Curls of smoke wafted from the beast-headed bronze tripod, and a faint, pleasant scent filled the meeting hall.
Drilling Mountain Leopard sat in the master's seat, a Fragrant Mink cradled in his arms as he gently stroked its neck.
"So, you're the only one who made it back?"
Drilling Mountain Leopard glanced up at Wang Mazi and said flatly.
"Yes. Over seventy brothers went out. I'm the only one who came back alive."
Wang Mazi's expression was grim, and he still seemed shaken.
Drilling Mountain Leopard's hand stilled. "Wait a minute," he said suddenly. "You just said... you, our second-in-command, and Hua Yingzi all fled in different directions. How could you possibly know they're both dead?"
Wang Mazi swallowed hard and explained, "It was just a guess. I glanced back at one point and saw that guy Zhao chasing after Hua Yingzi. There's no way he could have survived. The second-in-command still isn't back, so I figure he got caught, too."
"Sounds plausible enough."
