At early 7 a.m., Shen Hao arrived at the Garrison as required. After assembling with the large group, they set off together for Pingjiang City.

The Teleportation Array was activated five times before everyone was sent. Because of this, the two-way teleportation arrays between Li City and Pingjiang City were restricted for an hour. When they came out, both sides were jammed solid.

There were so many people, far more than Shen Hao expected. Looking out, he saw crowds so dense there wasn’t a single gap, and he couldn’t help but think of the phrase "Spring Festival travel rush."

Fortunately, wherever the Xuanqing Guard went, they commanded awe. As they emerged from the Teleportation Array, no matter what outsiders grumbled in their hearts, space still had to be cleared for them. Even if you’re a member of the Cultivation Race—so what? When the Xuanqing Guard is on official duty, you think you can block them? They’d chop you down without a second thought.

Along the way, Shen Hao noticed lots of children in the surrounding crowds, the youngest around six or seven, the oldest thirteen or fourteen, all accompanied by adults.

The Xuanqing Guard’s camp was outside the city, right next to the North Gate, and they had to pitch their own tents. They’d be spending the next half month right here.

Leaving some men behind to set up camp, Shen Hao went scouting with Liu Chuan. It was his first time here; he had to get familiar with the official road from Gui Mountain all the way to Pingjiang City.

They were accompanied by Chen Tianwen and the General Flag Officers of the Jia and Yi Flags responsible for this route.

The General Flag of the Jia Flag was surnamed Jia, transferred in from elsewhere to Li City—a parachute posting. Clearly, he had connections upstairs. Shen Hao had rarely interacted with him but had heard this man was quite capable. After taking office, he’d solved two cases already, earning great praise from Tang Qingyuan.

As for Chen Tianwen, that went without saying; his C Flag was also responsible for this stretch from Gui Mountain to Pingjiang City.

Finally, the General Flag of the Yi Flag kept making small talk with Shen Hao with obvious flattery, and Shen Hao replied only half-heartedly.

Counting from exiting Pingjiang City’s North Gate, Gui Mountain was to the northwest, about half an hour’s ride—not far at all.

No need to elaborate on the journey.

Half an hour later, several continuous peaks appeared in Shen Hao’s sight. Spurring his horse forward, he saw Gui Mountain just ahead.

"It’s said the name comes from the many osmanthus trees growing on the mountain. Many commoners pick osmanthus here to make wine—the most famous Osmanthus Wine in Pingjiang City is brewed in the villages and towns at the base of these mountains."

Liu Chuan rode side by side with Shen Hao, pointing out a small village at the mountain’s foot ahead.

"Every time they open the sect gate here, I take command on site. I’ve been here so many times, I know the area well. Once we get past that village, you’ll see the mountain gate of the Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute."

Sure enough, after passing through the village at the foot, they soon saw a huge mountain boulder. Next to it was a winding stone stairway leading up. The outward face of the boulder had been neatly flattened, and carved into it were the characters: Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute.

The four characters were bold and powerful. When Shen Hao looked, his eyes stung as if stabbed and he had to look away. Only after looking again did he adapt.

Those characters contained an invisible power, as sharp as Sword Aura!

How on earth did they do that?!

Just one boulder made Shen Hao incredibly curious about the people beyond the mountain gate. What kind of differences would there be between these cultivators quietly following the Dao outside the limelight and the cultivators of the mundane world?

After dismounting, Liu Chuan led the group to stand before the mountain gate but didn’t go in. Shen Hao was still puzzled when, after a moment, a figure in a cyan shirt drifted down from the stone steps behind the gate.

The newcomer looked around twenty, with handsome features, a tall hair crown, a cyan robe embroidered with dark gold-cloud patterns, a longsword in its scabbard at his waist with a white tassel, white cloud-walking shoes on his feet, and an aura both ethereal and imposing.

Shen Hao instinctively tried to sense him, but his perception vanished like a stone into the sea, returning nothing. He realized this person’s cultivation far surpassed his own.

Liu Chuan was already laughing heartily as he greeted him—it was obvious they were old acquaintances.

"Deacon Yang, it’s been years. How have you been?"

"Hahaha... Just muddling along in the mountains. How could I compare to Hundred Households Liu, who’s as impressive as ever!"

The words were familiar and casual, yet somehow there was an unmistakable distance—not deliberate, just a natural sense of detachment.

How to put it? This man was unlike anyone Shen Hao had ever met, mainly because of his temperament—unearthly, as if untouched by the mundane world. Especially his eyes—when looking at Liu Chuan, they were always cold and indifferent, without a hint of emotion.

Shen Hao thought this Deacon Yang would invite them into the mountain, but nothing of the sort happened. The man discussed the interface with Liu Chuan right at the gate—nothing much had changed, so in the span of a single meal, the meeting was done. The two sides cupped fists and parted for now.

"That was Yang Qingyun, the Inner Sect Dharma Hall Deacon at Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute. He’s generally in charge when they open the gate to take new disciples."

"He looks really young."

"Young? At least Primordial Pill Realm, though who knows exactly what stage. Even with great talent, he’d be thirty or forty at least—just doesn’t look old. Liu Chuan swung back onto his horse, snapped the reins, and started riding back."

"Same as always—your three squads are each responsible for a section of the road. Keep patrolling at all times. Anyone who doesn’t know their place, lock them up first. I’ll go give a heads-up at the Government Office—those we detain will be temporarily held there. Oh, and make sure your men keep their eyes peeled! Get to know all the noble family emblems, so you don’t mess up when the time comes."

Liu Chuan was instructing the three Flags on their duties. On the side, Shen Hao felt a bit awkward—this was his first time doing this job, and when it came to family emblems, he knew nothing.

Back at the outskirts of Pingjiang City, the camp was already set up, with a few corners still being completed.

"Here—you look through it yourself. If there’s an extra copy, have your men look it over too—better safe than sorry." Chen Tianwen knew exactly what Shen Hao needed, so he got two thick booklets from his subordinates and tossed them over.

The booklets had no titles, packed full of tiny print, interspersed with illustrations. After a few pages, Shen Hao was satisfied—these were introductions to all the noble families in the Jingjiu Dynasty territory, including every family’s emblem and an assessment of their power.

"How come I never saw this stuff before?" Shen Hao was surprised—Xuanqing Guard had this sort of goldmine?

"Tsk, it’s right on the first floor of the Library. If you won’t look for it, blame yourself."

Shen Hao was speechless. He’d never had a mentor and was directly appointed to the newly created Black Banner Battalion, so he was still unfamiliar with a lot of things.

He threw one copy to Wang Jian and Zhang Liao, telling them to study it and pass it down, stamping extra copies where needed. Keeping one for himself, he ducked into his tent and started reading. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Three pages in, Shen Hao was surprised to find that in the power assessment column, there were these words: "Evaluated by Moon Shadow Tower."

At the very last page, another line read: "Printed by Moon Shadow Tower, Jing Old Calendar, Year 26, first day of the first month."

So it wasn’t something done by Xuanqing Guard.

What on earth was Moon Shadow Tower?

Shen Hao shook his head, suppressing his curiosity, and kept reading—all these noble families in the Dynasty, he found them quite interesting.