177: concern

One hour later.

Situ Jun slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, his gaze falling back onto the Jade Slip concerning the Southern Border Restriction.

Three Half-step Nascent Souls... this threshold was enough to filter out the vast majority of small forces trying to fish in troubled waters, and it instantly raised the intensity of the struggle to another level.

Who would be the Half-step Nascent Soul sent by Li Xuan? What kind of trump cards would the Poison Scorpion Cult, the Xuan Yin Sect, and the Ten Thousand Gu Sect have?

And that bloodthirsty Village Elder Gongsun, while slaughtering and refining, must also be coveting the Legacy of Daoist Ming Ya's Nether Crow Cave Mansion.

"Everyone wants a piece of the pie... we'll just have to see whose teeth are sharper."

The corners of Situ Jun's mouth curled into a cold, sharp arc.

Although Situ Jun had no intention of touching the Legacy, East Lin City was his city, and several of his wives were here. Anyone who dared to act wildly here had to be prepared to be exterminated by him.

Just then, light footsteps came from outside the study, accompanied by a lazy and familiar warm fragrance.

The cold hardness between Situ Jun's brows instantly softened a bit.

Lan Yanliu pushed the door open and entered, having changed into a water-red flowing immortal dress with wide sleeves that complemented her snow-like skin.

There was a trace of imperceptible laziness in her steps, and her charm remained the same as her eyes rippled, though the faint dark shadows under her eyelids revealed some of the exhaustion from last night's "training."

Her gaze immediately fell upon Situ Jun, filled with concern:

"I saw City Lord Wang leave in a hurry this morning with a solemn expression. Is it... very troublesome over at the Southern Border?"

Situ Jun rose to meet her, naturally taking her hand, which felt slightly cool to the touch.

He led her to sit on the soft couch nearby and said gently:

"There have been some changes. The Immortal Cave Restriction requires three Half-step Nascent Souls working together to break it, and all sides are mobilizing their forces. Village Elder Gongsun has also revealed his whereabouts, having killed people from the Ten Thousand Gu Sect at the border to refine soul banners; his methods are ruthless."

Upon hearing this, Lan Yanliu's elegant brows furrowed slightly, the flirtatiousness in her eyes replaced by a hint of solemnity:

"Half-step Nascent Soul... even such figures have entered the fray? Doesn't that make East Lin City even more dangerous?"

"It's no matter."

Situ Jun patted the back of her hand.

Then, in a steady tone carrying a reassuring strength, he said:

"I have already deployed troops for defense, and Wang Cheng has personally gone to the Southern Border to scout. As long as they don't bring the flames of war into East Lin City, I'll let them fight like dogs outside."

He paused, his gaze falling on her slightly furrowed brow, and reached out to gently smooth it:

"As for you, do your knees still hurt? Did the ointment have any effect?"

Lan Yanliu was stunned by this sudden concern, then remembered that before he left this morning, he had indeed applied ointment to her knees; that clear herbal fragrance seemed to still linger at the tip of her nose.

Her heart warmed slightly, but she deliberately put on a feigned look of reproach:

"Hmph, you only remember to ask now? They stopped hurting long ago! The 'ointment' applied by the Lord Mansion Master himself... its effect was actually quite good."

She deliberately emphasized the word "ointment," a mischievous smile dancing in her eyes.

Situ Jun's heart swayed at her look, and the romantic scenes from last night instantly flooded his mind.

He cleared his throat to hide the fleeting embarrassment and said seriously:

"Let's talk business. People from the Xihua Sect have also slipped into the city. I sent a sound transmission talisman to ask Zhuang Xian, but he wasn't aware of it either. I suspect their motives are impure, possibly related to the matters of the Southern Border, or even... aimed at East Lin City. You all must be even more careful lately; stay within the mansion unless necessary."

"The Xihua Sect?"

A flash of surprise crossed Lan Yanliu's eyes, which then turned into vigilance.

As a member of a School that also specialized in charm and illusion techniques, she knew well that the Xihua Sect's methods were devious and unpredictable.

"What are they here for? Looking for Cauldrons? Or..." She said thoughtfully, "could they also have their eyes on the Legacy of the Nether Crow Immortal Cave?"

"It's very likely. Or, they are 'surprise troops' invited by certain forces specifically to deal with difficult opponents."

Situ Jun's eyes were sharp as he paused and then continued:

"In any case, we must be on Guard. I've already had the Shadow Guards keep an eye on them."

Lan Yanliu nodded, then as if thinking of something, her red lips curled into a confident and enchanting arc:

"Is the Lord Mansion Master afraid this servant will fall for their tricks? Rest assured, when it comes to the ability to enchant hearts, this servant is not lacking. If they really dare to target me..."

Her fingertip gently drew a circle in Situ Jun's palm, her voice carrying a dangerous sweetness:

"This servant will certainly let them taste the flavor of the 'Soft Entanglement Art'."

Situ Jun was amused by her confident and slightly wicked manner, and the solemn atmosphere from before dissipated quite a bit.

He squeezed her hand:

"I know you're capable, but open attacks are easy to dodge while hidden arrows are hard to Guard against. Two fists are no match for four hands; it's better to be careful."

He paused, remembering her unconscious state of dependence in her sleep last night, and his tone unconsciously grew even softer:

"You just said... my 'ointment' had a good effect?"

Red clouds rose on Lan Yanliu's face, and she gave him a reproachful look:

"Indecent! We're talking about serious business!"

She made a move to pull her hand back, but Situ Jun held it firmly.

"This is also serious business."

Situ Jun chuckled, pulling her into his arms. His chin rested against the top of her head as he breathed in the warm fragrance of her hair and felt the warmth in his arms, as if it could temporarily dispel all gloom.

"East Lin City is my responsibility, but you all... are my concerns. Protecting you and protecting the people of this region is my greatest 'serious business'."

Lan Yanliu leaned against his solid chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. Her previous playfulness vanished, leaving only a peaceful embrace.

She knew how difficult it was to have a place to settle down in this cruel Cultivation World. Moreover, he was guarding it all alone; one could imagine the weight of the burden on his shoulders. Beneath his seemingly cold exterior was a soft heart, entirely focused on their safety.

"I understand, my Lord Mansion Master."

She answered softly, wrapping her arms around his waist:

"I will take good care of myself and... help you keep an eye on the movements inside and outside the mansion. You just go and deal with the storms of the Southern Border; I and the sisters will be here at home."

The two embraced quietly for a moment, enjoying the brief peace before the storm.

Until the respectful voice of a Guard came from outside the door again:

"Mansion Master, Lord Zhu Changpo has sent a secret report."

Situ Jun's eyes narrowed. He gently released Lan Yanliu and placed a kiss on her forehead:

"I'll go take a look. Rest a while longer, or go to the garden for some fresh air; don't stay cooped up in the room."

He rose, instantly returning to the image of the strategizing City Lord, and strode out the door.

Lan Yanliu watched his tall and straight back, tenderness and worry intertwined in her eyes.

She knew the peaceful times were over.

The storm of the Southern Border was surging toward East Lin City and toward her man, bringing with it a bloody wind and rain.

And all she could do, besides taking care of herself, was perhaps... serve him with all her heart so he could face the storm without any worries back home.

Outside the door.

Situ Jun took the Jade Slip sent by Zhu Changpo, dismissed the Guard, and sank his Divine Thought into it.