Daily Intelligence System: Don't Kill Me, Honey! Chapter 1589 - 365: Duozhi Fox and Mountain Descending Tiger (Part 3)

A voice emerged from the carriage upon hearing this, stating, "Standard Bearer, your hard work is appreciated. I did not imagine you would take the time to personally greet me."

Xing Ran answered, "These are extraordinary times. We recently obtained intelligence indicating that three divisions of the imperial army, alongside the Six Great Sects, are mobilizing against our Holy Sect. We have no alternative but to bolster our defenses."

Liu Caidie replied, "I am aware of the situation; that is precisely why I hurried back. Tell me, is Grandfather currently on the mountain?"

"He is," confirmed Xing Ran.

Liu Caidie urged, "Then pray, permit me to ascend the mountain immediately."

"Of course, Miss," Xing Ran responded, "but I must insist that you vacate this carriage and transition to one maintained by the Holy Sect. Mr. Guan has strictly decreed that no foreign conveyances or mounts are permitted within our borders."

Liu Caidie frowned, questioning, "Am I truly not exempt from this rule?"

Xing Ran remained firm, "Miss, the Bright Peak is under strict wartime management. You know full well that I do not jest about such matters."

With a signal from Xing Ran, a Holy Sect vehicle descended to meet them. Understanding the gravity of the wartime protocols, Liu Caidie realized it was not a joke and complied by stepping out of her carriage.

Xing Ran turned his attention toward Chen Jie and inquired, "And who might this be?"

"He is a servant appointed to me by my grandfather; he has served me for many years. Must he also be detained?" Liu Caidie asked.

Xing Ran studied Liu Caidie for a moment before responding, "I would not dare. Since he was arranged by a Master, we simply require a routine registration."

Upon a gesture from Xing Ran, an attendant approached to record Chen Jie’s details, which he provided according to the briefing Liu Caidie had given him.

Once she had switched carriages, Liu Caidie was escorted by Xing Ran directly toward the mountain summit.

As they passed the three checkpoints, Chen Jie observed the formidable defensive preparations of Bright Peak. It was evident why the imperial forces hesitated to launch an assault; its defenses were so robust that even a royal army would struggle to breach them.

The group successfully navigated the three passes, eventually reaching Holy Fire Peak, the main stronghold of the mountain.

Descending from the carriage, Liu Caidie noted that the residents had been alerted. Waiting for her was a middle-aged scholar dressed in pristine white, holding a folding fan with a warm, welcoming smile.

Upon spotting the scholar, Liu Caidie leapt from the carriage and rushed forward to embrace him.

While such behavior was improper by the standards of etiquette, the scholar merely smiled and chuckled, "You have grown into a young woman, yet you retain your reckless ways. It is rather unbecoming."

"Uncle Guan, I have missed you dearly!"

Liu Caidie beamed, while the middle-aged man shook his head with a helpless grin, as if lamenting that she would never mature. His gaze drifted toward Chen Jie, prompting him to ask, "Did you return with only this aging servant?"

Liu Caidie replied, "I sent away the others my grandfather assigned to me. I opted to keep only the one who pleased my eyes, hehe..."

"Nonsense," chided Mr. Guan.

Liu Caidie shot him an aggrieved look, causing Mr. Guan to soften his tone, "See that it does not happen again."

"Understood, Caidie will obey your command, Uncle Guan," she agreed sweetly.

Just as Mr. Guan was shaking his head again, a voice suddenly rang out, "Sister Caidie!"

Liu Caidie's expression instantly soured; the person she cared for least had arrived.

As expected, a hulking, dark-skinned young man stepped into view, grinning ingratiatingly as he approached.

Noticing her visible disgust, Mr. Guan offered a subtle, knowing smile but remained silent.

The youth trotted over, exclaiming, "Sister Caidie, you have finally returned, heh-heh..."

Though Liu Caidie ignored him, Mr. Guan prompted, "Caidie, Ah Xiong is greeting you. It is rude not to respond."

Forced by Mr. Guan, she replied reluctantly, "Yes, I am back."

Undeterred by her cold demeanor, Ah Xiong rambled on like an excited puppy, "You have no idea how much I have missed you these past two years! My axe technique has improved leaps and bounds; I am certain you could not best me now."

The youth boasted proudly while Liu Caidie glared at him in annoyance. Regardless of her refusal to engage, he continued his incessant chatter.

Interrupting his monologue, Liu Caidie asked, "Uncle Guan, where is my grandfather?"

Mr. Guan hesitated, his demeanor shifting slightly, yet he still smiled. "The Venerable is currently in closed cultivation and cannot receive visitors. You shall stay here with me for a few days; once he exits his seclusion, I will escort you to see him."

Liu Caidie looked at him in disbelief, "In closed cultivation? With the enemy at our gates, how could my grandfather possibly seclude himself?"

Mr. Guan explained, "It is precisely because the enemy is at the gate. The Venerable is currently devising a strategy to repel them, requiring total concentration during his seclusion."

"Right!" interjected Du Xiong, "And while Elder Liu is busy, I can keep you company and we can play together!"

Liu Caidie shot a murderous glare at Du Xiong, whose oblivious grin did not falter despite the tension.

Just then, a man approached from a distance and knelt on one knee, "Dharma King."

The group watched as a massive man in purple robes and a black cloak strode forward, his gaze ice-cold. He was none other than the second of the Four Great Dharma Kings, Du Zundao, the Mountain Descending Tiger.

Du Zundao inspected the gathered group, letting his eyes linger on Chen Jie before shifting his focus to Liu Caidie, "So, Caidie has finally returned."