Mountain Patrol Military Officer-Chapter 1115 - 738:

Outside the hall, a tense and urgent phrase from a small flag officer cut through the air like a thunderbolt.

Inside, the Colonels seated there had an unusual change in their expressions and then all turned their gaze to one person present.

The Colonel of the First Mountain, Yun Tiansheng of the Yun Family.

The resolute face of Yun Tiansheng changed, and he abruptly stood up, his eyes full of suspicion and doubt.

Was there a ghost in the Yun Family?

Just as he was about to clasp his fists and speak to Chen Yuan seated above, he saw Chen Yuan’s gaze turn towards him. There was no suspicion in his eyes, only a slow command:

"Sit down."

"Not knowing the reason, yet unable to remain calm; this is a cardinal sin in battle."

"As for the matter at hand, I will personally verify it."

"You all stay here and await my return."

Chen Yuan’s tone was neither rushed nor slow, his eyes swirling with golden light. As he finished speaking, his figure, seated at the head, vanished without a trace.

The Colonels showed no signs of surprise on their faces, though they were guessing internally. In contrast, Yun Tiansheng resumed his seat, his expression gradually returning to calm.

With the General taking action, the truth inside would become clear. Despite the lingering doubts and concerns in his heart, he trusted the Yun Family and the General’s judgment.

.....

West City, Fan Yang Square, Yun Mansion.

A solitary figure arrived on horseback, then dismounted.

"The young hero Ji has returned!"

The gatekeeper noticed the arrival, clasped his fists in greeting, and welcomed him politely, then directed a servant to take the reins.

The newcomer was none other than Ji Wuming, who had just returned from a trip.

Ji Wuming expressed his thanks and saw the gatekeeper inquire, "Has the young hero had breakfast?"

"The mansion has just sent meals to your sect disciples, but the hour might have been missed. If the young hero has not eaten, just instruct us, and we’ll prepare again."

The manager chatted affably with a smile.

"Thank you, but no need. Has anyone asked where I’ve been?" Ji Wuming responded with courtesy, then lowered his voice slightly, seemingly casually, while casting sidelong glances around, inquiring.

The butterfly was no longer visible.

"No," the manager replied.

Ji Wuming nodded without further words, carrying the heavy concerns, and entered the Yun Mansion.

Whether that butterfly was an illusion, he didn’t dare to bet.

His cultivation warning told him that what he had done was the most prudent.

He hoped that his transmitted message to the small flag would quickly reach Yunding Mountain.

He believed that, barring any accidents, the small flag officer, upon hearing the message, would hurry to Yunding Mountain.

Once they received the information, they would presumably hurry there at the first opportunity.

Thus, he estimated the time and took a detour in the Southern City, returning now to the Yun Mansion.

Next, Ji Wuming headed directly to the Guest Residence Courtyard of the Yun Mansion.

There, his fellow brothers from the Shu Mountain Sword Sect were in the courtyard, some polishing their swords, others sparring. Upon seeing him, they all approached.

"Brother."

"Brother, where have you been? The mansion’s servants said you went outside to see the excitement and didn’t take me along. That’s not very brotherly."

"Indeed, indeed."

"Is it lively outside now?"

"..."

Everyone chattered and laughed, vibrant and lively, also showing that Ji Wuming, as the chief disciple, was very well-loved by his fellow brothers.

Everyone assumed that their brother had gone for a stroll outside the mansion.

Ji Wuming wasn’t in the mood for joviality with his brothers and merely glanced around the courtyard, asking:

"Where is Master?"

"Master was invited to breakfast by the Yun Family Master and hasn’t yet returned, probably still catching up with old times," a junior brother replied.

Hearing this, a sense of concern lingered in Ji Wuming’s heart. He now worried about Master’s status and also harbored anxiety regarding the situation within the Yun Mansion. He said, "Stay here quietly. I’m going to find Master."

Having spoken, he left again.

The junior brothers, seeing Ji Wuming’s slightly hurried steps, were a bit puzzled. "Why does Brother seem strange?"

And just as Ji Wuming was on his way to find Qing Yangzi, as he walked past a corner, suddenly, the scene before him changed, and he found himself stepping into a completely unfamiliar corridor.

His face registered alarm; his expression instantly tensed, as the long sword he carried unsheathed, radiating a sharp gaze. "Who’s causing mischief in broad daylight?"

"Turn around!" A somewhat familiar voice sounded behind Ji Wuming.

In a flash, Ji Wuming spun around, the long sword in hand ringing as it slashed backward in haste.

"Clang."

There was the sound of metal clashing.

Two fingers had improbably caught Ji Wuming’s sword, the blade mourning pitifully, unable to move.

Following the line of sight upward, Ji Wuming saw a figure in a black python robe, eyes shining with golden light, standing there like an immovable mountain.

That aura, the presence, the gaze...which Ji Wuming had encountered not a few times, abruptly calmed his racing heart. He had thought it was an evil spirit, but no spirit or illusion could mimic this figure’s imposing force.

"Ji Wuming greets General Chen!" Ji Wuming sheathed his sword and hastily saluted.

"Speak, what’s the situation that has prompted you, a Shushan Swordsman, to be so tense, sending someone to deliver a message to Yunding Mountain?" Chen Yuan’s eyes flashed a brilliant glow, as he flicked the sword caught between his fingers, its tip embedding into the nearby wall, his eyelids slightly lowered as he watched Ji Wuming.

Ji Wuming straightened his demeanor and quickly recounted the morning’s events involving the attire exchange with Qing Yangzi. He also reported some of his perceived anomalies, such as a butterfly seemingly trailing him, which led him to send a message to Yunding Mountain instead of going there himself.

Chen Yuan listened, wasting no words.

"Your master Qing Yangzi, I took a brief glance when I arrived and found nothing amiss."

"If it is as you say, and someone has indeed tampered, it suggests there’s something veiling the truth, attempting to deceive heavenly vision. This indicates that whoever acted has significant cultivation and is meticulously scheming."

Towards the end, Chen Yuan’s tone carried a cold sneer along with a chilling intent.

Finishing, he turned slightly, and with a sweep of his sleeve towards a certain direction.

Out of nowhere, a mirror appeared, its image shifting to reveal a pavilion.

Beneath the pavilion, Yun Chuxiong, Qing Yangzi, Sect Leader An, and Yun Fangting were all present, seemingly in conversation.

Chen Yuan directly tore open his heavenly eye at his forehead, then with a flick of his sleeve, proceeded directly through the mirror’s surface.

.......

Within the inner courtyard of the Yun Mansion, beneath a pavilion, Yun Chuxiong was speaking, and in the next second, the surrounding curtains suddenly halted in their movement.

Then, space shifted, and the scene before the four of them abruptly transformed.

The pavilion remained the same, but the surrounding lake and water scenery disappeared; the sky now was a vast starry night, with an immense ancient tree overhead, glowing with silver light.

A golden light shot forth like a firestone, striking Qing Yangzi, whose face still bore a smile, freezing that smile to his face, rendering him immobile.

The remaining three immediately leapt up in astonishment.

"Daoist friend Qing Yangzi."

"Who?"

The curtain twisted, and Chen Yuan’s figure appeared beneath the pavilion.

Upon seeing Chen Yuan, several people looked shocked.

"General Chen?"

"What is this?"

"That’s something to ask him!" Chen Yuan directed his gaze towards "Qing Yangzi."