He Lingchuan’s eyes flickered and asked, “Has the state preceptor appeared?”

Bai Ziqi shook his head and said, “I observed the proper courtesies first. I requested an audience with the state preceptor alone before resorting to force, but who would’ve thought they wouldn’t let me in at all? Not one gate, large or small, was opened.”

So he hasn’t seen her. He Lingchuan pondered for a moment. “Is someone guarding the rear mountain?”

“Yes. We also caught some of the Spring Palace’s disciples there, but they weren’t of much use.”

Fushan Yue snorted. “Even if they escape through the rear mountain, can they slip out of Lingxu City?”

Lingxu City was vast, and the Spring Palace was located at the center of the Lower City. It was a great distance just to even get out of the city, and once the city issued a warrant for their arrest, it was basically impossible for them to escape.

“A cornered dog will leap over a wall. Besides, State Preceptor Qing Yang may not be thinking of fleeing the city.” He Lingchuan turned to Bai Ziqi. “Deputy Cloud Envoy Bai, do you believe State Preceptor Qing Yang is no longer inside?”

Fushan Yue frowned slightly. Bai Ziqi gave He Lingchuan a long look and said, “You really are sharp.”

“If she hasn’t exactly fled, but she isn’t inside either, then where else could she go…” Before Fushan Yue even finished...