Revealing the Cards

Nine tolls of the bell?

Looking up at the ripples spreading across the defensive canopy above the city, Xu Yuan's eyes held a trace of hesitation amid his thoughts.

Along Great Yan's borders, the number of bells rung for different enemies was governed by exceedingly strict laws and regulations.

Three tolls signified a small-scale enemy raid, six meant the entire city was on alert, and nine meant an army stood at the gates. If a high-level cultivator attacked the city, however, the law stipulated that only seven bells should be rung.

"Third Young Master, please accompany this official to the yamen at once."

As he pondered this, Si Zijing's voice suddenly came from beside him. At some point, the Black Scale Guard's Capital District Bureau Chief had emerged from the tavern. He was now staring at Xu Yuan with a grave expression. "Western Pacification Prefecture City is now a rearward city. A sudden attack upon it will likely trigger a series of disturbances."

Xu Yuan frowned slightly and glanced at the deserted streets around them. "Hasn't everything in the city already been placed under military control?"

Under the Western Pacification Army's organization, most of the streets along Xu Yuan's route to this tavern had already been cleared.

Si Zijing spoke rapidly. "It isn't enough. There isn't enough time. They came too quickly. Even with the army forcibly intervening, half a day was only enough to clear out the common folk at the very bottom. There was simply no time to do more, let alone when the entire Western Pacification Prefecture City only nominally answers to the Princess. There are still sect spies within, as well as a great many fence-sitters."

At this point, Si Zijing paused, and a note of urgency entered his voice. "You have already revealed your identity.