A few days later, the news brought back by the Elder sent to gather information plunged the Thunderlight Pavilion into an even more oppressive, deathly silence.
Elder Lei Zheng and his two companions had not appeared in the Imperial Capital.
Their names were not on the roster for the Martial Arts Assembly; they hadn't even registered.
"What?"
An Elder shot to his feet, his face livid.
"Elder Lei Zheng and the others... they didn't go to the Imperial Capital for the Martial Arts Assembly?"
"Elder Lei Zheng and the others..."
Another Elder spoke slowly, his voice hoarse.
"They must have met with disaster on their way to the Imperial Capital!"
The hall fell silent for a moment. Lei Qianting slowly lifted his deep-set eyes, his voice as cold and hard as iron.
"Dispatch men at once to meticulously investigate the route Elder Lei Zheng's party took. Every place an accident could have occurred, every spot where a trace might have been left—it must all be investigated thoroughly."
