CHAPTER 1093: CHAPTER 600: THE NOBLE SCION IN THE CARAVAN

So many things have happened, have they? Xuan Yin entered the Western Regions, the various nations crossed the border, and Commander Zhao ascended the hall with sword in hand... Led by Xu Junling, the group couldn’t help but immerse themselves, following Zhao Douan’s narration, their thoughts drifting north as if witnessing the glinting swords in the Capital.

Quickly, layers of confusion welled up in their hearts: How did Commander Zhao shuttle between the Capital and Jingchuan City without their awareness?

Is it due to some magical means? But why have they never heard of it... As they pondered, the graceful and sweet Commandery Princess looked at Zhao Douan with increasingly different eyes, only feeling that this future brother-in-law of the royal sister was shrouded in mist, making him unfathomable.

Yuan Feng and Prince Huai were more concerned about the situation in the coming spring. They also understood Zhao Douan’s intention:

To prevent the Western Regions people from taking advantage of the situation, the Five Army Camp must rush to support the Duke of Zhenguo.

As for whether the departure of the Five Army Camp would allow Prince Jing’s Jiancheng Army to seize the opportunity... As long as the court pressures enough, Jiancheng Army won’t be reckless to split its forces.

In fact, in Zhao Douan’s view, for the sake of stability, it might be more appropriate to wait for Zhao Shixiong to pacify Yunfu and then transfer the Southwest Border Army to Xiping or elsewhere, but time does not permit, and although the Liao Clan has been quiet for many years, one can’t rule out the chance of them stirring trouble... Leaving Zhao Shixiong to deal with it would still be handier.

"Yes, Commander, I’ll make arrangements in the next few days and set off after the new year." Yuan Feng said, then asked, "Will you be going as well?"

Zhao Douan shook his head, "This time, I won’t be heading north. I will clandestinely take Ji Yue and the others to Hu Ting, to replace Xue Shence. After that, Xue Shence will also go to support Xiping Road."

"This..." The generals were astonished.

Before they could speak, Zhao Douan pondered for a moment and suddenly said, "Right, help me prepare a coffin. I’ll also bring it to the Eastern Front."

A coffin? Xu Junling’s eyes flickered slightly, as if he guessed something, and his mouth slightly opened, "Ah... you mean to..."

Zhao Douan smiled as he looked around at everyone, nodding, "Fight with a coffin, ready to die."

...

Not long after, Yuan Feng and the others left in a hurry, as did Prince Huai to make arrangements.

Under Zhao Douan’s orders, the whole of Jingchuan City began to operate swiftly. He, on the other hand, remained seated in the Royal Mansion, meeting with some officials and dealing with matters that only he had the authority to decide.

"Commander, someone outside the mansion claims to be Yun Xi and seeks an audience with you." Near dusk, a servant of the Royal Mansion came to report.

Zhao Douan was sitting in the "temporary office" converted from a study room, and after a moment of hesitation, he said, "Let her in!"

Not long after.

The door was knocked open, and a girl, dressed in simple cotton clothes, wrapped in a cloak and wearing a bamboo hat, walked in.

Yun Xi, with her face covered by a black cloth, reached to pull it down, revealing a face reddened by the cold, then removed the large bamboo hat, placing it by her side.

"Have a seat, drink a cup of hot tea to warm up." Zhao Douan revealed a gentle smile, welcoming her warmly.

The two shared a profound connection, having transformed from initial enemies to their current superior-subordinate relationship, which only underscored the mysteries of fate.

Since the last mission when Yun Xi was ordered to "kidnap" Zhao Shixiong’s only daughter north to Taicang Prefecture, and awaited Zhao Douan’s southbound journey to Jingchuan City, Yun Xi had once again infiltrated the Martial World with Wu Ling, Qing Niao, and other core members of the "New Kuangfu Society," eliminating the remnants of Kuangfu Society.

This time she suddenly showed up, indicating something serious, which Zhao Douan understood— Yxi’s resolve meant that she wouldn’t seek him out unless the matter was of utmost importance.

"Tell me, what happened?"

Yxi sat sternly in a redwood chair, drank the hot tea mixed with brown sugar in one gulp, wiped the corners of her mouth, and spoke, "Our people have been investigating the location of the Kuangfu Society’s Main Altar and recently obtained two leads."

"First, the Second Prince Jian Wen’s consort and child allegedly slipped into Yunfu two months ago and have since gone missing."

Went to Yunfu? Zhao Douan was slightly stunned, but not too surprised.

After Zhuang Xiaocheng’s death, the Kuangfu Society fragmented and continuously retreated, escaping the court’s reach. It wasn’t difficult to comprehend why they would hide in Yunfu.

It’s just... why particularly Yunfu? Why not Jiancheng Road, Marine Road? Or even the more remote Lingnan Road?

Yxi continued, "Second, Qi Yuchun and Ren Kun do not seem to have entered Yunfu with Queen Wen. Instead, they suspectedly went east. Additionally, investigations suggest that a new leader may have emerged within the Kuangfu Society, but their identity remains a mystery."

This time, Zhao Douan was genuinely stunned.

His eyebrows furrowed as he seriously paced the study room.

A new leader? And neither Qi Yuchun nor Ren Kun assumed command? Went east? The territory of Prince Jing, or the region of Prince Chen in Coastal?

The latter seemed more likely, considering the Kuangfu Society’s Main Altar was previously located in Marine Road.

Suddenly, a spark of inspiration struck Zhao Douan’s mind, revealing a clue.

He remembered with a start that Prince Huai had told him not long ago that a mysterious high-ranking officer emerged under Prince Jing, suspected to have the surname Xu...

After a long while.

Zhao Douan closed his eyes and reopened them, exhaling heavily, and earnestly looking at the girl: "This piece of information is very valuable."

"That’s good." Yxi stood up, pulled up her veil, donned her hat, and headed towards the exit.

It seemed she only came to convey this message.

"Hey, won’t you stay a bit? Stay for a meal?" Zhao Douan tried to persuade.

Yxi didn’t turn back, pushing the door open and disappearing into the Long Dong night: "No need. We both have matters to attend to."

Zhao Douan gazed deeply at the girl’s slender silhouette, thinking of how the short span of two years had transformed the once fiery and naive girl into someone more leader-like.

More imbued with leadership qualities, but also losing the innocence of the past.

"Alas."

In the brightly lit study, long after, a sigh was heard.

...

Hu Ting Commandery.

Amidst the year’s end, the entire Hu Ting felt devoid of celebratory air, and the wind carried a murderous chill.

By nightfall, the once bustling Yansuo Lake plunged into darkness, with only scattered lights emanating from the buildings within the city.