Chapter 13: Elders of the Sect

“Elder Wu Yi, stay.” Man Sui looked at Wu Yi and bowed slightly. The remaining elders and protectors dispersed one after another, leaving the vast Luochen Palace with only the Cult Leader, Man Sui, and one of the four great elders of the cult, Elder Wu Yi.

After a moment, Ji Kece sat in the seat of honor. The wound on her back had not yet fully healed, causing a slight, lingering pain. Beneath her half-mask, her brow was furrowed tightly; in such dim light, it was impossible to discern the Cult Leader's expression.

Wu Yi managed all matters, large and small, within the Thousand Fiends Cult. He collected information and data on everyone in the world and was the Cult Leader's most trusted confidant.

Ji Kece tossed the wine-red, blood-like jade pendant in her hand to Wu Yi. Upon seeing the pendant, Wu Yi looked up at the Cult Leader with a hint of terror. "Cult Leader, where did this jade pendant come from?"

"What, do you recognize it?" A cold sentence followed, her eyes locked tightly onto the pendant in Wu Yi's hand. She suspected that Prince Wei Yang was doing things for the Yidu Dynasty—or rather, for the current Emperor, Yin Xi.

Wu Yi shook his head. He only knew that such a jade pendant belonged to the imperial family of the previous dynasty. He offered it with both hands, kneeling on one knee, and said solemnly, "Cult Leader, if I am not mistaken, it is at Wolf Fang Mountain."

*Wolf Fang Mountain,* Ji Kece muttered to herself. The name sounded familiar. That place seemed to be the border between the Yidu Dynasty and the Yulin Kingdom. It was a place of howling ghosts and wolves, where sandstorms raged; many armies had once met their deaths there. That long, narrow stretch of desert was even known as a "Ghost City."

The fact that this jade pendant appeared there suggested a great secret; Prince Wei Yang seemed to be engaged in something clandestine. Man Sui took the jade pendant and held it before Ji Kece's eyes. Ji Kece took the pendant and spoke slowly, "Investigate the origin of this jade pendant immediately."

Wu Yi bowed with his hands clasped in a salute and said, "Understood."

"Also, look into the whereabouts of Quan Yinxin," Man Sui added. A faint curve appeared at the corner of Ji Kece's mouth as she nodded toward Man Sui.

After Wu Yi left, a figure appeared behind the seat. It was a woman wearing a veil identical to Man Sui's and standing at the exact same height. She knelt on one knee, hands clasped, and said, "Blessings to the Cult Leader."

Ji Kece nodded. That person was Man Sui's twin sister, Man Cui. "Man Cui, from now on, you will stay by my side. Your sister will preside over everything here."

Man Sui knelt on one knee in panic, looking at the Cult Leader while shaking her head resolutely. "Young Master..."

Ji Kece interrupted Man Sui's attempt to continue. "My mind is made up. Man Sui, everything in the cult depends on you."

Man Sui always felt that the Young Master could foresee certain things, but she did not dare to cross the line. She lowered her head and responded respectfully, "Yes."

***

Ji Estate Gardens

Ji Kece sat on a stone stool, while her twin sister, who was identical to Man Sui, stood beside her. Man Cui had just returned from the training camp; her martial arts were slightly superior to Man Sui's, and she could be described as a death warrior.

"Man Cui, have you adapted to it here?" Ji Kece took a sip of tea and asked the question nonchalantly.

Man Cui's eyes held no emotion, and she stood without any expression, making it impossible to discern any sentiment. "I will adapt to whatever circumstances arise. Please rest assured, Young Master."

Upon hearing this, Ji Kece's eyes, which held a half-smile, hid an infinite killing intent. "When the time comes, on the eve of the imperial hunting banquet, you will only be responsible for eliminating the unclean forces behind the scenes."

"Understood," Man Cui responded. Ji Kece stood up, preparing to walk toward the edge of the pond.

Ji Kece looked up at the sky, gazing toward the place where the setting sun was sinking inch by inch behind the mountains, as if she were watching a person...

The curve at the corner of her mouth instantly vanished. Her cherry-red lips parted slightly. "Come out!"