168: Viewing Situ Jun as a threat

Li Xuan paced anxiously for a couple of steps, his brows tightly furrowed:

"The news released by the Qingyun Chamber of Commerce... The Legacy of Daoist Ming Ya is of immense importance. If it truly falls into Situ Jun's hands, or allows him to climb onto a behemoth like the Qingyun Chamber of Commerce..."

The consequences would be unimaginable.

An uncontrollable Golden Core City Lord with powerful external aid poses a far greater threat to the monarchy than those overt rebels.

He stopped pacing, a trace of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes:

"Send a secret order to the General Zhenguo: If Situ Jun moves to seize the Immortal Cave Legacy, do not confront him directly, but make sure to disrupt the situation! If there is an opportunity... bring the Legacy item back to Us at all costs! If obstructed by other minor forces, execute them without mercy!"

He paused, then added:

"Do it cleanly, and leave no evidence. Remember, the primary goal is the Legacy, and second... is to weaken any aid Situ Jun might gain!"

"Understood!"

The shadow acknowledged the order, his form merging back into the darkness, as if he had never appeared.

Silence returned to the Imperial Study, leaving only Li Xuan's heavy breathing.

He walked to the desk, looking at the secret reports on the memorials detailing the restlessness caused by the Immortal Cave news across various regions, feeling an invisible pressure like a giant boulder weighing on his heart.

The Legacy Immortal Cave in Southern Border was like a giant rock thrown into stagnant water, completely disrupting the surface peace of the Tianqi Dynasty.

And the variable he feared most—Situ Jun—was right at the center of the vortex.

"Situ Jun..."

Li Xuan muttered to himself, his fingers unconsciously tapping the cold armrest of the Dragon Throne, his eyes dark and unclear:

"Are you truly Our Northern Border Shield, or... a hidden danger?"

The candlelight flickered, casting shifting shadows across his face. The Emperor's suspicion and murderous intent silently spread through the deep night.

The night in East Lin City deepened.

The candlelight in the West Wing of the City Lord's Residence annex was extinguished; beneath the tender affection of the inner chamber lay hidden maneuvering, while in the deep palace thousands of miles away, decisions of life and death were being made.

The undercurrents in Southern Border were rapidly converging into a turbulent vortex, ready to engulf anyone who dared to step into it.

Meanwhile, in East Lin City, Situ Jun held the sleeping Embroiderer, his expression completely relaxed... The next morning.

The Embroiderer woke up in Situ Jun's arms, the unease of the previous night dispelled by the solid, warm embrace beside her.

She looked at the handsome and stern profile of Situ Jun's sleeping face, feeling a sense of peace in her heart.

Just as she tried to quietly get up, a large hand pulled her back.

"Lie down a bit longer."

Situ Jun's voice was low and hoarse with sleep. He closed his eyes and lightly rubbed his chin against the top of her head.

The Embroiderer's cheeks flushed slightly. She nestled in his arms, enjoying this rare moment of quiet warmth.

It wasn't until a Maid's soft request came from outside the door that the two got up to wash and dress.

During breakfast, Shen Xingwan also sat at the table, following the Embroiderer's gesture.

She had changed into a simple, elegant goose-yellow dress and applied light makeup, appearing less enchanting and more fresh and beautiful than the previous night.

Her demeanor was proper. She stood quietly beside them, serving dishes and pouring tea, meek and obedient, showing no sign of anything amiss.

"Sister Xingwan, did you sleep well last night?" the Embroiderer asked gently.

"Thank you for your concern, Madam. Everything is fine."

Shen Xingwan responded with a faint smile, her gaze inadvertently sweeping over Situ Jun, who was seated in the main seat.

He was slowly eating the plain porridge, his posture elegant and his expression indifferent, as if the imposing, authoritative image from last night had nothing to do with him.

Shen Xingwan's thoughts raced.

For such a powerful and outstanding man, it wouldn't hurt to submit to him.

Chen Yufei and Liu Xuaner, seated at the side of the table, glanced back and forth between Shen Xingwan and Situ Jun, secretly thinking that another sister had been added in just one night.

Just then, Situ Jun put down his Jade Chopsticks and looked at the Embroiderer:

"Notify Mei Shuang, Jiang Ya, and Lan Yanliu to move here today."

"Don't worry, Husband. I've sent servants to pass the message, and carriages have also been dispatched. They should arrive this afternoon."

The Embroiderer said softly.

Hearing this, Liu Xuaner and Chen Yufei, who were confused, immediately started asking questions.

After learning the details, even Shen Xingwan was greatly surprised. It turned out that this City Lord Situ had so many confidantes.

The resentment in her heart couldn't help but increase slightly.

Situ Jun smiled slightly, sweeping his gaze across the women's faces and saying:

"That's good. It will be livelier with more people in the courtyard, so you won't feel bored in the residence. As for Southern Border..."

Before he finished speaking, Bai Yu appeared at the doorway, looking as if he had important matters to report.

Situ Jun's brow subtly twitched.

The Embroiderer was understanding and immediately said, "Husband, if you have business, please go attend to it."

Situ Jun nodded and stood up.

His gaze swept past Shen Xingwan, who was standing nearby, and he said lightly:

"You need to get used to this place. Later, I will send a voice transmission to Wang Cheng to have your former personal Maid sent over."

Shen Xingwan's heart suddenly skipped a beat! She felt a little touched.

She took a deep breath, raised her head, and her gaze no longer deliberately avoided him. Instead, it met Situ Jun's deep eyes with a complexity that perfectly blended gratitude and a hint of hesitation:

"Thank you, Senior! Xingwan will try to integrate here. It's just... when the night is deep and quiet, it's inevitable to feel a bit uncomfortable, leading to some... undesirable thoughts."

Situ Jun paused slightly, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment:

"Don't call me Senior anymore; it makes me sound old. For now, call me Manor Lord."

As soon as he finished speaking, Situ Jun turned and left.

Shen Xingwan stared blankly outside the door until Situ Jun's figure disappeared.

"Sister Xingwan, don't stand there. Come quickly and sit down and have some refreshments." Liu Xuaner greeted her warmly.

"Thank you, Madam Liu."

Shen Xingwan sat down as instructed, picked up her teacup, and sipped, concealing the turmoil in her heart.

Liu Xuaner smiled softly and said:

"Don't be so polite. We are all sisters from now on. You are a few years older than me, so you can just call me younger sister."

Hearing this, Shen Xingwan blushed. Amidst the delicate laughter of the Embroiderer and Chen Yufei, they all agreed to address each other as sisters from then on.

On the other side.

Situ Jun stepped into the Study, and Bai Yu appeared like a phantom.

"Master, the Zhou Dynasty State Protection Elder Council has dispatched a Half-step Nascent Soul Cultivator to Southern Border. Your subordinate has also received orders to go there. Please give your instructions, Master."

Situ Jun walked behind the desk and sat down, his knuckles lightly tapping the tabletop. After a moment, he said in a deep voice:

"Go. Now that you are Half-step Nascent Soul, you can secure a position in the Elder Council and access more inside information. Furthermore, once you reach Southern Border, contact Nightingale and investigate Tu Xiong's whereabouts. Be careful!"

"Understood!"

A flicker of emotion crossed Bai Yu's eyes, and his figure instantly vanished.

After a moment of thought, Situ Jun picked up a blank Jade Slip, pondered briefly, and carved a Divine Thought instruction into it, asking Zhu Changpo to cultivate more spies and focus on training trustworthy individuals among them.

Currently, he had too few capable assistants to rely on. He couldn't even control the real-time dynamic news of a single Kingdom, which greatly hampered his planning...