If I, a death row inmate, am not to become a demon, am I to become a member of the Imperial Guard?

It's past midnight.

The sound of a wooden clapper came from afar.

Another sound.

Zhou Yang pushed open the window.

The night wind blew into the room.

It carried a damp coolness.

He changed into a black outfit.

The material is very thin.

Stick it to your body.

Like a second layer of skin.

A soft whip was tied around his waist.

The boots have soft soles.

There was no sound when I stepped on the ground.

He looked up at the moon.

It was obscured by clouds.

well.

Zhou Yang's figure flickered.

They left the Hundred Household Office.

Bao'en Temple is located in the west of the city.

It's not far.

It's not exactly close.

He walked through three streets.

Bypass two checkpoints.

The night in Beijing is very quiet.

Occasionally, the sound of the night watchman's clapper could be heard.

There were also the calls of the night watchman.

"The weather is dry and the things are parched—"

The sound drifted through the empty street.

Zhou Yang walked close to the wall.

The shadow was stretched very long.

The walls of Bao'en Temple are very high.

It was built with blue bricks.

Broken glass was stuck in it.

It gleamed coldly in the moonlight.

Zhou Yang stopped.

He looked up.

There was a hidden sentry on the wall.

Do not move.

Like a statue.

But Zhou Yang knew that it was a living person.

He took a few steps back.

approach.

Push your feet against the wall.

Three steps.

Then the person went up.

The movements were very gentle.

No glass shards were found.

He lingered on the wall for a moment.

Observe the situation inside.

It was dark in the courtyard.

There were only a few lanterns.

It hangs under the corridor.

The light was dim.

The light doesn't reach far.

Zhou Yang slid down the wall.

It landed silently.

He moved close to the corner of the wall.

The ears are perked up.

Listen to the sounds around you.

The sound of the wind.

The chirping of insects.

There were also breathing sounds.

Ten steps to the left front.

There was a hidden sentry.

It is hidden behind the artificial hill.

Zhou Yang bent down.

Went around.

I met another one.

This time it's on the eaves.

He used the gecko technique.

Climbing close to the wall.

Go past the hidden sentry post.

The other party was completely unaware.

The roads inside the temple are very winding.

Zhou Yang remembered the locations he had scouted during the day.

Turn left.

Turn right.

We walked through a bamboo forest.

The target meditation room is just ahead.

But there were still three hidden sentries along the way.

Zhou Yang squatted in the grass.

and so on.

Wait until the clouds cover the moon.

The clouds have arrived.

He moved.

His figure was like a ghost.

I glided past the first sentry.

The second one is in the tree.

Zhou Yang did not climb the tree.

He walked under the tree.

The footsteps were very light.

Like a cat.

The third one is at the corner.

She had her back to him.

This is the best opportunity.

Zhou Yang dodged past.

The door to the meditation room was unlocked.

Lotus flowers are carved on the wooden door.

Very exquisite.

Zhou Yang pushed open the door.

It was very dark inside.

He slipped inside.

Gently close the door.

The meditation room is very simple.

A wooden bed.

A table.

A chair.

There's also an incense burner.

There was also incense ash inside.

Zhou Yang walked to the bedside.

He tapped the bed frame with his hand.

Very real.

He knocked on the wall again.

Hollow.

The sound was muffled.

Zhou Yang carefully inspected the wall.

They found one brick that was different from the others.

A slightly darker color.

The edges are also not neat.

He picked at it with his fingers.

I've got it stuck.

Pull hard.

The bricks are out.

There's a hole behind it.

It was pitch black.

It had a musty smell.

Zhou Yang did not hesitate.

They crawled inside.

There is a secret passage inside.

It's very narrow.

You can only live alone.

The steps are made of stone.

Extend downwards.

There's no bottom in sight.

Zhou Yang felt his way down the wall.

The air is getting increasingly humid.

There are other flavors as well.

It's hard to explain.

Like charred wood.

It looks like some kind of metal.

The steps are very long.

I walked about a hundred steps.

Light appeared ahead.

Very faint.

Like fireflies.

Zhou Yang slowed down.

Approaching stealthily.

The light grew brighter and brighter.

He saw the exit.

It was hidden by a curtain.

Light shone through the gaps in the fabric.

Zhou Yang stopped.

listen.

Someone is talking.

The voice was very low.

I can't hear what's being said.

He lifted a corner of the curtain.

Look out.

A huge basement.

It's even bigger than the courtyard of the Hundred Household Office.

There is a magic circle in the middle.

It's very complicated.

Carved on the ground.

It emitted a faint blue light.

Eight people stood around the magic circle.

They were all wearing black robes.

Wearing a mask.

I can't see the face clearly.

At the center of the magic circle.

Something was floating.

Dragon spine fragment.

Zhou Yang recognized him.

It looks a lot like the one he's holding.

But it's bigger.

The patterns on it are moving.

It looks alive.

The magic circle is in operation.

It was buzzing.

The fragment absorbed blue light.

It's getting brighter and brighter.

"The time is almost up."

"A man in a black robe said."

Hoarseness.

"Ready to start."

Another voice responded.

"Is everything arranged outside?"

"rest assured."

"After tonight."

"The capital is about to undergo a major upheaval."

Zhou Yang frowned.

change of weather?

What does that mean?

He continued to observe.

Eight people began the ritual.

Hands form a mudra.

He was muttering something.

Unintelligible syllables.

The blue light from the magic circle grew stronger and stronger.

The basement was brightly lit.

Zhou Yang saw more details.

The walls were covered with runes.

There are many hidden compartments on the ground.

It contains all sorts of things.

Medicinal herbs.

Talisman paper.

There were also some weapons.

This is more than just a magic circle.

It's a base.

What is the Heavenly Principle Sect doing here?

What use are the fragments of the dragon's spine?

Zhou Yang touched the shard in his arms.

It's warm.

It seems to be responding to something.

wrong.

His fragments were vibrating.

It's very mild.

But it was indeed shaking.

Did it resonate with the fragments outside?

Zhou Yang's heart sank.

This is very dangerous.

If discovered...

He has to leave.

but.

He wanted to know more.

The magic array has reached a critical moment in its operation.

Eight people exerted their strength at the same time.

Blue light shot into the sky.

The fragment emitted a buzzing sound.

The entire basement was shaking.

Dust was falling from the wall.

"It's done!"

Someone shouted excitedly.

"The Immortal Master's plan."

"It's about to happen!"

Zhou Yang's pupils contracted.

Immortal Master?

That word again.

Previously in Anyang County.

I've heard of it too.

Is there really a celestial master behind the Heavenly Principle Sect?

The light from the magic circle slowly faded.

The fragments returned to calm.

But it looks different now.

Brighter.

It is more spiritual.

"Put it away."

"That's what the leader in black robes said."

"Wait for the order."

"clear."

The others began to tidy up the magic circle.

Zhou Yang knew it was time to leave.

He quietly retreated back into the secret passage.

Climb up.

Back in the meditation room.

Put the bricks back in.

I looked outside.

no one.

He slipped out.

We'll return via the same route.

Avoid those hidden sentries.

They moved even faster than when they arrived.

Back on the wall.

He paused for a moment.

I glanced back.

Bao'en Temple in the night.

Like a giant beast.

Quiet.

But undercurrents are brewing.

Zhou Yang jumped off the wall.

It landed silently.

He walked toward the centurion's quarters.

My mind is racing with everything I just saw.

The Heavenly Principle Sect has such a large base in Beijing.

They're still using the fragments of the dragon's spine to cause trouble.

The Immortal Master's Plan.

change of weather.

These words swirled in his mind.

We walked into an alley.

Zhou Yang suddenly stopped.

Not right.

There are people behind us.

He continued walking.

The footsteps were still there.

Not too far, not too close.

Always follow.

Zhou Yang turned into another alley.

Narrower.

It's even darker.

The footsteps behind quickened.

Zhou Yang smiled.

He stopped.

Turn around.

"Have you had enough?"

Three people were standing at the entrance of the alley.

Dressed in black.

Masked.

He was holding a knife.

Zhou Yang.

The leader spoke.

"Come with us."

"What if I refuse?"

Zhou Yang touched the soft whip at his waist.

"Then we'll have to carry you away."

Three people surrounded them.

The sword is drawn.

It gleamed coldly in the moonlight.

Zhou Yang sighed.

"I didn't want to do it."

The soft whip was pulled out.

Like a poisonous snake.

"Since that's the case."

"Then let's finish this quickly."

The whip moved.

He grabbed the knife of the man on the left.

One pull.

The knife slipped from his hand.

Zhou Yang rushed forward.

She slapped him on the chest.

The man flew away.

It crashed into the wall.

It stopped moving.

Two men on the right attacked simultaneously.

Zhou Yang lowered his body.

Dodged it.

The whip swept towards their ankles.

The two jumped away.

Zhou Yang took the opportunity to get up.

He threw two punches.

It hit the two people's chins squarely.

The two fell backward.

His head hit the ground.

Two loud thuds.

I also fainted.

The entire process took less than ten breaths.

Zhou Yang put away the whip.

I looked at the three of them.

The attire of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The waist tag belonged to the Northern Garrison Command.

Chen Qianhu's men?

Zhou Yang frowned.

Is Commander Chen also in the capital?

And they found him so quickly?

impossible.

The location of the Hundred Household Office was very well hidden.

unless.

Someone informed on them.

Zhou Yang thought of someone.

Qin Shuang's suitors.

Chen Qianhu.

But he was in Anyang County.

How did we get to the capital so quickly?

Unless he was already in the capital.

Wait for them to arrive.

Zhou Yang dragged the three of them into the shadows.

I did a search.

Besides the waist tag.

There was nothing there.

Very professional.

Zhou Yang left the alley.

Continue walking towards the Hundred Households Office.

My pace quickened compared to before.

The water of the capital city.

It was deeper than he had imagined.

The Tianli Sect at Baoen Temple.

The power struggle within the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

And there's that mysterious immortal master.

These things are intertwined.

Like a net.

And he.

It's already caught in the net.

Zhou Yang returned to the Hundred Household Office.

The window is still open.

He climbed over the wall.

Close the window.

Light the candles.

The flames flickered.

Looking at his face.

serious.

He pulled the fragment of the dragon's spine from his pocket.

The fragments are still vibrating slightly.

Zhou Yang placed it on the table.

Stare at it.

The fragment that was on the ground just now.

It's obviously bigger than his.

And it's more complete.

If you collect all the fragments.

What will happen?

Zhou Yang didn't know.

But he had a premonition.

This is very important.

This relates to the plans of Tenrikyo.

It relates to the so-called immortal master.

It also relates to that.

His life.

The candlelight crackled.

Zhou Yang raised his head.

It's almost dawn.

The east was beginning to lighten with the first light of dawn.

a new day.

New troubles.

Zhou Yang carefully put away the fragments.

Lying in bed.

Close your eyes.

But he didn't sleep.

I'm still reviewing the events in my mind.

The terrain of Bao'en Temple.

Hidden sentry position.

The secret passage leads to the location.

The situation in the basement.

The positions of those eight people.

The structure of the magic array.

Go through every detail.

No omissions allowed.

I might go again in the future.

And you can't go alone.

Qin Shuang?

No.

Too dangerous.

She's just a centurion now.

Faced with a force like the Heavenly Principle Sect.

not enough.

Zhou Yang rolled over.

Looking out the window.

Its daybreak.

The awakening of the capital.

It started to get noisy.

The sounds of carriages and horses.

The sounds of vendors hawking their wares.

Mixed together.

Zhou Yang sat up.

I walked to the window.

Open the window.

Sunlight streamed in.

very warm.

But he felt cold.

The magic array at Bao'en Temple.

Dragon spine fragment.

The Immortal Master's Plan.

These things weighed on my mind.

Like a stone.

He had to do something.

But we can't rush it.

We are not strong enough yet.

More intelligence is needed.

We also need stronger forces.

Zhou Yang touched his chest.

How much life do I have left?

About three years.

not enough.

Far from enough.

To deal with forces like the Heavenly Principle Sect.

Three years is too short.

We must find a way to increase lifespan.

rare and precious materials?

A formidable foe?

or.

What else?

Zhou Yang thought about it for a long time.

I have no clue.

He closed the window.

The room darkened.

Only the candles are still burning.

He walked to the table and sat down.

Take out paper and pen.

Start drawing.

Draw a map of Bao'en Temple.

Draw a floor plan of the secret room.

Mark the position of the magic circle.

And those eight men in black robes.

Detailed records.

No detail should be forgotten.

Finished drawing.

Zhou Yang put the paper away.

Put it into a dark box.

This is important intelligence.

You might need it someday.

He stood up.

I stretched.

The bones were cracking.

I didn't sleep all night.

I'm a little tired.

But he was very excited.

The feeling of discovering a secret.

It's like winning money in gambling.

stimulate.

It's addictive.

Zhou Yang walked to the door.

I hesitated for a moment.

I still went out.

He needs to talk to someone.

Regarding the matter of Commander Chen.

Regarding the people of the Northern Garrison Command.

Qin Shuang might know something.

He walked to Qin Shuang's room.

He stopped.

There are people talking inside.

It wasn't just Qin Shuang.

There was also a man.

The voice was familiar.

Zhou Yang's heart sank.

It is Commander Chen.

He really is in the capital.

And he met with Qin Shuang.

Zhou Yang leaned against the wall.

Listen to the conversation inside.

"Shuang'er."

The voice of Commander Chen.

Why did you do this?

"What are you doing?"

Qin Shuang's voice was cold.

"Take Zhou Yang back to the capital."

Do you know who he is?

"He is my subordinate."

"That's all?"

"Otherwise what?"

Commander Chen smiled.

The laughter was strange.

"Shuang'er."

"Stop pretending."

"I know everything."

"The matter of Anyang Prefecture."

"And your journey back."

"You and him..."

"shut up!"

Qin Shuang interrupted him.

"Commander Chen."

"This is my private matter."

"It's none of your business."

"How can it be unrelated?"

Chen Qianhu's voice became shrill.

"Zhou Yang is a traitor to the Heavenly Principle Sect!"

"Bring him back."

"This is like inviting a wolf into the house!"

"He is not."

Why do you believe him?

"Based on my judgment."

"Your judgment?"

Chen Qianhu sneered.

"The judgment of a woman whose heart is blinded by greed?"

Zhou Yang clenched his fist.

I really want to rush in.

But he held back.

Now is not the time.

"Commander Chen."

Qin Shuang's voice was very steady.

"Please leave."

"I'm not leaving."

"This needs to be made clear today."

"Zhou Yang must die."

"otherwise."

"We all have to die."

Zhou Yang squinted.

What does that mean?

Why did they all have to die?

What does Commander Chen know?

"What are you so afraid of?"

Qin Shuang asked.

"Tenrikyo!"

Commander Chen practically roared it out.

"You have no idea how strong they are!"

"The entire capital is just a pawn in their game!"

"Including me!"

"Including you!"

"Including everyone!"

Zhou Yang's pupils contracted.

Has Commander Chen also been taken into custody?

"What do you mean?"

Qin Shuang pressed for an answer.

"I……"

Chen Qianhu suddenly stopped talking.

"I can't say."

"If we tell, we'll all die."

"So what brings you here today?"

"Just a reminder."

"Stay away from Zhou Yang."

"This is the last time I'll help you."

Done.

Zhou Yang heard footsteps.

Commander Chen is leaving.

He quickly hid in the shadows.

Chen Qianhu came out of Qin Shuang's room.

His face looked terrible.

He looked around.

He left quickly.

Zhou Yang watched him walk away.

Then he walked towards Qin Shuang's room.

The door was still open.

Qin Shuang stood by the window.

With his back to the door.

My shoulders are shaking.

Zhou Yang stopped in his tracks.

I didn't go in.

he knows.

Qin Shuang needs time.

The entire Northern Garrison Command has been infiltrated.

Commander Chen was just a pawn.

This pool of water.

It was deeper than he had imagined.

It needs to be muddy.

Zhou Yang turned and left.

I went back to my room.

It was already broad daylight.

The sun is shining brightly.

But the sun shines on you.

There is no temperature.