Misty-Wave City, an inn.
Nangong Ye stood at the window, searching the city's night markets and restaurants through the Thousand-Li Telescope. Having found no trace of Coal Ball for a long time, he could not help worrying:
"Could something have happened to Xie Jinhuan, and Coal Ball sensed it and went looking for him?"
Bu Yuehua was searching at the other window too, but Misty-Wave City was vast and wreathed in mist. Finding a single eagle was no easy task. At his words, she frowned slightly:
"It's possible. Should we go look?"
"Let's wait for news first. Xie Jinhuan knows when to advance and retreat. Once we leave the city, our lives are our own responsibility. If something really happens, we'd only hold him back."
Bu Yuehua was not unaware of the risks of this journey, so she could only wait and see. But after they waited a little longer, neither Xie Jinhuan nor Coal Ball returned from outside. Instead, a voice suddenly came from inside the room:
"Don't worry. Xie Jinhuan is fine."
The mature woman's voice carried a measure of steely resolve, like a queen long accustomed to power, giving it an unquestionable air.
Nangong Ye had not sensed anyone coming upstairs, much less entering the room and walking to within ten feet of them. His hair stood on end at the voice, and he swiftly formed a lightning seal as he turned. Bu Yuehua was badly startled too, reaching for her saber hilt as she looked back.
An oil lamp burned in the room. The aphrodisiacs Bu Yuehua had just prepared were still on the table-a heap of colorful little bottles labeled "Azure Dragon Water-Spitting Powder," "Breast-Enhancing Pill," and so on-
An exotic woman sat beside the round table, dressed rather scantily. Below, she wore a voluminous