As the mountain wind caught the hem of Ye Fan’s green robe, the flying eaves of Cangwu Sword Sect already outlined a dark-green silhouette against the horizon. Lin Zhaoyue’s sword tassel brushed across the back of his hand, as cool as bamboo leaves dripping with morning dew. "Elder Chén has already sent word ahead. The lamp in the council hall should still be lit."
The bronze lamp in the council hall was indeed lit. Elder Chén stood under the porch, his stooped back surprisingly straighter by a fraction than yesterday. The gloomy light of the Yinhun Jade inside his sleeve pierced through the fabric, casting a swaying rhombus onto the blue bricks. Seeing the two approach, he immediately lifted the cotton door curtain. "The three peak-protecting elders dispatched by the Grand Master are in the eastern guest rooms, and Lǐ Jiànfēng is guarding the back wall with twenty outer-disciple youths—they can all be trusted."
Warmth wrapped in the fragrance of tea billowed from inside the door. Five elders sat on either side of a sandalwood long table, and the white-bearded elder at the very head tapped his fingertips against the edge of the table. "Young Master Ye mentioned he has urgent business to discuss?"
Chapter 156