Jian Dan had stayed on Enforcement Peak for seven straight days. With Jian Sheng's assistance, she had sorted through all recent sect intelligence, and the matter of the Fu family's punishment was essentially concluded.
Jian Wu had moved quickly. Not only had he recovered part of the Heavenly Sword Sect's stolen treasures and spirit stones, but he had unexpectedly obtained a map to a mid-grade spirit stone mine. This windfall left him in excellent spirits.
However, several high-ranking cultivators of the Fu family had slipped through the net. Four of them managed to escape the "War Hall" blockade.
When Jian Wu returned to report, Jian Dan scolded him. "You had the advantage. How could you let them escape? There will never be such perfect bait to draw them out again. Now they are poisonous snakes lying in wait, watching the Heavenly Sword Sect for an opening to strike a fatal blow."
Jian Wu accepted the reprimand silently, head lowered.
"The 'War Hall's' combat strength also needs work. I'll be rewriting the training regulations."
Jian Dan waved him off. She had never expected Jian Wu to capture every last member of the Fu family. There were Void Refinement cultivators among them, after all. Still, the pressure had to be applied.
She tapped her fingers on the table, thinking, before turning to Jian Sheng. "Jian Sheng, I told you to keep an eye on Du Yanran. That half of a treasure map she handed over to 'Tianya Haijiao'—how's the investigation going?"
Jian Sheng stepped forward, rummaged in his storage ring, and pulled out a tanned beast hide with a hand-drawn map. "Zūnshàng, this is the half-map drawn from memory by someone in 'Tianya Haijiao.' I bought it with a few spirit stones."
"Is it reliable?"
"Reliable enough. For spirit stones, they'll do anything. And it's only half a map—no telling when the other half will turn up."
"Good. I'll reimburse you later."
Jian Dan accepted the hide and studied it. Something about it seemed familiar. Setting it down, she rummaged through her own storage bracelet and took out a ragged piece of beast hide, also with a half-map drawn upon it.
This old hide had come from Jade during her solo training, when she had accidentally fallen through a spatial rift above a cold lake in the Fengyun Ridge. Even Jade had been unable to damage it, so she had entrusted it to Jian Dan.
Raising the old hide, Jian Dan said to Jian Wu, "Looks like your luck hasn't run out yet. You have a chance to make up for it."
Jian Wu instantly perked up, stepping forward to take the hide.
A careful comparison showed that the two halves fit perfectly. Together they formed a complete treasure map. In the bottom right corner, in ancient seal script, were the three characters: "Yun Shang Gong" (Cloud Palace Above the Clouds).
"Zūnshàng, this is a complete map," Jian Wu said with excitement, then hesitated. "You said I could make up for it. What do you mean?"
Turning to Jian Sheng, Jian Dan instructed, "Make a copy of this complete map. Then split the copy in half."
She then told Jian Wu, "You'll take one half to 'Tianya Haijiao.' Have them hunt down those four remaining Fu cultivators. This half will be their deposit. When the job's done, we'll hand them the other half."
"Zūnshàng, this doesn't seem proper…"
"What's improper? It's profit without cost. If someone else restrains those snakes, we can breathe easier."
"But it's still a treasure map."
Jian Dan laughed. "You're all really that greedy? Just from the name alone, 'Yun Shang Gong' clearly belongs to some secret realm. If it were on Lingyun Continent, the Mahayana Zhēnzūn would have found it long ago—it wouldn't be our turn."
Once Jian Sheng had finished copying the map, Jian Dan added, "Even if it does show up one day, opportunity belongs to those capable of seizing it."
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
The three men bowed, fully aware now that Jian Lu Zūnshàng didn't play by ordinary rules.
"Jian Wu, go in disguise. Finish this. The Fu family's remnants must be wiped out."
"Yes, I'll see it done."
Jian Wu took the order and left at once.
"Jian Sheng, keep a record of the complete map. Store it away. I suspect Du Yanran's half may not be entirely genuine."
"Yes, I understand."
At that moment, Jian Ning, who had been silent, stepped forward with a salute. "Zūnshàng, what about Jian Wan Zūnzhǔ at the Cliff of Reflection?"
Jian Dan raised an eyebrow. Jian Ning was thorough—this was a reminder that Jian Wan's master was also a Fu family member.
"How long was Jian Wan sentenced to meditate there?"
"The official announcement was one hundred years."
"Alright. I'll visit the Cliff of Reflection when I have time."
Picking up another jade slip, Jian Dan asked, "That list I gave you to check—can those people be transferred here?"
"Zūnshàng, all have been confirmed. Qi Hua, Jian Hu, Jin Liuli, and Wei Zhengrong are all in the sect. Only Zhang Xuefeng has taken a 'Tracking Hall' mission to Yaoguang City to investigate two missing Golden Core teams."
Jian Dan nodded. "Summon the four here tomorrow. From now on, they'll rotate on duty at Enforcement Hall to assist you, Jian Sheng, and Jian Wu, and take some routine work off my hands."
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
"Any news from Yaoguang City?"
Jian Sheng stepped forward. "Jian Gui has already inspected the sect's outpost there and discovered two stewards with problems. They've been dealt with. He's still in Yaoguang City, awaiting further orders."
"Replace those stewards quickly. Have Jian Gui stay a while longer and sweep through Yaoguang City completely. If needed, coordinate with the city guards. I suspect there are still hidden hands at work. Also, tell Jian Gui to monitor the 'Tracking Hall' closely and be ready to provide backup at any time."
"Yes, I'll send the message immediately."
Jian Sheng left the hall.
"Zūnshàng, you've been busy all day. Please take a short rest."
Jian Ning poured a cup of invigorating spirit tea. Jian Dan massaged her temples before accepting it, inhaling its fragrance, then taking a small sip.
"I dislike dragging things out. The more you delay, the more tasks pile up. Most matters are in order now. I still need to teach the children at the 'Tongzi Hall.'"
Jian Ning smiled faintly. "You work with such decisiveness. The three of us have barely managed to keep pace these past few days."
"No matter. Watch and learn. When the day comes for you to lead, you'll be ready."
"I only joined Enforcement Hall at Jian Wan Zūnzhǔ 's request. I had been with Jian Jun Zūnzhǔ before that. Even knowing whose disciple I was, Hall Master Jian Jun treated me the same as anyone and taught me much."
"That was probably Jian Wan's wisest decision."
Jian Dan understood the intent—Jian Ning was trying to win her master some leniency. She said directly, "I never said I would kill Jian Wan. You needn't worry so much."
Jian Ning, caught out, was not embarrassed. She pressed her plea. "My master may be selfish, but she has no great faults. I believe she was kept in the dark about the Fu family's schemes. Otherwise, they wouldn't have sent Fu Yao to replace her."
"I'll take your words into account. But don't think me so fearsome—I have not built my Dao upon killing."
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
Jian Ning smiled softly and stepped back, letting Jian Dan rest.
Just then, a transmission talisman flew into the hall and unfolded before Jian Dan. From it came the voice of Sword Zun Jian Chun: "Jian Lu Zūnshàng, the reclusive Jian family has come to visit—and they've asked for you by name."