Chapter 139: Encounter with the Qing Tian Guard

The night in Shaozhou Prefecture was exceptionally quiet. Song Mu wasn’t sure whether this was due to the town’s relative lack of prosperity or the harsh realities brought about by the ongoing war, which left the people struggling to survive.

From the official government inn to the western city gate, Song Mu swiftly navigated narrow alleys and rooftops. Despite his speed, it still took considerable time to reach his destination. Settling beneath an unremarkable courtyard wall, he glanced up and spotted a loquat tree nearby. On impulse, he climbed up.

Hidden beneath the lush green leaves of the loquat, Song Mu easily caught sight of the western city wall of Shaozhou Prefecture, just a few dozen meters away.

Several large lanterns were lit atop the wall, and soldiers patrolled continuously, as if guarding against threats outside. Yet, compared to other places, this spot was different — there were few refugees here, and only a small contingent of troops stationed.

Outside the west gate stretched broad, flat farmland, and a river ran close to the city walls. Perhaps this natural barrier gave them confidence to station so few soldiers.

Song Mu closed his eyes to rest briefly, then quietly extended his spiritual energy toward the city wall nearby.

Reaching the battlements, the scene was clear at a glance: only a handful of soldiers guarded the wall, some yawning before being nudged awake by a sergeant. Beyond the wall lay complete darkness, nothing discernible.

This struck Song Mu as odd, but since this was the order from his master, he retracted his spiritual energy and pondered the last two words his master had spoken to him: “I hate those who collude with demons.”

Did that mean his master had already suspected the scholar he met earlier at Daying Mountain was problematic? Did he even know that man hailed from Shaozhou Prefecture?

Confusion stirred within Song Mu, accompanied by an uneasy feeling. All these signs seemed to hint that something unusual was about to unfold in this city.

After a moment’s reflection, Song Mu admitted he couldn’t unravel all the twists and turns. He closed his eyes and rested, periodically sending out spiritual probes every ten minutes to survey the battlements and gates.

He found it strange—his master’s spiritual energy was powerful enough to survey the entire city, so why send him out on this stakeout?

Time passed, and just as Song Mu conducted another scan, a sudden movement stirred near the west gate.

Tension instantly gripped him. Narrowing his focus, he saw a captain speaking outside the gate while soldiers lowered baskets down the wall.

This was no ordinary occurrence. Song Mu braced himself and pushed his spiritual energy beyond the wall.

Excitement flared—Tao Fengming had been right; someone was entering the city at this late hour, and in such a manner, it had to be significant.

After a long vigil, Song Mu yearned to know who was below.

His spiritual energy probed cautiously, tinged with anticipation.

Suddenly, Song Mu withdrew his energy with lightning speed, holding his breath atop the tree and fiercely controlling the flow of his internal literary energy.

That last probe had silenced him in fear.

Just as his energy was about to touch the person, he felt a massive barrier fiercely repel and erode his spiritual energy.

Almost instantly, it reached out to seize him.

Fortunately, Song Mu’s reflexes were sharp; recalling his master’s teachings, he severed the connection immediately. Whatever had tried to catch him likely missed and may not have noticed anything amiss.

Yet, he dared not be careless. Tao Fengming had warned him that spiritual energy had a grave weakness: against a vastly superior realm, it could be countered.

“Strong ones cannot be spied upon!”

This ironclad rule was vital for every spiritual energy user; vigilance was paramount, lest one lose their life.

From what Song Mu sensed just now, he instantly understood: the person below was a scholar.

A powerful scholar.

Such a figure could crush Song Mu as easily as one might swat a fly.

Now all Song Mu could do was pray he hadn’t been detected, or else he would have to carefully plan his escape route.

After waiting in silence, the surroundings remained peaceful. Song Mu dared not breathe loudly, surveying cautiously before descending from the tree once assured of safety.

This scholar could have flown into the city at will but chose to be lowered in a basket—clearly to conceal his presence.

This must be the person his master sought.

Thinking this, Song Mu hastened down, but before he could take more than a few steps, a powerful pressure swept overhead like a bolt.

Cold sweat poured down Song Mu’s brow. The pressure searched for him but left empty-handed.

Lowering his gaze, Song Mu saw a hand pressed over his mouth.

A calm presence emerged behind him. His back stiffened; he dared not move, yet the other spoke softly.

“You actually possess spiritual energy?”

A magnetic voice rang out. Song Mu couldn’t tell if it was mockery or praise. He swallowed nervously, silent.

Seeing no reaction, the man slowly released him and leapt down from the tree.

Under the fair moonlight, Song Mu finally made out his face.

A handsome young man, clad in a black fitted garment embroidered with golden stripes.

At once, Song Mu’s eyes widened as he murmured three words:

“Celestial Guard.”

Before him stood a member of the Celestial Guard, barely in his twenties, looking about the same age as Song Mu.

Hearing his words, the man raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile flickering across his refined features before he spoke.

“Have we met before?”

Song Mu pressed his lips, sensing no hostility, and promptly clasped his hands respectfully.

“I am Song Mu, courtesy name Jingzhao, from Jizhou Prefecture in the Jiangnan Western Circuit. I met the Celestial Guard once before in my hometown, Shiyang County.”

He paused briefly, thinking, then continued.

“That was when I encountered Wang Xiwen of the Jiangzhou royal family.”

“Oh? That one?” The Celestial Guard’s familiar smile deepened. Song Mu seized the chance to speak but the man cut in.

“Your spiritual energy is impressive. Why didn’t Wang Xiwen take notice of you?”

“Only a hundred meters of detection range, and you’re barely at the scholar stage—tsk tsk.”

The man’s words stifled Song Mu from replying rashly. Instead, the man stepped forward and bowed slightly.

“Let me introduce myself—Celestial Guard Shen Long.”

“Shen Long?” Song Mu paused, bowing in return. Shen Long approached confidently and asked,

“You just said your name is Song Mu? From the Jiangnan Western Circuit?”

Shen Long’s face bore a hint of reminiscence as he murmured,

“There’s recently been a Song Mu from the Jiangnan Western Circuit on the demon bounty list. Though the reward’s only a hundred taels of gold, I hear he’s quite formidable.”

He looked at Song Mu, questioning,

“Do you know anyone with the same name?”

Song Mu chuckled wryly, rubbing his nose before replying respectfully,

“To be honest, the Song Mu you mentioned is actually myself.”

“Hmm?”

……