Chapter 170: Subtle Currents Swirl in the Storm

They didn't dare take the main road, only picking the back‑alley paths, like two drops of water slipping into a small ditch, silently feeling their way toward the capital.

When they finally stepped into the capital's bounds, the sky was already completely black.

The air was thick with a tense smell that stung the nose.

The patrol officials on the streets were clearly several times more than usual, and in the pitch‑dark corners even more unfamiliar presences hid—some deep, some prickly, like coiled vipers; all manner of demons and monsters were out and about.

Especially around the Qin family's old mansion, it was like a steel‑bucket formation, with so many visible posts and hidden sentries it was frightening, a palpable invisible pressure blanketing the area, making it hard to breathe.

"Hey, looks like the Qin family also realized they're in hot water," Zhang Jun said in a low voice, his gaze sweeping over the scouts hidden in the shadows.

"The Shennong Tripod has sounded, the Yin Yang Jade Pendant has emerged—enough to make those guys jealous," Lin Xue replied, "The Qin family is now in the eye of the storm."

The two didn't head toward the Qin side; winding and weaving, relying on their sense of direction and newly heightened perception, they evaded every watching eye, like two wisps of light smoke, slipping back to Liu Sanye's dilapidated courtyard.

The courtyard was quiet, and a faint amber light still seeped from the house.

Both felt a slight relief; Liu Sanye was still fine.

But the next second, their keen senses caught at least three hidden corners outside the courtyard.

The aura was cold and damp, the scent of the Shadow organization, with one strand tinged with the Lin family's technique base; though impure, it couldn't fool Lin Xue.

A flash of cold light flickered in Zhang Jun's eyes.

Lin Xue's face also hardened.

They exchanged a glance, no words needed, each understood the situation.

Nightfall was the best cover.

Zhang Jun's body shifted like a leopard slipping into darkness, moving silently toward the black shadow on the left side of the courtyard wall.

Inside hid a person whose aura was the most chaotic, likely a spy sent by the Lin family's old insiders.

The man just sensed something off when a hand like iron tongs clamped his neck!

Zhang Jun exhaled a faint burst of pure Yang qi; the man couldn't even hum, his body went limp and died instantly.

On the other side, Lin Xue flicked out a few strands of nearly invisible dark‑yin qi from her fingertips.

The strands seemed alive, silently coiling around the other two hidden shadows.

The two felt an icy chill that could freeze the gaps in their bones rush into their bodies; their true qi froze, limbs went rigid, they couldn't even release a breath, their minds numbed, and they fell silently, a thin layer of frost coating them.

In less than ten breaths total, the work was as swift as swatting a few flies.

Zhang Jun stepped forward, searched the two Shadow scouts, and felt out a dark token and some bits of junk.

Lin Xue approached the Lin family relative, lightly tapping his forehead with a finger.

A secret method from the inheritance activated—not a forceful soul‑search, but a sensing of his strongest final thought and lingering information fragments.

After a moment, she withdrew her hand, her cold expression deepening: "The Black Judge has indeed come to the capital, taking command personally. Those old Lin scum… have indeed defected to Shadow, trading our intel for benefits."

"Damn, a bunch of back‑stabbing dogs!" Zhang Jun's fist cracked, his anger shooting to his head, "They should've been smashed with a single slap from the start!"

"Now's not too late," Lin Xue said evenly, her words laced with icy killing intent.

The two disposed of the bodies cleanly, leaving no trace, then gently knocked on Liu Sanye's door.

"Who is it?" a wary voice called from inside, Liu Sanye's.

"Third Uncle, it's me, Zhang Jun."

The door opened a crack; Liu Sanye saw Zhang Jun and Lin Xue, his tension easing, and he quickly let them in.

"Finally you're back! Something's been off outside these days, always some skulking people wandering nearby!" Liu Sanye's voice was low.

"Third Uncle, we've gotten into big trouble." Zhang Jun briefly recounted the chase, omitting the Medical Heart Origin and the core secret of the inheritance, "The capital's unstable now; please don't go out."

He pulled out a small vial containing newly refined pill, its effect far better than before, and also produced a jade talisman, handing it to Liu Sanye: "Take this medicine on schedule; it's good for your health. Keep this jade talisman on you; it can block a few attacks, and if anything serious happens, crush it—we'll sense it."

Lin Xue didn't idle either; she swiftly set up several more concealed and powerful warning and defensive formations in the courtyard.

"You two…" Liu Sanye looked at their solemn faces, wanted to say something, then simply sighed, "Take care of yourselves!"

After settling Liu Sanye, the two returned to the house.

"The old Lin dogs must be dealt with first!" Zhang Jun said calmly, "Keeping them alive just gives Shadow eyes and endless trouble!"

"Agreed," Lin Xue nodded, "Cleaning the gate will also make those onlookers think twice."

"Also," Zhang Jun said, looking toward the Qin family's mansion, "the medicine cauldron's aura there has steadied but hasn't ceased. Qin Yueyao that woman is surely still scheming against us. We can't keep being passive; we need to act."

"First deal with the Lin family," Lin Xue decided, "We'll strike tonight."

Night grew deeper, the black clouds covered the moon completely.

The Lin family mansion, sprawling, now resembled a cage shrouded in lantern light.

The guards were much stricter than usual; in the corners one could sense several cold auras, the same as those Shadow scouts encountered outside.

Clearly, those old Lin guys were deeply entangled with Shadow.

Unfortunately, this level of defense, in Zhang Jun and Lin Xue's eyes, was no different from paper.

The two suppressed their breath and shifted form, like two true shadows clinging to the wall base, evading patrols, flashing past layer upon layer of courtyards.

The hidden sentries never even brushed their cloaks.

The council hall was brightly lit.

"Has everything been arranged on the Black Judge's side?" asked an Elder in a brocade robe, his face grim, holding a teacup leisurely.

He was Lin Sihai, the most flamboyant among the side branches.

"Brother Si, rest assured," a slightly plump Elder flattered, "All the benefits have been delivered; the Black Judge's men have spoken. As long as we obey and keep tabs on those two brats, once the master obtains the Yin Yang Jade Pendant, our share is guaranteed! Then, this Lin family will be ours to decide!"

"Hmph, that immortal Lin Feng and that little slut Lin Xue, should've been cut out at the root from the start!"