A New Task

Biyan, it seemed, was remarkably adept at handling the aftermath.

Sitting languidly in her chair, Bai Yuan gazed at her reflection. The mirror revealed a beautiful young woman, her eyes and brows still carrying the faint vestiges of last night’s ardor. As the maid’s deft hands meticulously erased the lingering marks from her neck, Bai Yuan found herself reaffirming this observation.

With the continuous circulation of true qi through her body, the pervasive ache began to recede. That sensation, akin to being meticulously ground beneath a millstone, at last subsided significantly.

An involuntary lament escaped Bai Yuan’s lips, tinged with a hint of vexation.

Yang Xuan, that man, had been inexplicably passionate last night. Even she, an old witch with ample experience, had felt utterly stripped bare by the end, like a tender lamb devoured whole by a ravenous wolf.

She had woken up this morning in a complete mess, barely able to move. It was only with Biyan’s help that she slowly recovered.

Truly…

Was he simply indulging his whims, relying on his status as a Grandmaster?

He had never been like this before. The night before last, she admitted, had been her own doing, but that was an exception. Prior to that, she had always cooperated perfectly, and he had always been considerate. She had never expected such a sudden change in his disposition.

Even if she did owe him, this was excessive. After two consecutive nights of such exertion, she absolutely would not entertain him tonight. Her body simply couldn’t take it.

Bai Yuan made up her mind. She finished her breakfast lazily and settled into a rattan chair in the courtyard, basking in the sun. In her drowsy state, she pondered whether to resume her ‘brick-moving’ in the Inner Scenery or continue the embroidery she hadn’t finished last night, perhaps consolidating her newly breakthrough sword intent.

However, before she could decide, Biyan suddenly re-entered from outside.

“Madam Yuan, someone just delivered a message from outside. The Gate Master requests your presence at the sect.”

“Go… to the sect?”

Bai Yuan was taken aback. Was that a place she was meant to go?

“Yes, the messenger from outside said exactly that,” Biyan confirmed with a nod.

Well, then… her leisurely morning was ruined. Bai Yuan sighed, but with no other choice, she reluctantly pulled herself up. She redid her hair and makeup, then changed into a simple, unadorned robe before taking her waist token and heading out.

After a day’s hiatus, Bai Yuan once again arrived at the main entrance of Tianhe Gate.

This time, she didn’t need to present her identity token. Two members of the Imperial Guard Hall were already waiting at the gate. Upon seeing her, they immediately stepped forward, ushered her inside, and led her directly towards Yang Xuan’s study.

Inside the study, Bai Yuan was surprised to find a familiar face: Hu Hai, the Deputy Hall Master of the Imperial Guard Hall.

“…Husband, Hall Master Hu.”

After the extensive ‘experience’ of last night, Bai Yuan’s shift in address was remarkably fluid.

“Fifth Madam.”

Hu Hai maintained a stern expression, bowing slightly in response. Yang Xuan, meanwhile, simply tossed a booklet directly at her.

“Take a look at this first.”

This was…

Bai Yuan lowered her gaze. The booklet had no cover and appeared to be only a few thin pages, the paper quite new. However, as she opened the flyleaf, she was instantly stunned.

Contained within was a formation diagram.

The lines were intricate yet exceptionally orderly, with neat and clear annotations. It was a remarkably complete formation diagram, detailing even various permutations and the final killing moves.

Yet, this was not what truly astonished Bai Yuan.

What truly captured her attention was that she recognized this formation diagram.

It was the Heavenly Stellar Northern Dipper Array, one of the most commonly used battle formations by Central Plains martial artists when breaking through enemy lines, more than a decade in the future.

Comprising thirty-six individuals in a single array, with seven core members acting as the pivot, it could, if necessary, sacrifice the integrity of the battle formation to unleash a combined strike from the seven, a blow no less powerful than that of a Xiantian master.

In her previous life, a peak Houtian martial artist had once used this very array to tear through her demonic army, charging all the way to her front and clashing with her head-on. Hence, the memory was particularly vivid.

‘So, it already existed in this era?’ Bai Yuan pondered. Many formations, including this Heavenly Stellar Northern Dipper Array, had origins she wasn’t entirely clear on. After all, that war had raged for so many years, giving rise to countless formations. Some were ancient legacies, some were sect secrets, and some were newly devised after the war began. Their origins were too complex, constantly spawning new variations, even ‘demonic modifications’ that bore no resemblance to the original version. Naturally, she hadn’t bothered to trace each one.

“How is this formation?”

The man glanced over.

“It is exceedingly profound. Though I’ve only given it a cursory glance, in this concubine’s opinion, it is of the highest caliber,” Bai Yuan replied, composing herself and speaking truthfully.

“I think so too,” the man nodded. “When I acquired this formation manual some time ago, I intended to set it aside for a while. Its requirements were simply too demanding for Hu Hai and the others to manage the core functions. However, the method of ‘dismantling apertures and scattering forms’ you proposed yesterday was quite interesting. I believe we can give it a try.”

‘The meaning of ‘give it a try’ is…’

Watching the man utter such words in a calm tone, Bai Yuan suddenly felt a premonition of ill fortune.

“For the foreseeable future, you will be in charge of this matter. Hu Hai will cooperate with you. Whether it’s selecting personnel, arranging the training grounds, or procuring medicinal herbs and weapons, simply inform him.”

‘As expected…’

This was a conscription. Bai Yuan’s lips twitched. It seemed her loose tongue yesterday had brought this upon herself.

“Hu Hai, do you have any issues?”

Yang Xuan turned his head to look at Hu Hai.

“None!” Hu Hai straightened his chest and replied loudly, though his expression was noticeably stiff.

“Good, then go,” Yang Xuan nodded, then waved his hand, dismissing them directly without even sparing Bai Yuan a glance.

Bai Yuan stared at him for a moment, seeing that the man had already lowered his head, resuming his own tasks. On the other side, Hu Hai had already started walking out, his back ramrod straight. After a moment of hesitation, she grudgingly followed him out.

“Fifth Madam, what do you suggest we do next—”

Hu Hai only stopped when they reached the courtyard, turning to face Bai Yuan with a thoroughly businesslike demeanor.

‘Next?’

The task of ‘dismantling apertures and scattering forms’ was one she was all too familiar with, especially for the Heavenly Stellar Northern Dipper Array. Such a renowned formation in her previous life had naturally been thoroughly deconstructed. She knew exactly how to dismantle it with her eyes closed; it was child’s play.

She had racked her brains for her incompetent subordinates back then, experimenting with all sorts of dismantling methods. Transforming the seven vital points into thirty-six, then forming an array with 108 people, or seventy-two vital points with 365 people, or even a formation of 1024 people…

And still managing to ensure a relatively smooth flow of qi. Of course, that was the extent of what could be guaranteed. As for the clunky and overly complex nature… there was truly no remedy for that. It was an inherent flaw, unavoidable from its very conception.

“Hmm, let’s start by selecting the personnel,” Bai Yuan stated indifferently. “I want to see what your current skill level is like.”