Jian Wan stormed into the main hall of the Hall of Enforcement without waiting for any announcement, only to find it empty. Jian Li was nowhere in sight.
"Jian Wan Zhūnzhǔ, Jian Li Zhūnzhǔ is not here," a guard answered politely.
"Then where did my senior brother go?" she asked, frowning.
"Where the Zhūnzhǔ goes, we dare not inquire."
The guard responded with courtesy, making a gesture to show her the way out of the hall.
With an angry flick of her sleeve, Jian Wan turned and left, heading straight for Jian Li's personal cultivation abode to confront him directly.
But as soon as she left, Jian Li emerged slowly from a side hall, accompanied by Jian Ning.
"Jian Wan's temper has grown worse lately. Is her cultivation not going well?" Jian Li asked casually, settling back onto the throne and picking up the jade slip in his hand.
Jian Ning, usually composed and gentle, now showed a trace of concern.
"The new inner disciple from the main family, Fu Yao, has been very good at currying favor with Master. I don't know what she's been whispering."
"And you didn't try to talk her down?"
"There are some things I can speak to, and others I cannot."
Jian Ning's gentle face tightened slightly with unease. Jian Li caught the expression and chuckled.
"You think too much. Your master has me and Jian Lu to support her. She won't be left to fend for herself. And for your sake and mine, Jian Lu won't go too far."
Jian Ning's brow twitched. The worry in her eyes deepened.
"Zhūnzhǔ, Master is not a match for Jian Lu."
Jian Li raised an eyebrow, then slowly set down the jade slip. He picked up his tea, took a sip to moisten his throat, and said,
"Your master is also at the Void Refinement stage. Why are you so sure she can't handle Jian Lu?"
"I saw the image jade Jian Sheng brought back from Ming Valley. My master is definitely not her equal."
"You see clearly enough. Don't worry. I'll remind Jian Lu to show restraint. But it's about time someone knocked your master down a peg."
"Thank you, Zhūnzhǔ."
Meanwhile, Jian Wan charged to Jian Li's cave residence, only to find it empty too. The chief steward greeted her respectfully.
"Jian Li Zhūnzhǔ has been overseeing the Law Enforcement Hall lately. He's rarely here. You might find him at the hall instead."
Hearing this, Jian Wan immediately understood. Jian Li was deliberately avoiding her. If he wouldn't face her, then she'd deal with Jian Lu directly.
Without another word to the steward, Jian Wan turned on her heel and headed for Tianyue Peak.
Before seeking out Jian Li, Jian Wan had already investigated Jian Lu's background. Convinced that this woman posed no real threat, she planned to pressure her into giving up the mission. Once Jian Lu stepped aside, Jian Wan could take it over herself, and no one would question her motives.
Brimming with confidence, Jian Wan made her way to Jian Dan's cave abode, never once considering what she would do if Jian Lu refused.
Tianyue Peak
Jian Dan had been waiting since morning for Jian Sheng to report in. Beside her, Yue Liang was practically bouncing in place. To push a Zhūnzhǔ forward as a human shield—this guy needed a lesson.
When Jian Sheng arrived with his men, he was greeted by a smiling Jian Lu and an equally amused Yue Liang. The sight made his scalp tingle.
He calmly waved off his subordinates and entered the cave to formally greet Jian Dan.
"Greetings, Jian Lu Zhūnzhǔ. Jian Sheng has come to receive your orders."
"Sit down. There's no need to be so formal between us."
With a flick of her hand, Jian Dan used her spiritual energy to lift him up and guided him to the crimson jade table nearby.
"Tell me. Who exactly is this Jian Wan?"
Jian Dan gently waved her ornate fan, cutting straight to the point.
"Zhūnzhǔ, Jian Wan's family is the Fu clan, a vassal of the Heavenly Sword Sect. Her original name was Fu Wan. Her ancestors helped the founding sect leader establish the sect, so she's considered a descendant of the elders. However..."
"However, each generation is weaker than the last. They still cling to past glories as if they're entitled to them."
"Zhūnzhǔ summed it up perfectly."
Jian Dan understood the type. Just like how wealth rarely lasted beyond three generations, those who grew up privileged often lost the drive to excel.
"What does the sect want done?"
She didn't bother mincing words. Jian Sheng hesitated for a moment, recalling Jian Li Zhūnzhǔ's reminder to test the waters.
"Zhūnzhǔ, do you mean..."
Jian Dan shot him a look and said bluntly,
"Is the sect asking me to remove the Fu family's influence from the sect entirely? Or just give them a little lesson?"
Jian Sheng's heart skipped a beat. He blurted out,
"The Fu clan hasn't done anything outright wrong. They've just gotten a bit arrogant. A light warning from you will suffice."
Jian Dan flicked her fan again and gave him a mock glare.
"See? That wasn't so hard. No need for games."
"I wouldn't dare."
"Alright, enough teasing. I called you here for serious matters."
Jian Sheng finally relaxed and lifted his head.
"What does Zhūnzhǔ wish to ask?"
"Are you still in contact with the Hua family?"
"Yes. That information on Du Yanran you requested last time came from them. When I went to look into her background, they asked a few questions in return. If not for the Hua family's token, they might not have given me anything."
"You've done well. I've been keeping my eye on Du Yanran precisely because there's something off about her identity."
"You suspect she's... an insect parasite?"
"No. She's not from this world."
Jian Sheng frowned, then asked,
"You mean she came to Lingyun Continent from another realm? Like how you once traveled to the Dilin Empire?"
Jian Dan nodded, pleased by his quick understanding.
"Exactly. And I suspect she knows something—something significant. She's had rather good luck. I've called you here to handle a few tasks."
"Please instruct me."
"Use the Hua family's network. I want a full surveillance net around her. Deploy the Zong Hall. Track her movements closely. Wherever she goes, whoever she meets, note everything. If she comes across a fortunate opportunity, do not hold back. Take what you can. How much you recover will depend on your skill."
"Understood."
"The Hua family has been watching her for a while. They must have noticed something. When competing over chances, try not to clash with them. If necessary, yield. Let them take it."
"I understand."
Jian Dan's goal was clear: dilute Du Yanran's luck.
A hundred years had passed. In their previous life, she and Du Yanran had only just arrived in the cultivation world. But now, they had arrived at Lingyun Continent one after another. They weren't even in the same sect. Jian Dan was no longer a low-ranked cultivator with slow progress, and Du Yanran had not become a personal disciple of the Dan Sect.
Everything had veered off the course of their past life. Still, Jian Dan couldn't leave anything to chance.
Back then, after faking her death and fleeing the Dan Sect, Du Yanran must have encountered more opportunities. Jian Dan hadn't tracked them all. So now, she would keep Du Yanran under a constant watch. No room for a comeback. Even if fate favored her, Jian Dan would shatter that advantage.
A brief flicker of coldness flashed in Jian Dan's eyes. Jian Sheng sensed it and instinctively straightened, growing more respectful.
"Zhūnzhǔ, is there anything else?"
"There is. From the Buddhist Sect, Liao Kong and Liao Chen will be visiting. Accompany me when they arrive."
"Yes. Zhūnzhǔ Jian Li already informed me."
"Good."
With that, Jian Dan had accomplished everything she summoned Jian Sheng for. The rest was small talk.
"Sit. Try this Purple Jade Heartwine I brewed. It aids in cultivation."
With a wave of her sleeve, a crystal wine jug appeared on the table. Inside, the shimmering violet liquor seemed otherworldly, glowing like a treasure. Jian Sheng couldn't help but be mesmerized.
"How has Feng Nianyue been lately?" Jian Dan asked casually.
"Nianyue has entered closed-door cultivation, trying to break through to Divine Transformation."
"And how is Tian Yun Zhēnzūn's cultivation?"
Jian Sheng tore his gaze from the wine jug and looked at Jian Dan.
"Thanks to the items you had Feng Nianyue bring back, Tian Yun Zhēnzūn has resolved his inner demons. His cultivation is stable at the late Mahayana stage. He intends to continue supporting the Heavenly Sword Sect."
"Tian Yun Zhēnzūn has had it tough. For the sect, he gave up his beloved. He carries too much. That's why all of you must work hard. Help him ascend as soon as possible."
Her voice was soft, but the words struck Jian Sheng deeply.
A voice came from outside the cave.
"Reporting to Zhūnzhǔ, Jian Wan Zhūnzhǔ has come to visit."