176: People in Huaizhong and Things in the City

The night dew grew heavier as the moon's shadow on the window paper quietly shifted westward.

Situ Jun, by the faint silver light, gazed at the tranquil sleeping face of the person in his arms.

The daytime charm and sharpness had completely vanished, leaving only softness between her brows; her long lashes quivered like butterfly wings, as if she were dreaming of something sweet.

His fingertips lightly brushed over the red marks on her shoulder, his eyes filled with complex emotions—the lingering warmth of recent passion mixed with gravity regarding the road ahead.

Lan Yanliu seemed to sense his gaze; she let out a soft moan in her sleep and nestled closer into his embrace, her arm instinctively wrapping around his waist like a small animal seeking protection.

Situ Jun chuckled softly and tightened his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head. The warm fragrance of her hair, mingled with a faint scent of powder, swirled around his nose, strangely dispelling much of the gloom regarding the Southern Frontier.

He had no desire to sleep, and his Divine Thought involuntarily sank once more into a deduction of the current situation.

The waters of the Nether Crow Cave Mansion were deeper than he had anticipated.

The Tianqi Dynasty's hidden agents, the Zhou Dynasty's "blood hand" Village Elder Gongsun, and the predatory Sect forces like the Poison Scorpion Cult—East Lin City was near the eye of the storm; one wrong move could lead to eternal damnation.

"Heh, Li Xuan... Village Elder Gongsun... and all those Sect forces..." he murmured under his breath, his knuckles gently stroking Lan Yanliu's back. "East Lin City is my territory now. As long as they don't cause trouble in the city, I don't care what Legacy they're after."

While he was lost in thought, the person in his arms suddenly moved.

Lan Yanliu half-opened her eyes, her voice raspy from sleep:

"Thinking about those troublesome things again?"

Situ Jun looked down, meeting her drowsy eyes, and his heart softened:

"Did I wake you?"

"The moment you frowned, I woke up."

Lan Yanliu yawned and reached out to smooth the furrow in his brow, her fingertips feeling slightly cool to the touch:

"Stop thinking about it. You aren't the Lord of Tianqi. Even if East Lin City were destroyed by war, it's not your place to worry. Right now, you are my husband, not that City Lord of the Northern Frontier who worries about the country and the people."

Her words were a bit willful, yet they acted like a healing balm, causing Situ Jun's tense nerves to relax slightly.

He caught her hand and gave it a light kiss at his lips:

"Yes, my Lady is right to lecture me."

Lan Yanliu was amused by his use of "my Lady"; she rolled over to lie on his chest, tracing circles on his chin with her fingertip:

"Seriously, if things get too difficult, don't force yourself to endure it. I know you want to protect East Lin City and its people, but if you're gone, what use is it for us to Guard an empty city?"

Situ Jun remained silent for a moment, stroking her long hair, his voice low and firm:

"I know it's difficult to contend with so many forces on my own, but I will be fine. However, some things cannot be avoided; I want to try."

He paused, then changed the subject:

"But don't worry, even if the war spreads to East Lin, I will protect you all and help you leave."

Lan Yanliu knew his temperament; once he made a decision, he wouldn't change it. She stopped trying to persuade him and simply nestled closer into his arms.

Looking up, she bit his lip—not hard, but with a hint of fierceness:

"Then remember to take good care of yourself. I'm still waiting to see how you'll instruct me in my new Martial Skill."

The charm in her eyes faded, leaving only a clear stubbornness.

"Alright."

Situ Jun chuckled softly and pulled her back into his arms.

The moonlight outside gradually vanished into the clouds, and a hint of dawn appeared on the horizon.

The warm pavilion fell into silence once more. This time, Situ Jun stopped thinking about the complex intelligence and focused only on feeling the warmth and breath of the person in his arms.

When the sky grew slightly bright, Situ Jun had already quietly risen.

Lan Yanliu was still deep in sleep, her eyelashes still bearing traces of moisture; her lips were slightly swollen, showing a vivid color from being repeatedly kissed.

He leaned down to tuck in the slipped silk quilt for her. Thinking of the bruise on her knee, his eyes darkened. He turned to pick up the ointment already prepared on the table and carefully applied it to her injury.

The ointment carried a crisp herbal fragrance and melted upon contact with her skin.

Lan Yanliu hummed softly in her sleep and instinctively nudged closer to him like a small animal seeking protection.

Situ Jun's movements paused, a low chuckle escaping his throat as he tidied her messy hair.

After carefully tucking her in again and gazing at her for a moment, he turned to change into his everyday clothes and pushed open the door.

The early morning wind carried the coolness of dew, making him feel refreshed.

The Guard under the corridor bowed immediately upon seeing him come out, his eyes carrying a hint of subtle curiosity—it was the first time the Lord of the Manor had stayed in Miss Lan's room all night.

Situ Jun looked straight ahead and said in a deep voice:

"Has any information been sent back to the manor?"

"No, but City Lord Wang is already waiting in the study, saying there is an urgent report from the Southern Frontier."

The Guard replied hastily.

Situ Jun's steps paused, his eyes narrowing slightly, and he then quickened his pace toward the study.

Pushing the door open, Wang Cheng immediately stood up upon hearing the movement, saying respectfully:

"Master, the scouts from the Southern Frontier have sent back word... something has happened there."

Situ Jun walked to the desk and sat down, his fingertips tapping lightly on the surface:

"Speak."

"The mist around Daoist Ming Ya's Immortal Cave has completely dissipated, but a Restriction has appeared at the entrance. According to the scouts, that Restriction requires at least three Half-step Nascent Soul Cultivators working together to break."

Wang Cheng handed over a Jade Slip and continued:

"Now all the various forces are summoning their own Half-step Nascent Soul Cultivators to go there. The Zhou Dynasty already has one person appearing in the Southern Frontier. It's rumored that the Half-step Nascent Soul Cultivators from the Xuan Yin Sect and the Ten Thousand Poisons Gate have already set out. Also, the Tianqi Dynasty's hidden agents are acting in secret, seemingly preparing to have the Sovereign, Li Xuan, send a Half-step Nascent Soul Cultivator."

Situ Jun picked up the Jade Slip and scanned it with his Divine Thought; his expression grew increasingly grim.

The deployment of Half-step Nascent Soul Cultivators meant that the conflicts between various forces would become more intense.

And as the ferry hub of the Canglan River and a necessary passage to the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, East Lin City would likely be drawn into this whirlpool soon.

"There's more."

Wang Cheng paused and continued:

"'blood hand' Village Elder Gongsun has appeared. Last night, in a border town, he killed three Late Stage Foundation Establishment Elders of the Ten Thousand Poisons Gate. It seemed like a show of power, or perhaps he was refining his ten thousand souls banner; his methods were extremely cruel."

"A show of power? Refining a soul banner?"

Situ Jun sneered and casually tossed the Jade Slip onto the desk.

He turned and walked to the window:

"A Half-step Nascent Soul, and he really thinks he can do as he pleases? How naive! If I'm not mistaken, besides wanting a share of the spoils in the Nether Crow Cave Mansion, this man also wants to create slaughter to refine a malicious Magical Artifact like the ten thousand souls banner. But what he didn't expect is that opening the Immortal Cave requires three or more Nascent Soul Cultivators. This will attract not only the Half-step Nascent Soul Cultivators of the Tianqi Dynasty but also those from every major force."

Wang Cheng was full of worry:

"Master, should we withdraw our scouts first? The Southern Frontier is too dangerous now."

Situ Jun shook his head:

"No need. We are only gathering information and not participating in the struggle for the Legacy, so the risk is limited. Additionally, since the situation has changed, go to the Southern Frontier under the guise of defense and find out the status of the personnel from each force. Also, have Bai Yu keep a close eye on that Village Elder Gongsun; I suspect he will intentionally create slaughter to secretly refine a Demonic Weapon."

"Yes."

Wang Cheng bowed in acknowledgment and added:

"One more thing. Last night, the Hidden Guards found that several unfamiliar faces had slipped into East Lin City. Based on their auras, they seem to be from the Xihua Sect. People have already been sent to watch them."

"The Xihua Sect?"

Situ Jun raised an eyebrow:

"They are also interested in the Legacy of the Southern Frontier? Have the Hidden Guards watch them and see what they intend to do."

"This subordinate understands."

After Wang Cheng withdrew, the study returned to silence.

Situ Jun looked at the brightening sky outside, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the Jade Slip on the desk.

Half-step Nascent Soul, Restriction, Village Elder Gongsun, Sect forces, Dynasty armies... countless clues intertwined in his mind, weaving into a dangerous net.

He took a deep breath, picked up another Jade Slip, and injected his Divine Thought, his voice cold:

"Wang Cheng, deploy three hundred elites from the West City Camp to secretly set up defenses on the main roads in the east of the city. If there is any movement in the Southern Frontier, immediately blockade the city gates and forbid anyone from entering or leaving. Furthermore, you will head to the Southern Frontier today; I will remain here to oversee East Lin City."

The Jade Slip flashed with a faint light, and the message was instantly sent out.

Having done all this, Situ Jun finally picked up the freshly brewed tea on the table and drank it in one go.

The tea was slightly cool, but it made him even more clear-headed.

This storm has already arrived.

He has done all he can; for the rest, he can only deal with things as they come.

As for the outcome... He looked out the window. Sunlight pierced through the clouds, spilling onto the rooftops of East Lin City and coating them in a layer of gold.

"As long as it doesn't affect my city!" he said softly, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.