The grand formation they were about to activate encompassed the entire Capital City. Even with the preparations already made, it could not be completed in a matter of moments.
It would take at least a month.
The Xie Family had anticipated this and simply continued making arrangements in secret, step by step.
Meanwhile, Su Guang had ridden hard and reached the Capital City.
After returning to the capital, he did not rush to the barren hillside west of the city to tend his parents' graves. Instead, he first settled into his own home with several veteran soldiers.
His personal affairs were unimportant on this trip. What mattered was investigating the recent shifts in the capital and the real reason Chen Ye had been summoned back.
After resting for a day, Su Guang had his men change into ordinary clothes early the next morning and go out to gather information.
Though this was hardly a secret mission, it was best to avoid drawing too much attention.
Su Guang strolled along the streets, discreetly observing the activity around him and watching for changes in the city.
After walking for roughly an hour, he found that the capital looked little different from before. The gossip concerned everyday household affairs, with little mention of the court.
After making a circuit, Su Guang turned a corner and entered an unremarkable teahouse.
He casually ordered a pot of tea from a waiter, chose a seat beside the window, and listened to the conversations around him.
"Hey, have you heard? Something might have happened at the Xie Residence."
"What happened? What could possibly happen to the Xie Family?"
"I passed their back alley not long ago and smelled a terrible stench of blood. I reckon they killed someone inside."
"Heh, I thought you meant something serious. They