Seeing Chen Pei'en's intent to inquire, Lu Yu hurriedly said, "There's no need to ask me what they are plotting; I don't know either. I just happened to encounter them by chance."

"Alright." Chen Pei'en was somewhat disappointed. If he could learn what the Sand King Hall was scheming in Black Sand City, there might be a chance for a promotion and a way to leave this oil-poor desert border.

The storage belt around his waist vibrated. With a swipe at his waist, a Communication Talisman appeared in his hand.

After the message entered his mind, the Communication Talisman self-combusted in the air, turning to ash. Chen Pei'en looked at Lu Yu with a serious expression and said, "I'm sorry, the matter in Black Water City is significant. You cannot leave Yellow Sand City for now. Please return with us first."

Seeing the seriousness on his face, Lu Yu sighed inwardly and said, "It's okay; this is General Chen's duty."

After learning about the concept of the earth's veins from Chu Tianhe, he knew this matter involved many aspects. While talking with Chen Pei'en, he deliberately refrained from mentioning the subject to avoid getting involved.

But it seems now that they already know about Black Water City's earth veins and are trying to block all information.

He had only mentioned "Black Water City" in passing to Chen Pei'en, yet he was "detained" without hesitation, indicating how much importance they placed on this matter.

"Someone, give a Dragon-scale Horse to Lu Shaoxia," Chen Pei'en turned and shouted.

Someone promptly jumped down from their horse and led their steed over. Lu Yu quickly declined, saying, "Thank you for your kind offer, General Chen, but I am dull and cannot ride horses. However, please rest assured, I can keep pace with you."

Upon hearing Lu Yu declare his inability to ride, Chen Pei'en did not insist. However, as they headed towards Yellow Sand City, his team surrounded Lu Yu.

Lu Yu hovered a meter above the ground, somewhat helplessly observing the surrounding cavalry. Yet he understood Chen Pei'en's actions and did not say anything.

If not for his identity as a disciple of the Divine Weapon Pavilion, Chen Pei'en might have restrained him back to the city, rather than just escorting him.

Upon entering Yellow Sand City, Lu Yu was taken by Chen Pei'en to the military camp, where he was given a vacant residence to live in.

Looking at the not-so-spacious residence, Chen Pei'en said, "Lu Shaoxia, please bear with us. The conditions in the military camp aren't comparable to other places."

"It's fine," Lu Yu replied helplessly, "Anyway, I sustained some injuries during the previous battles and need a quiet place to recuperate."

Chen Pei'en continued, "I ask Lu Shaoxia to stay here for a while. If you wish to leave Yellow Sand City or enter the Divine Weapon Pavilion Secret Realm, please notify me first."

"Alright," Lu Yu responded.

Chen Pei'en turned to leave, took two steps, then turned back and asked, "Regarding the Heaven-shaking explosion outside Yellow Sand City earlier, does Lu Shaoxia know what happened? If it's inconvenient..."

"It's fine, it was caused by a Core Formation Realm Martial Cultivator self-detonating their Divine Weapon," Lu Yu said calmly.

"Oh." Once Chen Pei'en received the answer, he readied to leave. Suddenly, he froze, turned back to look at Lu Yu with difficulty, and stammered, "Core... Core Formation Realm Martial Cultivator... self-detonating... Divine Weapon?"

"Was it you?" Chen Pei'en no longer wanted to beat around the bush and asked directly.

"Yes, the opponent was a fugitive from Great Zhou, nicknamed Shura Evil Ghost."

Having laid it all out, Lu Yu proceeded to tell Chen Pei'en everything to avoid questioning back and forth.

Chen Pei'en wasn't familiar with the Shura Evil Ghost, as the latter did not frequent the desert border and was relatively unknown in this remote area.

When Chen Pei'en returned and had his deputy search for the Great Zhou's wanted notice, he finally grasped the fearsome notoriety of Shura Evil Ghost.

He became increasingly astonished at Lu Yu's capability. Despite looking very young, possibly just in his twenties, Lu Yu had managed to force the Core Formation Realm Shura Evil Ghost to self-destruct his Divine Weapon — terrifying indeed.

He was grateful he hadn't used brute force to detain Lu Yu; otherwise, it was unsure who would have prevailed.

Though Chen Pei'en's strength wasn't lacking, he couldn't withstand the special attributes of Shura Evil Ghost's Divine Weapon. If he couldn't kill Shura Evil Ghost within three hundred moves, he'd have to flee afterward.

This was a deduction from the information recorded on the wanted notice, which is why Lu Yu's strength was so startling.

"General, Master Chu is calling for a meeting," the messenger announced at the door.

"Okay, I know," Chen Pei'en placed down the wanted notice and file on Shura Evil Ghost, picked up his helmet from the table, put it on, and walked out of the room.