"Exactly."
Gu Jianchun handed over the Jade Slip, his expression grave. "Elder Qing ordered you to guard the Rebel-Slaying Platform well. Once the appointed hour arrives, you must tear Ji Bochang into ten thousand pieces."
He drew a hand across his throat. "You must not show any mercy. The rebels must be punished severely."
Baili Tingfeng took the Jade Slip and said solemnly, "How could I, Baili Tingfeng, dare disobey Elder Qing's orders? But with Songshan True Person gone..."
"Do not overthink it," Gu Jianchun interrupted. "Elder Qing is still in secluded cultivation aboard the ship. Just guard this place well. Carrying out the execution on time today will be a great achievement in itself."
With that, he bowed deeply toward the Black Crane, then also led a portion of the cultivators away.
Off Yellowwind Island, waves churned as a black-robed manager piloted a Spirit Boat. He appeared to be on an ordinary patrol, but his expression was tense, and faint beads of cold sweat dotted his forehead.
Upon seeing Songshan True Person leave, he immediately changed course and sailed into the distance.
Once he was twenty li away, he abruptly formed a Magic Formula, and the Spirit Boat vanished into a bank of mist.
This man was none other than the mole who had lurked within the Condensed Jade Sect for years.
He was one of the Condensed Jade Sect cultivators who had joined the rebellion back then, but before he could act, Xuanji True Lord had emerged from seclusion and slaughtered all around.
After the rebellion on Xuanji Peak failed, he had followed that single road into darkness. By now, he was utterly determined to wallow in the same mire as Ji Cangming.
After all, they held leverage over him. Even if he wanted to stop being a