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

Northern Garrison Command, Hundred-Household Office.

Pei Yun's fingertips caressed the black iron token, the icy touch penetrating his heart and soul.

On the back of the token are the two characters "青衣".

The graceful strokes of the brush seem to depict a beautiful woman standing in the breeze.

Luo Qingyi's bright face and those ridiculously long legs flashed through Pei Yun's mind and then disappeared.

This boss gave me something really hot to handle.

The garrison commander's token grants the authority to deploy troops only once.

Once this thing is thrown out, everyone in the Northern Garrison Command except for those three commanders will have to obey its orders.

The power is immense, but the debts of gratitude owed are also heavy.

Pei Yun put the token into his pocket and placed it close to his body.

This thing needs to be used in the most critical situations.

It was past noon outside the window, and the warm autumn sun shone through the lattice window, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

He spoke quite eloquently in front of Luo Qingyi—

We will certainly live up to your expectations!

But when it came to actually finding out who the elusive Holy Maiden of Candlelight was in this chaotic capital city, Pei Yun had absolutely no idea.

This capital city has never been a peaceful place.

It is the heart of the Great Ying Immortal Dynasty, and also a den of iniquity.

Royal relatives, powerful families, righteous sects, demonic cultivators, and countless wandering martial arts practitioners...

They're all tangled up in this huge melting pot called "Beijing".

A deep pool of water, teeming with all sorts of fish and monsters.

The Candle Shadow Sect.

They were able to maneuver and maneuver for many years under the sharp blade of the Embroidered Uniform Guard that hung over the necks of the entire nation, and even extend their tentacles into the capital.

Its roots are so deep and its claws so sharp that they are beyond imagination.

It is ubiquitous and ever-present.

Like a malignant tumor clinging to the bone, or a ghost in broad daylight.

Finding a hidden Saintess of Candlelight in this vast capital city is like finding a needle in a haystack.

Luo Qingyi gave him the token and the cultivation technique, but she didn't give him any clues.

Pei Yun rubbed his temples.

This tall, handsome boss really thinks highly of him.

Or perhaps they genuinely believed that Pei Yun possessed the ability to turn the rotten into the miraculous.

Pei Yun rubbed his temples, a self-deprecating smile playing on his lips.

Oh well, I'm not worried about having too much debt.

The favors of a beautiful woman and the favors of an emperor are both debts.

Pay it back slowly.

With a slight stirring in his heart, Pei Yun focused his gaze on the void.

Before my eyes, pale gold lettering slowly appeared and refreshed.

[Intelligence Update]

The "Starry Sea and Long River" formation of the Imperial Observatory was used for fuzzy observation of the future and prediction of national destiny.

[Recently, the key consumable "Star-Attracting Sand" was stolen during its transport to the Gyeonggi region, causing the array to malfunction and making it temporarily impossible to observe celestial phenomena.]

The theft of star-drawing sand is related to remnants of the Joyful Zen sect.

[Number of refreshes: 1]

Pei Yun slightly raised his eyelids, revealing a hint of surprise.

Si Tianjian?

Joyful Zen?

That's strange.

The Imperial Observatory was one of the most mysterious government offices in the Great Ying Immortal Dynasty.

They were in charge of celestial phenomena, sacrifices, and the fate of the nation.

It is said that the Director of the Imperial Observatory could play chess with the heavens and share the fate of the nation.

He was even said to be able to glimpse the secrets of heaven, and even the Empress treated him with great respect.

The people inside are even better at hiding than the Embroidered Uniform Guards; they are rarely seen.

Pei Yun had been mingling in the capital for so long, yet they had never met before.

Nowadays, some people even dare to tamper with the items belonging to the Imperial Observatory?

Moreover, it is the Joyful Zen school.

These guys who only know how to seek pleasure, use yin-yang to replenish yang, and bewitch people, have they recently become incredibly audacious?

Colluding with Zhao Zheng, an official of the Ministry of Revenue, to leak secrets about the transport of money and grain by the Grand Canal, has stirred up a hornet's nest and earned him a place on the list of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard hadn't even had a chance to deal with them yet, and they dared to provoke the Imperial Observatory.

Are you out of your mind?

"The Imperial Observatory, delighting in Zen Buddhism..."

Pei Yun frowned slightly; this intelligence seemed rather suspicious.

The fact that the Joyful Zen sect, with its limited influence, is involved in matters of such importance as the Imperial Observatory seems rather odd.

Was he being used as a pawn? Or is there something else going on?

However, this intelligence points to the Joyful Zen sect, not the Candle Shadow sect.

He still has absolutely no connection with that saintess.

The trail is still broken.

Pei Yun leaned back in his chair, deep in thought, when there was a gentle knock on the courtyard gate.

"grown ups."

It's Zhang Quan.

"Come in."

Zhang Quan pushed open the door and entered, still with that serious and unsmiling expression.

However, there was a hint of seriousness in his eyes.

He bowed slightly and said in a low voice, "Sir, Commander Qianhu requests your presence."

Pei Yun looked up.

"What is it?"

Zhang Quan took a step closer, lowering his voice so that only the two of them could hear him:

"I was in the front hall just now, listening to the people talking among themselves."

"It seems that the Imperial Observatory sent over a case, specifically requesting our Northern Garrison Command to assist in its handling."

After a pause, Zhang Quan added, "I heard it's a hot potato, and Commander Zhou is having a headache over it."

A case involving the Imperial Observatory?

Pei Yun's fingers, which were tapping the table, suddenly stopped.

He slowly sat up straight.

I was just thinking about the Imperial Observatory, and now a related case has come up?

Could the reason that Zhou Mingxuan is having such a headache be related to the theft of "Star-Attracting Sand"?

"That's interesting."

Pei Yun chuckled.

Now that Luo Qingyi has returned to the capital, the matter of the Candle Yin Sect is looming large.

This is a good time for all parties to compete and seek promotion.

If a reckless man like Liu Mang is eager to make his move, how could a meticulous person like Zhou Mingxuan be content to lag behind?

Cases involving the Imperial Observatory have always been sensitive.

It involves the fate of the celestial dynasty; the slightest carelessness could lead to a catastrophe.

Even if it's done well, the credit may not be great.

If you mess it up, you'll be in deep trouble.

Zhou Mingxuan handed over this hot potato; he probably didn't have good intentions.

Was he trying to test his importance in Lord Luo's heart?

Or do they want Pei Yun to be at the forefront, to provoke those charlatans from the Imperial Observatory?

Pei Yun's mind raced.

So be it.

The investigation into the Candle Shadow Sect is currently like trying to see through a fog; there's no clue whatsoever.

I don't know the true face of Lushan, I am only in this mountain.

Being constantly involved in the situation makes it easy to be blinded by the murky waters of the capital.

Perhaps it's better to step back for now and become an observer.

Although this case involving the Imperial Observatory seems to have nothing to do with the Candle Shadow Sect.

But the fact that Zen Buddhism was involved always felt a bit odd.

Who knows, if we follow this line, we might make some unexpected discoveries?

Those involved are often blinded by their own interests; it's better to stand aside and observe the situation from the sidelines.

Perhaps, there will be an unexpected surprise.

As his thoughts drifted, Pei Yun's face once again displayed that usual, somewhat nonchalant smile.

"Let's go."

"Let's go see what good jobs Commander Zhou has found for us this time."

Zhang Quan responded and followed closely behind Pei Yun.

……

Northern Garrison Command.

The air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood in Zhou Mingxuan's study.

Unlike Pei Yun's somewhat casual centurion office, Zhou Mingxuan's office was arranged in an orderly and meticulous manner.

Pei Yun stepped in and immediately saw Zhou Mingxuan sitting upright behind his desk.

This commander, who was about forty years old, had a refined appearance and was looking down at a dossier with a slightly furrowed brow.

"Zhou Qianhu".

Pei Yun cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

Zhou Mingxuan raised his head, and a warm smile immediately appeared on his face, as if the worry he had just shown had never appeared.

"Brother Pei, you've arrived. Please have a seat."

He pointed to the chair next to him.

Pei Yun didn't stand on ceremony and sat down directly, while Zhang Quan stood behind him with his hands at his sides.

Zhou Mingxuan put down the file, interlaced his fingers on the table, and leaned forward slightly.

"Brother Pei, I called you here today because I have a task for you."

"Oh?" Pei Yun raised an eyebrow.

"If Commander Qian has something to do, just give the order. There's no need to entrust it to anyone."

Pei Yun knew perfectly well that Zhou Mingxuan's current behavior—offering unsolicited favors—was either malicious or thieving.

Zhou Mingxuan sighed, looking troubled.

"Well, it's a long story."

"It was a case submitted by the Imperial Observatory."

"Si Tianjian?"

Pei Yun's heart stirred slightly, but his face remained expressionless.

They arrived as expected.