Chapter 77: The Slumbering District (1/2)

The thin and scholarly man nodded and allowed the veiled woman to approach.

”Go ahead.” The thin man said.

The veiled woman then produced a scroll in her hand, likely from a spatial treasure, and passed it to the thin man.

”I've taken the liberty to compile all the intelligence we've gathered, my lord. There are some parts you'll find rather, fascinating.” The veiled woman spoke with a respectful tone.

The thin man opened the scroll and started reading it with his full concentration. At first, the man's expression seemed rather disinterested, but later it became more interested until finally, it reached the peak of elation.

”Hahaha!” The thin man laughed out loud.

”You've done well, very well. Seems like we have an interesting contender here.” The thin man spoke with a joyous tone.

”How do we proceed, my lord? Do we bring him to you?” The veiled woman questioned.

”We know that his senses are sharp and he's been able to detect our people before. We also don't know who's backing him, but considering his strength and talent, I would say it's someone strong.”

The man said and paused before continuing,

”Don't approach him for now and just observe him. Try to get a clue about his backer, if it's someone from our 'list', eliminate him. Otherwise, we may have a new pawn to play with.” The thin man said.

”My lord, we still have one of our men watching him. He still has the old orders and is following them. He may end up making contact with the boy, which may end in conflict.” The Woman added.

The thin man stroked his beard before speaking,

”Hmm, this does make it a little difficult. Try to send a message as soon as possible and if something does happen, try to avoid further conflict. We'll compensate him later.”

”As you wish, my lord.” The veiled woman respectfully spoke and turned around.

But just as she was about to leave, the thin man spoke up again.

”Just in case, assign one of our higher corps members to him.”

The veiled woman seemed to be surprised, but it could not be seen from because of her veil.

”Are you sure my lord? All three of our higher corps members are currently assigned to long-term missions. If we recall any one of them, then all of their progress may go to waste.” The veiled woman asked with an unnerved voice.

The veiled woman was rather shocked by her lord's words. She did not expect that her lord would place such a big importance on that cultivator who was still a teen. She knew how much every higher corps member was worth. Each and every one of them was a Core condensation realm cultivator and was trained in reconnaissance and assassination.

Even she herself, who was considered to be the closest person to her lord, couldn't compare in strength with the higher corps.

”Yes, if he is what I think, then it would certainly be worth it.” The thin man answered with determination in his voice.

”Who should I assign then, my lord?” The woman asked.

”Assign the second member of the higher corps. His character would suit this mission.” The thin man ordered.

”The second member of the higher corps is currently in the Black Dawn kingdom, my lord. I estimate it would take him ten days to reach the designated location.” The veiled woman replied.

”It may take a little longer than that, as the current mission is rather sensitive and he will need to sever all ties before returning.” The veiled woman added with a little hesitation.

”That's fine. Until he reaches there, you may personally oversee this assignment.” The thin man spoke with a calm voice.

”It will be done as you say, my lord.” The woman replied respectfully before leaving.

A few minutes later, after the woman was gone, the thin man stood up and withdrew a jade slip out of a spatial treasure. He held it in his hand and let it activate. The jade slip shone for a bit and then buzzed.

”I may have a new solution, elder brother.” The thin man spoke.

*****

Back at the Northern town,

Lin Mu was patrolling his neighborhood. So far he had not seen anything strange or unusual. He also had a doubt whether the townsmen who disappeared were taken by the darkly dressed men or someone else.

He had seen the guard follow the townsmen who had entered the town all the way to their houses. He had also seen the guard withdraw a strange contraption from his sleeve.

Because of the darkness, Lin Mu was not able to see what it was but could guess that it was something metallic, as it gave off a glint. He knew that it was not something a guard would carry and was specially made for an unknown reason. The guard was a definite suspect as he had disappeared later as well.

'Perhaps I should have focused on that guard from the start.' Lin Mu thought.

In the blink of an eye an hour went by and it was time for him to return back. He reached the square and saw that three people were already standing there. The only person who was missing was Xiao Lu.

The portly man approached Lin Mu and spoke.