That night.

The wind and snow intensified.

Creaaak—

As the sound of the door hinge turning echoed, the gates of the three-in-three-out compound opened wide.

"Take care, sirs!" A child stood at the door, seeing them off.

Shen Wenyan and Ye Zhengqi stepped out of the gate, which slowly closed behind them.

The snow, like goose feathers, quickly submerged the figures of the two men.

"The Marquis has sharp eyes; he found the opportunity to persuade Wang Wenzong in an impossible situation," Ye Zhengqi said with admiration.

At that moment, Shen Wenyan glanced back at the three-in-three-out compound.

Amidst the wind and snow, the house was completely swallowed up, with only faint, dim light seeping through.

"The appearance of that child just now was crucial! Wang Wenzong now only keeps that child by his side, indicating that he might regard the child as a successor! If so, the child’s body is naturally pure, with excess Yang energy, forming a terminal condition. Without special methods, the child would not survive past fifteen. Thus, the child’s health is what Wang Wenzong cares about most. Since favors don’t work, and principles don’t prevail, we can only exchange!"

"Only the Marquis saw this and had a solution!" Ye Zhengqi said.

Hearing this, Shen Wenyan let out a gentle sigh, his expression becoming somewhat relaxed.

"We can only say that destiny is on our side! With Wang Wenzong willing to help, at least this crisis is temporarily averted!"

"Marquis, shall we head to Zhuge Manor early tomorrow morning?" Ye Zhengqi asked.

Shen Wenyan nodded.

...

At that moment.

Screeech—

A crane’s cry resounded through the sky, echoing throughout Guangning City.

Shen Wenyan suddenly looked up.

All he could see was snow as thick as goose feathers.

But at this moment, his gaze became slightly concentrated.

"The cry of a crane..." he murmured.

"Marquis, was that sound just now... a Cloud Shadow Crane?!" Ye Zhengqi asked, his expression grave as he looked at the snow-filled sky.

At this moment, Shen Wenyan nodded.

"It’s the sound of a Cloud Shadow Crane!"

Elsewhere.

Above Guangning Prefecture.

The snowstorm had long obscured the vision.

But in the midst of the wind and snow, a massive creature appeared.

It was an Immortal Crane, with wings spanning over three za (measurements).

The snow swirled around it at a certain distance, unable to come closer, as if an invisible force was blocking the fierce wind and snow.

Jiang Ning pointed in a direction.

The Cloud Shadow Crane instantly adjusted its course, then flapped its wings, shooting forward like an arrow.

But the two on its back felt no wind against their faces.

Down below.

Shen Wenyan watched intently upward.

In the next moment.

His expression changed, and two breaths later.

The Cloud Shadow Crane, diving down, appeared within their sight.

"It truly is the Imperial Family’s Cloud Shadow Crane!!" Ye Zhengqi exclaimed.

Then, the Cloud Shadow Crane swooped down to five za off the ground above them, spreading its wings wide.

The fierce wind swept through, scattering the snow on the ground in all directions.

Shen Wenyan and Ye Zhengqi’s robes flapped vigorously, their long hair fluttering.

Then.

As the impact was countered, the Immortal Crane flapped its wings a few times, then slowly descended before Ye Zhengqi and Shen Wenyan.

On its back.

Jiang Ning and Ji Mingyue leapt down.

Seeing the two appear, Shen Wenyan was not surprised.

Because just now, upon hearing the sound of the Cloud Shadow Crane, he already had a rough guess in his heart.

At this moment, the sudden call of the Cloud Shadow Crane above Guangning Prefecture meant only one thing: someone from the Royal Capital had arrived.

And arriving at this time, other than due to the events in Guangning Prefecture, was unlikely for any other reason.

"Princess Mingyue! Dongling Marquis!" Shen Wenyan cupped his fists towards Jiang Ning and Ji Mingyue.

"Greetings, Princess Mingyue! Greetings, Dongling Marquis!" Ye Zhengqi also saluted respectfully.

Compared to the Marquess of Wenyuan, Shen Wenyan, Ye Zhengqi appeared much more respectful.

As an Inspector of a prefecture, he was significant locally.

But in front of an Imperial Princess and the Zeshan State Patrol Envoy, his status was much lower.

At this moment, Jiang Ning cupped his hands.

"Marquis Wen Yuan, Brother Ye!"

He then asked, "I wonder why the two of you are present at this time?"

"This matter is a long story!" Shen Wenyan looked at Jiang Ning, shaking his head with a wry smile.

He then said, "Why don’t you both come with me to the mansion, to avoid the wind and snow, and talk slowly on the way?"

"Alright!" Jiang Ning nodded.

Then, the group headed towards Shen Wenyan’s residence.

The Immortal Crane, taller than Jiang Ning, followed beside Ji Mingyue, hopping along, its outstretched wings like a giant canopy, shielding Ji Mingyue from the wind and snow.

Along the way, Shen Wenyan continued to explain to Jiang Ning the recent series of events.

...

Wenyuan Mansion.

The group sat down in the hall.

The braziers scattered around the hall burned brightly, dispelling the chill and filling the hall with warmth.

The wind and snow outside were kept at bay by the tightly shut doors and windows, leaving only two windows open for ventilation.

By now, having listened along the way, Jiang Ning understood the various events that had taken place in Guangning Prefecture during this period.

It was more detailed and clearer than what had been communicated before.

Some days ago, the Yingtian Alliance, which had been relatively quiet, suddenly stirred.

With their move, a fire-like aggressiveness took over.

Throughout Guangning Prefecture, any local sects that hadn’t joined the Yingtian Alliance were soon coerced by them under some pretext.

In less than half a month, two sects had been dismantled by the Yingtian Alliance, and three others who intended to remain neutral sided with them directly.

These sects were originally either neutral or secretly aligned with Great Xia’s authorities.