Starting as the heir of a marquis's mansion, I gained access to a summoning system.

Shangguan Jin Hong sat back down in the main seat. He picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip.

The tea had gone cold. He showed no displeasure.

It seemed that herbal tea was the temperature he was used to.

"The White Lotus Sect has suffered heavy losses and is unlikely to make any major moves in the short term. Lu Zhennan is injured, and the Zhenfu Division also needs to recuperate. This is our opportunity."

Put down the teacup.

"Meng Xinghun. Your men continue to keep an eye on the Mad Saber Sect and the Iron Sword Sect. Report daily."

"Yes."

"Han Tang, your people have infiltrated the three major families and the two major escort agencies. Find out their details—the number of family heads, elders, and guards, their sources of funding, and their weaknesses. I need to know which bed they sleep in every night and how many bowls of rice they eat every day."

"Yes."

"Lu Zhangke, Hebi Weng, you are responsible for recruiting and training new soldiers. In one month, I want to see at least fifty usable Innate Realm warriors."

Lu Zhangke clasped his hands in a fist and said, "As you command."

Hebi Weng added, "Hall Master, fifty Xiantian Realm cultivators a month..."

Shangguan Jin Hong glanced at him.

Hebi Weng's voice abruptly stopped.

"Three hundred and fifty thousand taels of gold are in the account. If it's not enough, go earn more." His tone was completely flat. "That's your problem, not mine."

Hebi Weng did not speak again.

Shangguan Jin Hong stood up, hands behind his back.

Silence fell again in the council chamber. But this time, no one felt oppressed. Instead, there was a strange sense of exhilaration.

Because although Shangguan Jin Hong's words were domineering, every step was clear and specific. He wasn't just drawing up empty promises, but outlining a path to follow. However, this path requires running with all one's might. No one can walk it leisurely.

"Three months." The voice echoed in the council hall. "Three months from now, I want to see the Azure Dragon Society firmly established in Pingyang County."

"No longer a helpless prey."

"It is an existence that makes all forces dare not act rashly."

Meng Xinghun, Han Tang, Lu Zhangke, and Hebi Weng stood up simultaneously and responded in unison—

"Yes."

The meeting ended. Everyone dispersed.

Shangguan Jin Hong sat alone in the council hall. His teacup was empty. No more tea was served. Sunlight streamed in through the window, casting dappled shadows on his dark brocade robe.

Meng Xinghun pushed open the hall door. He left, then returned.

"Master, there is something I feel I should report." Meng Xinghun stood at the door, not approaching.

"explain."

"The White Lotus Sect has a Supreme Elder at the peak of the Divine Meridian Realm, named Granny Zhou. Although she was injured in the battle of the East City, her fighting strength remains. He Qingquan of the Green Wood Sword Sect is also at the peak of the Divine Meridian Realm. Although he appears polite, he is ruthless in his attacks and should not be underestimated. If these two join forces..."

Shangguan Jin Hong raised her head and glanced at Meng Xing Hun.

There was no expression in that glance. But Meng Xinghun felt an invisible pressure. It wasn't because of the difference in cultivation level—it was because Shangguan Jin Hong looked at him like he was a child complaining to an adult that "the big kid next door is so fierce."

"Peak of the Divine Vein Realm. Is that strong?"

The voice was flat. So flat it didn't sound like a rhetorical question. It sounded like stating a fact that didn't need an answer.

"In my eyes, those at the Divine Vein Realm are no different from ants."

Meng Xinghun opened his mouth, as if wanting to say something, but found himself unable to utter a single word.

He wasn't overwhelmed by her aura. He suddenly realized—Shangguan Jin Hong was telling the truth. He was a Grandmaster.

The gap between Grandmasters and Innate Realm cultivators cannot be bridged by numbers. A single Grandmaster can easily slaughter a thousand Innate Realm Level 3 cultivators. Even those at the peak of the Divine Meridian Realm are nothing more than slightly larger ants before a Grandmaster.

"Step back." Shangguan Jin Hong withdrew his gaze. "When the time comes, I will naturally take action. Until then, do not bother me with such trivial matters."

Meng Xinghun clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes."

Exit the meeting room. Gently close the door behind you.

Standing under the eaves, I took a deep breath and realized that my back was soaked with sweat.

It's not fear.

He had killed people and seen blood. He knew nothing of fear.

But Shangguan Jin Hong stood there, doing nothing and saying nothing, yet she exuded a chill that seeped into one's very bones. It was like standing on the edge of a cliff, looking down into an abyss. The abyss was silent. It wouldn't devour you. But you just didn't dare take another step forward.

"A ruthless and ambitious figure," Meng Xinghun murmured.

This was the first time he had used this word to describe someone.

The Zhenfu Division's Thousand-Household Office. Study.

Lu Zhennan sat behind his desk. His left arm was wrapped in bandages. His face was still pale. The wound from the battle in the east of the city hadn't fully healed. He could move around normally now.

Two documents are placed in front of me.

A report from Shen Lian regarding the Azure Dragon Society. The investigation revealed that the Azure Dragon Society, having only been in Pingyang County for two or three months, had already accomplished several significant feats: repelling three forces at the Tianlan Mine, annihilating the Black Wind Stronghold overnight, and causing Yin Wuji of the Blood Demon Sect to suffer a crushing defeat.

The other was a visiting card from He Qingquan. The wording was polite, but the words conveyed an undeniable, assertive force. "Elder He Qingquan of the Qingmu Sword Sect, will be visiting tomorrow."

Lu Zhennan tossed the visiting card aside and rubbed his temples.

"My lord." Shen Lian knocked on the door and entered.

"explain."

"The casualty list for the Battle of East City has been confirmed. Eleven people were killed in action. Two of them were old comrades who had been with me for five years." Shen Lian's voice was low.

Lu Zhennan remained silent for a moment.

"Double the pension. Deduct it from my salary."

"Yes." Shen Lian paused. "There's one more thing. There's news from the White Lotus Sect. Granny Zhou's injuries are quite serious; she'll need at least three months to recover. Black Monster and Abbess Jingxu are also injured. The White Lotus Sect won't be making any major moves in the short term."

"Where is the Mad Blade Sect?"

"Lei Potian has suffered a loss and has temporarily calmed down. But he won't let it go. The Iron Sword Sect's reinforcements are arriving soon, and the two sides will definitely start fighting again."

Lu Zhennan nodded. He suddenly asked, "How's the investigation with the Azure Dragon Society going?"

"We've found quite a bit, but it's all peripheral information," Shen Lian continued. "We can't find out who's in charge, where the headquarters is, or how many core members there are. The organization's tight-knit structure is unlike that of a newly emerging force. Their intelligence network is also astonishingly sophisticated."

"What do you mean?" Lu Zhennan looked up.

"I believe that with the current manpower and authority of our Thousand Household Office, it will be difficult to dig any deeper," Shen Lian said in a deep voice. "I plan to compile the existing materials into a confidential report and submit it to the headquarters of the Garrison Command. Please decide whether to use higher-level resources to investigate."

Lu Zhennan remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

"Approved." He paused. "The Azure Dragon Society's ability to disrupt the political landscape of Pingyang County within two or three months is indeed remarkable. This is something a mere commander like us cannot handle. Report it to higher-ups and let them worry about it."

"Yes." Shen Lian clasped his hands in a fist salute.

"Is there anything else?"

"That's all. I'll take my leave."

Shen Lian left the study and gently closed the door behind him.

Lu Zhennan picked up the investigation document about the Azure Dragon Society again, flipped through two pages, and then put it down.

My gaze fell out the window. Dusk was deepening, and the shadow of the old locust tree in the yard was stretched long.