Seven hundred miles away in Taiping County, the snow flew endless, as the cold wind howled.
High above Jingguan City, however, the wind was mild and the clouds were sparse, with few stars in the moonlit sky.
At Yunding Mountain, a banquet came to an end, and the guests left.
The slightly intoxicated Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites from the Court and the Deputy Inspection Envoy of the Sky Patrol Department took up residence in a villa halfway up the mountain after drinking.
Outside the villa, on a trestle bridge suspended in the air along the mountainside, Chen Yuan and Pei Yanhu strolled leisurely, the cool mountain breeze blowing away the warmth from their faces brought on by the wine.
Before their eyes, silhouettes hung amidst the mist, the silver trees scattered across the mountains like stars in the Star River, enchanting and majestic.
"So, are you planning to go to the Divine Capital?"
Pei Yanhu, his brows knitted, turned his head to look at Chen Yuan, whose clothes fluttered as if he might soar away on the clouds.
"The Martial Temple has sent the decree, why shouldn’t I go?" Chen Yuan’s voice was steady.
Yet standing on the mountain path, gazing into the distance at the myriad household lights, the cool mountain breeze stirred his heart.
"The Martial Temple isn’t trustworthy either. They once sent two Chamberlains to negotiate with the Demons, which was no different from negotiating with a tiger. When it failed, they stopped, merely watching from the sidelines ever since."
The mountain wind lifted the hair by the temples of this Commander’s head, dyed with white, and Pei Yanhu turned away, "The Court is disheartening. I now only trust the soldiers under our command. To be honest, with you going to the Divine Capital, I’m uneasy."
"It’s hateful that my capabilities fall short and I can’t help you much."
Chen Yuan turned his head to look at his much-aged former superior, "Staying here wouldn’t solve any problems, it’s still the same as during the day."
"We can’t let more soldiers sacrifice in vain in this quagmire!"
"Now I’ve already opened the Grotto Heaven, the soldiers of The Overseers need to recuperate, and that takes time. Going to the Divine Capital is necessary, and I naturally have backup preparations."
"Rest assured, Old Master, Chen will not fight an unprepared battle!"
Chen Yuan said this, smiled, and gave Pei Yanhu some assurance.
He knew what Pei Yanhu was worried about, but he certainly wouldn’t blindly believe the Court’s envoy’s word.
That would be impossible.
He’s always been a cautious person and cherishes his life, so his intention to go to the Divine Capital comes with backup plans.
Nowadays, having just been blessed with a beloved daughter, how could he joke with his own life?
But given the current situation, staying in Shu would only repeat former days, struggling in this quagmire with soldiers, slaying Demons without end, while his own people continued to perish.
Moreover, with matters on the Court’s side, staying in Shu might bring trouble to those around him. To break this predicament, he had to step into the game, stirring the waters.
Pei Yanhu listened, silent with tiger eyes glimmering, understanding Chen Yuan’s temperament and some of his methods, feeling somewhat reassured.
"When do you plan to leave?"
Chen Yuan shook his head slightly, his tone somewhat lazy, "I haven’t decided yet, I can’t just go when they call; I’ve got to put on a good show."
"And I need to think about how to lure some formidable figures to our Shu, to relieve the pressure on the frontline!"
As he spoke, Chen Yuan turned his head, looking over the distant city in the south, where snow fell heavily, "Now that Shu’s fortune is gathering again, many have indeed come, but these people only seek Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, chasing opportunities, unable to be used by The Overseers."
"This gathered strength is not to be underestimated. If we could find a way to gather these people to directly confront the Demons, it would be perfect."
In the past year, many experts had come to Shu. Many of them he had encountered before and dealt with, even having killed a number, as they set their sights on him.
Everyone in the world is driven by interests.
These people came for Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, scattered across Shu like grains of sand; not making use of them is truly wasteful.
Pei Yanhu said nothing.
Feeling this was unrealistic,
Those people were after Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, pursuing their own interests, from various backgrounds, mixed and chaotic; getting them to deal with Demons was impractical, so he didn’t comment further.
Then the two switched topics and continued chatting idly among the mountains, most concerning what would happen after Chen Yuan’s departure, doing some rough planning.
Unaware of how much time passed, the bright moon hung high in the sky, the mountain mist growing denser, Chen Yuan suddenly raised an eyebrow, halting his words, then a smile lifted the corners of his mouth as his golden eyes looked down the mountain,
"I wonder what day it is today, yet another guest is visiting!"
Pei Yanhu heard this and immediately turned his tiger eyes down the mountain, and through the thin mountain mist like a veil, he saw a team of people approaching by night, arriving before the Fusi Government Office at the foot of the mountain.
His gaze swept past these people and fell upon an elaborate canopy wagon in the middle, adorned in embroidered dark gold patterns, exuding grandeur, with traces of snow not fully melted on the top.
Behind the carriage, a Four-clawed Purple Dragon Banner fluttered, inscribed with a large black ancient seal character in the center—"Liang!"
Pei Yanhu was perplexed.
Chen Yuan’s golden eyes slightly lifted, watching an elder with a lean face but extraordinary presence alight from the carriage.
Half-step Dragon and Tiger!
Chen Yuan displayed a look of interest, recalling his previous conflict with the Heir of Beiliang, which had connections to the Western Regions Holy Sect, but afterward, when he found the opponent’s residence in Jinguan City, the Heir of Beiliang and his men had vanished.
Later, Chen Yuan got entangled in troubles and didn’t follow up on their whereabouts.
On such a cold night, how was it that people from the Royal Beiliang Mansion suddenly ventured into the mountains?
Upon saying this, he saw a streak of radiance shoot skyward, as a Green Armored Military Officer carrying a Prohibition Token ascended the mountain.