<h4>Chapter 52: Decoys</h4>


    An unassuming mansion, tucked away just twenty li from Li City, served as Great Jin’s intelligence hub for matters within Li City.


    A man garbed in a ck robe burst into the modestly adorned hall of the mansion, his face glowing with excitement.


    "Sir! Sir! I''ve brought news!" he eximed, unable to contain his eagerness.


    A red-robed young man, engrossed in honing his saber skills, halted his practice and slid his weapon back into its sheath. With an indifferent gaze, he turned to face the ck-robed man.


    "Guo Liu, haven’t I already told you to knock before you enter my room?" The youth''s voice dripped with menace.


    A sh of fear passed through the eyes of the ck-robed man, prompting him to quickly lower his head. "Sir, I apologize profusely. This humble one shall not repeat the mistake."


    The ck-robed man felt somewhat wronged. This room was his originally personal chamber, and he had long grown ustomed to entering the room without knocking.


    “I hope there won''t be a next time.” The youth’s voice was icy, "Now, speak. What news have you brought this time?"


    "It''s about Wu Yuan," the ck-robed man breathed a sigh of relief and continued, "The spies I nted have just discovered that the Wu n has chartered arge boat. However, it is not intended for cargo, but for passengers."


    "A passenger boat?" the youth''s eyes sharpened. "Where is it headed?"


    “Southdream!” The ck-robed man answered, "I have dispatched individuals to gather more information from the boat''s owner. In the next two days, the vessel will sail downstream on the Southdragon River, traverse the Southcloud Canal, and cross the Great Wanqiu Swamp to reach Southdream City."


    “Is it Wu Yuan?” The youth asked lightly.


    "Most likely." The ck-robed man nodded, "Although the Wu n asionally sends representatives to Southdream City, chartering arge boat is a rare urrence. This is not a small expense."


    The youth nodded in understanding. "Any updates on the departure date and time?"


    "Wu Yuan is currently engrossed in seclusion, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact moment of departure," the ck-robed man exined with a bitter smile.


    The youth furrowed his brows. Without knowing the precise timing, it would be challenging to set up an ambush in advance.


    "However, once the ship embarks, we can estimate its travel time," the ck-robed man hurriedly added. "Additionally, it will make a stop at the Radiant Dock in the Southcloud Canal to replenish supplies."


    He lowered his head, awaiting the decision of the youth before him.


    A moment of silence stretched on.


    "Their departure time remains uncertain, and their vignce will be heightened both in Li City and during their initial departure. It will not be a favorable moment to strike," the youth''s eyes fluttered open, his voice a soft whisper. "I shall seek assistance from Senior Sister Yu. Assemble a group of capable allies. We will make our move at the Radiant Dock of Southcloud Canal."


    "Ensure Wu Yuan meets his demise in a single, swift blow," he added, his wordsced with determination.


    "Select intelligent and powerful men under yourmand. We depart for the Radiant Dock tonight," the young figuremanded.


    "Understood," the middle-aged man d in ck robes nodded repeatedly.


    The deployment of manpower? It didn''t matter how many forces he had to allocate from this base. As long as he didn''t have to go personally, the middle-aged man had no objections. On the contrary, if the mission failed and investigations were initiated, he could conveniently shift the me for both this issue and other past issues onto the youth.


    Preparing to exit the hall, the middle-aged man was halted by a sudden remark.


    "By the way, you will apany me on this mission."


    ...


    <i>The following day.</i>


    <i>Inside the courtyard of the Wu residence in Li City.</i>


    Wu Yuan, Gu Ji, Wanqin, Wu Xiong, groups of guards, along with Wu Qiming and numerous others, gathered here.


    "Wu Yuan, this journey to Southdream spans thousands of li. Be careful along the way," Wanqin reminded.


    "Mother, I am just going to Southdream Province for a strength assessment. Once everything is over, I will naturallye back," Wu Yuan responded with a hint of helplessness.


    In these past few days, Wanqin had repeated her concerns countless times. After all, a mother worries when her child travels afar.


    Moreover, this journey to Southdream would span several counties, far more than a thousand li.


    "Brother Wu, I will be troubling you to take care of him on the journey," Wanqin nced at Wu Yuan, then turned her gaze to Wu Xiong.


    Wu Xiong was d in simple clothing made from cloth and brandished two short spears. "Haha, sister-inw, rest assured. With me here, there''s no need to worry about Wu Yuan''s safety," he vowed solemnly. He was a straightforward man.


    "Chieftain," Wu Yuan turned to Wu Qiming.


    "The news of your special recruitment has reached the main n," Wu Qiming informed him, "They have sent a letter, hoping that you will pay them a visit when you have the time."


    "The main n?" Wu Yuan gave a mild frown. He had neither a good nor bad impression of the main Wu n, but he didn’t wish to visit them if possible. He preferred to avoid trouble where he could.


    "Although the Wu n in Li City is independent, we do share our roots with the main n," Wu Qiming looked at Wu Yuan, sighing, "If you have the time, it would be good to pay them a visit."


    "Okay," Wu Yuan nodded. While he didn''t have any strong connections to the main n himself, both branch and main ns still shared an undeniable rtionship. Perhaps an order had already reached Wu Qiming, urging Wu Yuan to pay a visit to the main n.


    Furthermore, what harm coulde from paying them a visit? The Southdream Wu n was just a medium-sized family in the provincial city, simr to the Luo n from Li City. How much influence could they have?


    After bidding their farewells, Wu Xiong turned to a robust man d in heavy armor, “Lei Tao, your group can set off now. Turn back once the boat reaches the canal,"


    "Yes," a robust man solemnly replied. He then ordered his men, "Let''s move."


    <i>Ssh! Ssh!</i>


    With him in the lead, a group filed out of the courtyard through the main gate and headed towards the outer courtyard. The group numbered twelve in total, with ten d in the armor of the city guard.


    Among the group was a teenager wearing the uniform of a martial academy student. From his height and build to his facial features, he bore a striking resemnce to Wu Yuan. With careful application of cosmetics and his head bowed low, he could easily pass for Wu Yuan himself. Another individual in the group sported attire simr to Gu Ji’s.


    Swiftly, this group disappeared into the distance, and the gates of the courtyard closed shut behind them shortly after.


    "Wu Yuan, that group is a decoy arranged by the county mayor,” Wu Xiong revealed with a chuckle, "The County Inspection Bureau has noticed several parties discreetly inquiring after your whereabouts in recent days. Although the chances of them taking action are slim, we must remain vignt. Therefore, we spread the rumor that you are departing for Southdream Province by boat."


    "Your stand-in will take great care not to reveal his face, and will head straight to the boat in a carriage," Wu Xiong added solemnly, "Once their boat sets off, attracting the attention of those factions, we will disguise ourselves and depart from the city on horseback, riding hard for the Greendragon Bank located 80 li away. There, another boat prepared by the county mayor awaits us."


    Wu Yuan nodded in understanding. He was not particrly concerned about assassination attempts. After all, with the average talent he had demonstrated, it would be quite strange for Cloudstride Sect''s adversaries to send a second-rate Adept to assassinate him. And the odds they would send a first-rate Adept were exceedingly small.


    However, Wu Yuan had to admit he was surprised by theprehensive arrangements made by County Mayor Jiang Dongque. He silentlymended the mayor''s foresight. Someone appointed as county mayor was surely no fool.


    The group waited for nearly two more hours before taking action.


    "Wu Yuan, we shall exit through the back door in separate groups, making our way to the neighboring Yang Mansion. From there, we will swiftly leave the city," Wu Xiong proposed.


    Wu Yuan had no objections. All twelve of them had already changed their clothes. They were now dressed as cavaliers and wore makeup to alter their features.


    Furthermore, Jiang Dongque had arranged for an additional six ordinary city guards to apany them. With that, the party of twelve swelled to eighteen, minimizing the chances of their identities getting exposed.


    ...


    Once the decoy group set sail, Wu Yuan''s party of eighteen departed Li City without causing as much as a ripple. Such bands of cavaliers were amon sight among the seven continents of the Central ins.


    "There''s no need to hold back our horses'' strength. Ride faster, let''s strive to reach Greendragon Bank within two hours," Wu Xiong dered. "If we can achieve that, we can set sail immediately, which will be quicker than the decoy boat. That will be the safest."


    “Agreed,” the others answered as the party of eighteen galloped along the official route.


    This official route, constructed during the Chu-Jiang Empire''s prime, was sturdy and well-trodden, with checkpoints set up every few tens of li. It spanned provinces, municipalities, and counties, allowing for efficientmunication within the empire.


    Ever since the Cloudstride Sect tookmand of several provinces, their influence over the region surpassed that of the Chu-Jiang Empire during its decline.


    Along the journey, they asionally came across other caravans and pedestrians. However, everyone who encountered Wu Yuan''s group of riders made way without hesitation.


    Unless one was aplete fool, one would know better than to offend a band of cavaliers astride Hoarfrost steeds. After all, a single Hoarfrost steed was worth hundreds of silver taels.


    “At our current pace, anyone attempting to tail us would be left far behind.” Wu Xiong''sughter carried on the wind, “I must say, Wu Yuan, your riding skills aren''t bad at all.”


    “I am nowhere near as skilled as you, Uncle Wu.” Wu Yuan replied with a modest smile.


    Though inexperienced in horse riding, he had exceptional control of his body. After adapting to the motions, he could even rival some formidable cavaliers.


    Wu Yuan appeared calm on the surface, but his gaze scanned both sides of the road continually. "Despite no signs that we''re being followed, why do I feel that I am being watched?"


    Ever since his awareness was capable of entering his upper dantian lobe, Wu Yuan''s perception had grown extraordinarily sharp!


    ..<i>.</i>


    Around three kilometers above the ground, a pale blue bird, with a wingspan of roughly two meters, effortlessly soared and glided through the air. Resembling a grand eagle in form, its pale blue plumage seamlessly merged with the sky, rendering it virtually invisible to those below.


    Only a pair of piercing ck eyes peered down from above, fixated on the swift movements of the riders traversing the official route, appearing as mere ants from its lofty vantage point.


    From the ‘Records of Dong Continent Birds'': <i>The mountains where the Dong Continent and the Min Continent intersect lie the habitat of a strange species of bird. Their feathers change colors with the seasons, mirroring the hues of the sky. They understand human nature, are able to converse in the human tongue, and their slender bodies resemble that of an eagle. Often soaring at altitudes of 10,000 meters, they are capable of covering vast distances spanning thousands of li in a single day. People have named this bird the Skyshade Bird.</i>