At this moment, within Zhang Jian's Spiritual Gaze, he could also see a long river of evil qi flowing in the sky above the Grand Canal, a river with the might of gods and demons.
Zhang Jian glanced at the troop transport ships one by one and slowly withdrew his gaze.
He could tell that the soldiers dispatched to Shanyang County to suppress the rebellion were elite troops gathered from the surrounding areas, not local troops of the level typically seen in Shanyang County.
The Xuan Du Sect is likely to face several tough battles ahead.
Zhang Jian quickly withdrew his gaze!
The master and servant duo, along with other Advanced Scholars, waited for a few days at the Immortal Crossing until all the troop ships had passed through the crossing. Then, the group of scholars collectively hired a large passenger boat and began purchasing supplies to prepare for the final stretch of the journey, which would take over ten days.
This journey, over ten days long, can be imagined to be rather dull.
Fortunately, with seven or eight scholars traveling together, they could alleviate the tedium of the trip somewhat.
However, for some reason, as they approached Haojing, Zhang Jian felt an unsettling sensation deep within his Seven-Orifice Exquisite Heart.
"A sudden foreboding? Could there be danger ahead on this journey?"
Under the night sky, Zhang Jian's mind was not at peace. He stepped out of the inn at the crossing, where many boat owners and towmen were drinking and chatting boisterously.
Beside him, a woman with light makeup was sitting in the inn's lobby, playing the qin and singing with a melodious and pleasing voice.
Suddenly, Zhang Jian's expression changed, and he looked toward the crossing. He saw a government ship from the Cao Yun Government Office docked there in the night, brightly lit as if someone inside was taking a nap.
However, for some reason, Zhang Jian detected a peculiar scent in the air!
The aura of death and Yin Souls.
At that moment, two government officials descended from the ship. They were a weary-looking old and young pair, walking silently one after the other as they entered another government ship.
It appeared to be just an ordinary shift change.
Zhang Jian frowned, observing them carefully, and he took a few steps forward.
Instantly, his face turned grim as his sensitive Divine Thought detected a faint scent of blood wafting from the government ship.
Within his Divine Thought, he saw two figures in their inner garments lying on the ground.
"Those two officials are suspicious!"
His expression shifted slightly, his gaze flickering. He noticed a faint scent of blood emanating from the nearby government ship, suggesting that the Cao Yun officials on the second ship had also met an unfortunate fate.
It was too late to issue a warning!
Zhang Jian frowned, observing closely. In a moment, he saw someone emerge from the water and slip into the cabin, quickly changing into a human skin mask and then stuffing the bodies of the government officials into burlap sacks to be sunk in the Grand Canal.
Afterward, he saw several 'officials' piloting the government ship, openly replacing the original Cao Yun soldiers and going on to inspect the merchants coming and going at the crossing.
"They're infiltrating!"
This thought flashed through Zhang Jian's mind, and he began to have an inkling about the origins of these figures.
People from the Xuan Du Sect.
He immediately sought out a boat owner nearby who was tidying up fishing nets and struck up a conversation.
"Boatman, are there many ships at the crossing recently?"
Upon hearing Zhang Jian's words, the elderly boatman laughed.
"Young Master, what are you saying? The Immortal Crossing's port has always been one of the busiest in the Southern Provinces. There are all sorts of boats passing through and stopping at the crossing every day, though recently there have been more than usual."
Zhang Jian's gaze shifted slightly, and he continued, "I see that the crossing is being heavily monitored by the Cao Yun Government Office, and the inspections seem extremely strict!"
The old boatman chuckled, "Don't mind them. Most of the time, they just want some benefits and won't really hassle folk like us. As long as you have a travel permit, you'll be fine!"
"This isn't good!"
After bidding farewell to the boat owner, Zhang Jian felt a heavy weight on his heart.
The infiltration of the Xuan Du Sect into Jixian County is more severe than he had imagined.
It's still unclear just how many have infiltrated!
Being the local bully of Fengyang County, he naturally did not wish for anything to happen to Jixian County. If trouble arose there, the Xuan Du Sect would surely not spare the nearby Fengyang County.
With these thoughts in mind, Zhang Jian formed a plan.
The Xuan Du Sect must not be allowed to easily take Jixian County.
At the very least, they need to be hindered to buy time for the Court to react.
He swiftly returned to the inn and found an opportunity to have a private meeting with Shi Lun.
"Brother Chengfeng, there's big trouble!"
Shi Lun was about to ask questions when, upon hearing this, his expression was stunned. Zhang Jian then whispered a few words into Wang Shilun's ear, causing Shi Lun's eyes to widen instantly.
"What, Brother Zhang, are you saying that...?"
His eyes showed a trace of horror, but it was quickly suppressed by Zhang Jian with a warning glance.
"This must not reach a third person's ears!"
Zhang Jian's gaze was solemn.
Shi Lun also realized the gravity of the situation. If, as Zhang Jian said, the Xuan Du Sect is continuously infiltrating the areas around Jixian County through the Cao Yun channels, then Jixian County is in danger.
This realization sent a chill through his heart.
Unlike other Advanced Scholars, the Shi Family's entire foundation was in Jixian County. If something happened there, the noble families of the county would be like meat on a chopping block for the Xuan Du Sect.
He didn't doubt Zhang Jian's words. Since the moment Zhang Jian had gifted him the talisman, he knew that this newly met young scholar was not one to speak carelessly.
Zhang Jian seemed to possess a unique charisma that made his words believable.
Shi Lun hurriedly called for paper and brush and said: