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It was no longer morning, and Southshore was no longer shrouded in the thick, cold black fog. However, the people here still talked about what happened fifteen years ago with great relish. The Lion of Azeroth had become an eternal legend.
News of the appearance of the Undead in the north had reached the ears of the residents of Southshore through passing merchants and adventurers, but they paid no attention to it.
Because of the natural buffer provided by the Alterac Mountains, the Hillsbrad Foothills are protected from the threat of the Undead, and Southshore, located on the southernmost coast of the foothills, is a peaceful and tranquil place.
Before World War II, Southshore was a small town with only a dozen or so fishing boats, but now it has a population of nearly 20,000, making it the largest settlement in the entire Lordaeron, not much smaller than Brill, Darrowshire, and Tarren Mill in the north.
"What a wonderful place! No threat from the Undead." Fenna pointed to the inn not far away, a nostalgic look on her face. "That's where I met the traveling Pandaren Master Storm. He was drunk and defeated three Ironforge Dwarves and five adventurers from Kingdom of Stormwind with his bare hands. I still remember that scene vividly. Nicholas, can you teach me your combat skills? I can pay you a generous fee!"
"It's my pleasure to serve you, my lady." Jiang Jie smiled, looking at the valiant female Paladin beside him, and tilted his head slightly. "However, it might be a month or two from now!"
"In a month or two?" Fenna was a little confused. Was this amazing 15-year-old boy going to leave Lordaeron?
Jiang Jie smiled but did not answer. Some things would soon become clear.
The three quickly arrived at the inn and then heard a loud argument inside:
"Recent reports describe a horrifying fact: the number of Undead Scourge is increasing, and the entire Lordaeron is under threat! Add to that the number of those killed and resurrected by them, and the Undead population in Tirisfal Glades has exceeded at least ten thousand! And in Darrowmere, it's even more!"
"You always make such a fuss, Fairbanks. Learn from your superior, Alexandros, who never bothers with such trivial matters. Hasn't Uther personally assisted Prince Arthas and Lady Jaina in quelling the disaster? With him here, what's there to fear from a few Undead?"
"Things aren't as simple as you think, Abbendis. Before I arrived, Uther had made no progress at all; the number of Undead was only increasing! The Order of the Silver Hand must take on the responsibility of eliminating the Undead, which is why I summoned you here!"
" Alexandros, what is this? A crystal ball brimming with Shadow energy? You've kept it all this time instead of destroying it? If this Shadow Crystal were to unleash its full power, it's hard to imagine the damage it would cause! The evil energy it contains... far exceeds our imagination!"
Hearing the series of arguments, Jiang Jie smiled faintly.
"It seems we've arrived just in time. I thought we'd have to wait here for a while." Jiang Jie smiled at the woman beside him, then strode towards the hotel.
The inn was now under the control of the Order of the Silver Hand. The people arguing inside were high-ranking Order of the Silver Hand, and they were having a meeting that could not be disturbed by anyone. If Jiang Jie hadn't had exceptional hearing, and if the argument inside hadn't been so loud, he wouldn't have been able to hear the muffled sounds.
"Halt! I'm sorry, this place has been temporarily requisitioned by the Order of the Silver Hand. Please come back later... Are you Captain Fenna Goldsword? And... Lady Jaina Proudmoore?" A Paladin standing in front of the door looked surprised.
As one of Uther the Lightbringer's most admired students, Fenna was quite well-known.
Many Paladin had seen her—which was normal, considering that at that time, Paladin were still an elite group, numbering only a little over a thousand. As for Jaina, her relationship with Arthas was known to everyone in Lordaeron, even to three-year-olds. Her signature attire and the iconic purple epic staff she carried were already widely known.
"It's me." Fenna glanced at Jiang Jie, then nodded and said, "Please inform Highlord Alexandros that Lady Jaina, myself, and Sir Nicholas Jiang of the Kingdom have come on Princess Calia's orders and must see the Highlord immediately!"
"Alright, please wait a moment." The Paladin's expression turned serious as he entered the inn.
Two minutes later, he came out, his tone respectful. " The Highlord invites you in."
Upon entering the Southshore Inn, Jiang Jie quickly saw several people sitting around a large table in the lobby. Each of them was a truly important figure in Lordaeron.
Jiang Jie glanced around, his gaze lingering for a moment on an old man dressed in ordinary civilian clothes, before turning to the center of the table, where a black crystal ball the size of a human head was inside a wooden box. He sensed the surging Shadow energy contained within it.
" Xiao Feng, scan!" Jiang Jie said calmly.
Soon, Xiao Feng's scan results came out. Jiang Jie's already small eyes narrowed even more. Although he had known this would happen, he was still extremely shocked.
Each person here possesses energy comparable to Jaina's, with two being the most powerful. Their energy is even greater than Jaina's, consisting of terrifying Holy Light energy!
But even the two of them couldn't match the black crystal ball in the very center of the table. The Shadow energy it contained must be Legendary!
"Lady Jaina, Fenna, and Sir Nicholas of the Kingdom?" A man of about fifty years old, who looked strong and in excellent spirits, sat in the main seat. He stood up and looked at Jaina: "I'm sorry, we are in a meeting."
He was the Highlord of Tirisfal Monastery, one of the best of the second generation of Paladin, second only to the Grand Knight of the Silver Hand, Alexandros Mograine, a true hawk, always stern and very strict with his subordinates.
Under the scanning of the game pod, the Holy Light energy contained within him was almost on par with another person, and significantly higher than the others.
"I apologize for disturbing you, Highlord. We have come abruptly because a major event has occurred in Lordaeron. His Majesty the King has ordered you to return immediately; a meeting will be held at the royal palace tomorrow. Hmm?"
Jaina suddenly turned her gaze to the old man dressed in ordinary civilian clothes opposite Alexandros. She stared at him with some suspicion for a while before finally exclaiming, "Uncle Tirion? Is it really you?"