The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

If any celestial ships from various countries wish to cross the border of Beichen from the air, they must pass through the first formidable pass to verify their identity.

Without a pass, they will be forcibly intercepted by armored warships.

This is a rule established at the very beginning of Beichen's founding, an ironclad law that no one has been able to violate for a century.

On the fairy boat, Tang Xixue was draped in a thick snow velvet cloak.

The cloak, as white as fresh snow, framed her delicate chin, making her eyes appear even brighter, as if they held the entire starry sky within them.

"We've reached the border of Beichen!"

She leaned against the window, gazing at the vast snowfield below that was gradually becoming clearer, her voice brimming with undisguised joy.

"This is the northern frontier guarded by the Marquis of Zhenbei! Ran Zhi used to be stationed here."

Those bright, star-like eyes gazed intently at the endless military camps below, as if trying to see and remember every tent and every battle flag on that land.

Xie Jinlian stood beside her, and upon hearing this, he bent down slightly to adjust the veil of her veil.

"There are too many people and too many eyes in the military camp, so make sure you're well covered up."

He carefully put on the veil, then gently pressed down the veiled hat, concealing even the Heart of the Ocean emblem around his neck without revealing a trace.

"The cult is severely weakened now, and some are resorting to desperate measures. We absolutely cannot let Zhizhi be discovered by those lunatics."

Wen Song handed over a hand warmer, and then presented the little white kitten in her arms like a treasure.

"Don't worry, mistress. I've given Silver Sky a light dye job and added some blue spots. Now even its own mother wouldn't recognize it."

His tone carried a hint of smugness.

The dye can be washed off with a special solution without damaging the fur, but it is enough to transform Yin Kong from a snow-white kitten into someone no one can recognize.

Yin Kong flicked its tail in dissatisfaction, but still obediently nestled at Tang Xixue's feet, rubbing its head against her ankle.

"I'll handle it."

He Lichen's voice came from ahead, clear and calm, yet carrying a reassuring certainty.

"Please wait inside the building."

The Starry Sky Chariot he always rode in was officially recorded, and the Grand Preceptor could freely enter and exit the border of Beichen without cumbersome checks.

This was the first time he had stopped the airship and personally landed to clear the checkpoint.

"Go down."

He looked at Wen Song.

Wen Song took the helm, and the airship slowly descended, landing steadily on the snowfield in front of the desolate and magnificent Northern Frontier City.

The snow-covered fields stretched endlessly, and the north wind swept across the land.

In the distance, military camps stretched out in a continuous line, their battle flags fluttering and billowing like waves in the wind.

"The Imperial Advisor has arrived—aren't you going to greet him?"

Song Jun was the first to leap down, showing his token. His clear voice echoed across the silent snowfield.

The Northern Frontier Army took the token and examined it carefully. Then, they looked up at the snow-white, ethereal figure at the bow of the boat. After confirming that everything was correct, they quickly bowed and saluted.

"I apologize for not being able to greet the Imperial Preceptor properly."

The garrison commander spoke respectfully, but his eyes held a hint of doubt.

"May I ask how you came here aboard the celestial boat from Kunlun Ruins?"

No wonder he didn't recognize him.

The Grand Preceptor always travels in that Starry Sky Cloud Chariot, a fact known throughout the Nine Provinces.

Today, however, a different flying boat has been used, which is quite unexpected.

He Lichen stood at the bow of the boat, his long robe and wide sleeves billowing in the wind, fluttering like a crane spreading its wings.

He nodded slightly, his voice clear and melodious, exuding an air of otherworldly grace.

"This time, I am traveling to Baiyujing with my friend, the Sword Immortal Kunlun, and we will be traveling together in one boat."

As the word "friend" was uttered, a silver-white figure in the building glanced at him with a lingering look.

Tang Xixue leaned against the window, gazing at the distant battle flags fluttering in the wind, her eyes crinkling with a smile.

"It seems that Master and Brother Huaixian get along very well, then I can rest assured."

Xie Jinlian stood beside him, nodded slightly upon hearing this, her expression unchanged.

"Yes. Huai Xian... he is indeed quite enthusiastic, and we get along very well."

His tone was calm and unperturbed.

It was as if he wasn't the one who caused the chaos yesterday, as if the words "Go outside and fight" didn't come from his mouth.

Tang Xixue couldn't help but laugh out loud.

The smile was light, yet it was like a spring breeze, sweeping away the chill of the entire building.

Just as they were laughing, they suddenly heard a woman's voice coming from deep within the military camp.

"Let me go—what right do you have to tie me up?"

The voice was sharp, carrying a hint of struggling anger and a touch of stubborn defiance.

"Walk!"

Then came the soldiers' low shouts, accompanied by the soft clattering of armor.

Tang Xixue looked up in confusion.

"What happened over there?"

Upon hearing this, the garrison commander hurriedly stepped forward to explain, fearing that the distinguished guest might misunderstand that something unsavory had happened in the military camp.

"Reporting back to you, sir, it is a young woman who has committed a crime. She was originally a dependent of the army doctor, but she violated military regulations and has now been detained."

He paused, then said respectfully:

"Reporting back to the Imperial Preceptor, the registration has been completed. Our general is preoccupied with important matters and is unable to personally greet you; we hope the Imperial Preceptor will understand."

He only hoped to get rid of this Grand Preceptor as soon as possible.

The military camp has been in chaos enough these past few days.

General Feng is on the verge of death, and Prince Beichen is still recovering from serious injuries. Everyone is overwhelmed with worries and has no time to receive distinguished guests.

He Lichen nodded slightly and did not ask any further questions.

The celestial ship took off again and slowly sailed into the territory of Beichen.

Tang Xixue stepped out of the pavilion and looked up at the sky.

The night sky was clear and the Milky Way was dazzling.

Thousands of stars hang silently in the sky, each following its predetermined trajectory.

Some are as bright as lamps, some as dim as dust, some are eternal, and some are fleeting.

But she spotted the star at a glance.

That crimson star seemed as if it might fall at any moment.

"Brother Huaixian—"

She lifted the veil of her hat and looked up at the flickering star on the star map.

"Look at that star, isn't it about to go out?"

Her voice was light and airy, like a pear petal falling on a blade of grass.

He Lichen followed her gaze.

Deep in the night sky, a red star is twinkling faintly.

It is the reddest first-magnitude star in the sky, dazzlingly red, burning red, like a burning heart, hanging in the sky, beating for whom?

Antares, the Star of Ember.

His words, spoken one by one, sounded like a judgment plucked from an astrological chart.

Its color is red, its nature is scorching, and its life is burning.

The heart of the Azure Dragon, burned to ashes, shines forth.

The Lord fought for one person and died for one person throughout his life.

When the star falls, it burns to ashes, and the ashes fly towards that person.

"When I first saw this giant red star," Tang Xixue said softly, her gaze fixed on the star, "I felt that it looked exactly like Ranzhi."

He Lichen looked down at her, a faint trace of pity appearing in his eyes.

But what Tang Xixue saw made her heart tremble.

"Zhizhi's judgment is good."

He paused, then looked up at the crimson star.

"This Radiant Star is Feng Zhuo's destiny star."

Deep in the sky, the crimson star dimmed even further.

The light gradually faded, as if someone's life was quietly slipping away.

Not far to its side, there is another star, hanging alone in the sky, cold and lonely.

The lonely star of Beichen Ji is also quietly dimming.

Tang Xixue's breath hitched.

"Burn it—"

Her voice trembled, and her eyes instantly reddened.

"He's in trouble!"

She turned abruptly and looked at Wen Song, who was at the helm.

"Ah Song, quick! Take me to find him! Isn't he in the northern frontier?"

She remembered that Wen Song had mentioned before that Feng Zhuo had been sent to the northern frontier to carry out military duties.

She had heard those words before, but now every single one of them surged into her heart, turning into a piercing pain.

Could it be that he was seriously injured while on a mission?

Upon hearing this, Wen Song immediately looked at his lord.

Xie Jinlian nodded slightly, showing no intention of stopping her.

He immediately understood—his new master was Tang Xixue.

"Madam, General Feng's camp is the large camp outside this Northern Frontier City below. We'll go down and inquire now."