Wild cultivation begins with wielding the Taiyin talisman.

The room in Yu Congrong’s study was filled with the fragrance of agarwood, and sunlight streamed in through the window, illuminating the teacup beside her.

Ning Che stood up and finished explaining the situation in Xishan. He said everything that needed to be said, and didn't miss a single word that shouldn't have been said.

Yu Congrong held the tea but didn't drink it; instead, he traced a circle with his fingertip along the rim of the cup.

There's nothing inside.

"Empty. Chains, bloodstains, that's all. Commander Mu went in and inspected it himself."

What was his reaction?

"It's like we lost money."

These three words made Yu Congrong's lips twitch. She didn't laugh, but a glimmer of light appeared in her eyes.

"Mu Qingming has suffered a complete loss in Xishan. The casualties, supplies, and favors he owes are all irreparable. The more anxious he gets, the more likely he is to slip up." She put down her teacup, looked at Ning Che, and changed her tone, "From today onwards, no one is allowed to leave the city without my authorization."

"yes."

Ning Che clasped his hands in a fist salute and left the study.

He took a long breath after walking more than ten steps.

Yu Congrong seemed to be making some arrangements; this plan clearly needed him in some way.

This is a good thing.

Taking a little risk is fine, as long as her gaze is fixed on Mu Qingming. After all, Yu Congrong is still a huge asset to him.

He returned to the camp and changed into civilian clothes, the same clothes that Zhao Di had made for him.

Then, after thinking for a moment, he washed his face, tidied himself up a bit, and then turned and left the mountain. He wandered around aimlessly, without returning to the clinic. He was worried that there would be too many people there, and that there might be hidden, unnoticed eyes watching him.

He walked around to a narrow path overgrown with knee-high weeds and found a sheltered stone ledge to sit on. He took out the Qingqiu Jade Slip and poured his magic power into it.

"Hu Xianxian".

A few breaths passed before there was movement, a nasal voice saying, "My lord... it's barely dawn..."

Ning Che waited a moment before asking, "If we were to indirectly gauge the movements of Mu Qingming's group, could you do that?"

There was a moment of silence before someone said, "We'll do our best."

"it is good."

Ning Che agreed and ended the input of magic power.

He put away the Qingqiu Jade Slip, sat on the stone embankment, and did not make any immediate move.

Yu Congrong's words, "You are not allowed to leave the city," were like an invisible shackle, and also like a hidden layer of protection.

But Ning Che knew very well that the Shoushan Camp, and even the entire Feihu City, had become the eye of the storm because of the Xishan incident. Seemingly calm, but in reality, turbulent undercurrents were brewing. Mu Qingming, having suffered such a great loss, would never let it go easily.

A standoff has been reached, and he is right at the eye of the storm.

He wasn't actually clear on the overall situation of the power struggle between the two sides; he hadn't been in the mountains long enough to understand the spheres of influence of either side. But since Yu Congrong had informed him of this…

Time is running out.

He had promised Ishigu something, and if he didn't do it now, he might never have the chance again.

He thought he would probably have to go to the Shi family.

He also needs to accumulate strength for the final battle, and people like Shi Zhongyushi and Bingzhu are worth trying to win over.

Rather than waiting for Mu Qingming to make a move, it's better to take the initiative and stir things up even more.

Ning Che stood up, brushed the grass clippings off his robes, determined his direction, and headed towards a heavily guarded mansion in Feihu City.

Shi Mansion.

As a deeply rooted family of cultivators, the Shi family's mansion occupies the best location in the east of the city. The two guardian stone lions at the entrance are carved with great power and their imposing presence is even greater than that of the mountain guard camp.

Ning Che did not go up to knock on the door.

He simply stood quietly under a locust tree on the street corner, his figure hidden in the shadows, his gaze fixed on the vermilion gate of the Shi family mansion.

He was waiting; he needed a better entry point than going to their door himself. For a century-old family like this, at least superficially integrating into one of their factions would make things easier.

After waiting for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the side door of the Shi residence opened, and a familiar tall figure walked out.

Shi Zhongyu changed out of his military uniform and into a smart, moon-white outfit. His long hair was tied up high, and he was carrying a food box, looking like he was about to go out.

She had just stepped out the door when she stopped abruptly, her gaze sharp as lightning, fixed on the street corner.

"What are you doing, sneaking around like that?"

Ning Che emerged from the shadows, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Miss Shi."

Upon seeing him, a barely perceptible look of surprise flashed across Shi Zhongyu's face, but he quickly straightened up and resumed his aloof demeanor.

"You were looking for me?" She stepped forward, looking Ning Che up and down. "Is your injury healed? Or has Mu Qingming assigned you a new mission?"

His words were barbed, but he ultimately didn't turn and leave.

"No, neither," Ning Che said bluntly. "I want to go into the Shi family to take care of something."

Shi Zhongyu probably doesn't know that he is a collateral relative of the Shi family, and now he has become a guest of the Shi family.

She raised an eyebrow in surprise: "You? Enter our Shi family? Do you know what kind of place we are? We're not some medicine warehouse that the mountain camp guards, where you can just come and go as you please."

"I know," Ning Che nodded, "That's why I came to find Miss Shi."

His matter-of-fact attitude made Shi Zhongyu choke for a moment. She pursed her lips, her eyes filled with complex emotions. During their trip to Xishan, the methods and intelligence this guy had displayed had already made her put away her initial contempt.

"And the reason?" she asked succinctly.

"I once received a favor from a senior member of the Shi family and promised him something. Now, it's time to fulfill that promise." Ning Che was telling the truth, but he omitted Shi Gu's name.

Shi Zhongyu fell silent.

She stared into Ning Che's eyes, seemingly trying to discern the truth or falsehood in his words.

After a long pause, she snorted, "At least you still have some conscience. However, my family has strict rules, and it's not easy for outsiders to get in. You come with me, and whether you can succeed depends on your own abilities."

She didn't ask which senior it was or what it was about.

Ning Che followed Shi Zhongyu and entered the Shi residence through a side door.

The mansion was much larger than it appeared from the outside, with its pavilions, terraces, and winding paths. Even though it wasn't Ning Che's first time here, he couldn't help but feel that it was very grand.

The servants and guards he encountered along the way all bowed and greeted Shi Zhongyu with great respect.

"I'll take you to see Uncle Bingzhu first. He's the head of the third branch of the family. With his approval, things will be much easier," Shi Zhongyu explained in a low voice, offering a hint.

However, just as the two passed through a moon gate, a group of people came towards them.

The leader was a young man in brocade robes, whose face bore some resemblance to Shi Bingzhu, but whose temperament was more effeminate, and whose eyes carried an inescapable arrogance.

"Sister Yu, where are you in such a hurry to go?" The young man in brocade asked with a smile, but his gaze skipped over Shi Zhongyu and landed on Ning Che behind her, making no attempt to hide his scrutiny and contempt.

Ning Che looked over, thought for a moment, and realized he didn't remember this person. It was probably because the City Lord's Mansion and the Mountain Guardians had conducted a joint investigation last time; the level of the investigators was very high, and a spoiled brat like him wouldn't be qualified to participate.

"Shi Wenyan?" Shi Zhongyu's tone turned colder, as if he were disdainful: "Do I need to report to you where I go?"