Slender willows sway in the breeze

Chapter 151 Footprints That Don't Look Like Human Footprints
After Bei Chenyao finished speaking, he placed his withered hands on the back of Gu Changzhou's hands.

"I will definitely live up to your Majesty's trust."

The Jiuhua Pavilion was destroyed because of the bloodthirsty demonic shadow that the Empress had attracted, and it cannot be repaired in a short time.

The Marquis's mansion is quite large, so there must be a place for people to live.

However, given his relationship with Xiao Qianrui, Gu Changzhou was unwilling to stay in another courtyard of the Marquis's residence, so he moved into the palace, specifically Liu Sijun's Yangshou Palace.

They claimed it was to enable timely communication between Master Min and Night Shadow.

Gu Changzhou was thinking that his planned confession had been interrupted by an unexpected event. Although Liu Sijun didn't agree, the previous events had been clarified.

Now we'll see what he does.

The Longevity Palace has several side halls. Liu Sijun lives in the main hall next to the alchemy hall, while Gu Changzhou lives in the side hall to Liu Sijun's right.

Upon arriving at the Longevity Palace, Nian Shuang and Nian Yu busied themselves preparing for Gu Changzhou.

Nian Shuang was beaming with joy, while Nian Yu said, "There were rumors circulating before, but now that the Marquis has moved into the Longevity Palace openly, there's no need to worry about rumors spreading again."

Nian Shuang: "Let the rumors spread. Anyway, neither of them is married, and they are a marquis and a resident alchemist. They are a perfect match."

"You decide?"

After dinner, Gu Changzhou knocked on the door.

Liu Sijun had just finished bathing. She opened the carved door, and a gentle breeze blew in, scattering a few strands of her wet hair, which clung to her pink, peach-blossom-like cheeks, adding to her delicate charm.

Outside the door, Gu Changzhou, dressed in a black robe, stood tall and straight like a pine tree. His gaze fell on Liu Sijun before quickly shifting away.

Liu Sijun was used to being alone, and she was not used to Gu Changzhou suddenly moving into the Yangshou Palace. Otherwise, she should have used a technique to dry her hair first and then put on an outer garment.

"Hold on."

Soon, Liu Sijun finished getting ready.

The two entered the courtyard.

"Does Your Excellency want to talk about that map?"

Gu Changzhou nodded: "Do you have any new ideas?"

He then spread the map out on the stone table and began studying it again.

However, the markings on the map were obscure and difficult to understand, and with the information they currently had, they were simply unable to decipher its mysteries.

Just as the two were in trouble, Gu Changzhou suddenly remembered something: "Si Jun, I remember there is an elder in Wuji Tower who is quite knowledgeable about various ancient runes and maps. Perhaps we can ask him for advice."

A glimmer of hope flashed in Liu Sijun's eyes: "That's great, let's not delay, let's go now."

Gu Changzhou: "...Alright then."

Gu Changzhou led Liu Sijun to a secluded residence in Wuji Tower.

Inside the residence, an elderly man with white hair was resting with his eyes closed. Gu Changzhou respectfully said, "Elder, we apologize for disturbing you. We have come to ask you some questions about this map." The old man slowly opened his eyes, his gaze falling on the map in Liu Sijun's hand, his expression changing slightly: "Where did this map come from?"

Gu Changzhou briefly recounted what had happened. After listening, the old man frowned and fell into deep thought.

After a long silence, the old man slowly spoke: "The markings on this map seem to be related to a mysterious organization from ancient times. This organization was called the 'Blood Spirit Cult,' and they were skilled in using blood sacrifice techniques, attempting to control all things in the world. Later, the Blood Spirit Cult was jointly wiped out by various sects, but unexpectedly, some of their remnants have survived to this day."

Liu Sijun was startled: "Blood Spirit Sect? Could it be that the Xuanji Hall was built by the remnants of the Blood Spirit Sect?"

The old man shook his head slightly: "That's not necessarily true, but there must be some connection between the two. The location marked on this map is likely an important stronghold that the Blood Spirit Sect hid back then, and it may contain their evil techniques and mysterious powers. If the Xuanji Hall is really related to the Blood Spirit Sect, then their goal is probably to reawaken the power of the Blood Spirit Sect and stir up another bloody storm."

Gu Changzhou and Liu Sijun exchanged a glance, a chill running through them both.

If what the old man said is true, then the situation will become even more serious.

They must stop the Xuanji Hall's conspiracy as soon as possible, or the entire continent will be plunged into utter ruin.

Gu Changzhou looked at the old man and asked, "Elder, do you have a way to decipher the markings on this map and find the exact locations of these strongholds?"

The old man pondered for a moment: "The runes on this map are extremely complex. I need some time and special materials to decipher them. You go back first, and I will notify you as soon as I have deciphered them."

Gu Changzhou and Liu Sijun thanked the old man and left Wuji Tower.

It was already late, and Zhongzhou City was brightly lit.

Looking at the bright moon hanging high in the sky, Liu Sijun secretly vowed: no matter how many difficulties and obstacles lie ahead, she will work with Gu Changzhou to uncover the conspiracy of Xuanji Hall and protect the peace of this continent.

Gu Changzhou, too, had a resolute look in his eyes. He knew full well that this would be an incredibly difficult battle, but for the sake of all living beings, he could not back down...

Back at the Marquis's residence, Liu Sijun and Gu Changzhou waited for the old man to decipher the map while continuing their investigation into the clues of Xuanji Hall.

However, for several days in a row, the entire Zhongzhou City was unusually quiet, as if the Xuanji Hall had suddenly disappeared after the attack.

Liu Sijun felt a vague unease. She said to Gu Changzhou, "Changzhou, Xuanji Hall will not give up so easily. Their silence suggests they are brewing an even bigger conspiracy."

Gu Changzhou nodded in agreement: "I feel the same way. I've had the Shadow Guards strengthen their surveillance of the capital these past few days, but we still haven't found anything unusual. It's like the people from Xuanji Hall have vanished into thin air."

Just then, a shadow guard rushed in to report: "My lord, Miss Liu, Tong Lei has sent word that he has found some strange footprints near the Cold Pool. The shape of the footprints is different from that of ordinary people, and they seem to have been left by some kind of mysterious creature. Moreover, the spiritual energy fluctuations around the Cold Pool are also unusually strong."

Gu Changzhou and Liu Sijun exchanged a glance, and Liu Sijun said, "Could this be related to what's coming from the bottom of the cold pool? Let's go take a look."

The Cold Pool is in Wuhou County, and even with Gu Changzhou's sword-riding speed, it would take half a day to reach it.

When they arrived at the cold pool, Tong Lei was already waiting there.

Tong Lei pointed to the footprints by the pool and said, "My lord, Miss Liu, these are the footprints. Look at them, the size and shape of these footprints don't seem to belong to humans at all."

Liu Sijun squatted down and carefully examined the footprints, discovering that they seemed to contain a strange spiritual power.

She stood up and said, "The spiritual energy in these footprints is somewhat similar to, but not entirely the same as, the aura of the Blood Fiend Demon God. It seems that whatever has awakened in the icy pool is definitely not a benevolent being."

Gu Changzhou looked at the cold pool, its waters deep and icy, emanating a chilling aura. He said, "Let's search the surrounding area first and see if we can find any other clues."

(End of this chapter)