The events unfolded within the first month of the new year, less than a moon cycle removed from the cessation of hostilities with Zhuang.

The nation of Yong should be in a period of recuperation.

The tides of reform surged relentlessly forward, even to the point of demoting the Marquis of Huai Xiang.

Yong should be focused on maintaining stability.

From every angle, it seemed an imprudent time to initiate conflict.

Yet, if one accepted the reality of Yong’s impending campaign, a counterintuitive truth emerged: this was a moment of exceptional opportunity.

Yong had indeed suffered defeat in the previous war, ceding land equivalent to one and a half prefectures. However, the support of the Mo Sect had effectively neutralized any reduction in overall national power.

The political transformation had reached a point where those deserving of censure had been duly reprimanded, and those needing instruction had received it. After wielding so many disciplinary rods, it was time to offer a few sweet dates.

But where were these sweet dates to be found?

The Yong nation’s societal structure had been in place for so long, the distribution of benefits had long been settled. The loss of one and a half prefectures after defeat meant resources had already diminished. And the redistribution following the reforms had left yet another group of individuals worse off.

Han Xu could certainly employ harsh measures to suppress such tensions, but this was hardly a sustainable solution. Transferring the conflict outward was, in many instances, a more palatable alternative.

And surveying Yong’s surrounding geopolitical landscape, any eastward or northward expansion would be ill-advised. The Jing nation stood as a silent sentinel in the northeast.

To the south lay Zhuang. The aspiration to reclaim Lock Dragon Pass and erase the shame of past defeats was undoubtedly stirring. However, the ruler and ministers of Zhuang had demonstrated the formidable strength of the Zhuang army in the preceding war.

Grand General Huangfu Duanming of Zhuang commanded a substantial force, vigilantly garrisoning Lock Dragon Pass. It was by no means an easy bone to gnaw.

Relative to the difficulty, the potential gains might not be worthwhile.

Looking westward, the prospect of directly advancing into Luo, following the path of the Long River, held a certain appeal. However, firstly, the Zhuang-Luo alliance that had previously campaigned against Yong was still intact, and Zhuang would not idly stand by while Yong encroached upon Luo. Secondly, the Ripple River naval forces had been decimated, rendering an assault on Luo a self-defeating strategy.

After careful consideration, only the Reef and Chen nations presented viable targets.

Fortuitously, the Reef nation had conveniently provided a pretext at the Weining Marquis’s birthday celebration.

Thus, the Reef nation became the logical choice, and the Weining Marquis the perfect individual to lead the endeavor.

And now, the Weining Marquis was already at the front lines, yet the news had not yet spread. Even Feng Ming had learned of it from Feng Yue. Within the borders of Shun An Prefecture, even high-ranking Azure Cloud Pavilion members like Chi Lu were unaware, underscoring the clandestine nature of this operation.

Attacking the weak with strength, and under the cover of surprise.

All things considered, there seemed no reason for the Reef campaign to fail.

Jiang Wang’s advice to Feng Ming to seek battlefield glory was genuine. Although Feng Ming, admittedly, possessed a somewhat narrow mind and a slightly savage nature, he was not an inherently virtuous individual.

However, in their interactions over this period, he had treated this “Yu Songhai” quite fairly. He had kept his promise to introduce him into the sect, without reservation. Whenever Jiang Wang expressed a desire to explore within the sect, Feng Ming had never refused, to the extent of his authority.

Tonight, he intended to stealthily infiltrate the Azure Cloud Pavilion’s forbidden grounds. Regardless of success or failure, he would undoubtedly fall out with the Azure Cloud Pavilion, and a hasty escape would be inevitable.

Offering Feng Ming a word of advice before departing was, in a way, a way of honoring the brief connection they had shared.

Feng Ming did not overthink it. Through their interactions, he had come to trust Jiang Wang’s analysis. After listening, he promptly declared, “You speak with reason. I will consult with my father!”

Presenting Jiang Wang’s recommendations to Feng Yue as his own was something he had grown accustomed to, without any lingering embarrassment.

However, after taking a few steps, he suddenly turned back, excitedly proclaiming, “Songhai, let us join the battlefield together! What do you say?”

Perhaps he valued Jiang Wang’s insights, or perhaps he wished to share the potential benefits with him.

But Jiang Wang was taken aback, and quickly replied, “With my current abilities, the battlefield would be too perilous. It is better to cultivate diligently within the sect.”

After all, Yu Songhai’s cultivation was merely at the Soaring Dragon Realm. He possessed some admirable sword skills, but his knowledge consisted mostly of incomplete fragments, hindering his combat prowess. His exposure to Azure Cloud Pavilion’s Taoist arts was also recent, making it difficult to achieve significant progress.

After some consideration, Feng Ming finally nodded, saying, “Indeed. Then cultivate well. I will speak to them, and no one will dare to bully you. Oh, and remember to keep the Weining Marquis’s arrival at the front lines a secret.”

“Rest assured,” Jiang Wang said reliably, “Songhai will tell no one.”

Feng Ming then departed, satisfied.

Watching his retreating figure, Jiang Wang sighed.

He wondered if wearing the mask of Yu Songhai and intentionally concealing his brilliance was the reason he was so well-liked. After only half a month at the Azure Cloud Pavilion, he seemed to have made a name for himself. Everyone seemed to be treating him with remarkable kindness…

Chi Lu had approached him, wanting to adopt him as a foster son, and now Feng Ming wanted to bring him along to reap the benefits.

Had Feng Ming not changed his mind, he would have been forced to resort to desperate measures…

The lively mountain peak instantly became deserted, with only one person remaining.

Jiang Wang did not leave. Instead, he quietly sat down on a mountain rock, calming his mind and formulating his plan of action for the night.

First, he ranked the remaining locations within the Azure Cloud Pavilion that he had not yet visited, based on the likelihood of harboring lost architectural remnants. This would serve as his order of priority during his exploration.

Once exposed, regardless of success or failure, he would immediately flee.

Therefore, the escape route was also crucial. The entire map of Wenxi County was reconstructed in his mind. Even the routes for escaping Shun An Prefecture, and even Yong territory, needed to be planned in advance.

Prior preparation prevents poor performance. Especially when one’s safety is at stake, it is necessary to deliberate repeatedly.

Within the entire plan, his own safety was paramount, followed by the lost architecture of the Cloud Summit Immortal Palace. If he couldn’t obtain it this time, he would leave decisively and return when he was strong enough.

After contemplating everything and repeatedly reviewing his plan, Jiang Wang descended the mountain alone.

His resolve was firm; he would only wait for nightfall.

The night at Azure Cloud Pavilion begins with the distant caw of a crow.

Jiang Wang waited patiently for the night, and finally welcomed it.

He strolled casually around his dwelling at Azure Cloud Pavilion, occasionally greeting people as he passed.

He was calm and natural.

The closer the crucial moment, the calmer his mind.

“Songhai!”

Looking intently, Chi Lu, who eagerly desired to be a foster father, reappeared at an inopportune moment.

“Have you considered it?” he said, beaming.

Jiang Wang did not allow this minor interruption to disrupt his plans.

His mind racing, he leaned in and whispered, “I heard…the Weining Marquis has already gone to the front lines.”

The words he had spoken to Feng Ming, promising to tell no one, were still ringing in his ears. But Jiang Wang could only apologize silently in his heart. He was determined to act tonight, and he couldn’t afford to be entangled with Chi Lu at this moment.

Chi Lu’s expression changed, clearly understanding the implications of this news. If Feng Yue and his son were to achieve military merit on the battlefield alongside Jiao Wu, then their chances of contesting for the position of sect leader would be nonexistent.

In comparison, wooing Jiang Wang was far less important.

Without another word, he turned and flew into the night sky, presumably to actively seek a solution and find a way to benefit.

Jiang Wang shook his head, feeling a momentary sense of smugness at his own cleverness.

Another of Azure Cloud Pavilion’s already scarce outer-sect experts had now departed, making his escape that much safer. It was practically killing two birds with one stone.

He continued forward, his expression unchanged.

Walking through the Azure Cloud Pavilion’s settlement, responding to everyone’s greetings.

No one knew who he was, and no one knew what he was planning.

Such a night, such a mood, was somewhat serene.

In the darkness, a loud sound traveled far.

The tranquility shattered.

Jiang Wang suddenly turned back.

He only saw…

Chi Lu, who had just flown into the night sky, fall to the ground.

He was instantly a lifeless corpse!