After the six of them sat down, Huang Xiao continued, "Commander Ran should have briefed you all, correct?"
"Reporting to the Sect Master, the commander has already briefed us, but the situation in Kaifeng City seems unusual. I fear we will need to investigate carefully," one of the old men replied.
"You needn't worry about that. I will give you that intelligence when the time comes. Were your movements exposed on your way here?" Huang Xiao asked.
"They shouldn't have been, but given your relationship with Zhao Guangyi, Sect Master, those people can probably guess that our Heavenly Demon Sect would send men here," the old man continued.
"That will do. As long as they don't know how many of us came this time." Huang Xiao nodded. "Stay here for now. I will have arrangements for you tomorrow. Steward!"
At Huang Xiao's call, the steward hurried in from outside, then asked respectfully, "What are your orders, young master?"
"Go and prepare six guest rooms, the best ones," Huang Xiao said.
"Yes, yes. Please come this way, honored guests!" the steward said, a faint sheen of sweat appearing on his forehead.
Having become the steward of Willow Shade Villa, he naturally had a discerning eye. He knew that every one of these six men was extraordinary; their imposing presence alone left him somewhat breathless.
"Duan Ren, wait a moment!" Huang Xiao called out to stop the young man.
The other five bowed to Huang Xiao, then left with the steward.
These five were, of course, members of the Heavenly Demon Imperial Guards. There were only ten Heavenly Demon Imperial Guards to begin with, and sending five of them this time was a rare sight even for the Heavenly Demon Sect.
"Sect Master!" Seeing Huang Xiao rise from his chair and walk