As the members of the major gangs dispersed, Yangchen Inn practically became forbidden ground for all living things. Even passing martial artists were warned to detour through the alleys, and no one dared take another half step closer.
Inside the inn, Ye Jingtang went upstairs with his arm around Hua Qingzhi. After entering their room, he placed his bundle and the uniquely shaped Revolving Wheel Sword on the table.
He had not bought this Fate Sundial on a whim. Rather, while heading toward the Snowfield, he had contacted the Azure Dragon Society's liaison again.
Seeing that he genuinely wanted to help bolster their presence, the Azure Dragon Society had cooperated fully, providing the intelligence he needed along the way and even delivering their leader's sword to somewhere near the Snowfield for him to collect upon arrival.
With both the invitation and sword in hand, even if the Twelve Towers confronted him in person now, they probably would not dare claim he was not the Dragon King.
As for the wheel on the sword, Ye Jingtang had initially thought it was some ingenious mechanism. Only after asking his contact did he learn that it was a timer.
Assassins focused on explosive attacks that killed in one strike, with virtually no staying power or protection. Twelve clicks amounted to roughly a minute; if the target was not dead by then, it was time to leave. This was purely something to stop its wielder from getting carried away in the heat of battle.
Having hurried all the way from Chengtian Prefecture, crossing Northern Liang from south to north in nearly seven days, Ye Jingtang was clearly a little tired too. After stretching, he turned and helped Qingzhi undo the ties at her collar.
"I didn't scare you earlier, did I?"
Hua Qingzhi watched