In every direction—north, south, east, and west—for a ten-li radius from the Yin Post’s designated location, no unauthorized personnel were allowed.

Shen Bai glanced at the map, confirmed the location, and handed it to Huang Guang to make the arrangements.

Liu Wufeng waited until everyone had gathered before clearing his throat. "Gentlemen, there is no room for error on this mission. It concerns the honor of His Majesty and the future of countless common people. I expect all of you to do your utmost to ensure the Yin Post is established successfully."

Everyone nodded in unison, signaling their agreement.

Liu Wufeng’s motivational speech was simple. In truth, the members of the Observatory, Liu Wufeng included, preferred action over empty words.

Elder Mu, holding a longsword, let out a yawn. "Lord Liu, we’re about ready. We can set off now."

Elder Mu was accompanying them on this trip to ensure it went off without a hitch.

The Sword King of Fenglin State had not made a move since the last time he’d helped Shen Bai kill someone.

As one of Fenglin State’s top combatants, Elder Mu possessed more than enough deterrent power.

Liu Wufeng nodded. "In that case, let’s move out."

Receiving the order, the men departed from the Observatory in waves, starting with the Jia Division. There was no idle chatter.

Shen Bai followed along, heading for the designated location.

...

The precise location was a remote, rarely traveled area in the outskirts beyond Fenglin State.

After all, something like a Yin Post could not be accessible to ordinary people. The consequences would be horrifying.

This was a secret operation by the Observatory; not even the Government Office had been informed.

If the Emperor of the Great Zhou Country were to choose one department to place his trust in, it would undoubtedly be the Observatory.

Before long, Shen Bai arrived at the southern position with the men of the Ding Division.

"I’ll take the innermost position. Spread out from there," Shen Bai commanded.

Huang Guang and the others nodded in unison.

In the Observatory, the ability to execute orders was the highest standard.

Without a word, they departed at once, spreading out in successive layers as Shen Bai had instructed.

This method secured the perimeter while also ensuring each layer could communicate with the next, preventing any unforeseen dangers.

Shen Bai stretched lazily and, feeling a bit bored, walked to the very center of the operation. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

The same went for the other divisions; the leaders of each department gathered together.

Elder Mu was there as well, standing off to the side and meticulously wiping his longsword with a scrap of cloth.

"Shen Bai, you kid. Your strength has increased again," Elder Mu said, looking up.

Everyone else looked over, the corners of their mouths twitching.

His strength was improving at a meteoric rate. They simply couldn’t compare.

Shen Bai chuckled. "Just a sudden epiphany, that’s all."

Elder Mu pursed his lips. "You’ll be leaving Fenglin State soon. Before you go for the internal assessment, come see me. I’ll gauge your strength for you."

That was exactly what Shen Bai had been planning, so he readily agreed.

After all, he would be leaving Fenglin State soon, and Shen Bai truly did want to test his own strength before his departure.

The men started to chat among themselves. With everyone in position, all they had to do was wait.

Time trickled by. In what felt like the blink of an eye, the sun set and night descended.

As darkness fell, a crescent moon appeared in the sky.

The crescent moon, the forest, and the clearing intertwined to create a unique atmosphere.

Shen Bai waited patiently.

About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a figure gradually emerged from the woods.

Shen Bai looked up to see a member of the Jia Division leading someone into the clearing.

The Jia Division member cupped his fist. "My lords, I’ve brought the Yin Walker."

Shen Bai studied the Yin Walker before him.

The Yin Walker was dressed in a gray robe.

The robe had a hood that was pulled up, obscuring the man’s face and hiding his features.

In his right hand, the Yin Walker carried an oil lamp.

The lamp was extinguished, but it still contained oil, unlit.

"Lift your head," Elder Mu said coolly.

Hearing this, the Yin Walker slowly raised his head.

His face was a crisscrossing web of scars.

Each scar twisted like a centipede, a truly ghastly sight.

His eyes were especially unsettling; the left socket was an empty void, as if the eye had been gouged out.

The Yin Walker spoke calmly. "The dangers faced by my lineage are countless. These scars are the result of many years spent walking the path. My lords, I hope you are not offended by my appearance."

Shen Bai stroked his chin, saying nothing.

He had researched the Yin Walker lineage before. All he could say was that its members walked hand in hand with death.

The reason was simple: the dangers of their path were all related to the supernatural.

The Life and Death Road was a shattered place where they hovered between life and death, with terror as their constant companion.

It could be said that once someone entered this profession, few ever met a peaceful end.

Elder Mu toyed with his longsword and said coolly, "Since you’re a Yin Walker, we understand the rules of your trade. In the Jianghu, we don’t judge heroes by their looks. For today, just set down the coordinate. Tomorrow, you will wait for the men from the army to arrive."

The Yin Walker nodded. "Thank you, Landlord Mu."

Elder Mu said no more, gesturing for the Yin Walker to proceed as he saw fit.

The Yin Walker, not one for idle talk, began the process of setting the coordinate.

On this journey, Zhou Qing’s army was being led by a different Yin Walker. They needed this coordinate, or they would become lost on the Life and Death Road.

This was Shen Bai’s first time witnessing someone from this trade at work. He watched the Yin Walker’s movements with curiosity.

The Yin Walker held the extinguished oil lamp as he surveyed the area.

The lamp remained unlit, but in his left hand, the Yin Walker held a stick of incense.

The incense was already burning, wisps of blue-green smoke curling upwards from its tip.