Xuanqing Guard

Xie Kai was somewhat displeased.

The Teleportation Array at Beach Stone had always been his defensive sector; even this time, he had left half a Mixed Battalion stationed here. No matter what, he was still the officer-in-charge, and now he couldn’t even get into his own defensive sector.

The garrison soldiers from Hai Xia standing before him didn’t give him any face at all, keeping stony expressions and insisting he wait outside the sector. Only someone inside with the official token could let him in.

Humiliating!

The Deputy General of the garrison, Wu Kai, was someone Xie Kai had met before—a fierce-looking man who had recently bought pills from him. He seemed like an easygoing fellow. Xie Kai had asked around among the Hai Xia people and heard that Wu Kai had offended an Assistant General and had been stuck here in Hai Xia doing nothing for years, a marginalized figure nobody liked. If not for this recent military movement, he’d still be rotting in some corner.

He didn’t wait long before spotting his own Captain coming out together with Wu Kai.

They came out to greet him—at least that was giving him some respect—so Xie Kai’s expression improved a little.

"Captain Xie, not seen you in days—you’re looking more spirited than ever!" Wu Kai called out cordially from forty or fifty feet away, bowing toward Xie Kai who stood outside the defense area. Though in terms of rank Xie Kai was his inferior, Wu Kai’s attitude was utterly obsequious, the kind of guy who’d smile at anyone.

"Lord Wu, you’re too kind. This is also my defensive sector, just making my rounds. Didn’t expect I wouldn’t even be able to get in." His eyes were fixed on the soldiers in front of him. Xie Kai meant for Wu Kai to deal with these soldiers blocking his way. But Wu Kai didn’t take the bait.

"Haha, Captain Xie, you’re not here too often, so your face isn’t familiar. Come, come, I’ll take you around, let the men get to know you. Once they do, coming and going will be much easier." With that, he gestured for Xie Kai to enter, showing not the faintest intent to scold his own men.

"Heh, Lord Wu, you really do treat your soldiers like sons." Xie Kai flicked his sleeves and strode straight inside, blatantly disregarding Wu Kai’s rank and showing him no deference at all.

"Haha, after you, Lord Xie!" Wu Kai laughed as if he didn’t care. But deep in his eyes flashed a fleeting trace of malice nobody else caught.

Leading Xie Kai around for a lap, Wu Kai smiled and asked, "What does Captain Xie think?"

"Mm, Lord Wu’s tactics are indeed flawless." Even though he was unhappy, Xie Kai had to admit that Wu Kai’s defensive system around the Teleportation Array was definitely reliable. Worse, the soldiers under Wu Kai all emanated an obvious ruthlessness, completely at odds with the Garrison Army’s usual slackness—these were real warriors.

But it was obvious Xie Kai hadn’t come to inspect anything. With no expression, he praised once and then said, "I’ll go have another look over by the Teleportation Array."

Wu Kai felt puzzled. He had been at Beach Stone for quite a while, and this was the first time Xie Kai had come to wander around. Judging by the look of it, he wasn’t leaving? That diligent? Not likely!

His thoughts started spinning—especially recalling the earlier message from Xuanqing Guard—Wu Kai immediately became vigilant.

Xie Kai saw Wu Kai following and couldn’t really shoo him away—after all, Wu Kai was also in charge of this area, and accompanying him gave him face.

Soon, they arrived at the Teleportation Array, where things were bustling. The Garrison Army was responsible for guiding and registering those emerging from the Array and directing them to the appropriate exits, while also verifying the identities of those stepping out.

Captain Chen might dislike his Captain, but he didn’t dare slack on his duties, sticking close and reporting in detail on the Teleportation Array’s status over the past days to Xie Kai.

Wu Kai, hovering behind, took in everything with cold eyes. He noticed that after Xie Kai reached the Array, he just stood near the special passage entrance, seemingly observing the defensive arrangements, but his gaze kept flicking toward the exit, sometimes even looking up at the sky—as if waiting for something. As for Captain Chen’s report, Xie Kai was clearly only half-listening.

"Could it be something’s going down today?!" Wu Kai’s mind raced. He felt he had guessed the reason for Xie Kai’s visit.

By early noon, even Captain Chen was confused, wondering why his Captain wasn’t leaving yet. The start of June at Beach Stone was already hot, and today was especially sunny—the Array had no shade at all, and standing around in the sun was miserable. Yet the Captain didn’t care at all, still standing there asking questions. Some of his questions Chen had already answered five times, but he dared not say anything more.

"Sir, it’s noon—how about grabbing lunch first?" Captain Chen had already sent men to arrange meals, now prodding to see if Xie Kai would stay and eat.

"No need." Xie Kai’s expression remained cool; he didn’t even look at Captain Chen, eyes fixed on the Array’s direction.

Suddenly, the special passage shimmered with pale light, and three figures stepped out. Xie Kai’s gaze sharpened as he seemed to identify their faces, then the corners of his lips curled up slightly.

Captain Chen started to say more, but saw Xie Kai didn’t respond, so he followed his line of sight and saw the three men. He thought they looked familiar but couldn’t place them.

Behind, Wu Kai suddenly clenched his fists hard, then relaxed just as quickly, his expression taut for just a split second before he returned to quietly speaking with his men out in the open, all the while covertly watching the trio registering at the special passage exit.

Wu Kai had seen the portraits the Xuanqing Guard sent over—he’d seen all three and knew they were the ones he was supposed to keep a special eye on: "Ma San, Xu Qian, Zhang De."

Those three again!

Wu Kai had no idea what these three had done in secret to warrant the Xuanqing Guard investing so much to investigate them, even implicating the Garrison Army insiders who facilitated their passage, but for him, this was an opportunity.

"Watch those three who just came out the special passage. Be careful—don’t blow your cover. Once they’re out of our sector, stop following." Wu Kai quietly instructed one of his most trusted Personal Guards. Then, seeking out a deserted corner, he pulled out a Thousand-Mile Sound and sent a message: "Target trio appeared at Beach Stone Teleportation Array at early noon June 4th. Captain Xie Kai present outside the array—suspected to be receiving them."

The Thousand-Mile Sound was relayed twice, reaching Shen Hao, already deployed at Xiaochuan for defense. Shen Hao then issued new orders to Wang Jian, who further coordinated with the Beach Stone informants, each tailing Ma San’s party in segments after they left the Array. Lastly, it was confirmed that after Ma San’s party exited the Array, they chose the official road, even borrowing horses from the Tanshi Garrison, and were already heading towards Xiaochuan along the official route.

Shen Hao was well prepared—previous news from the Jingxi Army said that once more, someone in the name of the Ministry of War’s Magical Artifact Department was here on spot-checks of Storage Bags, but this time with one fewer member. The same two showed up—Xu Qian and Zhang De.

In fact, as soon as Xu Qian and Zhang De had left the Imperial City, Shen Hao’s informants had already relayed the news.

Everything seemed to be unfolding right under Shen Hao’s nose.