"She gets things done without hesitation."
Tian Yun smiled and waved at Tian Hong. The two sat before the chessboard, one taking black, the other white, and began to play.
"She's also sharp. Before leaving, he swept a glance toward where I was hiding."
"Heh. Then she must have noticed you."
"Senior Brother, who are you planning to send this time?"
Tian Hong asked lazily.
"You mean to assist in dealing with the evil cultivator?"
Tian Hong placed a stone on the board and nodded, waiting for Tian Yun's answer.
"Do you want to go yourself?"
Tian Yun asked casually.
"Depends on your arrangement, Senior Brother. I don't mind either way."
"You're saying one thing but thinking another."
Tian Yun dropped a white stone and continued,
"This time I'm sending Junior Brother Tian Shou. You can guard the Treasure Pavilion for him for two days."
At that, Tian Hong swept his hand across the board, scattering both their pieces in a mess. He rolled his eyes and disappeared from in front of Tian Yun without a word.
"And he still says he's not being contrary."
Tian Yun chuckled helplessly, waved his sleeve to restore the board, then resumed playing against himself.
Operations Hall, Main Hall
Jian Dan finally felt her efforts had not been wasted. Everything was in order now, and with Jian Chong in charge of preparations for the ceremony, she could rest for a few days.
Yue Liang had grown bored staying in the Operations Hall with Jian Dan these past days. She had been slipping out now and then to roam the Law Enforcement Peak. No one stopped her, and she had basically toured the entire place before finally returning to the main hall.
Seeing Jian Dan about to leave, Yue Liang darted over and perched on her shoulder.
"Zūnshàng, are you going out?"
Jian Dan stroked the little head affectionately and smiled. "Were you getting restless waiting here for me?"
"A little. But I've already patrolled the whole Law Enforcement Peak and found nothing amiss."
Jian Dan's eyes curved with a smile as she tapped Yue Liang on the forehead. "You! Using my authority to scamper around like that. You really think this place needs your inspection?"
"Heehee. Yue Liang knows her limits. I don't go where I shouldn't."
"Good. Then come with me back to Tianyue Peak. We'll take a few days to rest and get ourselves ready for the sect's grand ceremony."
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
This time, Yue Liang's voice was bright with cheer. Clearly, she'd been stifled for too long.
When Jian Dan's light descended on Tianyue Peak, Lü Se, Yun Shu, and Ting Feng came to greet her. In high spirits, Jian Dan told Yun Shu,
"Bring me a pot of fruit wine and two small dishes. I feel like having a few cups."
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
Seeing her in such a good mood, they all bustled about. In no time, the jade table beneath the banyan tree was laid with spiritual delicacies and a pot of fine spirit wine, with even a tiny cup prepared for Yue Liang.
"Lü Se, I have something for you to handle. Yun Shu, Ting Feng, you can both go attend to your tasks."
"Yes."
When the other two had withdrawn, Lü Se bowed. "Zūnshàng, what are your orders?"
Jian Dan poured herself a cup, poured another small cup for Yue Liang, and only then spoke.
"Lü Se, send word to your clan. Increase the training of your clan's disciples as much as possible. War is coming."
At these words, Lü Se's expression shifted. This was the first time Zūnshàng had asked him to relay a message to his family.
Since becoming Jian Lu Zūnshàng's chief steward, he had seldom returned to his clan and had managed his duties with tact, earning her trust. He could feel something was brewing.
Ever since her return from Yun Hai Sect, Zūnshàng had been unusually busy, almost always stationed at the Operations Hall. Even when she returned to her own cave, someone would come seeking her for matters to resolve.
"Zūnshàng, I understand. I will inform my clan. Thank you for your warning."
"This matter should be known only to the sect's high-level cultivators. Tell your family not to spread it and cause unnecessary panic."
"Lü Se understands."
"Good. Off you go."
Once Lü Se had been dismissed, Jian Dan finally had a quiet moment. She had barely taken a sip of wine before mentioning the matter of the evil cultivator to Yue Liang.
"Zūnshàng, Yue Liang must go with you this time. That evil cultivator is the true culprit. I will help you take him down."
"Alright. Then let's drink to our victory in advance."
Jian Dan raised her cup. Yue Liang held her own tiny cup in both paws and clinked it against hers. After licking the wine inside, they exchanged a knowing smile.
But their moment was broken when Yun Shu returned, looking uneasy.
"Zūnshàng, the Heavenly Demon Palace's Mo Su and Mo Yi Zūnzhǔ request an audience."
Jian Dan arched a brow. They had picked an interesting time. "Invite them in."
Relieved, Yun Shu left to bring the visitors.
Mo Su and Mo Yi had arrived at the Heavenly Sword Sect the previous day. After settling their attendants, they had gone straight to the Operations Hall to seek Jian Lu Zūnshàng, only to be told she was at Tian Yue Peak.
Mo Yi had shrugged. "Unlucky timing. We'll come back tomorrow. We'll meet her sooner or later."
Mo Su was silent for a moment before asking the guard, "May I go to Tianyue Peak to pay my respects to Jian Lu Zūnshàng?"
The guard bowed politely. "You may go directly to Tianyue Peak and have someone announce you."
Mo Su nodded and led Mo Yi there.
On the way, Mo Yi began to sense something in Mo Su's demeanor. Glancing at his companion's stern face, he said nothing and simply accompanied him.
"Mo Su of the Heavenly Demon Palace (and Mo Yi) pay respects to Jian Lu Zūnshàng."
The two bowed. Jian Dan smiled faintly and gestured with her left hand.
"You've come from afar. Sit."
This was Mo Yi's first time seeing Jian Lu Zūnshàng, and she was not quite what he had imagined. Her bearing was ethereal yet commanding, her aura contained yet brimming with authority. She exerted no visible pressure, yet he did not dare act casually. Even the little spirit beast perched on her table was sixth rank.
Mo Su, now that he was face-to-face with Jian Dan, found himself unsure how to begin. The silence stretched.
Mo Yi rolled his eyes inwardly, then spoke. "I came to thank you for your help last time, allowing me and the disciples of the Heavenly Demon Palace to escape the insect horde's pursuit."
"Against the insect horde, the Heavenly Sword Sect has a duty to stand. Did your mission go smoothly?"
"Thanks to your assistance, it went well enough."
After finishing his thanks, Mo Yi shot a glance at the distracted Mo Su, then added, "Senior Brother Mo Su came specifically to see you."
Jian Dan's gaze slid to the slightly uneasy Mo Su. Her voice was calm. "Jian Feng has already advanced to early Divine Soul stage. His cultivation should be stable by now."
Mo Su finally lifted his head, meeting her half-smiling eyes. He took out a ten-thousand-year cold-ice jade box from his storage bangle, set it on the jade table, and pushed it toward her. "Zūnshàng, this is a wisp of strange flame I obtained from Fire Mountain. Please pass it to Jian Feng. It will aid his recovery."
Jian Dan swept her divine sense over it. Inside was indeed a sealed wisp of strange flame, nothing more.
"You don't want to see Jian Feng?"
"I do."
This time, his answer was immediate.
"Good. Then you can deliver it yourself and bring him here."
She pushed the box back toward him and called out, "Lü Se!"
"Here!"
"Take Mo Su to Tianming Peak to see Jian Feng."
"Yes."
Mo Su rose and bowed respectfully before preparing to follow Lü Se.
Just then, Jian Dan seemed to remember something. She took a jade slip from her storage bangle and tossed it to him, smiling with a hint of mischief. "Mo Su, some things aren't just about fearing a thief stealing them. Sometimes, it's about the thief who keeps thinking about them. You'd better take care."
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Jian Dan (⁄ ⁄>⁄ ▽ ⁄<⁄ ⁄) LOL