This news was reported up through the ranks and soon reached the headquarters of the Immortal Patrol Division in the imperial capital.
A former Dynasty official breaking out of prison and defecting was no small matter.
After confirming that the report was accurate, Xuan Zhou immediately took it to Jia Huarai.
Yet upon receiving word that Song Kaiyang had fled west, the commander of the Immortal Patrol Division showed neither much surprise nor anger.
He waved his subordinates away and carefully read through the report. Then, beneath the mist shrouding his face, a faint smile appeared.
"It truly was just as Your Majesty predicted."
He murmured softly, and his figure vanished in a flash.
When he reappeared, he was already at the entrance to the underground dragon vein.
Jia Huarai sent out a thread of spiritual light and touched the artifact on the door. Before long, a steady voice sounded from within.
"Come in, Huarai."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
The great doors slowly opened, revealing a golden dragon twisting and dancing amid the roiling lava.
After the great victory in the eastward campaign, Tiger Chasing had connected to the dragon vein of the Seventh Prince of the Eastern Wilderness. For a long time to come, the Murong Clan would no longer need to burn their bloodline as kindling to keep the flame of this place alive.
Jia Huarai stepped inside. He first bowed to the emperor, then saluted the Grand Preceptor, before rising and saying, "Your Majesty, Grand Preceptor, Song Kaiyang severely wounded two secret envoys and fled west toward the Desert Sea."
Upon hearing this, the Tiger Chasing Grand Preceptor revealed a meaningful smile, as though he had long expected it.
Looking at Jia Huarai, he smiled. "Huarai, if I remember correctly, including this time, you have already lost