Chapter 41: The Wind Rises in the North

 

“Here they come.”

 

Shen Jun, Bai Shi, and E Lai simultaneously opened their eyes, ending their meditation.

 

“Where are the three lords headed?” 

 

The door opened, and Song Jinhuan, who had been standing guard outside, quickly stepped forward and asked in a respectful tone.

 

The three didn’t respond, simply walking towards the front courtyard.

 

Song Jinhuan didn’t dare to ask more questions and hastily followed them.

 

In the front courtyard, two figures had appeared out of nowhere. One wore a grayish-white robe with a copper mask covering half of their face, giving off an ordinary and unremarkable aura, even more so than Song Jinhuan himself.

 

The other wore a dark, ink-like attire, with a single hand grasping a sword, and their entire being seemed to have merged with the void, making it difficult to detect their presence.

 

Song Jinhuan’s heart couldn’t help but wonder, weren’t there only supposed to be three lords? Who were these two?

 

Why didn’t the merchant association’s clerk come to report to him?

 

Song Jinhuan looked up again, and his blood ran cold in an instant.

 

“Greetings, Master.”

 

The three lords, who could make him kneel in reverence, were now kneeling before the “ordinary person” in his heart.

 

“No need for formalities.”

 

Shen Yian turned around, lightly flicking his sleeve, and his black eyes pierced through the mask, seeming to see through Song Jinhuan’s very soul.

 

Song Jinhuan’s legs went weak, and he knelt down completely, feeling that everything about him was laid bare before Shen Yian’s gaze.

 

“Sebei City…branch manager…Song Jinhuan greets Master…Master!” His throat rolled, and the last words completely drained his energy.

 

The true controller of the merchant association, the mysterious and elusive Master, was standing right in front of him!

 

“No need for such formalities.”

 

Shen Yian smiled lightly, his hands behind his back: “Song Jinhuan.”

 

“Yes, sir!” Song Jinhuan hastily propped himself up.

 

“Prepare two guest rooms and some food.”

 

“Yes, sir! I’ll go prepare it right away!”

 

Song Jinhuan stumbled forward two steps, not caring about his dignity, and rushed towards the four-story building in front of him.

 

Shen Yian touched his mask, looking surprised and amused: “Am I that intimidating?”

 

The four of them looked at each other, but no one responded.

 

“Master, I’ve missed you so much, haha!”

 

E Lai took two steps forward and hugged Shen Yian tightly.

 

Shen Yian once again experienced the feeling of being a doll. He felt as if he was surrounded by a sea of ​​muscles, with the tremendous power contained in every cell pressing towards him.

 

“E Lai, let go of Master, Master needs to rest after his long journey.” Shen Jun said in a stern voice.

 

“Sorry, Master, it’s been too long since we’ve seen you, and I’m just too happy to see you now.”

 

E Lai released Shen Yian, laughing loudly, his voice like thunder, causing people within a hundred meters to cover their ears in pain.

 

Shen Yian placed a hand on E Lai’s chest, smiling lightly: “There are two esteemed guests in the city, let’s keep it down.”

 

E Lai recovered his composure, asking slowly: “Master, are you referring to the Four Symbols of the Martial Guard Division?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Sebei City Martial Guard Division branch.

 

Zhuque’s face changed, and he lost his focus, dropping a white chess piece on the board.

 

“What a terrifying aura, Mr.  Xuanwu, it seems like someone extraordinary has arrived in the city.” A cold sweat trickled down Zhuque’s temple.

 

Even from a distance, he could sense that his breathing was being suppressed.

 

“Not just one person.”

 

Xuanwu’s eyes were calm, and the black chess piece in his hand had already fallen.

 

Zhuque’s heart was shocked: “Could it be that His Majesty wants us to…”

 

“Don’t think too much, if we really face them, I won’t be able to protect you, young one.” Xuanwu shook his head and smiled.

 

“What?!”

 

“Master Xuanwu! Master Zhuque! Urgent order from a thousand miles away!” 

 

Do Mu half-knelt outside the door, holding a jade tablet with both hands, and reported in a respectful tone.

 

“Um?”

 

Xuanwu reached out and grabbed the jade tablet, which flew into his hand.

 

The true energy flowed into the jade slip, and after a moment Xuanwu opened his eyes with a solemn expression.

 

The jade slip in his hand had turned into powder and scattered through his fingers.

 

“This is a difficult task indeed.”

 

Xuanwu took a deep breath.

 

“What’s the matter?” Zhuque’s eyebrows furrowed in concern.

 

Xuanwu raised his finger and lightly tapped Zhuque’s forehead.

 

“What…?”

 

Zhuque cried out in shock, his pupils trembling with fear.

 

“Do Mu, keep an eye on the general’s mansion. If any strangers approach, report to me immediately!”

 

“Yes, Xuanwu!”

 

After Do Mu retreated, Zhuque couldn’t believe it: “Mr. Xuanwu, are you trying to deceive me?”

 

“Would I dare to alter the Emperor’s words?”

 

“Mr. Xuanwu, if this is true, it’s simply too shocking!”

 

Someone was going to kill the ruler of a country!

 

Xuanwu’s eyes narrowed, and everything seemed to be connected now. He was even more curious about who was going to kill the barbarian ruler.

 

The Emperor had actually mobilized the Four Symbols, two of whom were personally coming to serve as bodyguards.

 

He could be certain that the person’s identity was not simple.

 

The wind was rising in the north.

 

As the sun set, the floating clouds on the horizon seemed to have drunk a cup of the remaining sunset glow, becoming intoxicated and flushed, reflecting all sorts of emotions.

 

“Who is the visitor!”

 

In front of the general’s mansion, two soldiers blocked the strange person in front of them.

 

Shen Yian raised the imperial decree in his hand: “Imperial decree, announce that General Ye Feng, the North Guardian, should come and listen to the edict immediately!”

 

One of the soldiers was unsure whether it was real or fake, turned around, and ran back to the mansion to report.

 

A few minutes later, Ye Feng led a group of soldiers out in a hurry.

 

Ye Feng looked at Shen Yian, then at the familiar imperial decree in his hand, and his heart was shocked.

 

Has he really gained the ability to predict the future?

 

This morning, he was still worried about being recalled to Tianwu City by an imperial decree, and now it had arrived.

 

But why didn’t those eunuchs come to deliver it? Who was this person in front of him? Is he a member of the Martial Guard Division?

 

“General Ye Feng”

 

“Ding Dong…”

 

The clanging of armor plates rang out as Ye Feng led a group of generals and officers to half-kneel on the ground, ready to listen to the imperial edict.

 

Looking at his father-in-law half-kneeling in front of him, Shen Yian couldn’t help feeling a little embarrassed, but who could blame him for his feudal background?

 

Shen Yian opened the decree, glanced at it to make sure the old man hadn’t played any tricks, and then “whoosh” closed it again.

 

Ye Feng looked up, hearing the sound, and his face was like a written question mark, “Are you kidding me?”

 

Seeing that the other party wasn’t joking, Ye Feng took a deep breath, received the decree with both hands, and opened it.

 

“I, Ye Feng, receive the decree and thank the Emperor!”

 

As he opened the decree, Ye Feng’s eyebrows first furrowed, then relaxed, and he burst out laughing.

 

The generals around him looked up in confusion.

 

Shen Yian smiled and turned to leave.

 

“Please, sir, follow me to the Martial Guard Division.”

 

Do Mu appeared, blocking Shen Yian’s path.

 

“Lead the way.” Shen Yian didn’t refuse, and he probably had already guessed what the two of them were tasked with.

 

Martial Guard Division branch.

 

Under Do Mu’s guidance, Shen Yian walked into the reception hall with his hands behind his back.

 

Xuanwu and Zhuque had been waiting for a long time.

 

“Sir, may I ask, are you the one arranged by the Emperor?”

 

Zhuque looked at Shen Yian and asked.

 

Was this the person the Emperor had arranged?

 

His footsteps were light and agile, not at all like those of a martial artist.

 

How could someone like this infiltrate the barbarian’s territory and assassinate the barbarian ruler?

 

Shen Yian shook his head.

 

“Sir, may I ask…”

 

“Please, sir, take a seat.” 

 

Xuanwu interrupted Zhuque’s question, smiling and welcoming him.

 

The three of them sat down, waiting for the tea to be served.

 

Xuanwu took a sip of tea and directly asked, “When will you depart, sir?”