Sending a Message

Within the majestic halls of the Ming Imperial Palace, nestled in the northwest corner, stood a peculiar edifice.

As Kong Xiang and Zhang Shou stepped into the courtyard, the elderly man leading the way spoke.

"Have you been injured?" His voice resonated with age, distant and haunting, as if from an era long past.

"My apologies, Lord, but we were unable to bring back Gu Santong," Zhang Shou spoke first, admitting their mission's failure.

"Gu Santong?" The elder was not unfamiliar with this name.

Years ago, the late emperor had sought him out, wishing for the Worship Palace to intervene and deal with this court offender.

Eventually, Zhu Wushi volunteered and resolved the matter.

"I had thought that twenty years ago, he would have reached the level of Grandmaster. It seems..." The elder trailed off, lost in thought.

"If it were only him, even if he had ascended to Grandmaster, the two of you should have been able to subdue him. Is there someone else present?"