Chapter 24 The Storm is Imminent, Just 1 Day Away

The crescent moon hung high in the sky, and the stars twinkled.

It was now the Hai Hour, and the entire Lin Residence had quieted down completely.

Within the vast courtyard, one could see the flickering lights of lanterns scattered about, and several teams of house servants patrolling on specific routes.

Three days had passed since the incident with the Heavenly Learning Society's Chopping Wave Knife.

It was indeed a threshold from Strength Refining to Refined Energy, and Zhou Ping'an had pondered over it for three days and nights...

He practiced arduously during the day and meditated at night, but still couldn't find the key to refining energy.

With Zhou Ping'an's calm temperament, he couldn't help but feel somewhat anxious.

On a whim, he left his courtyard to wander around.

For some reason, he felt particularly restless tonight.

"Stay alert, don't fall asleep. The security of the residence is most vulnerable right now, we must not be careless."

He arrived under a camphor tree.

Zhou Ping'an stopped in his tracks, listening to the even breathing mixed with the sonorous snoring dragging on.

He shook his head slightly and knocked on the trunk of the tree.

A reminder to the other party.

The snoring from the tree abruptly stopped...

A short-statured youth jumped to the ground and, barely making out it was Zhou Ping'an, quickly whispered an apologetic smile, "Big Brother Zhou, rest assured, I, Qian Sanliang may not have other skills, but I am vigilant.

Back when I was a hunter and slept in the mountains, I got used to sleeping with one eye open. If something really happened, I promise I'd be more alert than anyone else."

Qian Sanliang, who was as nimble as a monkey with a lean figure that seemed unremarkable, was one of the five Protectors who had passed the trial of the Gentle Water Eight Stances aside from Zhou Ping'an and Tang Lin'er.

With his appearance, two more figures emerged from the nearby bushes and by the courtyard wall.

"Big Brother Zhou..."

"Big Brother Zhou, just rest. We've got our eyes firmly here, nothing will go wrong."

"Hmm, sorry for the trouble, brothers. Once the situation calms down in a few days, let's drink together," Zhou Ping'an was certainly not one to lack social awareness...

After graduating for more than half a year and being assigned to the special action group, a rather dangerous department,

if he had not known how to handle interpersonal relationships, he could have been tripped up by someone and thrown to his death in the face of criminals at any moment.

All the hard and tiring tasks would have been assigned to him.

In fact, since joining the Third Group, Zhou Ping'an, within just three months, got along with the group's Inspector, Tang Tang, as if they were close friends...

And he completely integrated with his colleagues from the Third Group, making a name for himself.

His manner of conducting himself and his precise judgment of human nature were truly exceptional and remarkable.

At this moment, he certainly wouldn't put on the airs of a favored person from the Lin Clan, giving orders. Instead, he changed his approach.

"These past two days, three herbal medicine shops and two Herb Gathering Teams have been attacked.

I heard that even the Lin Family's Precious Medicine Pharmacy at the Yamen street corner was almost robbed..."

"It's a time of trouble indeed, don't you think something is very wrong here?"

Zhou Ping'an could tell, including Qian Sanliang, the three Protectors who came to help guard the Eastern Court's Herbal Garden appeared diligent on the surface but took matters lightly in their hearts.

Therefore, he had to beat around the bush to remind them.

If nothing happened, it was fine, but if something did happen, such an attitude would definitely cost them their lives.

"Is Big Brother Zhou saying that the enemy is targeting the foundation of the Lin Clan's herbal supplies, and this Herbal Garden might very well be their next target?"

Qian Sanliang, true to his monkey-like appearance, was quick-witted.

Without saying the complete thought, Zhou Ping'an just hinted, and he immediately picked up the thread.

"Right, how did I not think of that?

Big Brother Zhou is truly astute in matters of strategy; your vision is so precise. We're far from your match, no wonder you're held in such high regard by the family..."

Qian Sanliang slapped his thigh emphatically, looking up admiringly.

"Among the seedlings in the Herbal Garden, there are a few essential adjuvants for the Lin Clan's signature elixirs. If they were to be destroyed, the consequences would be unimaginable."

"And because of the incidents at various shops in recent days, several high-ranking members of the household have been dispatched elsewhere..."

At these words, the expressions of the three Protectors tensed.

"Yes, today two groups of Protectors went to the western port and have not yet returned to the residence."

"The Third Miss's injury has lingered till now, and I've heard it still hasn't fully recovered."

Could it be a feint?

A tactic of luring the tiger away from the mountain...

"It's just a guess, but better safe than sorry.

I can't control other areas, but this piece of land in the Herbal Garden must not be lost.

Should you notice anything amiss, immediately ring the copper gong and send a signal."

"Yes."

"By the way, did Big Brother Zhou receive any news from the main house about who our opponents are exactly?"

"I heard that within these two days, five of the Protectors who entered with us have already perished."

"Those who remain in the residence are also in danger... It's unknown which power is striking with such ferocity."

"It's none other than Baicao Hall, Red Lotus Army, or the Black Mountain Bandits. No matter where the enemy comes from, we can only respond to all changes with constancy."

"Everyone take care, and should there be any trouble, put your lives first. There's no need to fight to the death, just send out a signal."

Zhou Ping'an was actually also unclear about which power was targeting the Lin Family.

Ever since that day he left the residence, when he overheard what seemed like the Red Lotus Sect's pursuit and interrogation of fleeing individuals in the alley, he had been extremely cautious.

So much so that for several days following, he didn't leave the residence, out of fear of falling into the enemy's trap.

Despite his cultivation strength advancing by leaps and bounds.

This world is vast, and there are many experts.

If he were truly targeted, life and death would be difficult to predict.

Moreover, he was quite suspicious about the purpose of the Red Lotus Sect's experts infiltrating the city.

Asking about the cleanup crew from that day's battlefield?

What did they intend to do?

Zhou Ping'an suspected that the enemy might be looking for relics on the body of the Divine Envoy from that day.

If he had simply taken some Bits of Silver and a few bottles of medicine that day, there would be no need for concern.

However, he still had that Silk Handkerchief hidden on him...

The strange object embroidered with a red lotus, whose purpose he still hadn't figured out.

But just by the image of the lotus, he could stir his own emotions, he understood that this Silk Handkerchief was likely very special.

It might very well be an extraordinary token...

Or perhaps, it was some kind of secret technique of a divine skill.

If it were indeed so, then it would make sense for the enemies to stubbornly pursue it, risking dangers to investigate deep within the city.

In such a situation, the best option would be to avoid showing himself.

It would be best to act as if nothing had happened.

Especially since during this period, the Lin Family's enterprises were under attack from all sides.

And there was no movement from the City Guards either.

Zhou Ping'an keenly felt that something was very wrong.

It seemed as if an invisible giant hand was manipulating everything.

The goal, was none other than to swallow the entire Qingyang branch of the Lin Family, or rather, to completely sever Guangning Lin Clan's reach into Qingyang Territory.

It was very likely not just one or two powers making a move.

Even more perhaps, it could be several forces collaborating.

"If in modern society, the force that commands arms and armor holds the power of discourse,

in a world where mighty power is vested within oneself, what does the control of cultivation resources represent?"

Those involved are often confused, while bystanders see things clearly.

Even someone like Zhou Ping'an, who had not long been associated with the Lin Family, felt sometimes that their control over so many medicinal channels, and the thriving success of their Precious Medicine Pharmacy, was far too conspicuous.

It's not a matter that can be settled by a few overt or covert transactions.

Without a bloody battle.

How can such a large piece of cake be swallowed easily?

"Should I go back and hide for a while?"

Feeling the precariousness in the air, Zhou Ping'an couldn't help but feel a lack of security.

He couldn't stop glancing at his left wrist.

The crescent-shaped trace was becoming clearer, and he felt the power within it becoming more substantial.

"Soon, I've already been in this world for a full nine days... just one more day and I should have gathered enough energy to return immediately."

"I'll be safer with the freedom to come and go as I please."

Thinking that he just had to endure for one more day before he could escape back to the modern world at any time,

Zhou Ping'an felt a bit more at ease.

Sitting beside the red candle, he stealthily took out the Lotus Brocade Handkerchief from his bosom.

This time, just by laying eyes on that blood-colored lotus, he immediately felt dizzy and mesmerized.

It seemed as though countless whispers were resonating in the depths of his mind.

The lotus slowly blossomed, no longer appearing like a painting, but as if it had come to life.