392: Rebuilding Southern Xinjiang

At the same time, inside the main hall of the Royal Palace in the Royal Capital, a sharp sound suddenly pierced the solemnity of the hall.

"What did you say? That brat Situ Jun actually dared to drive back the Acting City Lord of the Northern Border, whom I personally dispatched?!"

Li Xuan slammed his hand onto the dragon desk, causing the gilded candle holders to tremble and rattle.

The translucent suet jade cup in his hand had already shattered. Glistening white jade fragments, mixed with the remaining tea, splashed all over the floor, much like his currently shattered majesty.

"Preposterous!"

Li Xuan's chest heaved violently, his eyes surging with overwhelming fury.

"A mere Consort who rose to power through connections—he dares to pluck whiskers from my face? Does he truly think that because I respect the Grand Princess's feelings, I cannot deal with him?!"

The palace servants in the hall were already shivering with fear, bowing their heads and averting their eyes, not even daring to breathe loudly.

Only the old eunuch, Fu An, standing to the side, remained composed. With a gentle wave of his horsetail whisk, he stepped forward, bowed, and advised, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Your health is paramount."

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Your health is of utmost importance."

His voice was low and steady as he spoke with a hint of caution.

"According to the secret reports from the Northern Border, Situ Jun seems to have made great progress in his Cultivation upon his return. His entire Aura is majestic and extraordinary, far beyond what it used to be. Furthermore..."

Fu An paused, his tone adding a layer of gravity.

"The ones escorting the Acting City Lord back to the capital were not Situ Jun's men, but the personal guards of the State Preceptor's Manor. They called it a 'courteous send-off,' but in reality, it was more like a forced withdrawal."

"The State Preceptor?!"

Li Xuan's pupils constricted, and the fury on his face was instantly replaced by shock and suspicion.

"State Preceptor Mysterious Clarity Master? Didn't he just send a message ten days ago saying he had just escaped the Nether Crow Cave Mansion and was in seclusion to adjust his breathing? Why would he suddenly intervene in this matter and specifically protect Situ Jun?"

A series of questions swirled in his mind, tangled like a mess of hemp.

His fingertips trembled slightly as a strong sense of unease spread through his entire body along his spine.

"Could it be... could it be that Situ Jun obtained some immense fortuitous encounter in that wild land of the Southern Border, such that even the State Preceptor has to give him some face?"

Thinking of the speed of Situ Jun's rise, Li Xuan felt a surge of alarm.

This City Lord, who was once beneath his notice, now seemed like a suddenly rising star, showing a faint trend of escaping his control.

"Investigate! Investigate this thoroughly for me!"

Li Xuan clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning white, his voice carrying an unquestionable authority.

"Mobilize all secret lines to investigate Situ Jun's every move in the Southern Border. Find out exactly what connection he has with the State Preceptor. Not a single detail is to be missed!"

"This old servant obeys the decree."

Fu An bowed in acceptance and withdrew silently, leaving Li Xuan alone to pace anxiously in the hall, his brow filled with gloom.

Unlike the oppressive atmosphere of the palace, the attic of the Qingyun Chamber of Commerce Headquarters in the Tianqi Royal Capital presented a different scene.

Mo Chenggui, dressed in green robes, stood at the edge of the attic with his hands behind his back, overlooking the bustling streets below, filled with traffic and people.

Sunlight spilled over him through the carved window lattices, yet it could not dispel the gravity in his eyes.

He toyed with a warm sound transmission jade talisman in his hand. The temperature on his fingertips seemed to retain the residual warmth from when the Jade Talisman transmitted the message. Situ Jun's cold and majestic command still echoed clearly in his ears.

"Rebuild the Southern Border and erase all traces... The Master wants to temporarily avoid the edge of the Qintian Division and keep a low profile."

Mo Chenggui murmured to himself, a flash of realization crossing his eyes.

As a core Elder of the Qingyun Chamber of Commerce, he had been immersed in the business world for decades and understood the principle of judging the situation best.

Now that the Heaven-Patrolling Iron Cavalry had arrived and the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty's attention was focused here, any out-of-the-ordinary behavior could invite a fatal disaster.

He turned around, his gaze falling on the chamber Deacon standing respectfully behind him, his tone suddenly becoming sharp.

"Pass down the orders."

"Please give your instructions, Elder," the Deacon replied respectfully.

"The Southern Border assistance plan will proceed as usual, but actions must be even more low-key. All resource allocations and personnel movements must strictly comply with the Imperial Dynasty's laws. No handle that could cause misunderstanding is to be left behind."

Mo Chenggui paused, then added:

"In addition, immediately mobilize the intelligence network of the chamber spread across the Royal Capital and the entire Tianqi Dynasty to closely monitor every move of the Heaven-Patrolling Iron Cavalry. Who they contact, what they investigate—even the most insignificant detail must be reported to me immediately. There must be no delay!"

"Subordinate understands. I will arrange it immediately!"

The Deacon bowed to accept the order and left quickly. From his hurried steps, it was not hard to see the urgency of the matter.

Mo Chenggui walked back to the window, looking toward the palace in the distance, his eyes filled with complex and unreadable emotions.

He knew that a massive storm had already quietly enveloped this prosperous Royal Capital... Deep within the Headquarters of the Ten Thousand Gu Sect in the Southern Border.

Withered Bone Ascetic was staring fixedly at the sound transmission jade talisman in his hand. The flesh on his face twitched incessantly, and his eyes were full of wariness and ruthlessness.

Although the spiritual energy fluctuations remaining on the Jade Talisman were faint, they carried an unquestionable pressure. That was Situ Jun's unique Aura, which made his heart go cold.

"Heaven-Patrolling Iron Cavalry... Hehe, a bunch of fellows who only know how to throw their weight around by relying on the power of the Imperial Dynasty."

Withered Bone Ascetic grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellowish teeth. His tone held some disdain, but even more so, a sense of relief.

"I am currently heavily injured, with half my life almost gone. Even if the Heaven-Patrolling Iron Cavalry comes knocking, I have enough excuses to brush them off."

He put away the Jade Talisman, a flash of ruthlessness in his eyes.

"However, the Master is right. The most important thing now is to handle the affairs of the Southern Border well, so the Heaven-Patrolling Iron Cavalry can't find any leverage!"

As his voice fell, Withered Bone Ascetic stood up abruptly and walked out of the room where he was in seclusion.

Seeing this, several Ten Thousand Gu Sect Disciples waiting outside hurriedly bowed and saluted.

"Greetings, Elder!"

"Listen up, all of you!"

Withered Bone Ascetic's voice was like a booming bell as he shouted sternly.

"Order all Sub-altars to immediately intensify the suppression of surrounding Yao Beasts and bandits. Anyone who dares to cause trouble at this critical juncture, whether human or Yao, will have their soul extracted and refined. There will be no leniency!"

His gaze swept over the Disciples, his tone becoming increasingly severe.

"Also, regarding the task of assisting the people of the Southern Border in rebuilding their villages, what is the progress? Speed it up for me! In half a month, if the Southern Border is still a mess, I'll skin you alive!"

"Yes! We obey your orders!"

The Disciples trembled with fear and hurriedly responded in unison, turning to leave quickly, fearing that being a step too slow would result in severe punishment.

Withered Bone Ascetic watched the departing figures of the Disciples, snorted coldly, and turned back into his room.