Jian Dan left Jianchi Peak feeling refreshed and clear-headed, completely unaware of the way Jian Sheng's face had cracked in frustration after once again failing to find her.
No sooner had Jian Dan descended from her escape light and sat beneath the banyan tree with a cup of tea than Lü Se arrived to report.
"Zūnzhǔ, Jian Sheng Jūnshàng from the Law Enforcement Hall is here to see you. He's been coming nearly every day while you were away. I didn't tell him where you went."
"If he's looking for me, it can't be anything good. Go ahead and take your time getting him. Let him walk up himself."
Jian Dan shook her head with a helpless sigh. Lü Se's expression was full of black lines. How much must the Zūnzhǔ dislike seeing this man if she wanted him to trudge up on foot? Still, he didn't take her words literally. When it came to official matters, the Zūnzhǔ might be unwilling, but she never delayed.
"Greetings, Jian Lu Zūnzhǔ," Jian Sheng greeted with a deep bow.
Jian Dan lifted him up with a wave of spiritual energy.
"Speak. What is it? I haven't even rested for a few days."
"Ahem… this is about Jian Yu. Jian Li Zūnzhǔ asked me to seek your insight."
"What does he want my insight on?"
Still lounging in her chair, Jian Dan motioned for Jian Sheng to sit, then took a sip of spirit tea to moisten her throat before asking for details.
"Thanks to your earlier warning, we've been monitoring Tiandu Peak. When Jian Xu Zūnzhǔ's message came in, the Law Enforcement swept the entire peak from top to bottom. We found nothing connecting it to any evil cultivators.
Following your suggestion, we also dispatched people to secretly check the Inner and Outer Nine Peaks, especially the sect's defensive grand formation. We inspected all the formation plates thoroughly, and we did uncover a few issues."
Jian Dan listened calmly, unsurprised. For someone to hide for so long and even advance to the Void Refinement stage, they couldn't have just sat idle.
In her past life, the decline of the Heavenly Sword Sect had begun after the fall of Tian Yun Zhēnzūn and the subsequent execution of the Hua clan by Tian Hong Zhēnzūn. But for a sect with such ancient roots and prestige to fall so quickly? Jian Dan had always suspected other causes.
This time, thanks to her own actions—both direct and indirect—the Hua clan had been wiped out, Feng Nianyue was still alive, and Tian Yun Zhēnzūn had not perished. Now, with Jian Yu exposed, could she be another hidden factor behind the sect's decline?
Jian Sheng briefly described the state of a few problematic Outer Peaks, waiting for Jian Dan's insights. But she remained silent. When he looked up, he saw her gazing toward Tiandu Peak, her eyes like still water. Only after a long pause did she finally speak.
"Jian Sheng, the issues you've uncovered so far—were they easy to find, or did it take deeper digging?"
"They weren't obvious. We had to dig for them. The sect regularly maintains the defensive formation. Every formation plate and pattern is routinely inspected."
Jian Dan nodded.
"You came for my advice, so I'll offer my humble opinion. Whether it's useful or not, you can relay it to Jian Li Zūnzhǔ to decide."
"Yes, understood."
"What's your next step?"
"There's nothing suspicious in the Inner Nine Peaks. We plan to thoroughly investigate the Fu Clan, especially the branch Jian Yu belongs to, and see if we can uncover any clues."
"Good. That's the right direction. Jian Yu might be just the tip of the iceberg."
"Jian Li Zūnzhǔ said the same. He's instructed the Intelligence Hall to investigate everything related to Jian Yu."
"Alright. Based on what you've done so far, here are a few additional suggestions. Take them as reference."
"Yes, Zūnzhǔ. Please speak."
"First, of course, you must investigate both Jian Yu and her branch of the Fu Clan. But don't stop there—the entire Fu Clan must be examined. Jian Wan likely had no involvement. If the sect wants to protect her, just find a way to keep her out of it.
Second, the Inner Nine Peaks definitely have issues. Sweep them again. Leave no corner unchecked. Someone who managed to hide on Tiandu Peak for so long surely prepared escape routes.
Third, investigate everyone and everything connected to Jian Yu. How she rose within the Fu Clan, how she entered the sect, how she moved from the outer to the inner sect. Trace her every step. Then cross-reference her movements with the problematic peaks you've identified.
Fourth, I dislike guilt by association, but anyone with particularly close ties to Jian Yu should be detained for review. I want to see the full network of her personal connections, especially from the past hundred years."
Jian Dan stopped, falling silent for a while before adding,
"If the sect truly wants to uproot the Fu Clan's influence from the Heavenly Sword Sect, this is the chance. Use Jian Yu's betrayal—her alliance with evil cultivators and the ambush of her fellow disciples—as justification to strike."
Jian Sheng found Jian Dan's four suggestions sharp and thorough. But her final comment chilled him to the core. This was no trivial matter—it would affect too many.
"This is only my suggestion. Take it as you will. Also, I recall Senior Brother Jian Xu once mentioned some history between Jian Jun Zūnzhǔ and the Fu Clan. Jian Jun might have gathered her own intelligence on them. See if you can access that information."
Jian Sheng understood her implication and nodded solemnly. It seemed they would need to invoke Jian Li Zūnzhǔ's temporary command token to proceed.
"Jian Sheng, I come from the mortal world. There's a saying where I grew up: 'A greedy heart swallows an elephant.' It means that once someone tastes wealth, power, or status, they'll never willingly give it up. The seeds of disaster might have been planted long ago. Perhaps the sect only refrained out of old sentiments."
Jian Sheng's heart trembled. He knew exactly who she was talking about and what she was referring to.
"But for a sect, the worst danger is a tail too large to wag. When a clan dares to place itself above the sect, they will never truly align with us. At the first sign of weakness or error, they'll abandon the sect without hesitation and put their own interests first.
The sect's generosity only allows them to hide under its branches and enjoy protection. But when something goes wrong, they bare their claws. Instead of gratitude, they'll rip a piece of flesh from the sect itself."
Having said all this, Jian Dan felt a bit exhausted. Thinking was such a drain. She sighed, feeling like she might start losing hair again.
Jian Sheng sat silently in thought. He knew Jian Dan wasn't expecting a response.
Jian Dan closed her eyes and savored the soft breeze brushing her face. Her calm, leisurely demeanor didn't match the gravity of their conversation.
Jian Sheng finally rose and offered a respectful bow.
"Thank you for your guidance, Zūnzhǔ. I will report your suggestions to Jian Li Zūnzhǔ. I appreciate your time."
"No need for thanks. We're both in the Law Enforcement Hall. Everything we do is for the sect."
Jian Dan spoke softly, then glanced at Jian Sheng again.
"Pass on one last thing to Jian Li Zūnzhǔ."
"Yes?"
"If it's confirmed that the Fu Clan was involved with evil cultivators or betrayed the sect, then there's no need to wait for absolute proof. Cut them off cleanly. Erase the entire Fu Clan from the Heavenly Sword Sect and from Lingyun Continent."