399: Night trip to the North Courtyard

He gazed at the tranquil night sky over Beijiang City. The moonlight was bright and clear, with stars twinkling like scattered gems. Outside the city walls, the Gobi desert shimmered with a faint silvery glow under the moonlight, a scene of utter peace.

Yet, beneath this serenity surged turbulent undercurrents.

"Although the first hurdle has been temporarily stabilized, and Mysterious Clarity Master and the others are safe for now, Li Zhong is a core member of the Imperial Dynasty's Qintian Division, holding the rank of Commander. This man is extremely cautious in his actions, meticulous in thought, and possesses astonishing insight. He will definitely not give up easily."

His fingers unconsciously tapped on the window lattice as he murmured:

"Mysterious Clarity Master, Withered Bone Ascetic, Mo Chenggui, Bai Qingtian, Widow Ya, Luo Yu... These people are now either under my control or are my Dao Companions. Our stories are aligned, so there shouldn't be any slip-ups in the short term. The most critical issue right now is whether Li Zhong might, through other channels or some secret technique, detect the true aura of the person who underwent the tribulation that day..."

Situ Jun's voice was low and hoarse, the gravity in his brow deepening.

The commotion during his Breakthrough to the Soul Transformation Stage was simply too great. The gathering of Nine Heavens' thunder and the force of the Heavenly Tribulation swept through the surroundings. Even though he chose a desolate, uninhabited deep Desert, a vast expanse of Yellow Sand where human traces were rare, it was still difficult to completely conceal the marks left by the tribulation.

If the people of the Imperial Dynasty's Qintian Division truly possessed the legendary, unfathomable divination abilities rumored to be godlike and ghostly, capable of tracing the residual spiritual energy in the world and reverse-deducing the truth of the tribulation's occurrence, they might very well be able to follow the clues and trace them back to him.

"We must prepare for the worst."

A sharp glint flashed in Situ Jun's eyes:

"If they really do investigate me, if they truly discover that the one who underwent the tribulation at Nether Crow Ridge was me... then I can only..."

He did not continue, but the cold light in the depths of his eyes said it all.

Situ Jun slowly turned and returned to his desk. He lifted his hand, placing the dim sound transmission jade talisman to the side, then spread out a blank talisman paper.

Gathering spiritual power at his fingertip, he began to write swiftly.

One instruction after another was engraved into specially-made sound transmission talismans:

"Nightingale, find a few reliable people to closely monitor every move of the Heaven-Patrolling Iron Cavalry in the Royal Capital and the Southern Border. Pay special attention to every detail of their investigation and every person they contact. If they show particular interest in the identity of the 'tribulation undergoer,' or if their investigation direction shows signs of pointing towards the northern border, notify me immediately!"

After writing the final instruction, Situ Jun's fingertip pulsed with spiritual power. The sound transmission talisman instantly emitted a soft golden light, which then retracted inward, transforming into a faint stream of light. It flew out through a crack in the study window, silently streaking across the night sky of Beijiang City, speeding into the distance and disappearing into the night.

Having done this, Situ Jun let out a soft sigh, but the gravity in his brow did not dissipate.

These arrangements could only be considered passive defense.

If the Heaven-Patrolling Iron Cavalry were determined to dig out the truth, or if the Qintian Division's methods exceeded expectations, then these passive arrangements would instantly crumble, and he would ultimately fall into an extremely dangerous situation.

Passively waiting to be hit was definitely not a long-term strategy.

"Perhaps... I should proactively create some 'clues' to lead them in the wrong direction?" A thought flashed through Situ Jun's mind, but he quickly dismissed it himself.

"Not advisable."

Situ Jun shook his head, his tone carrying a measure of rationality:

"Playing such tricks in front of a Late Nascent Soul Stage powerhouse is too risky. Once seen through, it would only confirm guilt. If he concentrates all his suspicions on the tribulation undergoer, then that would be trying to be clever only to end up with blunders, the gains not worth the losses."

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, carefully pondering his countermeasures.

"The best strategy now is to remain still to counter movement, to face the investigation with 'openness and honesty.'"

Situ Jun spoke slowly, his tone carrying a note of certainty:

"My current public identity is merely the City Lord of this remote border city, Beijiang City. My Cultivation level, as displayed to the outside world, is only at the early stage of the Late Golden Core Stage. I seem to have no connection to the unsealing incident at Nether Crow Ridge, nor any interaction with those involved Sects."

"As long as the Imperial Dynasty's Qintian Division doesn't possess some Heaven-Defying means, it will be difficult for the Heaven-Patrolling Iron Cavalry to pinpoint me as the one who underwent the tribulation."

Situ Jun's gaze fell on the topographic map of the northern border on the desk:

"For now, it seems Li Zhong's attention is still focused on verifying the details of the Nether Crow Ridge incident and tracking down those Nascent Soul Cultivators who rashly performed the unsealing. It hasn't yet extended to the matter of the tribulation."

Situ Jun rubbed his temples again. The continuous days of contemplation had left him feeling a trace of fatigue.

He stood up and walked out of the study. The night wind, carrying a chill, brushed against his face, refreshing his spirits slightly.

From the direction of the rear courtyard, faint, warm candlelight seeped through window lattices, accompanied by the soft, pleasant sound of women's gentle conversation and laughter. Carried by the night wind, it brought a touch of warmth, dispelling the chill of the deep night.

That was his home, the pure land he must protect.

"No matter what, I absolutely cannot let the flames of war reach here."

Situ Jun clenched his fist, his knuckles turning white. A determined gleam flashed in his eyes, and the aura around him turned cold and sharp once more:

"If it truly becomes unavoidable, even if it means taking a risk, I must control that Li Zhong, make him serve me, or... silence him completely!"

The night wind, wrapped in a clear chill, swept over the blue bricks and dark tiles of the City Lord's Manor. The copper bells hanging under the corridor swayed gently in the wind, emitting a delicate, tinkling sound.

That sound was crisp and melodious, falling into the quiet night, making the depths of the manor seem even more serene and even warmer.

Situ Jun withdrew all the gravity surrounding him. His figure flashed, like a shadow of pale ink, silently gliding along the long corridor. He avoided the patrolling guards and turned into the secluded North Courtyard.

In a courtyard located towards the north within the North Courtyard was Ye Nianrui's residence. It was usually extremely quiet, with few visitors.

The courtyard was filled with orchids and crabapple trees. Although night had fallen, one could still smell the faint fragrance of flowers lingering in the air, elegant and sweet, soothing to the mood.

The bamboo window of Ye Nianrui's room was slightly ajar. Warm, yellow candlelight leaked through the crack, falling onto the bluestone slabs, casting fragmented, mottled spots of light. From inside the room came the faint, gentle sound of brocade fabric rustling, tender and comfortable.

Situ Jun approached and lightly tapped three times on the window lattice—the prearranged signal between him and Ye Nianrui.

"Come in."

Soon, a woman's warm, soft voice came from inside the room. Clear and smooth as jade, yet carrying a unique lazy tenderness of a mature woman, like silk soaked in warm water, gently enveloping one's eardrums, the warmth seeping into the heart through hearing.

Situ Jun gently pushed open the bamboo window and leaped inside. As soon as he steadied himself and looked up, he met a pair of affectionate eyes.

Those eyes were clear as water, gentle as the moon, brimming with longing and concern for him, instantly making him shed all his defenses.

Ye Nianrui was reclining on a soft couch spread with snow weasel fur cushions. She wore a moon-white sleeping robe, loosely tied at the front, the collar slightly open, revealing a section of exquisite, elegant collarbone. Her skin was lustrous white like jade, shimmering with a soft, delicate pearlescent glow under the flickering candlelight, warm and moving.

No golden hairpins adorned her hair; it was simply loosely tied into a cloud-like bun. A few strands of ink-black hair fell by her cheeks, making her delicate face appear even more gentle and fair.

Her eyebrows were like distant mountains tinged with azure, her eyes like autumn waters rippling. Her nose was small and straight, her lips as pink and tender as cherry blossom petals. Even without makeup, the charm at the corners of her eyes and brows was more captivating and alluring than the most vibrant peony in the world.

It was a beauty honed by the passage of time—not the youthful innocence and delicacy of a maiden, but like fine wine aged in a jar, growing richer with each taste. Every inch of her skin, every glance held the unique charm and composure of a mature woman, gentle yet with a hint of soft allure, pleasing to behold.