“Yun Wei Thousand Commander... This... what in the world is this old man thinking? I, a great General, am being secretly appointed to a position in the spy agency? What kind of arrangement is this?” Staring at the shimmering golden characters on the exquisite silk in front of him, Ye Jingyu felt his headache returning anew...
It turned out that the Marquis of White Cloud had offered up the White Lotus Sword Canon, but only the latter half. The first half lay hidden within the Hundred Burials Valley on White Cloud Mountain. Luo Xiaofeng, who desperately wanted to cultivate the White Lotus Sword Canon, was naturally disappointed upon receiving only the latter portion. However, he reasoned that if Qin Yan truly possessed the complete Canon, he would likely already be a Martial Saint, or perhaps even a Martial God, making it impossible for Luo Xiaofeng to ever destroy White Cloud Manor.
It seemed the people of White Cloud Manor hadn't cultivated the White Lotus Sword Canon at all; otherwise, how could they lack even a single Martial Saint?
This was the Sovereign's thought process. But just because the people of White Cloud Manor couldn't locate the first half of the White Lotus Sword Canon didn't mean he couldn't find it. How could he claim to unify the world if he, the ruler of a nation, couldn't even locate a single secret manual?
Therefore, upon hearing this news, Luo Xiaofeng immediately dispatched men to search for the manual. And then, fatefully, Qin Yan stepped in, acting as an emissary, suggesting that Ye Jingyu, having some understanding of White Cloud Mountain, was the most suitable person for this diplomatic mission...
Luo Xiaofeng, consumed by his desire for the White Lotus Sword Canon, naturally didn't think twice and promptly appointed Ye Jingyu as a Yun Wei Thousand Commander, tasked with retrieving the first half of the manual...
The Yun Wei was the intelligence agency of the Shu Yun Kingdom, controlled entirely by Luo Xiaofeng. Their primary duty was gathering intelligence from various regions and auditing the bureaucracy, often carrying out less savory missions for the Emperor in secret. They were quite similar to the Jinyiwei of the Ming Dynasty from Ye Jingyu’s past life...
It could be said that a Yun Wei officer held authority one rank above regular officials. Yet, for the Kingdom-Guarding Great General to serve as a Thousand Commander in the Yun Wei—this was truly unprecedented in the history of the Shu Yun Kingdom...
However, since the order came directly from the Sovereign, Ye Jingyu knew he had to execute it, regardless of his unwillingness. Moreover, a faint curiosity stirred within him: what marvels did this White Lotus Sword Canon hold that made Luo Xiaofeng so obsessed? How did it truly differ from his own Thundering Blade Art?
Of course, Ye Jingyu was keenly aware that this was almost certainly a mission of certain death. Otherwise, why would Qin Yan have nominated him? He surmised this was an opportunity for Qin Yan to ensure he never returned...
The weather in May was already turning quite hot. Ye Jingyu reclined comfortably in the carriage pulled by eight horses. Hu Yanmeng sat beside him, her expression still icy, like a carved statue...
In contrast, Hei Ming Shixuan sat sweetly by Ye Jingyu's side. Her pale, delicate hand carefully peeled a golden loquat and gently offered the fruit to his lips...
Ye Jingyu thoroughly enjoyed the loquat presented by Hei Ming Shixuan...
Meanwhile, Xiao Taotao was sprawled in a corner of the carriage, gnawing on a greasy pig’s trotter. The entire compartment exuded an air of leisure, looking less like a secret mission and more like a vacation trip...
Outside the carriage, Chi Yixiu, Hu Yanqi, Ying Xiaoxiao, and several of Ye Jingyu's trusted subordinates had all accompanied him. Of course, Xiao Linzi had been left behind at the State Guard Residence, while Ye Longyi and Chen Qi remained in Yunjing. Aside from these key personnel, Ye Jingyu had also brought along the remaining forty-odd Red Barbarian warriors and three hundred Iron Army soldiers who had reached the Martial Master realm. As for the Yun Wei personnel assigned to him, he had deployed them ahead of time...
“Young Master, we are approaching Longya Village ahead...” At this moment, Ying Xiaoxiao’s voice drifted in from outside. To maintain his cover, Ye Jingyu had instructed everyone outside to refer to him as Young Master...
Hearing the words "Longya Village," a flicker of deep sadness crossed Ye Jingyu's face, though he managed to conceal it swiftly...
“Speed up, we’re heading straight for White Cloud Mountain...” He had no desire to return to Longya Village; the sorrow left there was far too profound...
Ying Xiaoxiao had expected her General to visit his hometown, so she was surprised when he instead ordered them to hasten their pace. Though puzzled, she said nothing more...
After another half-day's journey, the entourage finally reached the foot of White Cloud Mountain. Several Yun Wei officers were already waiting there...
Knowing the road ahead was mountainous and the carriage impractical, Ye Jingyu stepped out...
“My Lord, the men have located the entrance to the Hundred Burials Valley, but the miasma there is too thick; it is truly impossible to enter...” Seeing Ye Jingyu emerge, a waiting Yun Wei officer approached and bowed deeply...
Ye Jingyu hadn't expected them to arrive half a day earlier and find the valley. The efficiency of the Yun Wei was indeed commendable...
But upon hearing about the dense miasma, his brow immediately furrowed. That was a killer substance. Did they expect everyone to enter and perish?
“Lead the way first.”
“Yes, sir.” The Yun Wei officer replied respectfully, glancing with a hint of curiosity at Hei Ming Shixuan and Hu Yanmeng beside Ye Jingyu. His superior was truly amorous, bringing women along on a mission...
Ye Jingyu paid no heed to the officer’s thoughts, took Hei Ming Shixuan’s small hand, and followed him towards White Cloud Mountain...
The group walked for about another hour before rounding to the west side of the rear of White Cloud Mountain. Beyond that lay the Tiangang Mountain Range—a place Ye Jingyu had never visited...
Muttering another curse toward Qin Yan internally, they finally arrived before the entrance to the Hundred Burials Valley...
It was a canyon shaped like a ‘U’. Darkness had fallen, obscuring what lay within the gorge, but curiously, no miasma was visible...
“Didn't you say there was miasma? Why can’t I see any?” Ye Jingyu frowned, clearly dissatisfied with the Yun Wei officer’s earlier report...
“My Lord, the Hundred Burials Valley is perpetually shrouded in miasma, which only dissipates at night. However, visibility is near zero after dark, making entry extremely perilous,” explained another Yun Wei centurion named Jiang Ming...
“That's true. Such a dangerous place—entering is suicide. We might as well return to the capital and report our failure...” Ye Jingyu suddenly declared this...
The assembled Yun Wei officers were instantly embarrassed. What was this? Returning empty-handed would surely mean the executioner’s blade awaited them...
“My Lord, His Majesty’s command...”
“If you know His Majesty’s command, why fear danger? Xiu, Xiaoxiao, you come with me. Qi, Meng, you remain here and stand guard...” Ye Jingyu snorted, pulling Hei Ming Shixuan’s hand and stepping toward the pitch-black valley...
Jiang Ming and the other Yun Wei officers, their faces awkward, quickly divided into smaller groups and followed Ye Jingyu into the ravine. However, they exchanged confused glances as they watched him lead a little girl into such a perilous location...
No one noticed the solemn glint flashing in Hei Ming Shixuan’s purple eyes, nor did they see that even Taotie and Ni Bo had lost their usual air of ease.