He clenched his fist abruptly, and the Profound Iron Gloves emitted a strained CREAK.
In the distance, the Taoist Sect disciples looked up as if sensing something, but they only saw the Captain kicking up clouds of dust as he turned away.
"Withdraw."
The Captain squeezed a single word from between his teeth. As his iron boots trod over the shattered tiles, his steps were as heavy as a man walking to the gallows.
-----------------
A winding trail of blood stained the bluestone floor tiles as Xu Yunfan stepped into the Taoist Sect's residence, dragging the barely breathing, brocade-robed youth he had taken from the other disciples.
Two disciples on duty were about to salute, but they saw the crimson glow had not yet faded from his eyes. A distorted heat wave radiated from his barely-suppressed aura, and they immediately fell silent and quickly retreated.
"Fetch me three buckets of well water."
