Yu Yi had originally planned to feed the soul essence to Blue Ling’er right then and there to see its effects.
But her ears suddenly perked up as she heard a series of loud commotions coming from outside the Yunyin Forest.
It sounded like a large group of people was heading there in a grand procession.
“Master, someone’s coming.”
Blue Ling’er and Ye Qingluan also noticed the commotion and looked toward the direction they came from.
Accompanied by heavy footsteps, a group of armored guards holding spears and swords appeared before them, with Guan Yue and Guan Ningning among them.
Leading the group was a young woman with her hair tied in a ponytail, a tall and slender figure, sharp eyebrows, bright eyes, and an aura of heroism.
Perhaps because she saw that the Yunyin Forest had been restored, the woman wore an excited expression, and when she saw that the ten golden-crowned cranes were perfectly fine, she couldn’t help but let out a long sigh of relief.
“I am Xu Sichen, Imperial Guard Commander. Greetings to the three Masters.”
The woman stepped forward and respectfully bowed to Yu Yi and the others.
The so-called “Imperial Guard Commander” was the person in charge of all the palace guards, responsible for daily patrols and escorting the Yan Emperor on his travels.
In simple terms, they were the palace’s security and the Emperor’s personal bodyguards.
However, ever since Sword Emperor Ji Hongye and another elusive expert entered the palace, Xu Sichen and her guard unit had rarely stayed close to the Yan Emperor.
Aside from daily patrols, the guard unit now mostly handled trivial matters. Although Xu Sichen felt her skills were being wasted, she naturally did not dare to defy the Yan Emperor.
“Master? I dare not accept such a title.”
Upon hearing herself being called “Master,” Yu Yi couldn’t help but smile faintly.
“All three of you are too modest. If you aren’t Masters, then are those old charlatans who impersonated others Masters?”
Xu Sichen laughed.
“Old charlatans?”
Guan Ningning explained at this point:
“Those were the three elders who called themselves ‘Three-Handed Medicine King,’ ‘Gate of the Yellow Springs,’ and ‘Living Buddha of Miraculous Hands.'”
“Commander Xu uncovered their true identities. They were three seasoned old charlatans. Not only did they know medicine and healing, but they also practiced palm reading, feng shui, and fortune-telling.”
“Correct.”
Xu Sichen added:
“Those three old charlatans had been roaming various small county towns for years, swindling ordinary people.”
“They had impersonated others for many years without ever getting caught, which made them arrogant and overconfident.”
“Additionally, since beast rampages had broken out in various provinces and a large number of injured needed treatment, the real physicians like ‘Three-Handed Medicine King’ were too busy to come. They had already sent letters to the palace to apologize to His Majesty.”
“Those old charlatans were incredibly bold, coveting His Majesty’s rewards and sneaking into the Capital City.”
“Ningning is young and inexperienced, so it’s understandable that she couldn’t tell the difference between real and fake. But even Old Guan was fooled by those charlatans—that’s really a dereliction of duty.”
Xu Sichen said to Guan Yue.
“Commander Xu’s reprimand is well taken. I, Guan, willingly accept punishment.”
Guan Yue looked ashamed and bowed his head in apology.
“Fortunately, I caught those old charlatans before they got far. Otherwise, who knows how many more common folk would have been deceived.”
When Ye Qingluan heard this, she silently thought to herself, ‘So I was wrong to scold them earlier?’
‘Oh well, even if I was wrong, it doesn’t matter.’
‘Anyway, even if the real Three-Handed Medicine King and the others showed up, they definitely wouldn’t be as good as me.’
Ye Qingluan was an arrogant person.
“Not only did you preserve the Yunyin Forest, but you also saved the golden-crowned cranes. This is truly a great achievement. His Majesty will certainly reward you handsomely.”
Xu Sichen smiled and made a “please” gesture to Yu Yi and the others.
“Three Masters, please follow me to see His Majesty.”
However, Yu Yi had no intention of meeting the Yan Emperor and was completely uninterested in his rewards.
Ever since Cangzhou’s long winter ended and spring returned, many wandering travelers had come back to their homeland. Under Yun Yi’s leadership, they started doing business and quickly achieved great results.
Yun Yi’s business was booming, and he sent large sums of banknotes to Yun Qianxue every so often.
With Yun Qianxue acting as a “moving bank,” Yu Yi was never short of money.
As for treasures, Yu Yi couldn’t think of anything that could compare to the ten soul essences she had just obtained.
So Yu Yi replied:
“Being able to share His Majesty’s burdens and solve problems is what we subjects should do. There’s no need for rewards.”
“Master, you’re too modest. No wonder you were recommended by the Sword Pavilion—your demeanor, speech, and temperament are truly exceptional.”
Xu Sichen said with great admiration.
“To have people like you in Great Yan, who seek no fame but do practical work, is Great Yan’s good fortune. His Majesty will be very pleased when he learns of this.”
“Then, Commander Xu, allow us to take our leave.”
Yu Yi said with a faint smile.
“Master, are you really not going to see His Majesty?”
Xu Sichen urged Yu Yi.
“Although His Majesty did not issue a compulsory summons, if you Masters do not go, I’m afraid…”
Xu Sichen did not say it outright, but her meaning was clear.
Even though Yu Yi and the others were meritorious officials, if they refused to see the Yan Emperor, it would be a slight to him.
If that incurred the Emperor’s wrath, they would be in serious trouble.
Nevertheless, Yu Yi still did not want to see the Yan Emperor.
Although no detailed memories were triggered, whenever the Yan Emperor was mentioned, Yu Yi couldn’t help but feel a sense of aversion, as if it were an instinctual reaction of this body, beyond her control.
Yu Yi pondered for a moment and thought of a way to extricate herself.
“We have only done our duty. The true hero is Ji Ruohan, the second disciple of the Sword Pavilion.”
As Yu Yi spoke, she revealed the Sword Pavilion’s token.
“By contribution, she deserves the highest merit. Why not let her go before His Majesty and receive the deserved reward?”
“Hmm… Master’s words make sense. Since you care so little about fame and fortune, I imagine it took quite some effort for the Sword Pavilion to recruit you?”
Xu Sichen said thoughtfully.
“I understand. I will notify Ji Ruohan to go to the palace to receive her reward.”
“Thank you, Commander Xu, for understanding.”
Yu Yi replied with a smile, then prepared to leave the Yunyin Forest.
“I still need to inspect the situation here in detail to report to His Majesty.”
Xu Sichen said.
“Old Guan, you go see the Masters off.”
“Yes.”
Guan Yue accepted the order with a cupped fist salute, then said to Yu Yi and the others:
“Everyone, please.”
After Guan Yue led Yu Yi and the others out of the Yunyin Forest, Xu Sichen approached the ten golden-crowned cranes to check on their specific physical condition.
However, when Xu Sichen examined the inside of the golden-crowned cranes, she was instantly dumbfounded.
“Gone… they’re gone?”
“Gone?! What about this one… this one is gone too?!”
By the time Xu Sichen finished her inspection, her hands were trembling uncontrollably.
The soul essences inside all ten golden-crowned cranes had completely disappeared!
When soul essences disappear, there are only two possibilities.
First, the golden-crowned cranes voluntarily spat them out. Second, they died.
Since all ten golden-crowned cranes were alive and well, that meant…
“Guards! Go stop those three ‘Masters’ immediately!!”
Xu Sichen yelled frantically, rushing out of the Yunyin Forest at top speed.