Chapter Seventeen: Traitors and Usurpers

Based on the list of immortal seedlings from recent years, the Duke of Dingguo believed that Ning Sujin’s chances of advancing to immortal seedling status in ten years were slim. As for Li Jian, his prospects were even dimmer. Thus, the duke’s considerations turned toward the next generation. In the end, Ning Sujin was a daughter; if she could not become an immortal seedling in this lifetime, her contribution to the family would be limited to bearing descendants.

Under normal circumstances, she would serve as a bargaining chip, marrying into another meritocratic or martial family, in exchange for his son marrying a supremely talented woman, thereby strengthening the bloodline for the next generation. Yet, with Ning Sujin’s innate talent, he felt reluctant to let her go. Moreover, his three sons lacked remarkable aptitude; even marrying an immortal seedling might not yield offspring capable of becoming immortal seedlings themselves. Now, with Li Jian—a noble young man from humble origins, without ties—he saw an opportunity to recruit a son-in-law.

“I… I meddled?” Ning Yutan’s eyes widened as she began to suspect her father’s intentions.

“There, there, Tan’er, be good. You are about to be taken to the immortal realm by the immortal master. Leave these mundane affairs behind, and focus on cultivating immortality,” the Duke of Dingguo soothed her gently.

Tears streamed down Ning Yutan’s face; she felt an overwhelming sense of failure. She even wondered if Ning Sujin had taught her movement techniques solely to take advantage of her vulnerability.

“Report!”

Just as she was about to employ her tried-and-true tactics of crying, making a fuss, and threatening self-harm, an urgent voice sounded from outside the carriage.

“Speak,” the Duke of Dingguo withdrew his hand, ready to continue comforting Ning Yutan.

“Your Excellency, the scouts sent out at dawn have not returned.”

“Relay my orders: the troops shall rest in place. Deploy three teams of scouts to investigate further and report back,” the Duke’s eyes narrowed as he gave decisive instructions.

“As you command!”

“Tan’er, do not leave this tent,” the duke said sternly, his aura fierce and commanding.

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Ning Yutan ceased her antics and nodded quickly.

Not long after, Li Jian, having just returned to his own carriage, raised his brows. He lifted the beaded curtain and saw soldiers surrounding them closely, their faces grim and vigilant as they scanned the surroundings.

Something had happened.

Although Ning Sujin reassured him daily that their journey was safe, he could not help but feel anxious. After all, anyone bold enough to target the Duke of Dingguo’s party must possess considerable strength.

Previously, he and Ning Sujin had analyzed the situation. Of the ten immortal seedlings this year, six hailed from the imperial city and faced little danger. The other four included: Ning Yutan, a marquis’s daughter, a month’s journey from the capital; a descendant of the Wang clan in Qingzhou, a half-month away; a scion of the Yun King in Yunzhou, two months distant; and the son of the Prefect of Qiongzhou, three months away.

Of these four, the Prefect’s son was at greatest risk, most likely to become a target. The other three were not simple either. The Wang family boasted a grandmaster whose strength ranked among the top thirty, and their travel distance was shortest. The Yun King’s household was filled with experts, protected by imperial secret guards. Comparatively, the Dingyuan Marquis’s house was weaker; the marquis had only recently entered the blood energy realm and was among the weakest of grandmasters. However, it was rumored that the household harbored an old friend of the previous marquis, a figure once featured in the grandmaster rankings.

Glancing at the large four-horse carriage a hundred paces away, Li Jian felt somewhat reassured. The enemy’s intentions would be clear—they sought the immortal seedlings. The youngest, with the most vigorous blood energy, Ning Yutan, would be the focal point. Not even a disguise could hide her from the senses of a blood energy grandmaster; thus, that carriage would be the main target. He himself should be safe.

“No need for alarm. Twenty miles ahead lies the Fallen Horse Pass. We sent scouts out last night, and though they haven’t returned, new teams are already investigating. If there are bandits, their ambush has likely been exposed, and they will retreat,” the Duke explained to the escort officer from the Seeking Immortal Palace.

“Hmph! Are there truly audacious villains bold enough to defy heaven’s order?” The escort officer fumed.

“Perhaps it’s a misunderstanding. Ha, be at ease. Attend me—bring wine and meat,” the Duke laughed, inviting the officer to the temporary military tent for a drink.

“If there really are those who dare plot, we shouldn’t scare them off. I’d like to see which fools are so bold as to ruin the immortal masters’ plans and disrupt His Majesty’s immortal fate. How many heads do they have?” The officer grumbled as he entered the tent.

Li Jian watched from afar and noticed Ning Sujin also peeking out. Without much thought, he entered her carriage.

“Sister Jin, what do you think? Can you predict fortune or misfortune through the soldiers’ demeanor?”

Ning Sujin’s gaze flickered evasively; she avoided Li Jian’s eyes and shook her head gently. After a moment, she regained her composure, “I can only sense someone’s fortune when I focus on them. The closer the relationship, the clearer and more precise the sense, and the further ahead I can see. Also, active sensing leaves me dizzy and mentally exhausted; frequent use causes sharp pain and drains my spirit.”

Li Jian was speechless.

No wonder she always frowned when he asked her to sense his fortune.

So, the closer the relationship, the more accurate the sense? And the further in advance?

“Sister Jin, how can you be so careless with yourself? With such a cost, why didn’t you say anything? Do you know how guilty I feel right now?”

In relationships, taking the initiative to criticize rather than apologize helps establish a harmonious, equal footing for the future.

Ning Sujin, her shyness just dissipating, was now bewildered again. Seeing Li Jian’s earnest expression, she couldn’t help but silently complain, “Isn’t it because you’re afraid of dying, always asking me to sense for you?”

“I…”

“You truly are at fault this time. Had I known in advance that this would upset you, I would never have done it,” Li Jian pressed on, not giving her a chance to respond.

Ning Sujin’s mind unwittingly followed his lead, replying instinctively, “Yes… Yes, it’s my fault… I’m sorry.”

“Enough, just remember—never do this again,” Li Jian smiled.

Step one of obedience training, complete!

Ning Sujin frowned, sensing something amiss. But Li Jian quickly changed the subject, “Sister Jin, you said active sensing has a cost. What about passive sensing?”

“That fool’s sense this time was passive. Passive sensing has no cost, but it’s still tied to the closeness of the relationship. The more intimate, the earlier and clearer the passive sense; otherwise, only great calamity or imminent danger triggers it,” Ning Sujin explained.

“I see!” Li Jian nodded, his resolve firming.

Boom—

Just then, a sudden explosion rang out nearby.

“Enemy attack!” The surrounding soldiers and guards shouted warnings and instantly formed defensive lines.

“Hmph! Traitors and villains, I’ve waited for you long enough!” At that moment, two figures revealed themselves at the site of the explosion…