Dust and smoke filled the air, and incense essence drifted about. On Yao Lingxian's body, from which all signs of life had already faded, the wounds began writhing rapidly as though they had lives of their own. Then Yao Lingxian sat up with a muffled groan of pain.
Only after a long while did he recover enough to call out in a trembling voice, "Someone... come here!"
His voice traveled through spiritual consciousness beyond the courtyard. Soon, a group of household guards in the qi refining realm entered under the lead of two Foundation Establishment retainers. Seeing the strange scene, they paled in alarm. "Master!"
"Someone tried to assassinate me. Seal off the Market Ward and apprehend the culprit!" Yao Lingxian said through gritted teeth, using all his strength.
At the same time, his grave gaze remained fixed on the two Foundation Establishment retainers and the guards who had entered.
These people had guarded his residence for years. Had they played any part in allowing the assassin to infiltrate it and be placed by his side?
But the thought only flashed through his mind before he suppressed it, adhering to the principle of trusting those he employed and not employing those he distrusted.
Besides, the immediate priority was catching the culprit. Only then could he uncover the mastermind.
Of course, the household staff would also need to be reshuffled, but not now.
He had once single-handedly sustained the Incense Perception Cult in Great Qian, and in recent years, he had independently overseen the West Sea Incense Market's affairs. He quickly brought his expression and tone under control and said earnestly, conveying complete trust, "We don't know whether there are still dangerous people in the residence. My safety rests with you all."
"Rest assured, Master. With us here, we won't let