Three punches shattered the demonic soul, young hero, I'm an honest man!

The two characters "前朝" (previous dynasty).

Like a thunderclap from the heavens, it exploded in the black-robed man's ears!

His eyes widened suddenly, and an unnatural flush rose on his ashen face.

That was an emotion intertwined with extreme shock and fear!

"As for your plans..."

Pei Yun shook his head, a hint of pity in his eyes.

"You rats hiding in the gutter can't stir up any trouble."

"You were able to infiltrate the capital, obtain information about the Star-Attracting Sand, and silently eliminate the Foundation Establishment Realm Star Guardian of the Imperial Observatory..."

Pei Yun looked down at him, speaking each word clearly.

"Without a certain force acting as a go-between, providing intelligence, concealing their movements, or even offering assistance."

"Can you do it?"

"For example, those who are equally adept at hiding and scheming, and equally unable to stand the light of day..."

"The Candle Shadow Sect".

The leader in the black robes trembled violently.

It wasn't because of the pain, but because of the fear deep in my soul.

"You...you..."

He stared intently at Pei Yun, as if he wanted to devour him alive.

"You knew all along?!"

"Impossible! This is impossible!"

He just couldn't understand it!

They believed their plans were meticulous, their actions secretive, and they were even willing to sacrifice pawns, employing layers of disguise.

But this young Imperial Guard in front of me...

Not only did they quickly pinpoint their stronghold and cut off their retreat, but they even...

They even knew their biggest secret, their clandestine connection with the Candle Shadow Sect!

This is a fatal blow to their long-dormant, highly anticipated plan!

Finished!

It's all over!

If this news gets out, their years of planning will be ruined!

"Hooray—!"

Despair breeds madness!

A final, fierce, and resolute glint flashed in the eyes of the leader in black robes.

He suddenly opened his mouth, attempting to detonate the remaining, violent power within his body, fueled by the Blood Burning Secret Technique!

Even if it means mutual destruction!

They'll drag this Jinyiwei officer, who knows everything, down to hell with them!

"Be careful, sir!"

Zhang Quan and the others' expressions changed drastically, and they instinctively stepped forward to protect him.

Pei Yun simply raised his hand to stop them.

He didn't even take a step back.

He remained standing there, his eyes coldly fixed on the dying "worm" at his feet.

There was no anger, no surprise in those eyes, only a chilling indifference.

It felt like watching a farce whose ending was already predetermined.

The black-robed leader's movements suddenly froze halfway through.

The frenzied light in his eyes flickered and died out quickly, like a candle dying in the wind.

The last glimmer of hope, like fine sand in an hourglass, has completely slipped away.

He made a gurgling sound in his throat, as if he wanted to say something.

But it could no longer make a sound.

Finally, his head tilted to the side, and his body went completely limp.

His eyes were wide open, and he died with his eyes open, unable to close them in peace.

His face was frozen in a state of endless resentment, and... deep despair.

A remnant of the previous dynasty, burning with the last madness of his life, ultimately failed to even touch the hem of his opponent's clothes.

Sad, sigh.

A night breeze blew by, swirling up a few withered leaves that landed beside the corpse.

All around, deathly silence returned.

The only sounds were the burning of torches and the suppressed breathing of the Imperial Guards.

Pei Yun withdrew his gaze, as if he had merely crushed an eyesore of an ant.

With a solid foundation in glazed glass, the true qi of an eighth-grade innate being flows freely.

This feeling of being in control of everything is indeed... nice.

He turned around, looked at Zhang Quan who was standing respectfully, and his tone returned to its usual calm.

"Fall back."

"Take the body and all evidence back to the Northern Garrison Command."

He paused, a meaningful smile curving his lips.

"It's time to report back to Lord Luo and the others."

It's time to settle the bet.

Zhang Quan's heart skipped a beat, and he bowed, replying, "Yes, sir!"

The Imperial Guards began to systematically clean up the scene, collect the bodies, and move the evidence.

They were quick and well-trained.

Only the token that Pei Yun casually toyed with, in the firelight, silently told a secret that had yet to be revealed.

Remnants of the previous dynasty, and the Candle Shadow Sect...

This game of chess is getting more and more interesting.

Pei Yun looked up at the night sky; the stars were few and far between.

He could almost smell the impending storm.

Hmm, I should ask Yunniang to play a new tune for me when we get back.

This night of murder and bloodshed always needs some entertainment to lighten the mood.

……

The rear hall of the Northern Garrison Command.

Yan Xiu sat upright in his chair, his fingers unconsciously stroking the warm teacup.

This was the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, known for his incorruptibility and strict rule.

His brows were furrowed, and his eyes revealed a hint of barely perceptible anxiety.

The bet deadline has not yet arrived.

However, the men he sent to keep watch over "Wangchuan Ferry" disappeared without a trace, not even making a decent splash.

On the other hand, look at Pei Yun's side...

It was equally quiet, as if the boy had truly retreated into his boudoir to listen to music.

Are we really going to lose the right to deploy secret agents for those two weeks?

Yan Xiu took a sip of tea; the taste was somewhat bland.

In contrast, Luo Qingyi appeared much more composed.

She leaned back on the armchair on the other side, her long legs casually crossed, exuding a nonchalant languor.

She is waiting.

Wait for that always-joking, yet always-unpredictable guy to give her an answer.

Just then, hurried yet steady footsteps came from outside the door.

"Report!"

A trusted captain strode in, knelt on one knee, and spoke with suppressed excitement.

"I hereby report to both of you!"

"Commander Pei successfully destroyed the 'Ink Rhyme Studio' stronghold at Wangchuan Ferry half an hour ago!"

Yan Xiu's hand gripping the teacup tightened suddenly.

A hint of a smile flashed in Luo Qingyi's beautiful eyes.

The captain took a deep breath and continued reporting.

"Those who resisted within the stronghold, except for five survivors, have all been executed!"

"Lord Pei personally led the team and intercepted the enemy leader, who was attempting to flee with important evidence, at a location thirty li outside the capital!"

"That enemy leader, fearless of death, actually used the Blood Burning Secret Technique to forcibly boost his cultivation to near the seventh rank, intending to perish together with Lord Pei!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Xiu's heart leaped into his throat.

Approaching the seventh rank! Blood Burning Secret Technique! That kid Pei Yun...

The captain's voice was filled with unbelievable reverence.

"However, Lord Pei killed him on the spot with just a single finger!"

"puff--"

Yan Xiu almost spat out the tea he had just taken a sip of.

One finger?

Kill the near-seventh-rank master who was burning with life force?

How...how is this possible?!

He suddenly looked at Luo Qingyi, only to see a faint smile on her face that said, "I knew it," as if she had everything under control.

Having investigated Pei Yun's foundation, Luo Qingyi naturally had some understanding of Pei Yun's current strength.

It is far beyond what an ordinary eighth-grade Innate Realm cultivator can achieve!

She hadn't expected that a mere finger could kill a near-seventh-rank expert who was burning his life force.

"Based on the captured tokens, account books, and enemy confessions, Lord Pei deduces that the force behind Moyunzhai is not the main force of the Zhuyin Sect, but rather..."

The captain swallowed hard.

"Remnants of the previous dynasty!"

"What?!"

This time, it wasn't just Yan Xiu who was shocked.

Even the slight smile that had been playing on Luo Qingyi's lips vanished instantly, completely disappearing.

Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, and a chill gathered in her phoenix eyes.