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

The phrase "remnants of the previous dynasty" refers to the four characters "前朝余孽" (remnants of the previous dynasty).

It seemed to carry the force of a thousand pounds, crashing heavily into the back hall.

Even the air seemed to have become thicker.

"Remnants of the previous dynasty?"

Yan Xiu's voice broke the silence, sounding somewhat hoarse.

"Is Pei Yun sure?"

The captain's voice trembled slightly, clearly shocked by the conclusion.

"Reporting to Lord Yan, the black-robed leader's reaction before his death is clear evidence."

"Lord Pei deduces that the theft of the Star-Gathering Sand was most likely a joint plot orchestrated by this former dynasty's forces and the Candle Shadow Sect!"

"The blissful joy of the Joyful Zen school is merely a pawn brought to the forefront to mislead and confuse the public!"

"The previous dynasty..."

Yan Xiu remained silent.

"Those rats in the sewers, they're still alive?"

He looked at Luo Qingyi with a very complicated expression.

This Pei Yun, not only has his cultivation recovered so strangely, but his insight and deductive abilities are simply...monster-like!

Luo Qingyi slowly stood up, her slender figure casting a long shadow under the lamplight.

She stood up and paced around the hall.

The hem of the flying fish dress brushed the ground silently.

Deep within those bright eyes, it seemed as if ice had solidified.

"Remnants of the previous dynasty..."

She repeated it softly, her voice cool and clear.

"They even got involved with the Candle Shadow Sect."

"Such a deep scheme."

She walked to the window and gazed at the deep night outside.

The night breeze seemed to carry a chill, causing the windowpanes to creak softly.

"This matter must not be revealed to anyone."

Luo Qingyi stopped and looked at Yan Xiu and Zhang Quan, her tone resolute.

"Especially the part about 'remnants of the previous dynasty'."

"Until the specific circumstances are ascertained and reported to His Majesty, no one within the Northern Garrison Command is permitted to divulge a single word!"

"Those who disobey orders will be treated as traitors!"

Yan Xiu nodded in agreement.

"What Governor Luo said is absolutely right."

"This matter has far-reaching implications, and if it is leaked, there is a possibility that someone with ulterior motives might take action in secret."

He looked at the trusted captain.

"You are here with my orders to keep all those involved in the operation silent, and to properly safeguard the evidence. No one is allowed to inspect it without authorization."

"Your subordinate obeys!" the captain replied.

Only the two garrison commanders remained in the back hall.

The atmosphere remained oppressive.

"Unexpectedly, Pei Yun has unearthed such a big fish this time."

Yan Xiu's tone was complex.

He originally thought that Pei Yun's pursuit of clues about the Forgotten River Ferry was just a result of the competitive spirit of a young man.

In addition, there was Luo Qingyi's favoritism.

He was even prepared for Pei Yun to return empty-handed and for him to clean up the mess himself.

Who could have imagined that in just a few days...

Pei Yun not only fulfilled the bet, but also uncovered such an astonishing inside story.

That bet...

Yan Xiu thought of his Nine-Aperture Exquisite Pill, and his heart inexplicably clenched.

He had gone to great lengths and used many connections to obtain it from a certain righteous sect.

It was originally intended for my own descendants.

Unexpectedly, his own descendants are disappointing, only reaching the eighth rank of the Innate Realm now.

Instead, Pei Yun got the peach!

That's enough...

A loss is a loss.

Pei Yun, that kid, is definitely got some skills.

"The remnants of the previous dynasty have been lying low for many years, and now they suddenly jump out at this time, even getting involved with the Candle Shadow Sect. Their ambitions must be quite grand."

Luo Qingyi's brows were furrowed.

"Star-attracting sand..." she murmured.

Yan Xiu also frowned: "The Starry River Array of the Imperial Observatory can observe celestial phenomena and predict the vague future."

"Star-attracting sand is one of the keys to activating and maintaining the grand array."

The two exchanged a glance, both seeing seriousness in each other's eyes.

If the Starry Sea River Array is operating normally, then the Candle Yin Sect's scheme will definitely fail.

Therefore, the Candle Yin Sect must stop the Starry Sea River Formation no matter what, even if it's just for a few days!

This amount of time is enough to cover up certain actions of the Candle Shadow Cult...

"The Holy Maiden of the Candle Shadow Sect has infiltrated the capital, remnants of the previous dynasty are secretly operating, and they may have even reached some kind of cooperation agreement..."

Luo Qingyi said slowly.

"The waters of the capital are even more murky than we expected."

She straightened her clothes with a swift and efficient movement.

"Commander Yan, you take charge of the Northern Garrison Command and strengthen defenses, especially around the Imperial City."

"I must report this matter to His Majesty immediately."

Yan Xiu stood up: "Commander Luo, rest assured, I will take care of the Northern Garrison."

Luo Qingyi said no more and turned to walk outside.

As she reached the door, she paused slightly, turned her head, and said:

"Keep an eye on Pei Yun's situation..."

Yan Xiu was taken aback, but then he understood what she meant.

Although Pei Yun made a great contribution this time, he also put himself in the spotlight.

The remnants of the previous dynasty and the Zhuyin Sect are not benevolent figures.

"I see."

Yan Xiu said in a deep voice.

Pei Yun is a promising talent of the Northern Garrison Command, and he will certainly protect him.

Luo Qingyi's figure disappeared outside the door.

Yan Xiu stood alone in the empty back hall, staring at the cup of tea on the table that had gone cold, without touching it for a long time.

He suddenly realized that he might have underestimated the always smiling young man.

Pei Yun.

He picked up the file on the table, opened it, and his gaze fell on Pei Yun's name.

After a long while, he let out a barely audible sigh.

If his descendants were half as good as Pei Yun, he wouldn't be worrying so much in his middle age that he's turned gray.

The night was dark.

An inconspicuous black carriage silently drove out of the Northern Garrison.

It blended into the myriad lights of the capital city and sped towards the imperial palace.

……

When Pei Yun finished dealing with the case and returned to her secluded little courtyard, it was already dawn.

Before Pei Yun could even find a chance to take a nap, Zhang Quan quickly followed.

He whispered the orders from above.

"My lord, Lord Luo and Lord Yan have ordered that the matter of 'remnants of the previous dynasty' be kept strictly confidential, and no one is allowed to divulge it."

Pei Yun waved his hand, indicating that he understood.

This reaction is perfectly normal.

Which dynasty wouldn't have a headache when faced with the phrase "previous dynasty"?

Covering up is a basic operation.

"Lord Luo has already entered the palace to meet His Majesty overnight."

Zhang Quan added another sentence.

Pei Yun poured himself a cup of cold tea, but still didn't say anything.

Having made such a huge mess, it would be strange if Luo Qingyi didn't go to the Empress for help.

Zhang Quan's next move, however, made him raise an eyebrow.

Zhang Quan took out an exquisite jade box from his bosom and presented it with both hands.

"My lord, this was sent by Lord Yan through my subordinates."

Pei Yun took the jade box and opened it.

A pill the size of a longan, pure white in color, emitting a strange fragrance, lay quietly inside.

Nine tiny points of light could be faintly seen moving within it.

Nine-Aperture Exquisite Elixir.

bet.

Pei Yun held the jade box and paused for a moment, a rare occurrence for him.

He had just arrested the man, and the body wasn't even cold yet, when that old fogey Yan Xiu sent over the bet?

That's really... true to their word.

He weighed the jade box in his hand and gave a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth.

This Lord Yan isn't entirely useless, is he?

Being old-fashioned has its advantages.