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

The back room was quiet.

Light slanted in from the high window, cutting out the boundary between light and shadow.

Zhou Mingxuan led the way, his steps steady.

Pei Yun and Liu Mang followed behind, one on the left and one on the right.

Liu Mang stood upright.

Although the slap mark on her face had faded somewhat, the sense of humiliation had not dissipated.

At this moment, however, he suppressed his emotions and tried to appear solemn.

Pei Yun remained as lazy as ever, as if the conflict in the front hall had never happened.

A woman sat upright in the main seat inside the hall.

Wearing a qilin-patterned robe, she exuded a unique heroic and dashing air, highlighting her graceful figure.

She was tall and slender with a beautiful face.

Especially her legs; even when sitting upright, one can imagine the amazing proportions when she stands.

Pei Yun's gaze lingered for a moment longer on those breathtakingly long, straight legs outlined by the hem of the flying fish dress.

Luo Qingyi, Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

This garrison commander was an anomaly in the entire officialdom of the Great Ying Immortal Dynasty.

His background is mysterious, and he has risen to a high position at a young age.

More importantly, she had the power to enter the palace to meet the emperor at any time, and had a close relationship with the empress who lived deep within the nine palaces.

"Your Excellency, the Garrison Commander."

Zhou Mingxuan bowed in greeting, and Liu Mang, breathing slightly rapid, returned the bow as well.

"This humble servant, Liu Mang, greets Your Excellency, the Garrison Commander!"

His voice trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly.

He had only seen this legendary figure from afar on a very few occasions.

How could I not be excited to finally see its true form today?

"This humble servant, Pei Yun, greets Your Excellency, the Garrison Commander."

Pei Yun's tone was flat, revealing no emotion.

But to his own mind, he wondered: Wasn't this woman supposed to be away on official business in Beijing? Why is she suddenly back?

Luo Qingyi did not get up, but simply nodded slightly.

His gaze first swept over Liu Mang, lingering briefly as if trying to recall who this person was.

Immediately, their gaze fell on Pei Yun.

That look in his eyes held a more scrutinizing quality than when he looked at Liu Mang, and also a hint of something else... hard to define.

"Zhou Qianhu".

Luo Qingyi spoke, her voice clear and crisp, like jade striking each other.

"I have just returned to Beijing, and there are some things that have not yet been officially communicated."

Zhou Mingxuan understood.

This esteemed official arrived at the Northern Garrison Command without any prior notice.

He was quite surprised when he first met this person.

Luo Qingyi turned her gaze to Pei Yun: "Commander Pei, I heard you arrested Zhao Zheng of the Ministry of Revenue today?"

Pei Yun looked up, meeting Luo Qingyi's gaze, a slight smile playing on his lips:

"It's nothing, sir."

"Zhao Zheng colluded with the evil Huanxi Chan sect. The evidence is conclusive. He has been imprisoned and his home has been confiscated."

"Well done."

Luo Qingyi changed the subject, her tone becoming more serious.

"I came back early this time because I obtained some confidential information."

The atmosphere inside the hall instantly became heavy.

Zhou Mingxuan and Liu Mang both pricked up their ears.

"You should already know that the Candle Shadow Sect, those shady rats, tried to seize the forbidden area of ​​the capital a few days ago."

Luo Qingyi's voice turned cold.

"Although we managed to cut off their claws in time."

"But according to the latest intelligence, instead of withdrawing their hidden forces, they have instead..."

She paused for a moment, her gaze sharp as a knife.

"A prominent figure from the Candle Shadow Sect has also infiltrated the capital."

The Candle Shadow Sect!

Upon hearing these three words, Zhou Mingxuan's brows furrowed instantly, and a fierce glint flashed in his eyes.

Liu Mang's expression changed slightly, and his breathing became a little more rapid.

Everyone in the Embroidered Uniform Guard knew that the Candle Shadow Sect was a major threat.

The two sides have been locked in a fierce and bloody struggle for countless years.

No wonder the garrison commander rushed back ahead of time!

It turns out the Candle Shadow Sect is up to something big!

Luo Qingyi didn't elaborate on who the "important person" was, but simply looked at Zhou Mingxuan:

"Commander Zhou, immediately inform the other two commanders about this matter and pass the order down."

"Order all Imperial Guards to strengthen patrols and surveillance immediately, and to be thorough, leaving no stone unturned."

"Within the capital, we must not allow the Candle Shadow Sect to stir up any more trouble!"

"Yes! Your subordinate obeys!"

Zhou Mingxuan responded in a deep voice.

"Alright, you can all go now." Luo Qingyi waved her hand.

Zhou Mingxuan and Liu Mang bowed and took their leave.

"Pei Yun, you stay."

Just as Pei Yun was about to leave, Luo Qingyi's voice rang out again.

Zhou Mingxuan paused, then casually led Liu Mang away, though he already knew what was going on.

It seems that the true purpose of the garrison commander's visit is to meet with this Commander Pei.

Liu Mang stopped in his tracks and turned to look at Pei Yun.

That suppressed jealousy almost overflowed from my body.

He couldn't understand why someone as important as Lord Luo would treat Pei Yun, a "useless person" who had lost all his cultivation, differently.

Only Pei Yun and Luo Qingyi remained in the hall.

The atmosphere actually relaxed.

Luo Qingyi shifted to a more comfortable sitting position, her long legs crossed, making her even more eye-catching.

"How are you feeling?"

Luo Qingyi spoke, her tone much more casual, yet tinged with concern.

Pei Yun shrugged, walked to a chair and sat down, unceremoniously picking up the tea on the table and taking a sip.

"Same as always, you won't die."

He put down his teacup and leaned back lazily in his chair.

"Without cultivation, life is quite leisurely."

"Eating and drinking, listening to music at Baidi Tower, and sleeping with girls—it's all very nice."

Pei Yun wore a cynical smile.

"I heard that the courtesan you've been frequenting lately is named Yunniang?"

"The most beautiful courtesan at Baidi Tower is said to be exceptionally skilled in both music and instruments. It seems you have good taste."

Luo Qingyi looked at him with a half-smile.

Pei Yun pursed her lips.

"Lord Luo is really very caring towards me; he even knows exactly which woman I sleep with."

"You don't need to ask about your trivial matters?"

Luo Qingyi snorted, then said seriously:

"Pei Yun, I know you're holding a grudge."

"If it weren't for investigating the Candle Shadow Sect, you wouldn't have..."

Her voice lowered slightly.

"We encountered that witch."

The Holy Maiden of Candlelight.

These four words caused Pei Yunduan's hand holding the teacup to pause almost imperceptibly.

Back then, he was the youngest and most brilliant genius in the Northern Garrison Command, a promising captain.

Full of vigor and ambition, sword pointed at the demonic flames.

However, during a crucial mission, they encountered the mysterious and ruthless Holy Maiden of Candlelight.

A brutal battle.

He risked his life to perform a tremendous service and saved his own life, but he also paid a heavy price.

His extraordinary talent and skill were completely destroyed by that demoness using bizarre methods.

The foundation has been completely destroyed.

Falling from the clouds into the mud.

It was Luo Qingyi who overruled all objections and, considering his contributions, insisted on promoting him to the position of a centurion in the capital.

In her words, staying in the capital, under the emperor's nose, is always safer.

"That demoness's methods are so sinister and unorthodox that they seem otherworldly."

Luo Qingyi's voice carried a hint of coldness, as if she had also recalled the scene from back then.

Pei Yun didn't speak, but simply took another sip of tea.

The tea was slightly cool.

Luo Qingyi looked at him and slowly said, "The big shot from the Candle Yin Sect who infiltrated the capital."

"It's her."

The Holy Maiden of Candlelight!

Pei Yun's gaze suddenly sharpened.

The lazy aura around him vanished instantly, replaced by an almost tangible coldness.

Like a dusty, sharp blade, trembling slightly within its sheath.

But only for a moment.

That imposing aura vanished without a trace, and he reverted to his carefree and irresponsible self.

"oh."

He responded with a flat tone, as if he were simply saying that the weather was nice today.

"So what?"

He spread his hands and gave a self-deprecating smile.

"I'm a useless person now, I can't even kill a chicken."

"Lord Luo wouldn't expect me to capture her, would he? I'd be sending myself to my death."

"What if there's a way to restore your cultivation?"

Luo Qingyi suddenly spoke, uttering a startling statement.

Pei Yun raised his head and looked at Luo Qingyi.

Luo Qingyi flipped her hand, and a yellowed ancient book appeared in her palm.

The pages are tattered and the cover is blurred, yet it exudes an ancient and desolate aura.

Faintly, there seemed to be a faint, pure and peaceful aura of the Xuanmen flowing through it, yet it also carried a subtle sense of resistance.

It seemed to repel some residual power within Pei Yun's body.

"I've been trying to find a solution ever since your accident."

Luo Qingyi looked at Pei Yun with a serious expression.

"I recently obtained this book, 'The Supreme Immortal Chapter,' by chance in an ancient secret realm."

"Although it is only a fragment, it is the authentic inheritance of an ancient esoteric sect."

"Perhaps... it can be of some help to your destroyed foundation."

Pei Yun's gaze lingered on the ancient book for a moment before he looked away.

He didn't reach out to take it, nor did he show any excitement on his face. He just looked at Luo Qingyi calmly.

"What does Lord Luo want me to do?"

There is no free lunch in the world.

He understands this principle better than anyone else.

"Find out the truth."

Luo Qingyi's eyes sharpened.

"Find out exactly what the Holy Maiden of Candlelight's purpose is in infiltrating the capital this time."

Pei Yun smiled.

"Lord Luo, you think too highly of me."

"The Imperial Guards in the capital are full of experts, with three commanders of a thousand men, nine commanders of a hundred men, and countless captains and lieutenants below them."

"There are plenty of people more capable than me."

"Is it my place, a useless person, to take such a risk?"

"Others?"

Luo Qingyi shook her head, her expression solemn.

"The depth of the Zhuyin Sect's infiltration is far beyond imagination."

"Even within the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who can guarantee absolute cleanliness?"

Her gaze fell on Pei Yun's face, filled with an unquestionable trust.

"I don't think other people are incompetent."

"But in the Northern Garrison Command, given the current treacherous situation in the capital..."

"Pei Yun, I only believe in you."

"And I believe that even without cultivation, you will definitely be the most outstanding one."

That year, the Northern Garrison Command was full of geniuses, but only a few could be recognized as "geniuses" by Luo Qingyi.

Only Pei Yun!

Pei Yun's expression shifted; this garrison commander truly had a unique kind of trust in him.

Luo Qingyi gently placed the incomplete copy of the Supreme Immortal Chapter on the table in front of Pei Yun.

"Here's the cultivation technique."

"Whether you accept this mission or not is up to you."

Pei Yun fell silent.

He looked at the ancient book on the table that might hold his hopes for a comeback, and then at Luo Qingyi.

a long time.

He suddenly chuckled softly and shook his head.

He reached out and pushed the ancient book back in front of Luo Qingyi.

"Lord Luo, let's forget about it."

"I'm living a pretty comfortable life now."

"Every day I would slack off at the yamen and then go to Baidi Tower to listen to music after work, saving up some money and thinking about when I could retire early and return to my hometown."

"Fighting and killing, things that require thinking, are too tiring."

Why bother?

He stood up, stretched, and his cynical smile returned to his face.

Luo Qingyi looked at him, not angry, but with a complicated expression.

She stood up, walked to Pei Yun's side, and gently patted his shoulder.

They passed each other, their hair fluttering in the breeze.

A faint, delicate fragrance, like a blend of citrus and orchid, lingered around Pei Yun's nose.

Luo Qingyi didn't say anything more, nor did she take back the cultivation manual; she simply left it on the table.

He turned around, strode away, and walked straight off.

The footsteps faded into the distance.

Pei Yun stood there, the smile on her face slowly fading.

He watched Luo Qingyi's departing figure in silence, remaining motionless for a long time.

Finally, my gaze slowly fell upon the yellowed ancient book lying quietly on the table.