"Is dragon energy important?" Mu Run asked.
"Of course. To become emperor, one needs the right time, the right place, and the right people. The dragon's aura is the right place. Emperor Xingwen was able to gain a foothold in Xiangcheng because he stood on the dragon's aura. Even though he ascended the throne without a name and did not have the support of the people, he still had the right place."
"If one has the advantage of geographical location, then who has the advantage of timing and popular support?"
"The right time was for the one in the Northern Jin Dynasty. The throne was passed to him during the reign of the old emperor, so it was a legitimate right. As for the one in Chongyang Mountain, he was the most popular, and people all over the world flocked to him."
"The timing, location, and people are all out of sync; isn't this a sign of a chaotic world?" Mu Run asked softly.
Yan Bingyan looked at her and said, "Huh? I didn't expect you to have such knowledge."
Mu Run: "...You flatter me."
Yan Bingyan looked at her face and said, "Your disguise is really good. This face is actually a bit too conspicuous."
"I'll tone it down a bit later, and it definitely won't attract attention."
"That's not necessary. Actually, there's another thing I want you to do when I bring you into the palace."
"What is it? Please give your orders, Chief Justice."
"Here's the thing, during this selection of imperial concubines, strange things have happened with some of the most beautiful and talented women. They've all disappeared without a trace, neither alive nor dead. There have been three such cases so far. The palace is currently just saying that these three women were not selected, but if this continues, it could cause chaos."
"Does the Chief Justice mean I should go to the palace to investigate the case?"
"Hmm, your current beauty is comparable to those three missing palace maids. If the murderer is still in the palace, you will definitely become his target. Find a way to catch him."
"...I'm not good at martial arts." Mu Run didn't want to take on this matter; it had nothing to do with her.
“How about I arrange a hidden guard for you?” Yan Bingyan thought for a moment, then said with a troubled expression, “Ever since Fu Yunchen massacred our Imperial Cultivation Division last time, we are clearly short-handed. Many of our personnel have been transferred from other divisions to help. I’m afraid I can’t arrange a hidden guard for you.”
"That way, I don't have to keep an eye on things all the time. I can protect myself during the day, and someone can watch over me while I sleep at night."
"In that case, how about I have my shadow guards protect you at night?" As he spoke, Yan Bingyan looked towards a shadowy corner. "Shao Rong, come out for a moment."
A tall, thin man completely covered in black appeared.
Mu Run looked at his only exposed eyes, which were long and narrow with upturned corners, and he looked very energetic and quite handsome.
"Shao Rong?" Mu Run called out.
"..." He ignored her.
Yan Bingyan said, "You don't need to stay with me at night. Go to the palace to protect Xiao Wan."
Shao Rong replied, "Yes!"
His voice was unexpectedly gentle. Looking at Shao Rong, Mu Run thought he must be quite good-looking.
Shao Rong hid again.
Mu Run asked, "Did he come at night?"
Yan Bingyan nodded, "Mm."
Mu Run: "When does he rest? He protects you during the day and me at night. Is he made of iron?"
Yan Bingyan smiled and said, "He takes a break when he has time."
"Well, it seems being a hidden guard isn't easy," Mu Run sighed.
Yan Bingyan nodded, "Neither is easy to do."
Mu Run glanced at Yan Bingyan and found that he didn't seem as strict as Hua Ling remembered, and was actually quite easy to talk to.
Yan Bingyan brought Mu Run to Guangxiu Palace, where the young ladies-in-waiting lived.
Yan Bingyan gave her some instructions to Granny Zhu, the head maid of Guangxiu Palace. He also issued her a selection token for a concubine – Xiao Lingdang, the daughter of a hunter from Jingyu Mountain.
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