Slowly, very slowly, Daoist Chu coughed. "That is beside the point."
"It is absolutely the point," Cattaleya said flatly.
Daoist Chu sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Fine. Yes. I encountered one of their disciples. Briefly."
Lin Mu glanced at him. "Briefly."
"A conversation," Daoist Chu clarified. "Entirely academic."
Cattaleya snorted. "Academic. In a courtesan pavilion."
Meng Bai failed to suppress his laughter this time.
Daoist Chu shot him a glare. "You will understand when you are older. Besides, they were in a group with a few noble children."
Meng Bai quickly shut up.
Lin Mu allowed himself a small smile before steering the conversation back on track. "Regardless of your motivations, the information is useful."
Daoist Chu nodded gratefully. "Thank you."
Lin Mu leaned back, surveying the group. "So we know the major powers of the Southern Continent. We know the political situation around the former Butterfly Kingdom capital. And we know which paths are safer."
