Chapter 80: The Dust Settles

“Old Yin, please organize this information and report it to His Highness.”

Ghost Face transmitted all the information he had extracted from Mo Nan and the other two’s minds to Yin Hai.

Even Yin Hai felt a headache from suddenly receiving such a vast amount of information. It took him a while to nod in agreement.

“How should we deal with these three?”

Hearing this, Wolf Head silently drew his sword.

“Leave them to me,” Ghost Face smiled sinisterly. It would be a waste to let such good materials go to waste.

The others exchanged glances and had no objections.

These three had been so brutally mind-searched by Ghost Face that even if they didn’t die, they would be left as idiots. There was no fear of Ghost Face causing trouble for himself.

Wolf Head silently sheathed his sword again.

“You all should head back now. The Martial Guard Division seems to have arrived. Don’t let yourselves be discovered,” Ghost Face waved his hand, dismissing them.

“When will you return?” Yin Hai asked.

“Tomorrow night or the day after. The corpse puppet needs to undergo the lightning tribulation. Only after being tempered by heavenly lightning can it truly ascend to silver armor status,” Ghost Face replied after some thought.

“Alright, I’ll explain to His Highness. Torch Dragon, just in case, you stay behind with Ghost Face,” Yin Hai looked at Torch Dragon sitting on a rock.

The commotion caused by the silver-armored corpse puppet’s lightning tribulation would inevitably attract curious onlookers.

Torch Dragon nodded, holding his sword: “No problem.”

“Mm.”

As the others left, only Torch Dragon and Ghost Face remained in the cave, along with the three lying on the ground.

“You go ahead and do your thing. I’ll notify you if anyone approaches,” Torch Dragon said, closing his eyes.

“Thank you for your trouble, old Torch.”

Ghost Face flicked three black chains from his sleeve, dragging the three people deeper into the cave.

That night, some finished their work and went home to sleep, while others were busy with heated activity.

“Which faction do you think engaged in battle with the Demonic Cult?” Bai Hu asked calmly, listening to his subordinate’s report.

“This subordinate doesn’t know.”

“Never mind. Take all the bodies and evidence back. Don’t leave anything behind.”

“Yes, Lord Bai Hu.”

“Snap.”

Bai Hu closed her fan, her eyelids lowering slightly, her beautiful eyes profoundly deep.

She felt that this matter couldn’t be unrelated to that troublesome boy.

What tumultuous times, sigh.

Ever since Shen Yian ended his house arrest and returned to his own palace, she has never had a moment of leisure.

At the Heavenly Gate Pavilion.

As it grew darker, Shen Yian didn’t want to disturb Lu Wenxuan any longer, so he left empty-handed.

Lu Wenxuan finished the tea in his cup, lowered his gaze to the chessboard before him, and sighed with a meaningful smile.

The great era is about to arrive!

Nine-tailed fox wreaks havoc in the heavens.

Red tiger crouches in the sand.

White deer hides in the forest.

Evil crow turns on its master.

Lucky carp leaps from the pond.

Hidden dragon in the abyss.

The next day, news of another victory in Liaodong spread through the city. The army had captured two more cities, and most of the Liaodong region had returned to the Great Qing.

The barbarians sent envoys to sue for peace, but evidently, the two sides couldn’t reach an agreement. 

The war continued!

It was nearly noon when Shen Yian lazily walked out of his room.

Last night, after returning from the Heavenly Gate Pavilion, Yin Hai and the others had also just arrived at the prince’s mansion. Their discussion lasted until late into the night.

Learning about the forces behind the scenes, Shen Yian wasn’t particularly surprised.

However, he was somewhat taken aback by Yin Ze’s identity – a sect with only a master and disciple.

Besides being a wizard, Yin Ze was actually a royal member of a large tribe in Ancient Yue, equivalent to an emperor emeritus.

Such a wizard of noble status and comfortable life had been deceived by the Demonic Cult to come to Great Qing and make a move against him.

The most amusing part was that, according to Mo Nan’s plan, they never intended to give Yin Ze what they promised. They just wanted him to do their dirty work.

If the plan succeeded, all blame would be shifted to Yin Ze and Ancient Yue, prompting Great Qing to send troops to Ancient Yue, while the Demonic Cult would proceed with their next step of causing trouble.

Shen Yian, having read the original story, knew that the ultimate goal of each step in the Demonic Cult’s plan was to take control of Great Qing and dominate the Central Plains.

Ye Liyan’s Heavenly Eye was just a crucial part of the plan.

After all, only when the Demonic Cult’s leader entered the Divine Wandering realm would they truly have the confidence to overthrow Great Qing.

Shen Yian asked Yin Hai to compile a list of the Demonic Cult’s bases and personnel in various parts of Great Qing. Once completed, they would find a way to hand it over to the Martial Guard Division.

With the evil-nurturing altar matter settled, next was the Zhao family.

During lunch, Shen Yian wondered why that woman had been so quiet lately and why she didn’t send assassins from the Si family to continue causing trouble. Has she run out of  money?

After lunch, he learned from Mendu that the younger generation of the Zhao family had caused trouble again and almost caused a loss of life.

The other party’s father was also an influential person in Tianwu City. He had severely criticized them in court, angering the old man. In order to cover up for the younger generation of the Zhao family, the woman has been very quiet recently.

Before leaving, Shen Yian suddenly thought of something and instructed Mendu to find some carpenters to urgently carve several sets of chess pieces. He hoped to have two sets finished before nightfall, fearing Fu Sheng and others might get bored in the mansion.

At the Tianwu City Northern Commercial Association branch.

Seven of the twelve had arrived. Except for Chou Niu and Snake, the other five presented gifts to Shen Yian upon his arrival.

“Your Highness.” Chou Niu presented intelligence purchased from the Thousand Gold Pavilion.

Shen Yian opened the bamboo tube and took out the letter.

Heavenly Craft Department • Director General Bian Wenqi.

He didn’t have a very deep impression of this man. He should have been promoted during the five years when he left Tianwu City.

The rest of the letter contained personal information about Bian Wenqi’s life and background.

Shen Yian planned to ask Yin Hai to pay more attention to the other party after he returned, and it would be best if he could find out who the other party had close contacts with.

Putting away the letter, Shen Yian chatted casually with everyone for a while. He advised them not to always stay cooped up in the association, suggesting they go out and explore Tianwu City more. 

All expenses would be covered by the association. If bored, they could even climb over the wall to play in the prince’s mansion, where Shen Jun and others were currently staying.

After giving these instructions, Shen Yian went to the Duke of State’s mansion.

Upon seeing Shen Yian, Ye Tiance and Ye Feng’s first question was whether he had been injured.

Shen Yian quickly assured them he wasn’t hurt and informed the father and son that the evil spirit matter had been resolved.

Hearing this, the two felt greatly relieved. They hadn’t dared to close their eyes all night and most of the day, fearing something might suddenly happen.

After expressing their relief, both father and son thanked Shen Yian.

If not for Shen Yian, they might have remained foolishly unaware and fallen victim unknowingly.

Ye Tiance and Ye Feng exchanged a glance, and with paternal understanding, tacitly agreed not to say more.

Ye Feng changed the subject to Shen Yian’s recent study of the zither, casually mentioning that Ye Liyan was currently practicing in the lake pavilion, suggesting they could discuss it together.

After some more small talk, under their watchful eyes, Shen Yian made his familiar way to the rear garden of the Duke’s mansion.

“The day is almost here,” Ye Tiance stroked his beard and sighed with a smile.

“Yes, time really flies,” Ye Feng replied.

“Father, to be honest, I really can’t bear to leave.” 

Ye Feng said slowly as he sat down, his tone full of emotion and reluctance.

“Daughters grow up and eventually have to marry,” Ye Tiance said.

“Liyan is fortunate. She’s found someone she likes who is capable of loving her,” Ye Tiance patted Ye Feng’s shoulder comfortingly.

They were relatively open-minded elders. Even if Ye Liyan chose never to marry, they would support her decision.

Most young masters and misses in Tianwu City didn’t have the right to decide whom to marry. In the future, their descendants might face the same situation.

“Father, please keep His Highness for dinner tonight.”

“Hmm?”

Ye Tiance immediately understood his son’s meaning.

“Okay, there happen to be a few jars of good wine in the mansion.”