Splash...
River water surged beneath the docks, and oily green poison mist rose around the perimeter. Countless disciples of Hundred Insect Dock moved through the fog, accompanied by the rustling of snakes and insects crawling. In an instant, the entire stretch of river became a death trap bristling with danger.
Xie Jinhuan stood protectively in front of Zisu. Ignoring the small fry around him, he gazed only at the two figures on the roof ridge outside the hall.
One was powerfully built, holding a saber in his right hand and a chain claw in his left; the other was slender, holding a black spear.
Both looked imposing, but neither gave off any trace of a living person's presence. They looked more like two puppets.
Xie Jinhuan frowned slightly, searching for the Puppet Master hidden in the shadows. To his surprise, however, the spear-wielding cloaked figure put one hand behind his back and spoke first:
"Mao Chunniang, Demon General of the Nether God Sect. I've long heard your name, Young Master Xie, but this is our first meeting. A pleasure."
"Mao Chunniang..."
Xie Jinhuan heard a man's voice, but the manner of speaking was clearly a woman's. Surprised, he asked:
"You're the Nether God Sect's Rabbit Spirit?"
The saber-wielding brawny man beside the speaker followed up in a gruff voice:
"I'm human too. I merely possess a little bloodline talent. I've invited you here on the Sect Master's orders, to recruit you into the Nether God Sect. Please forgive any discourtesy."
?
Lin Zisu looked from side to side, unable to make sense of the situation. She leaned closer and asked quietly:
"Is this person from the Corpse Witch, speaking through puppets?"
Xie Jinhuan nodded slightly. He had already realized that a Puppet Master was trading barbs with him from hiding.