The sisters, shaken but composed, introduced themselves. The elder, seventeen, was Zhi Lan; the younger, fifteen, Rong Na.
Together, the four buried the slain couple before nightfall. Jien dug the graves with his spatula, sweat pouring until dusk.
They resumed their journey, reaching Yunyang City the next day—a sprawling, bustling metropolis of carriages and towers.
Zhi Lan marveled, "Such splendor! Does such a place truly exist in this world?"
Hao Lan smiled with pride. "Indeed. Here, Emperor Huang himself once—"
"Uncle," Jien cut in dryly. "The girls need rest. Where should we take them?"
After some thought, Hao Lan replied, "Take them to the inn to refresh themselves. I'll bring them to my father later."
Jien hurried ahead to the City Lord's mansion, only to find the courtyards brimming with young elites—hundreds gathered for the Soul Suppression Alliance's selection.
Curious, he crept to the study, where his uncle, City Lord Dong Yue, was meeting three strangers.
"…Heaven's punishment stirs again. Calamity approaches," one intoned. "By the Alliance's order, we three have come to Yunyang. Nine others go to the cities of Mingzhu, Liuguang, and Luohan."
Dong Yue asked gravely, "And how many will each city yield?"
Another voice, dark and brooding, replied, "When will your son arrive, Lord Dong Yue?"
"My boy has received word. He is on his way," Dong Yue answered.
A woman's voice—clear as bells—cut in. "This matter cannot wait."
Jien strained to hear, but suddenly a drop of cool water splashed his brow.
"Non-ritual hearing… is still hearing," the man's voice rang out.
"Jien?" Dong Yue's voice called sharply.
He froze. "Y-yes, Third Uncle. It's me."
"Fetch Hao Lan at once. The three honored realmen await him."
"Yes, sir!"
Jien rushed back to the inn, breathless. Hao Lan was sipping tea with the sisters.
"Uncle! Hurry! The Alliance's envoys are already here. The Lord demands your presence!"
Hao Lan sprang up, only hesitating to glance back at the sisters.
"Attend to your duty, young master," Zhi Lan said softly.
He nodded. "Very well. Jien, take them to my residence and settle them near my quarters. I'll handle things later."
And with that, he was gone.
Jien stared after him, frowning. Bring strangers of unknown origin into the City Lord's guarded mansion? Dangerous. Yet orders were orders.
"Come with me, then," he sighed at last.
After seeing them settled, he returned to his own quarters—only for a servant girl to summon him.
"Jien, the Lord requests your presence. The selection is about to begin."
"Me?!" Jien gaped.
"Yes. Quickly!"
Still bewildered, he splashed water on his face, took a deep breath, and followed her toward his fate.