An Jiu abandoned concerns about the Song army’s retreat, rushing back to Hejian Prefecture to rendezvous with Gao Dazhuang and the others.

The city walls were ablaze with lights, clearly preparing for battle.

Infiltrating the city, An Jiu sensed her companions’ presence before seeing the inspector’s residence. She marveled at this newfound ability to detect individual auras at a distance, previously limited to select individuals like Chu Diangjiang. Her spiritual sense seemed unusually acute, her mind clearer than ever despite her injuries.

There was no time to ponder this. An Jiu headed straight for her comrades.

Gao Dazhuang, noticing An Jiu’s approach and the heavy scent of blood and lingering killing intent, asked, “Who did you fight?”

“Liao forces,” An Jiu replied, swallowing blood rising in her throat.

Engaging without orders violated the Crane Controllers’ code.

As Sui Yunzhu prepared to intercede, Gao Dazhuang asked, “Did you win or lose?”

“I killed several Liao martial artists. I won,” An Jiu stated.

Gao Dazhuang chuckled approvingly, “Well done.”

An Jiu continued, “However, the Song army retreated in defeat before I could exchange five moves with a Liao martial artist.”

Gao Dazhuang snorted, “As expected, a handful of brave souls can’t save a horde of cowards!”

Three coughs emanated from the inspector’s residence.

Gao Dazhuang rolled his eyes and leaped into the courtyard.

Zhao Ling asked sternly, “Is the Liao army attacking?”

Gao Dazhuang tersely replied, “No!”

Zhao Ling visibly relaxed. “Then why did the defense commander report Liao forces crossing the border?”

“Don’t know,” Gao Dazhuang said.

Zhao Ling’s expression darkened. “Go investigate! Surely you won’t refuse this order?”

“Yes, sir!” Gao Dazhuang answered but didn’t move.

Zhao Ling waved dismissively. “If there’s nothing else, go.”

He had initially thought the court-assigned Crane Controllers would be a boon, ensuring his safety if nothing else. Now he realized they were anything but. These shadows looked down on him, and he had no real authority over them. The Emperor hadn’t granted him direct command, only stating they were to assist him, effectively making them partners…

Gao Dazhuang returned to the others. “Let’s find a place to sleep.”

“You’re not telling him?” Sui Yunzhu asked.

They had uncovered much information about the Liao army’s surprise attack, but Gao Dazhuang seemed disinclined to inform Zhao Ling.

“What good would it do him?” Gao Dazhuang replied indifferently. “If he lived in the main camp, he’d know the situation without us telling him.”

“Sir, isn’t your approach too extreme?” Sun Dixian worried.

Given the inspector’s considerable authority, antagonizing Zhao Ling too much could make their own lives difficult. Sun Dixian usually avoided offending superiors.

“I have no patience for useless wastes,” Gao Dazhuang declared. He knew Zhao Ling’s background from the start and hadn’t initially objected. It was Song Dynasty custom, after all. But Zhao Ling’s abuse of power was intolerable. Gao Dazhuang had dealt with many officials and understood their nature. Immediate compliance would set a precedent, leading to trivial demands. A warning was necessary: Crane Controllers weren’t at everyone’s beck and call!

No one spoke further as they found suitable resting places, each lost in thought.

An Jiu perched on a corridor beam, eyes closed in meditation.

After taking Mo Sigui’s specially prepared pill, her internal injuries from the spiritual force outburst quickly healed. Within two hours, the pain subsided, and she felt her senses sharpen.

An Jiu examined the small bottle of pills, inhaling deeply. She first detected a strong medicinal scent, but as she was about to reseal it, she caught a faint trace of blood.

The scent was subtle, but An Jiu was always sensitive to blood.

She sniffed carefully, the blood scent becoming clearer.

Reflecting, she recalled taking similar, larger pills from Mo Sigui after her body’s reforging. Fresh from the medicinal bath, her senses dulled, she hadn’t noticed the blood scent then.

Now she was certain these pills were closely linked to her rapid healing and spiritual power changes.

Considering the changes in her senses, An Jiu’s heart raced. She felt on the verge of a revelation, but the insight slipped away, remaining elusive.

An Jiu pocketed the bottle, silently contemplating.

As dawn broke, distant war drums rumbled.

The hidden group awoke with a start.

Zhao Ling, roused from sleep, hurriedly dressed, and rushed to the main hall. “Guards!”

A guard entered, “Sir!”

“What’s happening?” Zhao Ling demanded.

“I’m unsure, sir, but judging by the direction, it seems the Liao army is attacking our main camp,” the guard replied.

“What?” Zhao Ling was shocked, but years in officialdom had taught him to maintain composure if not complete impassivity. “The Liao army dares to attack our main camp?”

The guard glanced up briefly, not daring to respond. He thought this was expected; the Liao’s ambitions and border raids made a large-scale invasion inevitable.

Zhao Ling, however, wondered about Ling Ziyue, the supposed “divine general” of Song. Hadn’t his years of border defense deterred Liao’s aggression? Wasn’t he formidable?

“You may go,” Zhao Ling said, calming himself.

“Yes, sir!” The guard bowed and left.

An Jiu, perched in the corridor, heard the entire exchange.

Zhao Ling coughed three times.

A small stone struck a nearby pillar with a sharp crack.

Recognizing Gao Dazhuang’s signal, An Jiu silently leaped down and entered the room.

An Jiu’s killing intent hadn’t fully dissipated. Her black clothing concealed multiple injuries, but a faint blood scent lingered.

Zhao Ling scrutinized her. “What happened?”

“I encountered Liao martial artists,” An Jiu answered truthfully.

Zhao Ling paused. “Where did you meet Liao’s forces?”

Oops, did I let something slip? An Jiu thought, frowning as she considered how to cover her mistake. She couldn’t reveal they were secretly assisting Ling Ziyue…

Seeing her silence, Zhao Ling pressed, “They weren’t sent to assassinate me, were they?”

Perfect! He’d provided her excuse. An Jiu’s brow smoothed as she nodded solemnly.