"I saw it already. I've told Jian Sheng to keep an eye on it. The Fu family has been getting a little too eager over the past thirty years. I just hope it isn't because of that Wind-Fixing Pearl."
"Let's hope so. Otherwise, if the sect takes action against one of our own affiliated families, it might cause unease among the other families and sects under the Heavenly Sword Sect. That kind of rift would only hinder our long-term growth."
Jian Dan didn't intend to discuss the matter in depth. She simply mentioned it in passing, subtly informing Jian Li. If Jian Yu were to make any unwise moves, she wouldn't hesitate to step in.
Jian Li Zhūnzhǔ gave a nod. Jian Lu had always been sharply perceptive and thorough. It was no wonder Senior Sister Jian Jun had brought her into her command early on. Anyone who looked at Jian Lu's accomplishments over the past few decades would know that Jian Jun had chosen wisely.
The Ancestors of the Heavenly Sword Sect were also discerning. They'd directly appointed Jian Lu as the head of the War Hall, a position meant as a proving ground for future leaders of the Law Enforcement Hall.
"You just used a dream technique, didn't you? To read his memories?"
Jian Li asked casually as he dealt with a few matters at hand.
"Yes. From the moment he entered the Jia family's shop, his experiences played out like a dream. It's a fairly reliable method."
As she spoke, Jian Dan added a caution:
"Even as we prepare to move in, we need to be extra cautious. The Jia family had one of their lowest-ranking attendants handle everything, which tells me they're extremely careful. If anything goes wrong, they can easily shift the blame onto him. Losing a Foundation Establishment cultivator means nothing to them, but it lets the real culprit slip away. And if nothing happens, who would ever suspect a lowly shop attendant knew so much?"
Jian Li nodded. He had to admit that Jian Lu's analysis made perfect sense.
"The very fact they placed a restriction inside that attendant's sea of consciousness shows how wary they are. Peng Xilai only discovered him after tailing the place for days. That little play earlier today was all for show, just to trick the guy into coming back. They've gone to great lengths not to tip their hand."
Jian Dan gave a faint scoff.
"Well, they brought this on themselves. Who told them to nurture a threat right under their noses? Haven't they heard the saying, the darkest place is right under the lamp?"
"So, Jian Lu Daoyou, what do you propose we do?"
A deep, resonant voice came from the entrance.
"Eliminate the roots. Don't give them the slightest chance to strike back."
Jian Dan replied unhurriedly, glancing toward the guest room alongside Jian Li.
Peng Wang Zhūnzhǔ walked in, dressed in a brown robe. Despite his white hair and youthful face, he still looked a bit disheveled. However, his aura was more intense than ever. He had reached the peak of Void Refinement and could step into the Unity stage at any moment.
Once inside, Peng Wang clasped his hands in greeting to Jian Li and Jian Dan. The two stood up to greet him.
"Peng Zhūnzhǔ, your presence is even more impressive than before. Congratulations on reaching new heights."
"It was a small breakthrough after a short retreat. I hadn't expected something like this to erupt so soon after."
Peng Wang Zhūnzhǔ didn't stand on ceremony. He sat beside Jian Li at the head of the hall and sighed casually.
With three Zhūnzhǔ gathered, there was no shortage of things to discuss. Meanwhile, Peng Xilai was busy reviewing messages, waiting for replies.
Captain Qi had just returned the shop attendant to the Jia family's store. He tossed over a storage pouch as compensation, then respectfully saluted the shop manager before speaking.
"Steward Jia, that female cultivator confessed almost immediately after entering the City Guard office. She's a loose cultivator, hired to stir up trouble at your shop. As for whether she was working for..."
He subtly nodded toward the other side of the street before continuing.
"...she didn't know. The one who hired her wore a mask. Her job was simple: spread damaging rumors about your shop. If she succeeded, she'd receive the rest of her payment."
As he spoke, he pulled out a storage ring from his robes. It was a low-grade one, the same the Golden Core female cultivator had worn. Steward Jia recognized it immediately.
"This was hers. I kept it. Consider it compensation for the trouble she caused your shop."
Steward Jia glanced inside. It was a small ring, only about three hundred square feet. Most of it was cluttered with odds and ends. One chest contained five hundred mid-grade spirit stones, clearly a recent addition. The rest were all low-grade stones and miscellaneous junk.
He wasn't pleased. His face darkened slightly, and Captain Qi quickly added:
"We're planning to send her to work at a spirit stone mine. But if you're still angry, I could arrange for her to escape during transport. Then you can deal with her as you see fit. I can't be too heavy-handed while she's still in the city."
Only then did Steward Jia look somewhat satisfied. Captain Qi leaned in slightly and spoke in a lowered voice.
"You know the ins and outs better than I do, Steward Jia. There's no point in picking on small fry. What we need is the one holding the knife. Only then can we strike with proper justification."
He shot a meaningful glance across the street, toward the thriving Wang family store.
Steward Jia gave a nod, understanding the message. He then instructed a servant to see Captain Qi out. But inwardly, he sneered.
"The City Lord's men aren't doing us any favors. They appear to side with us, but in reality, they're just keeping anyone from gaining too much power. Not even the Four Major Families in the city are allowed to rise above the rest. Everything stays balanced, just the way the City Lord's office wants it."
Steward Jia strongly suspected this entire incident had been orchestrated by the City Lord's office. Captain Qi's not-so-subtle hint at the end made it even clearer. They were trying to pit the Jia and Wang families against each other so they could reap the benefits.
As it turned out, Steward Jia's suspicions were about one-third correct. The mastermind was indeed the City Lord's office, and they did stir up the conflict. But it was all just a cover for their next move.
Cautious by nature, Steward Jia personally summoned the shop attendant. He checked the restriction in the man's sea of consciousness and then asked in detail about his time in the City Guard's custody.
The attendant, having dreamt Jian Dan's carefully constructed illusion, recited it word for word. Everything passed inspection.
Captain Qi left the Jia shop and made a show of walking into the Wang family's store across the street. He made a few comments about fair trade and no malicious competition, then strolled back out, continuing his patrol of the commercial street.
All of this played out under Steward Jia's watchful gaze. His eyes grew cold. If the Jia family ever seized control of Yunling City, the City Lord's office would pay the price.
That evening, Captain Qi returned to the City Lord's residence at his usual time and immediately reported to City Lord Peng Xilai.
"From what I observed, Steward Jia didn't grow suspicious. I nudged him just enough to make him think the City Lord's office was behind the sabotage, keeping power in check."
"Good. Proceed according to the plan. Deliver this jade slip to the commander at the City Guard and have him ready the men."
"Yes, City Lord."
Once he accepted the order, Captain Qi left. Peng Xilai turned to a nearby guard.
"Has Peng Min returned yet?"
Just as the guard was about to reply, Peng Min stepped into the hall. Though only at the Divine Transformation stage, he carried himself with calm efficiency.
"Elder Brother, I've returned."
Peng Xilai asked at once, "How did it go?"
"The Jia family's main branch is calm, likely unaware. That doesn't mean they won't make a last-ditch move after we act."
"No need to worry. Grandfather has come out of seclusion. He'll handle it. What about the other families?"
"I delivered the invitations myself, directly into the hands of each family head. No one else was alerted. I suspect they've begun moving already. We need to act quickly."
"Good. I'll go meet with Grandfather now."
Peng Xilai and Peng Min went together to see Peng Wang Zhūnzhǔ. When they arrived, the three Zhūnzhǔ were deep in conversation.
"Greetings, Grandfather. Greetings, Jian Li Zhūnzhǔ, Jian Lu Zhūnzhǔ."
"Everything is in place?"
"Yes. We move at midnight tonight."
"Understood. Jian Lu, would you care to come along and enjoy the show?"
Peng Wang stroked his beard with a grin and turned to Jian Dan.
"Peng Zhūnzhǔ, I wouldn't call it entertainment, but stretching my limbs a little wouldn't hurt."