Veiled in Mist

Chun'an County's government office lay shrouded in a thin mist that morning, and the flagstone paths still glistened with the damp of night dew. When Ye Yun and Yan Xiao Liu arrived, more than twenty constables had already gathered in the courtyard, every face solemn. Several experts from the Six Doors stood spaced around them, motionless as statues, yet radiating an intangible, heart-chilling pressure.

Zhuge Qing stood on the steps, his blue robe stirring gently in the morning breeze. His gaze was sharp as lightning, sweeping over everyone present before resting briefly on Ye Yun. Only then did he speak.

"I've called you all here today because there are two urgent matters." His voice was not loud, but it carried clearly to every ear. "First, we received an urgent report last night. A group of people from Kyoto have been asking about the surviving members of the Ye Family from ten years ago."

Ye Yun's pupils contracted slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. It was all within his expectations. Ever since his identity had been exposed, he'd known this day would come sooner or later.

"Two people from the Wu Family of the provincial seat came with them," Zhuge Qing continued, his tone turning grave. "But on the very night they entered Chun'an County, they were ambushed. The two Sixth Rank warriors from Kyoto were killed on the spot, while the two Wu Family members escaped with serious injuries."

A chorus of sharp breaths rippled through the courtyard. Sixth Rank warriors! They were powerful enough to establish a sect in any province, yet they'd been killed without a sound?

Ye Yun furrowed his brow. This was completely beyond his expectations. Who would assassinate people asking about the Ye Family's past at a time like this? Friend or foe?

"According to the survivors, the killer was extremely professional," Zhuge Qing said, breaking into his thoughts. "One strike, straight to a vital point. It was clearly the work of a professional assassin. Stranger still, the enemy seemed to know their route in advance and had set an ambush along the road they were bound to take."

Yan Xiao Liu couldn't help interrupting. "Sir, could it have been those bandits...?"

"Unlikely." Zhuge Qing shook his head. "If the bandits had an expert like that among them, we might not have made it out of Black Wind Ridge in one piece that day. And..." He paused, casting Ye Yun a meaningful look. "The killer seems to know the Ye Family's history very well. They specifically targeted people asking questions."

Ye Yun's heart jolted. Could it be... that his father had secretly sent someone to protect him? But he quickly dismissed the thought. If his father had commanded such power, how could the Ye Family have suffered such a disaster ten years ago?

"The Wu Family members have already fled back to the provincial seat. I've sent a carrier pigeon to Kyoto, and someone will be assigned to investigate." Zhuge Qing brought the first matter to a close, then abruptly sharpened his tone. "Our immediate concern is the second matter: those bandits have escaped Chun'an County!"

An uproar broke out in the courtyard. The constables exchanged glances, disbelief plain in every face.

"How is that possible?" Chen Qingzhou blurted out. "Every checkpoint is heavily guarded. How could they have slipped away without a sound?"

Zhuge Qing's expression darkened. "We were all played for fools. The bandits split into two groups. One made a show of things to draw our attention, while the other had already escaped by water with the important items. By the time we discovered what had happened, they'd entered the provincial seat's jurisdiction."

Mufeng added, "According to the latest intelligence, there really wasn't a formation master among the bandits. That effeminate man had only learned the formation temporarily. The real formation master likely escaped with the main force."

Ye Yun was secretly alarmed. What a brilliant scheme! First, lure the tiger away from the mountain; then use a feint; finally, shed the golden cicada's shell... No ordinary bandits could have come up with a plan like that!

"There's no point discussing that now." Zhuge Qing waved a hand. "Our immediate task is to escort the captured effeminate man to the provincial seat. He's of great importance, and we must ensure he arrives safely."

His gaze swept over them. "I've decided that Little Fatty will lead the team, with two local constables chosen to assist. If you perform well and pass the provincial Six Doors' assessment, you can become full members of the Six Doors."

His words were like cold water dropped into a pan of hot oil, setting off a commotion! Becoming a full member of the Six Doors was the dream of countless constables. Not only did it offer generous benefits, it also gave them access to more advanced techniques and a far wider world!

But Zhuge Qing's next words poured cold water over them. "First, you must be a Ninth Rank warrior or higher."

The courtyard fell silent. There were only a handful of ranked warriors among Chun'an County's constables. Chen Qingzhou was in the middle stage of the Ninth Rank; Ye Yun appeared to be Ninth Rank (though in reality, he had already reached Seventh Rank); Yan Xiao Liu was at the early stage of the Ninth Rank. There were also two veteran constables who were Ninth Rank, but both were over forty.

Chen Qingzhou spoke up first. "This subordinate is getting on in years, and my wife and children are here in Chun'an. I'll sit this one out." It was the truth: the Six Doors' assessment was brutally demanding, and a man his age couldn't endure it.

The other two veteran constables also declined one after the other. In the end, only Ye Yun and Yan Xiao Liu met the requirements.

"Good. You two, then." Zhuge Qing nodded. "Make your preparations at once. We leave at noon. Little Fatty will tell you the details of the plan."

After the meeting, Yan Xiao Liu grabbed Ye Yun's arm, brimming with excitement. "Brother Ye! This is our chance! If we pass the assessment, we can go to the provincial seat—or even Kyoto!"

Ye Yun wasn't nearly as optimistic. Everything about this seemed strange. Why had people asking about the Ye Family appeared at this exact moment? Why had they been ambushed? How had the bandits escaped so easily? And this escort mission... Something about it felt wrong.

"Don't get excited too soon," Ye Yun cautioned. "This mission won't be that simple."

Yan Xiao Liu scoffed. "With an expert from the Six Doors leading us, what could possibly go wrong?"

Just then, Little Fatty came over with a cheerful smile. "You two, come over. Let's discuss the escort plan."

The three of them went to a side hall, where Little Fatty spread out a map. "We'll take the official road, passing through Black Wind Ridge and Qinglong Beach, then continue to the provincial seat. The whole journey should take about three days."

"This man is very important." Little Fatty's smile vanished, and he turned unusually serious. "He knows many of the Youming Sect's secrets. Our mission is to get him safely to the provincial seat."

Yan Xiao Liu thumped his chest. "Don't worry! With us there, we'll make sure—"

"Make sure you die a horrible death." Little Fatty cut him off, his voice stern. "Remember, if anyone tries to take the prisoner, don't fight them head-on. Send a signal for help. The Six Doors have made arrangements along the route. You just need to hold out until reinforcements arrive."

He went over a few more details, then concluded, "Go get ready. We leave at noon."

As they walked out of the side hall, Yan Xiao Liu muttered, "Why's Little Fatty so serious today...?"

Ye Yun didn't answer, lost in thought about what might go wrong.

With noon approaching, Ye Yun returned home to make his final preparations. From a hidden compartment beneath his bed, he retrieved several important items: half a jade pendant left by his father, the silk manuscript recording the True Martial Secret Manual, and the Thought Spirit Pearl. He placed them in his Storage Bag before finally allowing himself to relax.

"This journey is dangerous. I have to be ready for anything," Ye Yun murmured, tucking the Storage Bag close against his body. After cultivating with the pearl for the past few days, his mental power had grown stronger. He could now vaguely sense the emotional fluctuations of others.

At last, he took out the Flying Feather Knife Manual. With his mental power bolstering him, he could now control three throwing knives at once. He still hadn't reached the level of "wielding knives with the mind," but it was a considerable asset.

At exactly noon, the escort party set out. The effeminate man wore shackles on his hands and feet, and even his mouth had been stuffed. Little Fatty led the way, while Ye Yun and Yan Xiao Liu guarded either flank.

Unexpectedly, Zhuge Qing came in person to see them off. "Remember, safety comes first. Don't try to be a hero if you run into danger." As he said this, his gaze flicked toward Ye Yun.