Young Jiang Ziya

It has been half a month since we left Jinan and Luoyang. We are tired from the journey, but everyone is carrying something heavier than fatigue in their hearts.

Several miles from the city gate, a black horse emerged like a ghost from the withered woods by the roadside and blocked the way. The rider was dressed in an inconspicuous dark gray outfit, with a handsome face and deep, calm eyes. He was none other than Yun Zhen, the intelligence chief of Xiqi, known as the "Shadow."

"Young Master, everyone." Yun Zhen did not dismount, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching Ji Fa, the leader, "The journey has been arduous. But before entering the city, there is something that needs to be taken care of first."

His gaze passed over Ji Fa and landed on the heavily guarded carriage in the middle of the procession, personally driven by Han Ling—Shen Gongbao was still unconscious inside.

"The person in the car... cannot enter the city for the time being." Yun Zhen got straight to the point, "At least not in their current state and identity."

Ji Fa frowned: "Why? Shen Gongbao is an ally who helps us fight the blood plague, and moreover, he is a guardian of the Crimson Eyebrows!"

"I know," Yun Zhen said in an unchanged tone, "but the situation in Xiqi City... is somewhat unusual lately. The atmosphere towards sorcerers, especially those not in the tower, is not tolerant. Garrison Commander Lei Kai has been acting rather ruthlessly lately."

He paused, then added, "Just in case, and to avoid unnecessary conflict and trouble, I have arranged for a secluded old house fifteen miles southeast of the city, which is quite quiet and has a clean water source."

"We can settle Shen Gongbao there for now, under the care of Mr. Shi Yuan and the reliable Red Eyebrow Watchmen. We'll make further plans once the situation inside the city becomes clearer."

Ji Fa exchanged a glance with Han Ling beside him, then looked at Shi Yuan, who looked worried, beside the carriage.

Yun Zhen's intelligence reports are never false, so there must be a reason why he is issuing such a serious warning.

"What's wrong with Lei Kai?" Ji Fa asked in a deep voice.

Yun Zhen shook his head slightly: "It's hard to explain in a short time. After the young master enters the city and meets the Marquis, he will naturally know. For now, please prioritize the safety of the situation."

Ji Fa pondered for a moment, then looked at Han Ling. Han Ling nodded: "The Watchers are not afraid of risks, but as allies, we should prioritize the greater good. I will send two reliable brothers with Mr. Shi Yuan to take care of him and ensure his safety."

Shi Yuan also sighed: "Shen Gongbao's situation is special. Several forces are intertwined within his body, and he definitely needs a quiet environment to perform the ritual to heal him. It's better outside the city, with less interference."

"Then let's do as Yun Zhen says," Ji Fa decided.

The group split in two. Shi Yuan, Han Ling, and two watchmen escorted the carriage carrying Shen Gongbao, turning towards the southeast path. Yun Zhen led Ji Fa, Lü Shang, Daji, and the rest of the group, continuing towards Xiqi City.

Before parting, Yun Zhen whispered a special instruction to Lü Shang: "After entering the city, speak less and observe more. Especially... pay attention to the movements of the guards."

Lu Shang felt a slight chill run down his spine, but nodded in agreement.

**Xiqi City, main military camp tent.**

The charcoal fire burned brightly, dispelling the chill of early winter. Ji Chang sat in the main seat, listening to Ji Fa's detailed report on the trip to Dongyu: the death of Lü She, the downfall of He Xu, the ascension of Lü Tuo, and the final three-way alliance.

Ji Chang remained calm, occasionally nodding slightly at crucial points, showing little surprise—clearly, Yun Zhen's spy network was highly efficient, and core intelligence had already been presented to him.

After Ji Fa finished speaking, Ji Chang's gaze fell on Lü Shang, who was standing behind Ji Fa.

"Lü Shang".

"Your Excellency is here," Lü Shang hurriedly stepped forward and bowed his head in response.

"During this trip to Dongyu, you repeatedly acted swiftly in times of crisis, assisting the young master in obtaining crucial evidence. You even protected yourself in perilous situations and brought back incriminating evidence. Your contributions are considerable." Ji Chang's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable weight. "From today onwards, you are officially promoted to the personal male servant of the young master Ji Fa. Your monthly salary will be doubled, and you will have free access to most areas of the young master's residence. Your full responsibility will be to handle the young master's daily life and accompanying affairs. I expect you to be diligent and dutiful in your duties and to assist him well."

Personal... male servant? Double the monthly salary?

Lu Shang was stunned for a moment, then smiled bitterly to himself.

Sure enough, in the eyes of the Marquis, his greatest "merit" and "value" seemed to be being a higher-ranking and more attentive servant.

He dared not show the slightest negligence, and bowed respectfully: "Thank you for your kindness, Lord Marquis! I will certainly do my utmost to serve the young master!"

Ji Chang nodded, then looked at Han Ling: "Han Ling, the Watchers, the Red Eyebrow Watchers have kept their promises and helped Xiqi a great deal. An independent area has been designated outside the city's western camp for the Watchers to garrison, rest, and train. All supplies will be provided according to the standards of Xiqi's elite soldiers. In the fight against the Blood Plague, we will still need the Watchers' full support in the future."

Han Ling clasped his hands in a fist salute, the crimson seal of his eyebrows gleaming faintly in the firelight within the tent: "Thank you, Marquis of Xibo. The watchman will not fail in his duty."

"Father," Ji Fa said after Han Ling thanked him, unable to resist asking, "Yun Zhen said that the city has recently tightened its control over sorcerers, and Lei Kai..."

Ji Chang waved his hand, a hint of inscrutable weariness flashing across his face: "We'll discuss this later. You've all had a long journey, so go and rest and have a meal. Yun Zhen and Wu Dan will come to talk to you in detail in an hour."

**One hour later, in the outer hall of Ji Fa's residence.**

The charcoal brazier was warm and cozy, and the tea steamed gently.

Besides Ji Fa, Lü Shang, and Daji, Yun Zhen and Wu Dan also arrived. Han Ling went to the camp outside the city to settle his troops.

"What exactly happened to Lei Kai?" Ji Fa asked impatiently.

Wu Dan rubbed her temples. Even this usually composed diplomatic envoy now wore a hint of helplessness on her face: "Since you left, the number of blood plague outbreaks in the villages on the northern and western borders has increased by at least 30%. Although there are no clear reports of a large-scale gathering of blood puppet armies, sporadic attacks on people and livestock, and pollution of water sources and land are occurring frequently. People are filled with fear."

Yun Zhen spoke up, his voice as calm as ever, yet tinged with coldness: "Panic needs an outlet. And warlocks, especially those who have fallen outside the tower for various reasons or whose origins are tainted, have become the most readily available targets. Lei Kai... he seems to be stimulated by this panic, or rather, by the blood plague itself."

"Exciting?" Ji Fa asked, puzzled.

"He believes that the sorcerer's power originates from the Azure Heaven, and so does the blood plague. Since they share the same origin, there must be a deep connection between them. He even unearthed some ancient scrolls that record the legends of the first blood plague and certain 'Golden Immortal' sorcerers recklessly violating taboos."

Yun Zhen slowly said, "Therefore, he believes that the control over warlocks must be raised to the highest level. Not only are warlocks inside the tower subject to stricter surveillance and restrictions, but his policy for unregistered warlocks discovered outside the tower is... 'kill them without mercy'."

"Kill them without mercy?!" Daji exclaimed, "What about Shen Gongbao...?"

"That's why I had you place him outside the city." Yun Zhen glanced at Ji Fa. "Although Shen Gongbao fought alongside you and made contributions, in Lei Kai's eyes, he is first and foremost a 'sorcerer outside the tower,' and a former sorcerer with a sensitive identity who once escaped from the tower of E Kingdom."

Given Lei Kai's current extreme views, if Shen Gongbao were to swagger into the city and be discovered by the guards, a conflict would be almost inevitable. Lei Kai would not hesitate to order his execution.

Ji Fa's face darkened: "Father, are you just going to let him do this?"

Wu Dan sighed: "Lord Marquis... has his reasons. Although Lei Kai is ruthless, his loyalty to Xiqi is beyond doubt. He has been in charge of the garrison and the Tower of Purity for many years and is very experienced."

More importantly, with the threat of the blood plague looming ever closer, his theory of "warlock-blood plague origin" has indeed gained some acceptance in the military and even among some civilians.

People feared the blood plague, and by extension, sorcerers associated with the power of the Azure Sky. Lei Kai's oppressive policies, to some extent, catered to this panic, temporarily 'stabilizing' the emotions of some.

"But this is too much!" Ji Fa clenched his fist. "Among sorcerers, there are those like Shen Gongbao who are willing to fight the blood plague, even at a terrible cost! To kill them indiscriminately, without distinguishing right from wrong, is no different from He Ding of E State!"

"So we don't completely agree, but... there's no better reason to forcefully stop it for the time being." Wu Dan's tone was heavy. "Yun Zhen and I don't have much affection for sorcerers either, but Lei Kai's recent actions have indeed been somewhat... out of control."

In addition to issuing kill orders, he continuously tightened control over the tower, and his relationship with the tower's chief warlock became increasingly tense.

"Chief Warlock?" Lu Shang couldn't help but ask in a low voice.

"The Tower of Purity is not entirely disorganized. The sorcerers also have their own organization and leaders, which they call the 'Chief Sorcerers'," Yun Zhen explained. "The current Chief Sorcerer is named 'Zhu Chen,' an old sorcerer who has been in the tower for over forty years. He is quite skilled and is highly respected by everyone in the tower."

He advocated that sorcerers should adhere to the precepts and serve Xiqi, but also emphasized that sorcerers should have basic dignity and a reasonable space for cultivation. Lei Kai's recent harsh measures, especially his frequent threats of the "Demon Sealing Ritual," had already aroused strong dissatisfaction from Zhu Chen. The two had been in constant conflict lately, almost to the point of open confrontation.

A silence fell over the room. With the blood plague looming outside and the conflict between the guards and sorcerers escalating within, the situation in Xiqi was more complex and dangerous than when they left.

"Furthermore," Yun Zhen looked at Ji Fa and added, "the increase in blood puppet incursions means something you all experienced firsthand in Black Wind Valley in Dongyu, so you should understand it better."

The sporadic disturbances were just the prelude.

According to the historical records of the Crimson Eyebrow Watchers and our observations, when this intrusion reaches a certain frequency and range, it often foreshadows a large-scale wave of Blood Puppets gathering and taking shape in the nearby area. The time we have left to prepare... is probably running out.

Ji Fa took a deep breath, suppressing his frustration: "What about the alliance? Dongyu is settled, and the alliance with Nan'e is secure. What are the attitudes of Chong in the north and the other minor vassal states in the east?"

Wu Dan shook her head: "Chong Houhu's attitude is ambiguous. He doesn't want to offend Chaoge, but he's also afraid of the blood plague and is still observing. The other minor lords are even more hesitant. The alliance's progress is slower than we expected. And the blood plague... won't wait for us."

The pressure is immense.