Good."
The room fell quiet. After a while, Zhang Siche suddenly said, "I do have a question."
"Hmm?"
"A few months ago, I met Hall Master Xu and chatted with her. She said Zhu Gaoyang often passes himself off under my name when he is out." The old man turned to look at the boy. "She said this information came from you. Is that right?"
Pei Ye fell silent for a moment, then looked at him with a firm gaze. "Absolutely