At a quiet ferry dock with few people. A few cultivators meticulously inspected a boat that showed its age. Only after confirming once more that there was nothing wrong with the boat did they gather around Choi Ju-tang, who had been meditating alone.
“Senior Brother. The preparations are complete.”
At the careful call, Choi Ju-tang opened his eyes.
“Right. And you all?”
“We too have finished our preparations, of course.”
“If things go according to plan, there won’t be any trouble, but if things go awry, we’ll likely be in for a rough time. Prepare your hearts in advance.”
“What are you saying all of a sudden? We’re all men who have been through thick and thin.”
A gruff-looking man with a messy, patchy beard answered cheerfully. The others nodded in agreement with similar smiles.
“Yes. Of course, I know.”
Choi Ju-tang chuckled and shook his head.
“But this time will be a bit different. From what I’ve learned, a place called Western Twin Lake may not be large, but the situation there seems quite complicated. If all the stories I've heard are true, this war will be a real one against the demon races. If so, its ferocity will be incomparable to the minor skirmishes we've experienced.”