Plan B.

  Just past dawn, the same day of Jianrong’s pursuit.

  Chamberline Tang Shan dabbed his brow and spoke to the man who was sitting in the shadow of the window.

  “Friend, I am trying to find out when they will be opening the Veterans Affairs office again. My brother-in-law is having a great deal of difficulty with his injury, his contract cla-“ Tang silenced by the man's aura, the power of a Core Formation warrior washed over the man and his attendant, who collapsed and screamed for mercy.

  “Old geezer, fuck off. I told you once, I won't tell you again!” the man hissed.

  Both Tang and his attendant crawled away, the attendant bawling.

  Fong Lu frowned, then settled back into the shadows, disappearing.

  The men disappeared around the corner as they moved down the long alley. A cloaked figure appeared, then launched upward, catching a ledge and pulling themselves into a room as the wooden shutter folded like paper beneath their strength.

  Then Tang and his attendant moved along several buildings. Erin and Taleth had flagged the buildings that would be in the prisoners' line of sight for a rescue, but there were too few.

  Neither the former Petal nor the former Palace Commander believed it was a coincidence.

  The way Spirit Sense probed them as they moved to another resident to ask the same questions.

  By the third stop, Jang’s people no longer suspected them. The man was too diligent with his story, never looking around. As for his attendant, he seemed bored to tears, lying down whenever possible and carving a piece of wood while he waited.

  When Tang and Dar Luso disappeared, no one was following them.

  Meanwhile, Andrew was resting on a bed in an empty apartment two streets away from the place on the same main road as the northern gate.

  The day wore on, and Andrew cooked, sat on his windowsill, and watched the world go by.

  More than one guard glanced at him, but with his scruffy beard, ratty clothes, and a gourd full of what was obviously not water, they gave him a suspicious rating equal to a stray dog.

  When pressure built up and cultivators slowed and looked around, Andrew did as so many others did, clambering onto rooftops to take a look.

  When the fox girl leaped out a window, her tail and hair racing after her, Andrew shouted down to the Elders on the street.

  “It’s the Fox Girl! They got her on the run!” he laughed, having a great time.

  Every single man who was in a Sect or imperial position within earshot touched his token, blinked in shock, then broke into a sprint.

  Some moved to rooftops and used martial arts; others shouted for the streets to be cleared as more men from the Palace sprinted into the road and formed a line for the Southern gate.

  Andy laughed, and a few others spoke to him.

  Then they watched as a woman flew by, all of them looked shocked as she raced across the city.

  When the second person flew by everyone, Andy got off their roof to avoid being too conspicuous.

  When Sect Master Yue disappeared, Andy spoke. “We are green to go.”

  A moment later, Dar appeared next to Andy.

  “How is it?” he asked Dar, curious how Rong was getting on.

  “We need to hurry; every able-bodied human being is trying to run her down,” Dar explained, racing towards the gate.

  When they reached the last building, they stopped and spread out.

  Soon, people inside the building ran out as it began to sag and collapse.

  Less than ten heartbeats later, the crowd of people trying to figure out who to call about their building collapsing gasped as three meter-tall gorillas exploded through the walls and moved at an ever-increasing pace.

  Men, cultivator and mortal alike, moved with urgency to get away from what was coming.

  Alarms rang nonstop as both earth constructs smashed into the heavy wooden gate at the same time.

  Wood splintered.

  Metal brackets and hinges were folded.

  Brackets solidly anchored in stone failed.

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  Then they were outside the city.

  A young man appeared between the constructs, turned, and blocked the exit as Shepard raced upward.

  Then a white wedge took shape with the Empress's seal upon it in gold, racing away, gaining speed.

  People stared up in disbelief with no regard for the two people he had left behind.

  As people watched in shock, and guards and Elders moved to investigate, the two constructs slumped, then unraveled as the Qi holding them together was depleted.

  The people who had once been inside them were long gone.

  A short time later, Yue stood silently at the gate.

  He understood what had happened; he did not understand how they had done it.

  Then, for the first time since the Dar’s had known his name.

  Sect Master Yue moved decisively and lethally.

  Every single person, including the young man who came forward with information about Jianrong, met their end when the Nascent Souls Aura descended upon everyone—sect members, guards, civilians, mortals, and cultivators alike.

  No one around Yue was spared.

  When Jan finally arrived, she said nothing.

  She just handed over the spatial ring; she had already split the resources in half.

  He was about to ask her what she intended to do when they felt an overwhelming pressure from above.

  Yue glanced at Jang, who gave a slight nod. \

  The City Array was turned off by their order.

  Both rose to meet the three people descending from what appeared to be a low-hanging cloud.

  A youthful man led his companions to greet the two Nascent Souls from Seldara.

  “Greetings, I am looking for someone who should reside here. Her name is Jianrong Dar Bloodforge,” the man said amicably, then gave a salute.

  “I forget myself. My name is Grand Elder Pei Zongqiu, of the Divine Cloud Sect… we are just passing through.”

  The three men looked around, then looked to Yue and Jan.

  Yue saluted.

  “Both Cultivator Li Jang and I, Jin Yue, have information about her and her family. For a modest fee, we would gladly accommodate you; if there's something in particular you want to know, we are likely the most knowledgeable people still in Seldara.” Yue said smoothly.

  Commander Pei nodded with a small smile.

  Yue motioned to the Palace, “Why don’t we rest in the gardens so all of those reports can be provided. If you like, friend Jang could update you on how the local authorities tried to take her into custody not long ago. More than twenty Core Formation cultivators were unable to persuade her to stay in the city. It is suggested that she robbed the Palace before we arrived in the city.” Yue claimed.

  All five of them moved to the Palace unimpeded as dozens of people descended on flying swords to ask questions regarding Jianrong.

  Every scrap of paper regarding Nadia and her family was handed over.

  While they held some interest in the brothers, it was the sister who drew their attention, especially when they learned she had become fox-kin within the last several weeks.

  “How sure are you about this?” Pei asked if the pressure coming off him was uncomfortable.

  Jang spoke. “I was as close to her as I am to you, but also we have captured interactions with the strike team…for training purposes.”

  She slid several talismans over.

  Pei picked one up and reviewed its contents, then another, then another.

  “Why does she not use Qi?” he asked.

  Jang smiled. “Her family is from a poor region; they have not sect arts or spells.”

  Pei's thoughts about that. “The golden armor?”

  “Apparently, it is Aura; we are not clear on it. She was our friend's disciple but has been missing for several days.” Jang explained.

  Pei was quiet and then leaned back. “If she were to be…under pressure of a Nascent Soul's Aura, how much might she endure before surrendering?”

  Yue’s eyes flickered to Jang, who gritted her teeth. “The child does not submit to Aura pressure; there is something strange about her. You must use Intent, she is still seating her Spirit, she recently had a surgery to unblock a meridian to the Crown Chakra.” Jang explained.

  Pei’s ears were roaring with blood.

  “I see,” his hand turned, and several boxes appeared. “You can decide amongst yourselves who gets what, but where do you think they are going?” Pei asked lightly.

  Yue cleared his throat. “I have been told they had animosity with a minor official in the Trade city of Emerald Lantern, it is part of Tianrelion but intersects two rivers, so it's more of a border city with three governments,” Yue explained.

  “I see…when you say minor official, do you know any more details?” Pei asked as another box appeared on the table, its wood carved with a dragon that caught the eye, obviously meant to store and seal pills.

  Yue nodded. “Of course. The person is Tianrelion’s Grand Investigator for the southern region. His name is Ren Shidao; he is well known for his…passion for tea and theater.”

  "And younger companions. Always new ones. They never seem to... stay long in his service." Jang said after a slight hesitation.

  "Turnover in staff?" Pei asked casually.

  "More like... disappearances. Or sudden transfers. Or families quietly paid to relocate." Yue said without surprise or concern.

  "His vitality is remarkable for a man his age. My people have suggested... unorthodox cultivation methods." Jang added.

  Commander Pei looked at the two and nodded while in thought.

  Finally, Pei slid the box over. “What is the likelihood the young lady would seek this man out?”

  Jang leaned forward. “One hundred percent.”

  Pei looked around. “It would seem his time as a government official will be ending either way.”

  Yue smiled gently.

  “It seems that way. We wish you the best of luck on your search.”

  One of Pei’s companions slid two talismans across.

  “Should you remember anything or come across our young friend, just let us know; we will remember to thank you appropriately.” The commander stated.

  Jang and Yue shared a glance.

  “If we can be of any assistance, we would gladly lend a hand,” Yue stated.

  “That is true, brother Yue, if the Divine Cloud Sect needs any assistance, I am sure we can be helpful,” Jang stated.

  Pei smiled warmly. “That is fortunate, it seems our territory is ever very near Tianrelion, and if there were... upheaval, it would not benefit anyone.

  Both Nascent Souls nodded.

  “I tell you what, why don’t I have a team help you get everything organized? I see there has been some chaos due to leadership transitions. We could help in the interim to stabilize things. With the two of you here…we could ensure prosperity flourishes for all parties.”

  Pei offered.

  “The Divine Cloud Sect truly is benevolent. Of course, we accept and look forward to your people coming to guide us so we can fix what others broke.” Yue smiled.

  “Perfect, well, we won't hold you any longer, we are sure you're busy, until we meet again.” Pei tilted his head, and the three men ascended to their airship. Not long after, several flying swords with riders returned to the airship, then it rose higher until it blended into the clouds above.

  Divine Cloud Sect Airship.

  Divine Cloud Sect, Southern Fourth district, Commander Pei Zongqiu, 4th Expeditionary force sat in silence as he reread the report.

  “Give me your initial impressions.” Commander Pei stated.

  The older man stepped forward. “Command after checking, nothing seems to be wrong with any of the information retained. What you saw is what happened. Given what we know, it would seem she is some kind of body refiner; she is simply too strong and too fast for it to be natural talent. Couple that with no Qi arts, and it implies she is… well, lethal without any normal tools. Even the sword she used would be considered something a Foundation Establishment would get for completing a mid-tier mission.” Vice Commander Lin stated.

  The other man stepped forward.

  “Records show the father of the woman was a Fox-kin; no lineage was provided, but the story implies the mother was visited several times, and the daughter, upon coming of age, has begun to demonstrate traits.” Sub Commander Dax stated.

  Pei chuckled. “Dax, she has a two-meter-long tail and massive ears.”

  Dax looked down and smiled. “Don’t forget the amber eyes, with claws on her hands and feet.”

  Pei nodded and turned serious. “We will be observing, I want to see if she does or can kill this man. We will do a complete assessment and see who she fits best with. But by the time we reach the challenges, she will be ready to make buyers beg us to part ways.”

  “You still think Vice Commander Liu is the way to go?” Dax asked, concerned.

  Pei pursed his lips. “He isn’t threatening, he is a pretty boy, and she didn’t kill before. I think he is our best way to be introduced.”

  Vice Commander Lin smiled. “I heard she gave him nightmares.”

  Commander Pei nodded. “That was before the claws.”

  “And fangs,” Dax added.

  There was a silence, and all three began to laugh.