Zhu Pianpian pondered Sheng Changying’s words and found them quite logical. It seemed unlikely that Chu Dijiang would go through so much trouble just to kill her.

She gave Sheng Changying a slight smile, causing him to blush and lower his head.

After Zhu Pianpian left, someone soon came to escort Sheng Changying for the transfer of official documents. The rest of the group headed to the Lantern-Lighting Tower together.

The Lantern-Lighting Tower stood beside the Falcon Control Ranking Wall. It was an unremarkable two-story building, distinguished only by the numerous lanterns hanging at its entrance.

Upon entering, someone immediately came forward to check their tokens.

The hall was filled with rows of red lanterns, bathing the interior in a crimson glow. An Jiu noticed that each lantern bore a brief description of a mission in tiny script.

“As newcomers, you haven’t been assigned specific tasks yet, so you’re free to choose,” explained a middle-aged man in green official robes, pointing to the lanterns. “This section contains missions to be completed within seven days, that one within half a month, the opposite side within a month, and the second-floor houses missions lasting three to six months. For missions longer than six months, you can check the backyard.”

Longer time frames indicated more challenging missions. The Falcon Control Army used a cumulative point system – more difficult missions earned higher points, and completing more of these led to faster promotions.

“Take a look at the descriptions on the lanterns, assess your abilities, decide on the difficulty level, then come draw lots,” the official said, gesturing to several porcelain urns in the center of the room.

Gao Dazhuang headed upstairs without hesitation.

The others dispersed to examine the lanterns.

Understanding the rules, An Jiu went straight to the seven-day missions. She wasn’t interested in promotion; she only needed to light a lantern to secure a place to stay while searching for Mei Yanran.

After surveying the options, most of the group made conservative choices. Only Lou Mingyue and Qiu Yunran selected missions lasting up to half a month. The rest, like An Jiu, opted for seven-day tasks.

An Jiu noticed that not all missions involved assassination. Some required protecting traveling officials and searching for people or medicines. While less dangerous, these weren’t necessarily easier – sometimes killing a specific target was simpler than finding an object of unknown whereabouts.

“Sir, what happens if we fail a mission?” Sui Yunzhu asked the official.

“You continue until it’s completed. Points are deducted based on the mission you accepted,” he replied, noting Sui’s position near the easiest lot urn. “Deductions occur every seven days until the mission ends.”

Li Qingzhi interjected, “What are the consequences of losing points?”

The official answered, “You won’t be punished directly, but you’ll become disposable to the Falcon Control Army. How they deal with such individuals… you’ll understand if you stay here long enough.”

Sui Yunzhu drew a wax ball from the urn and cracked it open to reveal a small paper slip.

“Take the corresponding lantern and come to me for registration. Leave your token, and you can go,” the official instructed.

Sui Yunzhu’s eyes lit up as he read the slip. It was one of the missions he’d hoped for – finding someone in Bianjing City.

The others drew lots in turn, with mixed reactions as their missions were revealed.

An Jiu went last. As she opened her wax ball, Sui Yunzhu peered over curiously.

An Jiu had drawn an escort mission. Oddly, it only stated that in three days, a large bridal procession would pass through Imperial Street, and the assigned person was to protect the bride.

Without comment, An Jiu took her lantern.

With their missions assigned, the group returned to the empty residences.

“Let’s choose the three-courtyard compound,” Sun Dixian suggested. “We’re new here and assigned as a team. It’s better to stay close for mutual support.”

Except for An Jiu, the pure external cultivator, Sun Dixian had the weakest internal energy among them. Group living benefited her most, but her suggestion made sense regardless. Moreover, the initial guide recommended the same.

Lou Mingyue was the first to hang her lantern by the main gate, with others following suit.

An Jiu hesitated briefly.

Sui Yunzhu, after hanging his lantern, turned to her. “Mei Shisi, join us. It’s better to face troubles together than alone.”

An Jiu’s purpose in joining the Falcon Control Army was clear – to find Mei Yanran. Reluctant to complicate matters, she considered briefly before hanging her lantern by the door as well.

From the outside, the three-courtyard compound looked impressive, but inside, most rooms were sparsely furnished, many lacking beds.

Everyone chose a room.

An Jiu and Sui Yunzhu, being last to enter, had to pick from the remaining rooms.

The rooms were similar, but An Jiu chose one with bamboo growing outside. It contained only a table, a bed, and a stool, all covered in thick dust. The bed curtains were tattered, and cobwebs filled the corners.

“Mei Shisi,” Sui Yunzhu knocked, leaving a broom by the door. “Use this to clean up.”

“Thank you,” An Jiu said, taking the broom. She noticed a bell on the ground by the door.

Sui Yunzhu followed her gaze. The bell, being outside, wasn’t too dusty. In the moonlight, they could faintly see its pattern and old bloodstains. “This room seems unlucky. Why not move to mine?”

The bell was the kind hung on rooftops after a Falcon Control Army member’s death.

An Jiu put down the broom, picked up the bell, and wiped off the dust. It was about the size of an egg, round, with a two-finger-thick, long copper tag inside, distinguishing it from ordinary bells.

“That’s a token!” Sui Yunzhu exclaimed in surprise.

The object suspended inside the bell was indeed a lighting token like those the guide had distributed.

An Jiu, with her keen eyesight, had noticed this from the arched bridge earlier and wasn’t surprised. She merely commented on the bloodstains, “This person must have died after returning.”

She took out a cotton bandage from her pocket and hung the bell on the windowsill.

Sui Yunzhu said, “I inquired privately with Master Sheng earlier. This is called a soul bell. As you said, this person returned wounded and ultimately died?”

“He struggled back to hang his bell,” An Jiu listened to the clear sound of the wind-blown bell. “We might as well honor his wish.”

Sui Yunzhu fell silent, realizing this was the only proof of a Falcon Control Army shadow’s existence in this world.

…

After settling in and resting for two hours, the group set out before dawn to carry out their respective missions.

Dark-clad figures flashed by like ghosts, while An Jiu walked slowly on the street.

She crumbled the paper slip, then suddenly quickened her pace, running at a speed nearly matching those using lightness skills.