40: Xuan Tie Guard

After handling the miscellaneous chores, Lin Mo finally had time to calm his mind and carefully experience the changes brought about by the Great Accomplishment of Muscle, while continuing to nurture and study the rusted sword.

In the blink of an eye, three days passed.

The Zhenyuan Escort Agency officially opened for business.

Thanks to the support of several partner merchant houses like the Hundred Treasures Pavilion and the preliminary publicity, they received several commissions on the opening day, making it a good start.

Liu Kui and White Sand Child were so busy their feet barely touched the ground, but they were in high spirits.

Inside Qinglan City, as rumors of the imperial court levying special military taxes spread more and more, the prices of daily necessities such as grain, iron, and cloth began to rise significantly, and the public was unsettled.

The City Lord's Mansion strengthened patrols, but did not take strong measures to stabilize prices, leading many merchants and commoners to complain in secret.

Inside the Hidden Dragon Academy, Lin Mo's life seemed to have returned to tranquility.

He Cultivated every day without stopping, stabilizing his Realm. At the same time, through the feedback from the Death Warriors, his control over internal qi became increasingly refined, and his Bedrock Fist and Willow Catkin Following the Wind Step were also steadily progressing toward the Perfection Realm.

However, beneath this calm, the undercurrents never ceased.

Late one night, while Lin Mo was meditating, he suddenly felt something.

The rusted sword in his bosom grew slightly hot without any warning!

At the same time, the "seven stars of the mountain peak" mark on the crossguard actually emitted an extremely faint pale silver light of its own accord!

Lin Mo immediately took out the rusted sword.

He saw that on the newly unsealed part of the blade, those fine silver lines flickered like breathing, frantically absorbing some thin energy from the surrounding air.

The absorption speed of Spiritual Qi surged by more than tenfold!

What shocked him even more was that the intent transmitted through the blade became clearer and more urgent than ever before:

“Warning! Homologous Seal has been disturbed!”

“Location: Northwest, Crimson Flame Mountain Range, Earth Fire Valley...”

“Fluctuation characteristic: Forced cracking, non-orthodox Legacy...”

“Danger! If Seal is broken, Devilish Qi may leak...”

“Sword holder... proceed quickly... either obstruct... or...”

The intent came to an abrupt halt here.

The temperature and light of the rusted sword quickly faded, returning to its original state, as if everything just now was merely an illusion.

But Lin Mo knew it was definitely not an illusion!

The rusted sword's warning undoubtedly indicated that in the distant Crimson Flame Mountain Range, someone was trying to crack a Seal homologous to the rusted sword!

And the methods were crude, potentially leading to catastrophic consequences!

Who was it? The imperial court? A Sect? Or some other power?

The rusted sword was urging him to go; did it hope he would stop them?

Lin Mo forced himself to calm down.

With his current strength and influence, rashly involving himself in an event that clearly concerned higher-level powers would undoubtedly be seeking death.

But the secret of the rusted sword was vital to him. If the Seal was broken and Devilish Qi leaked, would it affect the sword in his hand? Or even trigger a greater disaster?!

“Four!” he called out in a low voice.

“Present.”

“Immediately mobilize all intelligence channels, at any cost, to find out if there have been any anomalies in the Earth Fire Valley of the Crimson Flame Mountain Range recently.

Check if there are large-scale gatherings of people, especially if there are movements from the Heavenly Supervision Department, the military, or experts of unknown identity!”

“Yes!” Four took the order and immediately went to carry it out.

Lin Mo stroked the cool blade of the rusted sword, his eyes flickering with uncertainty.

A storm was brewing.

【System, summon.】

The 107th Death Warrior appeared silently, with the skill 【Basic Geological Survey】.

Feeling his body strengthen slightly once more, Lin Mo took a deep breath, and his gaze became firm again.

——

The Crimson Flame Mountain Range was over a thousand miles away from Qinglan City in a straight line. Between them were treacherous mountains and rivers, Yao Beasts roamed, and many powers were intricately intertwined.

With his current strength and identity on the surface, it was impossible for him to drop everything and rush there.

But the secret of the rusted sword was a key clue for him to explore the higher-level powers of this world and the origin of the Aperture Condensation Method; it could not be lost.

Furthermore, “Devilish Qi leakage” sounded like no small matter. If it truly caused a great disaster, no one would be safe.

“Young Master.”

The voice of Death Warrior Four broke the silence as he stepped into the quiet room without a sound, bringing the latest intelligence.

“It has been verified through the Hundred Treasures Pavilion's emergency channels and several of our peripheral scouts in the northwest.

Three days ago, there were indeed abnormal energy fluctuations from the Earth Fire Valley area of the Crimson Flame Mountain Range. The tremors affected a radius of dozens of miles; wild beasts in the mountains fled in panic, and birds would not perch.”

“The source?”

“Unknown. But on the same day the fluctuations were emitted, a team of about three hundred people entered the outskirts of the Crimson Flame Mountain Range, flying the banner of the Imperial Court's Mine Supervision Department Prospecting Team, escorted by a squad of about fifty Black-armored elite cavalry.

The uniform of the black-armored cavalry is suspected to be the Black Iron Guards directly under the Heavenly Supervision Department.”

Sikong Xuan's direct forces!

It was related to the Heavenly Supervision Department! Was Sikong Xuan leading this? Or was it the will of the Third Prince's faction behind Shangguan Yun? Or was there another power in the imperial court in motion?

“Continue the investigation. The composition of this team, their movements after entering, and whether there are any special people accompanying them.

In addition, check if there are any signs of Sect Disciples active near the Crimson Flame Mountain Range recently, especially from the Heavenly Sword Sect or its rival Sects.”

“Yes.” Four took the order, hesitating slightly, “Young Master, should we send forces to investigate?

Currently, we only have three low-level intelligence points in the northwest; we are short-handed and it will be difficult to get near the core.”

Lin Mo pondered for a moment and slowly shook his head: “No need. Since the other party has Black Iron Guards as escorts, their vigilance will be extremely high. For us to approach rashly would be like an egg striking a stone.

Order those three intelligence points to only observe from the periphery for any large-scale movements or frequent entry and exit of personnel. They are strictly forbidden from going deep.

The focus should be on Qinglan City and the movements of the imperial court.”

He paused, a sharp light flashing in his eyes: “Also, have 107 (Basic Geological Survey) prepare.

In three days, he will lead a team, with Six (Medical Identification) and Eighty-Two (Reconnaissance) as assistants, and then pick five Death Warriors skilled in mountain travel to form a prospecting squad.

Under the pretext of surveying new trade routes for the Escort Agency and searching for medicinal herbs and minerals, they will head to the outskirts of the Crimson Flame Mountain Range for normal activities.

They are not to contact the core area. Their main tasks: familiarize themselves with the terrain, draw detailed maps, establish hidden supply points, and observe if there are any abnormal changes in the geology and ecology.

Everything must prioritize safety and concealment.”

“Understood.” Four nodded.

“In Qinglan City, what anomalies are there?”

“The City Lord's Mansion posted a notice at noon today, announcing that to support the war effort in the northern border, special military taxes will be levied starting today. Merchants in the city will pay according to their assets, and ordinary households will be taxed per person.

The amount is quite heavy. There are already signs of unrest in the market, and panic buying has appeared in several grain stores.”

“Additionally, the City Guard changed shifts today. The commanders of the South Gate and West Gate have both been replaced by Li Chongshan's confidants. Instructor Zhao Zhenshan sent someone to pass a message this evening, telling you to stay in the Martial Academy as much as possible and avoid going out.”

The levy order has indeed come, and it came so quickly.

Li Chongshan took the opportunity to adjust the city's defenses. Was it to prevent civil unrest? Or did he have other plans? Instructor Zhao's reminder meant that the Martial Academy had also sensed the aura of danger.

“Tell Liu Kui and White Sand Child that the Zhenyuan Escort Agency should take on all normal business, but temporarily avoid the northern border route for escorting.

The Town Guard should increase its alertness. If refugees pour into Qingyuan Town, they can absorb able-bodied young men as appropriate, but they must be strictly screened.

Hundred Herbs Hall... should sell some basic medicinal herbs at limited quantities and fair prices, especially Golden Sore Ointment and cold medicine, but the inventory must be kept stable.”

Lin Mo quickly issued instructions. In a chaotic situation, one must protect oneself, appropriately win over people's hearts, and above all, preserve strength.

“Furthermore, have Nineteen and Twenty step up the analysis of the accounts and letters collected from the Black Wolf Gang and various parties. Find concrete evidence of the crimes committed by Li Chongshan and his cronies, organize them into a file, and keep it safe.”

“Yes!”