125: Turbulent times are rising in the northern frontier

After ending the transmission, Situ Jun slowly set down the slightly warm sound transmission talisman in his hand.

The place where he was staying was not a military camp, but a manor located in the frontier town. The interior was luxuriously decorated, with carved beams and painted rafters, filled with gold and jade, showcasing an extraordinary air of grandeur everywhere.

The tenderness and deep affection on his face instantly vanished. He walked to the window, pushed it open, and gazed at the towering mountains in the distance, pondering how to plan his future path.

"City Lord of the Northern Frontier... is ultimately just a ruler of a small corner."

He muttered to himself, as if weighing something.

He paced back to the table and picked up another sound transmission talisman that was ancient in style and had a completely different aura.

Spiritual power was injected from his fingertips, and the Talisman lit up with a dim, dark glow.

"Yun Niang, the Northern Frontier has stabilized. I will return to see you in a few days..."

Situ Jun's voice was full of tenderness, just like his tone with Li Danying earlier, filled with gentleness and lingering love.

A woman's delicate voice came from the sound transmission talisman, carrying a hint of complaint:

"You heartless man, you finally thought of me? These days, I've been keeping watch in an empty room alone; I can't even sleep soundly at night."

"It's my fault for making you suffer, my lady."

Situ Jun's voice grew even more tender:

"When I return, I must hold you; we won't be apart for a single night. I'll let you know that the one I love most in my heart is still you."

"Hmph, you only know how to coax me." Yun Niang's voice was filled with joy. "Then you must hurry. I... I've prepared the snacks you like, and... and a newly tailored Dudou I want to wear for you..."

Situ Jun's Adam's apple bobbed, his voice husky:

"Yun Niang, you've become naughty. Wait for me; I will definitely return early to give you a proper 'education'..."

He closed his palm, and the dim light vanished as if it had never existed.

He put on that mask again; after all, his current identity was the "Acting Governor of the Half-step Nascent Soul Stage."

He straightened his robes and pushed the door open.

He walked through the corridor toward a more secluded study deep within the manor.

The study was decorated in a simple and heavy style, completely different from the flashiness of the outer hall. The four walls were covered with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves filled with various classics, files, and even some beast-skin maps with an ancient aura.

The air was filled with the mixed scent of ink and sandalwood.

Inside the study, a lean and capable man wearing the standard leather armor of the Northern Frontier Army was already standing with his hands down, waiting. It was Zhu Changpo.

"Master."

Seeing Zhu Changpo enter, Situ Jun immediately bowed in greeting.

Situ Jun walked straight to the large red sandalwood desk and sat down. He habitually tapped the smooth, cold tabletop with his fingers, making soft thumping sounds. His eyes were deep, showing no emotion.

"Zhu Changpo, are you aware of the decree from the Royal City?" Situ Jun's voice was calm and steady, showing not a hint of joy at having just obtained the position of City Lord.

"Yes, Master! Congratulations on your promotion to City Lord!" Zhu Changpo's tone carried a suppressed excitement.

"There are a few things I need you to handle immediately. First, I will leave tomorrow and then reappear in my true form to take over the City Lord's Mansion. However, I will appear with a Late Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation. You are to suppress any voices of opposition."

Zhu Changpo's expression turned solemn. "Please rest assured, My Lord, it will be handled properly!"

"Second, call me 'My Lord'. You will be in charge of the mines from now on, especially the Spirit Stone mines. Keep a personal eye on them and replace the staff with our confidants. Now, not only are the Sects paying attention to the Northern Frontier, but even the Imperial Dynasty has spies active here. Even our King will send people to monitor us. Be careful not to let others take the whole bowl away."

"Your subordinate understands! Please rest assured, My Lord, the mines are as solid as an iron barrel and only recognize your command flag!" Zhu Changpo replied in a deep voice, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes.

"Third,"

Situ Jun's voice grew lower, carrying an unquestionable coldness:

"In the Northern Frontier City, those powerful families and merchants who were attached to the former City Lord or have intricate connections with the Zhou Dynasty—I have already given you the list. From today onwards, I want to see them submit 'willingly'. Give sweetness where it's due, and for those who need a warning... strike them hard! Especially that Wang Family; I heard the Head of the Wang Family is quite close to the Bei Batian? Find a reason to let him know that the heavens of the Northern Frontier have changed."

Cold light flickered in Zhu Changpo's eyes:

"Your subordinate knows what to do! I guarantee they will be made submissive!"

"Fourth,"

Situ Jun's finger drew an invisible line on the table:

"Send people to closely monitor any individuals of unknown identity in the Northern Frontier. If necessary, expel them!"

"Yes! Your subordinate has already planted spies in the Northern Frontier City and the Garrison Town, monitoring them day and night."

Zhu Changpo answered decisively.

"Very good."

Situ Jun nodded slightly, his gaze turning toward the window as if he could pierce through the layers of buildings to see the City Lord's Mansion, which symbolized the highest power in the Northern Frontier.

"Finally, and most importantly..."

He paused, his voice carrying a hint of gravity:

"King Li Xuan will never truly feel at ease handing the position of Northern Frontier Governor to me. Also, the Imperial Dynasty Inspector might still be in the Northern Frontier. Furthermore, the Xihua Sect and the Xuan Yin Sect might also get involved. The waters of the Northern Frontier have been muddied. Cultivate more of our own people and monitor all unstable factors in the region!"

Zhu Changpo's expression was extremely solemn:

"Your subordinate understands! I will surely lay out an inescapable net so those 'big fish' have nowhere to hide and cannot stir up a single ripple!"

Situ Jun waved his hand:

"Go. Act quickly and steadily. The chess game of the Northern Frontier has only just begun."

Zhu Changpo bowed to receive the order and silently withdrew from the study.

Silence returned to the study.

Situ Jun sat alone behind the massive desk. The candlelight cast his tall figure onto the wall filled with scrolls behind him, making him appear exceptionally deep and inscrutable.

He picked up a Jade Slip and injected spiritual power into it. An extremely complex map of the Northern Frontier's mineral veins appeared on the surface of the Jade Slip, with several points flashing with a dim red light.

His gaze was no longer the tender affection he showed Li Danying, nor the lingering flirtatiousness toward Yun Niang, nor even the cold majesty when giving orders to Zhu Changpo just now.

It was a pure, rigorous calculation and control, as if he were winning a battle from a thousand miles away.

"Late Foundation Establishment Stage?"

He gave a low chuckle, his fingertip lightly brushing over a dim red point on the Jade Slip. There seemed to be an extremely subtle yet heart-palpitating surge of energy contained there.

"The Northern Frontier is where my women live in peace. You all had best not disturb it too much."

"The position of City Lord is merely a status symbol to protect them." His eyes flashed with a sharp light, as if he could see through time and space.

"No matter who it is, don't even think about destroying the home I've worked so hard for!"

He slowly closed the Jade Slip and looked toward the Royal City, as if seeing the majestic King in the Golden Throne Hall and Princess Danying, whom he cared for.

"Princess..."

He whispered, his voice carrying a faint trace of longing.

Meanwhile, in the Royal City, at the secret stronghold of the Flying Eagle Guards.

A secret report written in special cipher had just been delivered through hidden channels and fell into the hands of Flying Eagle.

The information in the report was extremely brief, but it caused the brow of this secret guard leader to instantly furrow:

"There are unusual deployments throughout Northern Frontier City. It seems a hidden force is infiltrating and monitoring our personnel. Operations are being obstructed, and reinforcements are needed. Additionally, Imperial Dynasty spies and Xuan Yin Sect personnel have appeared in the Northern Frontier with unknown objectives."

Flying Eagle looked at the report, his eyes sharp as knives.

He could understand the reaction of Northern Frontier City, but the intervention of the Imperial Dynasty spies and the Xuan Yin Sect was difficult for him to grasp. Could there be some secret in the Northern Frontier that he didn't know about?

Flying Eagle immediately used his divine sense to write instructions on another blank Jade Slip, the handwriting cold and stern:

"Dispatch more elites to infiltrate the Northern Frontier and find out what the Imperial Dynasty spies and the Xuan Yin Sect are up to!"

He applied a special technique to the Jade Slip and handed it to a subordinate beside him who was like a shadow:

"Send it out immediately! Highest Rank!"

The shadow took the Jade Slip and vanished silently into the darkness.

Flying Eagle walked to the window and looked at the heavy night sky to the north, the ominous premonition in his heart growing stronger.

The winds and clouds stirred up in the Northern Frontier were too unusual!

He can only hope that his spies can tear open a corner of this mist more quickly.