Xuanqing Guard

"Where are they going in the middle of the night?"

Nie Yun and Shen Hao leaving their residence in the dead of night surprised the three figures lurking in the shadows. They were the very three sent by Pang Ban to investigate Shen Hao that Nie Yun had mentioned before, belonging to the Commander’s Office. Their mission did indeed have a component of protecting Shen Hao.

"No idea. But Nie Yun probably sensed us earlier. Should we keep following?"

"Of course we should. If the target slips away and something happens, you think the three of us will get out of it clean? Come on, let’s go."

After a quick discussion, the three trailed from a distance. Still, they didn’t realize the real reason for Shen Hao leaving home at this hour, unlike Nie Yun. The tricks of a Sound Cultivator aren’t easily noticed unless one has experience or counter-methods.

Soon, even though Nie Yun likely knew they were there, the three didn’t simply tail them openly. Instead, they kept their usual rhythm, careful to conceal their tracks at every step, sneaking and hiding as they followed.

It didn’t take long for the three to notice something odd.

"Look! There’s someone up ahead!"

Hidden in darkness, they saw that as Nie Yun and Shen Hao leapt from rooftop to rooftop, suddenly a new figure appeared in front as if waiting for them.

"Looks like it’s a woman."

"She’s in a skirt, definitely a woman. Hide your presence—we’d better follow a bit farther back, just in case we get spotted." Their assignment was to protect and investigate. Now that this curious scene finally appeared, they were invigorated. As for Shen Hao’s safety—wasn’t Nie Yun with him? If real danger came up, they’d have time to act.

They trailed the group, not leaving the city, and finally stopped atop a bell tower in the eastern part.

"Use the Scout Ball, let’s see what they’re talking about."

For these elite secret agents of the Commander’s Office, as long as they could see the target’s face, they’d have a rough idea of what was said; Lip Reading Skill was so basic as to be beneath notice. Plus, their stealth was excellent—even when Shen Hao knew someone was tailing them, he showed no sign of awareness. Only Nie Yun could sense some slight clue.

"Yo, that woman’s gorgeous!"

"Yeah, she’s really pretty... but why does she look kind of familiar to me? You guys get that feeling?"

"Hiss... Why do I think she looks like that famous one from the Le Family?"

"Le Family? That’s it! You mentioned it, I remembered who she looks like—Ning Ziye! Right? She’s Ning Ziye, isn’t she?"

Using the Scout Ball and Night Eye Skill, the trio remained hidden on a rooftop below the bell tower, from where they could see both the huge bell and, coincidentally, the three people—including Nie Yun and Shen Hao—on top of the tower.

The most shocking thing was that, in the dark of night, the woman meeting with Shen Hao and Nie Yun was actually the renowned Le Family’s Ning Ziye, celebrated in certain pleasure venues. And, judging by her body technique, her cultivation was nothing to scoff at. Quite a windfall for their night’s work.

"We weren’t spotted by her, were we?"

"You mean Ning Ziye? I don’t think so. If you’re worried, let’s use another Qi Concealing Talisman. Even Nie Yun probably wouldn’t be able to sense us then."

"Do it. Better safe than sorry."

The trio moved with utmost caution, entirely out of curiosity about why Ning Ziye was looking for Shen Hao and Nie Yun. What possible connection could this famous Le Family figure have with Shen Hao? Could it have anything to do with his foggy early history?

Putting aside the Commander’s Office trio’s speculations, on top of the bell tower, the three involved were no less surprised.

First was Shen Hao—he couldn’t have imagined that the person who lured him out tonight would be Ning Ziye, whom he’d only met once before. Still, he guessed that her seeking him out likely had something to do with Lian Xiang.

Ning Ziye was just as taken aback. She had meant to draw Shen Hao out, but didn’t expect another person as well. From a distance she thought the tagalong was just Shen Hao’s guard, but now that she was closer she saw he was none other than the famous Jingxi Double Eagles—wait, with Yu Shengjue dead, only one remains, so now just the Jingxi Eagle: Nie Yun.

Nie Yun and Shen Hao actually knew each other?

Nie Yun himself flashed a hint of surprise across his face—not because he recognized the famed Le Family’s Ning Ziye, but because he saw, on her waist, a rhombus-shaped red jade pendant with an unusual flower etched in relief. He’d seen that before—never thought he’d run into it again, years later.

"Greetings, Lord Shen."

"Ning Le, what business have you bringing me here so late at night?" Shen Hao harbored no hostility for Ning Ziye, just a fair bit of caution.

"I wouldn’t dare to presume advice. I merely wish to discuss a private matter with Lord Shen."

"A private matter? Please, Ning Le, speak freely."

"Mm..." Ning Ziye glanced at Nie Yun standing by Shen Hao’s side and smiled, "Didn’t expect Deacon Nie to be so close with Lord Shen. However, this is private, so I hope Deacon Nie might excuse us."

Nie Yun just smiled, silently. After repeatedly confirming the red jade pendant at her waist, his expression returned to calm. He was here accompanying Shen Hao—how could he just walk off because someone asked? "Excuse himself," as if!

But Shen Hao shook his head outright: "If you’ve got something to say, Ning Le, say it. If it’s nothing important, I’ll go home and get some rest." He wasn’t prepared to stand on ceremony. He was only here because Nie Yun pushed him into this, talking all that ’thoughts are smooth’ crap. Otherwise, Ning Ziye would not get even a shred of face from him.

Apparently not expecting his flat refusal, Ning Ziye frowned slightly, but could do nothing about it. With Nie Yun right here, she had no inclination to start a fight. Besides, threatening a Xuanqing Guard Hundred Households Officer in Fengri City? Not cost-effective.

Of course, in her eyes, Shen Hao’s Gathering Spirit Realm Fifth Layer cultivation was nothing special either.

"Very well, I’ll be brief. I hope Lord Shen will stay away from Lian Xiang in the future. Best if you never see her again."

Shen Hao was briefly stunned, then his smile only grew broader and, moments later, he outright laughed. With a perfunctory clasp of his hands to Ning Ziye, he turned on his heel to leave.

"Wait! Lord Shen, what’s that supposed to mean? Leaving before I’ve finished? You think what I said is funny?"

Shen Hao stopped in his tracks. He really had no desire to argue with a woman, but if she insisted, he didn’t mind tossing some words her way. He smiled, "Ning Le, if Lian Xiang doesn’t want to see me anymore, she can tell me herself. There’s no need for you to pass a message—who the hell are you? Fine, out of respect I’ll call you Le, but if I didn’t, I could trigger a Summoning Talisman and have you thrown in jail right now. Do you really think the Xuanqing Guard’s going to reason with you?"

Enough. I’m leaving. Thought this’d be interesting, but it just wasted my rest time."