Chapter 5999
As the sun rose high in the
sky, the atmosphere within Jade Immortal City had drastically changed.
The previously relatively relaxed city gates and main streets were suddenly filled with a large number of Jade Immortal Palace guards, clad in blue armor and exuding a powerful aura.
They sealed off all the city gates, leaving only a side gate open for entry, and those who entered were subject to strict questioning and inspection.
The number of patrol teams within the city doubled, increasing from three-man teams to ten-man teams, with leaders at least at the fourth rank of the Upper Immortal Realm, their sharp eyes scanning every pedestrian on the street.
The teleportation array area was completely sealed off, and anyone attempting to leave using it was roughly stopped.
“What’s going on? What happened?”
“I don’t know! I heard something happened at the City Lord’s Mansion last night…”
“Shh! Keep your voice down! Didn’t you see the guards’ eyes? Don’t they want to live?”
“This kind of setup… we haven’t seen anything like it in hundreds of years, has it? Could some important figure be arriving? Or…”
The cultivators on the street discussed amongst themselves, but all kept their voices low, their faces filled with surprise and unease.
Jade Immortal City had been peaceful for far too long, and this sudden tension and martial law created an oppressive atmosphere, as if a storm was brewing.
Some well-informed or perceptive factions quickly restrained their disciples, closed their doors, and waited to see what would happen.
…
Inside the Bamboo Forest Abode, Kai, Ming Li, Lian Xing, and the others naturally noticed the changes within the city immediately.
“They’re moving so fast.”
Ming Li glanced through the bamboo grove at the noticeably increased number of patrolling guards on the distant streets, his brow furrowing slightly. “It seems the disappearance of the Tu brothers has already put Jade Immortal Prefecture on high alert. The entire city is under martial law, no entry, no exit—they’re checking us.”
Monkey’s face paled, and he nervously rubbed his hands. “Senior… what do we do now? The city gates and teleportation arrays are sealed off, how… how do we get out?”
Leopard’s expression was also grave. “Jade Immortal Prefecture’s reaction this time is probably not just because two executioners died. That old dog Fei Qing must have sensed something.”
Lian Xing looked at Kai, who had been resting with his eyes closed and his face calm, and said in a deep voice, “Senior, our intelligence has just delivered definite news. The investigation within Jade Immortal Prefecture has clearly pointed to the two unfamiliar faces who inquired about Fallen Soul Slope at Zhiwen Pavilion a few days ago.”
“They are currently conducting a secret city-wide search for anyone matching their description. Although we are well-hidden here, it’s probably not a place for us to stay for long.”
Kai slowly opened his eyes, his gaze deep and calm. “As expected. Fei Qing isn’t stupid. He must have connected the deaths of the Tu brothers to Senior Mu Sha’s matter. Martial law and a search are inevitable reactions.”
He paused, then looked at Lian Xing: “You said before that you had a way to muddy the waters, make Fei Qing suspicious, and perhaps even lure him away. How’s that going?”
Lian Xing’s spirits lifted, and she quickly replied: “Our people have already begun their operation. Through several intermediaries connected to the outer deacons of the Jade Immortal Palace, but who are not entirely reliable, they have spread several pieces of information, some true and some false.”
“Firstly, they implied that the Tu brothers were silenced because they knew certain shady details of transactions within the Jade Immortal Palace, especially those involving resource allocation and the handling of certain special materials.”
“Secondly, it implies that this matter may be related to several elders in the outer court who are dissatisfied with Fei Qing’s control over internal affairs. They secretly hired someone to retaliate, intending to cut off Fei Qing’s wings and undermine his prestige.”
“Thirdly, the most subtle point is that the stones at Fallen Soul Slope may not be sturdy, implying that there may be a problem with the Soul Refining Array or related items.”
“These messages are being spread very carefully, through roundabout channels, so they shouldn’t reach us in the short term.”
“But given Fei Qing’s suspicious nature and his emphasis on power, he will definitely not remain indifferent to these rumors.”
“Especially the last point, which involves the Soul Refining Crystal, his lifeline and his biggest source of insecurity.”
Kai nodded: “Well done. What Fei Qing fears most now is that the Fallen Soul Slope incident will be exposed and the Soul Refining Crystal will be compromised.”
“The rumors of internal strife will also make him hesitant to act rashly, not daring to use all his resources to investigate openly. Instead, he may rely more on his core confidants, or… personally confirm whether what he cares about most is safe.”
“Mr. Chen means he might take action today?” Ming Li asked.
“Martial law and searches are for external threats. Stabilizing the internal situation and confirming the safety of core secrets are what he needs to do more urgently right now.”
Kai’s gaze turned slightly cold. “Especially if he’s going to see Yu Wuji to report, then before that, he’ll likely go to a place…”
“The secret vault where the Soul Refining Crystals are stored!” Lian Xing interjected, a glint in her eyes.
“That’s right.”
Kai stood up. “Fellow Daoist Lianxing, do you have any informants who can infiltrate the Inner Palace or get close to important areas without arousing suspicion?”
“They don’t need to do anything dangerous. They just need to observe from a distance whether Fei Qing will leave the core area of the Inner Palace this morning and head in a specific direction, especially west of the Hundred Gardens, near the treasury or a more remote corner.”
Lianxing quickly thought: “Yes! We have a brother who works as a handyman in the Inner Palace’s kitchen, responsible for transporting ingredients to some areas. He can take the opportunity to move around in some passages on the outer perimeter of the Inner Palace.”
“West of the Hundred Gardens… that area is close to the Cold Cellar and the Old Pill Room, and it is indeed quite remote. I will immediately arrange for him to keep an eye out near the passages in those directions.”
“Very good.” Kai looked at Mingli and Leopard Brother. “You two continue to monitor the movements of the search in the city and the other reactions of the Jade Immortal Palace’s higher-ups. Monkey, you stay here and don’t go out.”
“Senior, you mean…” Lianxing vaguely guessed Kai’s plan.
“If Fei Qing is truly troubled by the rumors and worried about the Soul Refining Crystal, and goes to the secret vault to check it himself…”
Kai’s voice was calm, yet carried a resolute determination, “that would be the best time for us to act. The chances are much greater on the secluded path leading to the secret vault than in the Spirit Gathering Pool shrouded by the array.”
“But senior, even if Fei Qing leaves the core area, he will surely have guards by his side, and the secret vault is definitely heavily guarded…” Brother Leopard said worriedly.
“It’s all up to us.”
Kai didn’t say much, but the unwavering confidence he exuded, as if everything was under his control, subtly infected everyone.
The waiting time became exceptionally long.
The air inside the hermitage seemed to freeze; everyone could hear their own heartbeats.
About an hour later, a rhythmic bird call came from outside the hermitage.
Lian Xing’s expression shifted; she quickly walked out of the hermitage, returning a moment later with a suppressed excitement and tension on her face.
“Senior! We have news!”
She spoke quickly. “Our people saw that about 15 minutes ago, Fei Qing, accompanied by two bodyguards, left Qingxin Pavilion and headed towards the west side of the Hundred Gardens, behind the old alchemy room!”
“Further in that direction lies an abandoned courtyard and mountain wall that has been designated as a restricted area. We’ve always suspected there might be a hidden entrance or secret chamber there!”
Kai’s eyes flashed. “He really went there. He only had two bodyguards with him?”
“Confirmed to be only two, both his trusted henchmen, with cultivation levels around the fourth rank of the Upper Immortal Realm.”
Lianxing confirmed. “Moreover, they moved very quickly, deliberately avoiding the main road and choosing secluded paths, their expressions wary.”
“Good.” Kai no longer hesitated. “Tell me the most likely point along that path, the most suitable spot to make a move.”
Lianxing was prepared and immediately took out a simple but clearly marked map of the inner palace’s outer perimeter, pointing to a narrow path winding between the artificial hill and the old garden.
“This place is called Listening Pine Path. It’s lined with ancient pines and scattered rocks, the path is winding and the view is obstructed. Moreover, because it’s near an abandoned area, there are very few guards patrolling, and the intervals between patrols are long.”
“It’s one of the only routes they can take from Qingxin Pavilion to that restricted area, and also the most likely one.”
Kai carefully examined the map, memorizing the route and environment.
“Ming Li, you come with me. Provide support around Listening Pine Path, guarding against any unexpected events and providing backup.”
“Lian Xing, all of you, move immediately, leave this place, and go to the safe houses you prepared earlier. Don’t act rashly without my message.” Kai quickly issued the orders.
“Senior, please be careful! Fei Qing’s cultivation is not weak, and he’s as cunning as a fox; he must have ways to protect himself!” Lian Xing solemnly warned.
Kai nodded, said nothing more, exchanged a glance with Ming Li, and the two of them vanished silently from the hermitage, as if blending into the shadows under the sunlight.
The window of opportunity left for them was very short.
Before Fei Qing returns after inspecting the secret vault, the entire series of high-risk actions—interception, subjugation, interrogation, and then evacuation—must be completed on Ting Song Path.