Chapter 110: Undercurrents Surge, the Chess Game Becomes Clear

Early the next morning, Su Yun called Zhao Han and the three Mid Golden Core Stage Cultivators into the study.

The four of them stood before him with respectful expressions.

Zhao Han's injuries had mostly healed, and his complexion had returned to normal. As for the other three, one was named Wang Chuan, one was named Li Yuan, and one was named Zhang Tie. They were all Disciples of the Xuanyang Sect and had come together with Zhao Han to carry out this mission.

Su Yun leaned back in his chair, his gaze sweeping over them.

"Hu Meiniang has returned to the Hehuan Sect. Before she left, she handed you over to me. From today on, what you need to do is keep an eye on all movements inside and outside Qinghe City for me."

Zhao Han nodded.

"Please give your orders, Master."

Su Yun picked up a map from the table and spread it out.

This was a detailed map of Qinghe City, marking all streets, shops, and the strongholds of major factions.

"Although Qinghe City is small, its geographical location is critical. Three hundred miles to the north is the territory of the Xuanyang Sect, five hundred miles to the east is the border of Yuxu Palace, and eight hundred miles to the west is the territory of the Hehuan Sect. This is a lawless zone and also the place where information circulates the fastest."

He pointed to several spots on the map.

"These places are the largest restaurants, teahouses, and inns in the city. Every day, Cultivators from all walks of life come and go, making them the best places for information. The four of you, each responsible for one spot, disguise yourselves as Loose Cultivators and blend in to gather intelligence."

Zhao Han was stunned.

"Master, all four of us are at the Golden Core Stage, wouldn't it be too conspicuous to disguise ourselves as Loose Cultivators?"

Su Yun smiled.

"What does the Golden Core Stage count for in the Central Region? Any random Sect has dozens of Golden Core Cultivators. You will be blending into the crowd, so you won't attract any attention at all."

Zhao Han thought about it and nodded.

Su Yun continued:

"Focus on finding out two things. First, the recent movements of the Immortal Alliance. Second, news about that Nascent Soul Elder from Yuxu Palace. He took people to the Southern Region, but there must still be people from the Central Region watching."

The four answered in unison.

Su Yun waved his hand.

"Go. Be sharp."

The four exited the study.

Shen Ying stood to the side and couldn't help asking:

"Young Master, do you really trust them?"

Su Yun leaned back in his chair.

"Whether I trust them or not is not important. What matters is that they are my people now. Even if their loyalty isn't high, it's enough to have them gather information."

Shen Ying nodded and didn't ask further.

For the next few days, everything was calm.

Zhao Han and the other three went out early and returned late every day, blending into restaurants and teahouses, drinking tea and chatting like real Loose Cultivators.

Messages were sent back one by one.

On the side of the Immortal Alliance, the kill order for Su Yun was still in effect, but it didn't seem as urgent anymore. After the news of the second punitive force being wiped out reached them, disagreements arose within the Immortal Alliance. Some advocated sending more people, while others felt it wasn't worth wasting so many resources for one Early Stage Golden Core Cultivator.

That Nascent Soul Elder from Yuxu Palace had indeed taken people to the Southern Region. However, in the Central Region, Yuxu Palace still left behind manpower, who were secretly investigating in major border cities.

A few scouts from Yuxu Palace had also come to Qinghe City, disguised as Loose Cultivators. They wandered around the city for two days, found nothing, and left.

Su Yun smiled when he heard this news.

He had anticipated this would happen.

That was why he had been holed up in the courtyard these days, not even stepping out the door.

Zhou Ruoyun went to the Zhou Family to handle affairs during the day and returned to accompany him at night. The little girl was becoming more and more like a family head; those clan Elders who were originally unconvinced were now completely tamed by her.

Shen Ying continued to quietly handle various miscellaneous tasks, occasionally being called into the room by Su Yun.

The days passed peacefully and pleasantly.

Until the seventh day.

In the evening, Zhao Han returned in a hurry.

"Master, there is news."

Su Yun put down the teacup in his hand.

"Speak."

Zhao Han lowered his voice:

"Today at the teahouse, I encountered a few Disciples from Yuxu Palace. They weren't wearing Sect attire, but the aura on them couldn't be hidden. They were asking about a person."

"Who?"

Zhao Han glanced at Su Yun.

"A young male Cultivator named Su Yun, at the Early Stage Golden Core, who looks very handsome."

Su Yun smiled.

"Isn't that me?"

Zhao Han nodded.

"The appearance they described is exactly the same as Master's. They also said this person is very dangerous and told Loose Cultivators everywhere to report immediately if they find him, with a heavy reward."

Su Yun raised an eyebrow.

"Heavy reward? How much?"

Zhao Han said:

"A reward of one thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones for providing clues. A reward of ten thousand for capturing him."

Su Yun whistled.

"My market value has gone up again."

Shen Ying's face turned pale at the side.

"Young Master, they have found Qinghe City, should we…"

Su Yun waved his hand.

"No rush. They are just asking around and haven't confirmed that I am in the city. Even if they confirmed it, they wouldn't dare to act rashly. They should have heard about the fate of the last group of people."

He thought for a moment and looked at Zhao Han.

"What is the cultivation level of those Yuxu Palace Disciples?"

Zhao Han said:

"Two are at the Mid Golden Core Stage, and three are at the Early Stage Golden Core. They are all young people, likely out for training."

Su Yun nodded.

"Keep watching them. See where they go next."

Zhao Han acknowledged and turned to leave.

Shen Ying couldn't help asking:

"Young Master, what do you plan to do?"

Su Yun leaned back in his chair, looking out the window.

The afterglow of the sunset spilled in, dyeing the entire study orange-red.

"Let them look. Once they find me, I'll eat them."

Shen Ying was stunned.

"Eat them?"

Su Yun smiled.

"Five Golden Core Cultivators, although not many, are still meat no matter how small the mosquito is. It just so happens that my hands have been itching lately, so I'll stretch my muscles and bones."

Shen Ying opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but ultimately didn't speak.

She knew that once the Master decided on something, no one could change it.

That night, Su Yun didn't call anyone.

He sat alone in the study, closing his eyes to regulate his breathing.

In his Sea of Consciousness, two small figures sat quietly.

True Monarch Bingpo's large blue eyes were closed, her breathing steady. The Blood-colored Girl was still in that cold and detached state, with a faint red light lingering around her.

During this period, they had been in a deep sleep.

The last battle with that group of Central Region Cultivators had indeed consumed too much.

But Su Yun could feel that their aura was becoming more and more stable.

They were about to wake up.

He opened his eyes and looked out the window.

The moonlight was like water, spilling into the courtyard.

In the distance, a few dog barks could be vaguely heard.

Everything was very calm.

But he knew that the calm was only temporary.

Those Yuxu Palace Disciples would find him soon.

And then…

He smiled.

And then, there would be new playmates.

Noon the next day.

Zhao Han returned again.

"Master, those Yuxu Palace Disciples went to the south of the city."

Su Yun raised an eyebrow.

"South of the city? What's there?"

Zhao Han shook his head.

"I don't know. But they wandered around there for the whole morning, seemingly looking for something."

Su Yun thought for a moment.

The south of the city was the slum area of Qinghe City, where Loose Cultivators and Mortals lived; there was nothing special there.

What were they doing there?

He suddenly remembered something.

A few days ago, Shen Ying seemed to have mentioned that a few strangers had come to the south of the city and were asking for information.

He hadn't paid attention at the time.

Now it seemed that those strangers were likely people from Yuxu Palace.

They were screening the entire Qinghe City.

First ask, then screen.

After the screening was finished, if they still hadn't found him, they would expand the range.

By then, he, this "foreign Loose Cultivator," would sooner or later be noticed.

Su Yun stood up and walked to the window.

"Notify Hu Meiniang and tell her to go back to the Hehuan Sect to keep watch, and if there is any news, transmit it back immediately."

Shen Ying nodded.

"Also, have Zhao Han and the other four continue to watch those Yuxu Palace Disciples. If they leave the city, tell me immediately."

Shen Ying acknowledged and turned to make arrangements.

Su Yun stood by the window, looking in the direction of the south of the city.

The sun was just right, and people were coming and going on the street.

Those ordinary people had no idea that a storm was quietly brewing.

But he knew.

And he was already prepared.

In the evening.

Zhou Ruoyun returned.

As soon as she entered the door, she threw herself into Su Yun's arms.

"Brother Su, Ruoyun is so tired today."

Su Yun smiled and stroked her hair.

"What's wrong?"

Zhou Ruoyun raised her head, her little face filled with grievance.

"Those clan Elders are causing trouble again. Ruoyun argued with them for the whole afternoon before suppressing them."

Su Yun looked at her.

This little girl was becoming more and more like a family head.

"You've worked hard."

Zhou Ruoyun shook her head and buried her face in his chest.

"Not hard. As long as Brother Su is here, Ruoyun is not afraid of anything."

Su Yun lowered his head and kissed her forehead lightly.

Zhou Ruoyun blushed and snuggled into his arms.

The two stayed quietly like this for a while.

After a long time, Zhou Ruoyun suddenly raised her head.

"Brother Su, those clan Elders said that many strangers have come to the city recently. They said it might be aimed at the Zhou Family."

Su Yun raised an eyebrow.

"Aimed at the Zhou Family?"

Zhou Ruoyun nodded.

"They said the Zhou Family has been expanding too fast recently and has offended quite a few people. Some want to take advantage of our unstable foothold to bring down the Zhou Family."

Su Yun was silent for a moment.

He suddenly smiled.

Those people were not aimed at the Zhou Family at all.

They were aimed at him.

But they didn't know that being aimed at him was much more terrifying than being aimed at the Zhou Family.

He lowered his head and looked at Zhou Ruoyun.

"Don't be afraid. I am here."

Zhou Ruoyun nodded and leaned back into his arms.

Outside the window, the night grew darker.

In the distance, a few dog barks could be vaguely heard.

Su Yun looked out the window, his gaze calm.

Come on.

He was already prepared.