Shen Hao had been busy these days, first repeatedly analyzing the orders sent from the Thousand Households Station together with Tang Qingyuan. At the same time, he was reorganizing the Black Banner Battalion—only after everything was set in order did he gradually reopen their station. In addition, the dungeon needed rebuilding, and he took the time to go to Jiugong Mountain to settle the brothers who had died in the attack.

Afterwards, the Black Banner Battalion still needed new recruits. This time Shen Hao entrusted the matter to Zhang Liao, principally selecting from among the garrison soldiers and Xuanqing Guard soldiers, trying as much as possible not to transfer personnel from other General Flag units.

This resulted in the Black Banner Battalion becoming a fast track for promotion at the lowest levels of Xuanqing Guard, but in the eyes of those from other General Flag units, it was still not well regarded.

Now a new order from the Thousand Households Station had arrived, placing the dungeon attack at a delicate position—it could neither be downplayed nor remain under the same previous pressure.

Although it was never stated outright, both Shen Hao and Tang Qingyuan sensed the signal: those above were accumulating force, likely preparing for a major upheaval soon.

Thus, after receiving the order from the Thousand Households Station, Li City Guard Station began shrinking the scope of their investigations, maintaining a relaxed exterior but tense within—a posture of being "anxious yet unable to seize anyone."

There were rumors in the city that the Li City Black Banner Battalion had suffered a grave loss this time. Many speculated on which bold outlaws dared to provoke even the Xuanqing Guard.

The swirl of rumors was left unchecked, leading some to be deeply worried, while others secretly found amusement.

In the public office, Wang Jian and Zhang Liao stood respectfully with their hands by their sides.

"Commander, most of our men who were sent out have already been called back; all the Hundred Households’ personal guards have also returned. The garrison soldiers have been reclaimed from each unit, so now only the local governmental officials are still running some inspections." Zhang Liao lowered his head, uneasy. He had taken charge of this matter, but after more than half a month, nothing of value had been found; apart from chopping down some local ruffians and petty thieves, there had been no real results.

"Additionally, the Black Banner Battalion’s recruitment is nearly complete. Of the thirty-six new men brought in as you instructed, half have filled spots in Groups A and B, and the other half went into the dungeon unit. At present, both parts are engaged in basic training; we expect that by mid-month they will formally begin active duty."

Shen Hao did not, as Zhang Liao expected, rebuke him, but instead asked in an even tone, "Do you have any plans for the dungeon’s reconstruction?"

Zhang Liao stepped forward, handed over a document with both hands, then stepped back and continued, "This is a new design from the arsenal side, completed just last night. Its strength is three times that of the previous dungeon, and for the array setup, we will request full support from the Thousand Households Station."

Looking at the design and proposal, Shen Hao was not an expert in this field—he only examined the data and written description. The previous dungeon was built to the standard of an ordinary Hundred Households Station, but the new design immediately raised the standard to the strength of a Thousand Households Station’s high-security prison. Ignoring the garrison strength, this level of dungeon, by virtue of its array alone, could withstand a breakthrough by a Primordial Pill Realm cultivator. It could be said they spared no expense.

After all, it had already been destroyed once. If it happened again, the entire Xuanqing Guard would lose face, unable to look anyone in the eye.

"Mm, keep a close watch on the dungeon’s reconstruction and make sure nothing goes wrong with the training of the personnel."

"Please rest assured, Commander—I will keep a close watch on everything." Zhang Liao, though unsure why he wasn’t being blamed, felt the weight in his heart ease a bit.

Next, it was Wang Jian’s turn. He bowed slightly and respectfully reported, "Commander, our people tracked Qin Yurou and found she did not return to Bai Dang Mountain, but instead went to the Imperial City."

"Imperial City? Returned to her mother’s home?"

Qin Yurou was the only daughter of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue Qin Wenhe. She had married far away into the Wen Family of Bai Dang Mountain as a political match. Now, instead of returning to the Wen Family, she headed to her parental home—there must be something more to it.

"Did she do anything out of the ordinary on the way?"

"No. She simply took the teleportation array the whole way and headed straight to the Imperial City without delay."

"Continue keeping a close eye on her every move. I want to know her whereabouts at all times."

"Understood."

Shen Hao did not dare let Qin Yurou out of sight; at the very least, he had to know her location at all times so that when a command to act came from above, he could report and take her down at once.

...

On the 27th of September, sixty new members of the Black Banner Battalion began active duty. With Groups A and B filled to capacity, a third Xiaoqi unit—Dungeon—was also established within the Black Banner Battalion.

Yet, as the dungeon was still under reconstruction, the dungeon unit practiced in the Hundred Households Station’s prison for now, with plans to return to the Black Banner Battalion’s dungeon once it was completed.

On the 29th of September, the teleportation array in Li City imposed travel restrictions, giving priority to destinations toward the Imperial City. All other transfers were postponed until the afternoon.

Nobles of every stripe streamed toward the Imperial City with heads held high. It was rumored that for a time, the entire city gleamed with gold and nobility soared into the clouds.

On the third day of October, the Ministry of Rites of the Dynasty announced: To ensure the smooth conduct of the Empress’s seventieth birthday celebration, on the eleventh of October the Imperial City would seal all five gates and suspend the teleportation array. Only those with special permits would be allowed to enter or leave.

Compared to the packed-to-bursting Imperial City, Li City remained much as usual. The only change was that with every tea-time chatter, "the Empress’s birthday banquet" became a frequent subject—otherwise, things went on as before.

Neither Shen Hao nor Tang Qingyuan had the rank to enter the Imperial City banquet, yet both were anxious: Why had there been no movement from above all this time—were they just being strung along? Or was it a deliberate attempt to skirt the Empress’s birthday celebration?

But dragging things out for too long could mean trouble!

So, on the surface, Shen Hao and Tang Qingyuan both seemed perfectly normal, but in truth they both harbored a stifling tension.

October 10. One day left before the Imperial City banquet. It was said that from this evening on, the square outside the Imperial Palace would host performances from every region—celebrating the Empress’s birthday together as one realm.

Li City Guard Station, which had originally planned for an early break, received an order from the Thousand Households Station: to ensure peace during the Imperial City banquet, all Xuanqing Guards in every region were to enter full alert from the night of October 10 until the night of October 12, forbidden to leave their posts.

This order did not seem abrupt; in fact, it almost felt overdue. After all, with the heads of every province gathered at the Imperial City, any trouble elsewhere would be disastrous—normally, the garrison, Xuanqing Guard, and military would all be put on alert as a precaution.

As the Black Banner Camp Commander, Shen Hao naturally needed to stay at his post. He spread out bedding in the public office, prepared to rough it out for the next couple of days.

October 11—the Imperial City grand banquet.

In Li City, Shen Hao felt the day had passed without incident, and just as he was about to lie down and rest, he suddenly heard a series of shrill whistles.

"Is that... a Red Feather Urgent Report?!"