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

"Could this surprise be related to the basic grade of this technique?"

Pei Yun asked tentatively.

"Exactly."

Luo Qingyi nodded, her smile brightening slightly.

"I happen to have an opportunity."

"If you can grasp this opportunity, it may allow you to reach a higher level when you are laying the foundation for your path."

"even……"

Luo Qingyi drawled out her words, keeping everyone in suspense.

"It is possible that we may even reach that legendary 'flawless' realm."

Pei Yun's eyes suddenly lit up.

How precious are treasures that can elevate the level of one's Dao Foundation!

The temptation is undeniably great.

"Do you know about Langya Academy?" Luo Qingyi asked.

Pei Yun nodded.

Langya Academy, the cultural hub of the world, a model teacher for all ages.

Within the territory of the Great Ying Immortal Dynasty, who does not know this?

Even street vendors and laborers could utter a few words of praise, such as "a great scholar from the academy, whose words carry the weight of imperial authority."

Luo Qingyi slowly said, "Langya Academy is the sacred place of the Confucian school of our Immortal Dynasty, and there are two treasure lands within it."

"One is the 'Sage Cliff,' where the cliff face naturally reveals the shadows of ancient sages lecturing. Viewing it can enlighten wisdom and enlighten one's understanding of the great Dao."

"The second is the 'Haoran Spring,' whose water is clear and cold. Drinking it can cleanse the mind and clarify one's will, and enhance one's righteous spirit."

She paused for a moment, then continued, "The surprise I'm talking about is related to the 'Sage Cliff' of Langya Academy."

"The Langya Academy is mostly populated by Confucian scholars, who hold a superior position in the Immortal Dynasty."

"Even within the academy, there are very few Confucian scholars qualified to enter 'Sage Cliff,' let alone outsiders like us."

"But I have a way to secure an opportunity for you to enter Sage Cliff when you reach Foundation Establishment in the future."

Pei Yun was genuinely startled.

As the garrison commander of the Northern Garrison, Luo Qingyi already held a considerable status.

But Langya Academy is a place that even the Embroidered Uniform Guard might not be able to easily intervene in.

Not to mention the core treasure land of "Sage Cliff".

Even if His Majesty were to come in person, the old scholars at the academy might not give him any special treatment.

Luo Qingyi was so confident in fighting for an opportunity for him.

Considering her special status as someone who could freely enter the palace to meet the Empress, Pei Yun felt even more that her tall, leggy boss had a mysterious background.

Luo Qingyi seemed to notice Pei Yun's surprise, but did not offer any further explanation.

Then, in a somber tone, she brought up another matter.

"I met with that holy maiden of the Candle Shadow Sect some time ago."

Upon hearing this, Pei Yun's gaze suddenly sharpened.

She handed this item to me.

Luo Qingyi took out a file from her sleeve and handed it to Pei Yun.

The scroll had an antique style, and the paper was yellowed, exuding an old and worn feel.

Pei Yun took it with a puzzled look; it felt slightly heavy in his hand.

He unfolded it and examined it closely, only to find that the contents of the file were unremarkable, and that it recorded an old case from eighteen years ago.

The case was not complicated; a seventh-rank official in the capital was punished for his words and eventually died in despair.

Such cases are not uncommon in the vast archives of the Northern Garrison Command.

"This case is very important to me."

Luo Qingyi's voice was calm, but it carried a slight, almost imperceptible tremor.

She paused, then added, "Very important."

"That saintess intends to use this to distract me, or rather, to use it to control me."

Luo Qingyi raised her eyes, her clear gaze meeting Pei Yun's directly.

"Pei Yun, I hope you can help me find out the whole story of this case."

Pei Yun's expression shifted.

He keenly realized that Luo Qingyi's words at that moment were not an order from the garrison commander to the centurion, nor were they related to the hierarchy between superiors and subordinates.

In the past, knowing his temperament, Luo Qingyi would have promised him all sorts of benefits or provoked him with words.

But not this time.

Luo Qingyi simply stated her statement and made her request calmly.

Those eyes, which always carried a touch of heroism and majesty, now revealed a stubbornness that Pei Yun had never seen before.

It was as if the hard shell of "pacification commissioner" had been removed.

It revealed a slightly soft inner layer that belonged to Luo Qingyi herself.

"If I were to investigate personally, it would surely attract the attention of certain people in the court, and then too many things would be implicated."

"So I hope you'll look into it."

"And I will openly draw away those unnecessary glances for you."

Luo Qingyi looked at Pei Yun, her tone solemn.

"But this is, after all, a calculated scheme by the Holy Maiden of Candlelight, and there may be unknown dangers on this journey."

Even if you refuse, I won't have any complaints.

Upon hearing this, Pei Yun smiled faintly.

He didn't say a word, but carefully put the somewhat heavy file into his pocket.

The movements were swift and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.

Luo Qingyi was slightly taken aback upon seeing this.

She had assumed Pei Yun would ask for the reason or make some demands.

Unexpectedly, he so easily accepted this potentially dangerous "hot potato".

A touch of warmth quietly spread through her heart.

Luo Qingyi opened her mouth, as if she wanted to say something and explain why she was so persistent about this old case.

Pei Yun seemed to see through her thoughts and interrupted her with a smile.

"Lord Luo, since you did not explain in detail before, I suppose the inside story is not something I can easily know now."

"What I want to do most right now is to turn everything that the Holy Maiden of Candlelight has planned upside down!"

"As for the details of this old case, when Lord Luo is willing to tell us someday, Pei Yun will listen attentively."

His tone was relaxed, yet carried an undeniable seriousness.

Luo Qingyi stared at Pei Yun, and a complex and inscrutable light flickered in her usually cold eyes.

There was relief, relief, and also a subtle emotion that she herself couldn't quite put her finger on.

So this is what it feels like to be understood and trusted.

"Okay." She nodded gently.

"This matter is not urgent; I also need to make some preparations on my side."

Pei Yun nodded in agreement.

As we left Luo Qingyi's apartment, the daylight was already quite dazzling.

Zhang Quan was already waiting outside.

"Boss, Young Master Qin from Baidi Tower sent a trusted aide to remind you not to forget the tea banquet at Yuqin Garden tomorrow."

Pei Yun was slightly taken aback, almost forgetting about the matter.

A few days ago, Qin Yu invited him repeatedly, and since Yunniang was quite eager to go, he casually agreed.

The case file that Luo Qingyi gave was vague and didn't seem to be in a hurry.

Since I've already agreed to Qin Yu and Yun Niang's request, I'll go check out the excitement at Yu Qin Garden tomorrow.

Just consider it a change of pace.

After Zhang Quan left, Pei Yun habitually refreshed the [Daily Intelligence] in his mind, preparing to make a note in his notebook.

But the next moment, Pei Yun suddenly stopped moving.

[Intelligence Update]

[At the Jade Garden tea banquet, shadows flickered in the candlelight; the target was Princess Yongle.]

[Number of refreshes: 1]

Pei Yun's gaze instantly sharpened.

The Candle Shadow Sect?

Princess Yongle?

He felt a chill run down his spine, and his previous casualness vanished in an instant.

This tea banquet at Yuqin Garden has unexpectedly become involved with the Zhuyin Sect!

Trouble always comes uninvited.

Although the intelligence this time was somewhat vague, it was related to the Candle Shadow Sect, so Pei Yun could not afford to take it lightly.

"It seems this spectacle might not be so interesting after all." Pei Yun's eyes flickered.

The next day.

It was unusual for Pei Yun not to be wearing the flying fish robe that represented his identity as a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

He changed into a moon-white casual outfit.

A jade belt was loosely tied around his waist, and he held a folding fan in his hand.

He has lost some of the cold and ruthless aura of the Imperial Guards, but gained more of the dashing and romantic air of a young nobleman.

After all, attending a tea banquet as a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard would feel somewhat awkward, like doing business in the traditional sense.

Moreover, Pei Yun was also worried that his identity as a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard might alert the enemy.

When they arrived at Baidi Tower, Qin Yu had already been waiting for a long time.

Upon seeing Pei Yun, his face was filled with an excited smile.

"Lord Pei, you've finally arrived! Miss Yun has been talking about it for so long!"

Qin Yu was full of enthusiasm.

Yunniang, who was standing to the side, had also dressed up carefully today.

Wearing a light blue silk dress, her skin appeared even whiter than snow, and her voluptuous figure was accentuated by its exquisite curves.

The cinnabar mole at the corner of her eye, in the morning light, looked as if it were touched by morning dew, delicate and beautiful.

She gazed at Pei Yun, her large, watery eyes filled with admiration and a hint of barely perceptible shyness.

I was used to seeing the young master's cold and dignified demeanor when he wore the flying fish robe.

The sight of such a handsome young man made Yunniang's heart flutter and her cheeks blush slightly.

"Oh my, Yunniang, dressed like this today, are you going to charm some young man?"

Pei Yun smiled lightly and reached out to lift Yunniang's delicate chin.

Yunniang blushed, lowered her head, and spoke in a voice barely audible.

"Young master is making fun of me again."

Her shy and bashful appearance stirred Pei Yun's heart.

"Haha, Lord Pei and Miss Yunniang are truly a perfect match."

Qin Yu chuckled and tried to lighten the mood.

After a round of laughter and joking, Qin Yu led the way.

"Lord Pei, Miss Yun, please!"

The three boarded a luxurious carriage and headed towards the Jade Garden in the south of the city.