Chapter 153: Shadows and Power Plays

Zhen Chen stepped through the grand archway leading into the Zhen Clan estate, a marvel of architectural prowess that sprawled across the city's most coveted land like a kingdom within a kingdom. The estate was encircled by towering jade walls etched with intricate spiritual formations, their glow faint but palpable, ensuring the grounds were impenetrable to even the most skilled infiltrators.

Inside, the air was thick with the hum of cultivation energy. Expansive courtyards stretched as far as the eye could see, each adorned with rare spiritual flora. Trees with crystalline leaves shimmered in the moonlight, their glow illuminating stone pathways carved with ancient runes. At the heart of the estate stood the Celestial Pavilion, a towering structure of gold and obsidian that seemed to pierce the heavens themselves. Its gleaming spires were visible from miles away, a testament to the clan's wealth and influence.

Elite guards in flowing silver armor patrolled the grounds in synchronized precision, their auras exuding quiet strength. Servants moved quickly but silently, ensuring the estate's operations were seamless. Every detail, from the polished marble fountains to the meticulously maintained meditation chambers, screamed of power and perfection.

Zhen Chen's arrival was marked by a respectful bow from the guards stationed at the main gate. A scout in dark robes hurried toward him, his face grave but composed.

"Lord Zhen," the scout began, bowing deeply before handing over a sealed scroll. "Urgent news from Northern Moon."

Zhen Chen took the scroll, breaking the seal with a flick of his wrist. As he read, his expression darkened, his normally calm demeanor shifting into something colder and more calculating.

"Twelve members of the Celestial Shadow Church, you say?" he murmured, his voice low and dangerous.

"Yes, Senior," the scout confirmed. "They infiltrated Northern Moon shortly after the Lin Clan's arrival. Our enforcers discovered their presence after discreetly investigating several Lin Clan members and individuals from Poor Man's Corner. It seems their target was a young man named Jiang Feng."

Zhen Chen's eyes narrowed, his mind racing. The Shadow Church targeting a boy? What could they want with him? He folded the scroll and slipped it into his sleeve. "Were all twelve eliminated?"

"They were neutralized before they could act, but we suspect there are more agents in hiding. The Shadow Church rarely moves without a larger plan."

Zhen Chen nodded, his gaze hardening. "Double the surveillance on Northern Moon, Poor Man's Corner is the Ji's clan's business, informed them accordingly. Quietly investigate Jiang Feng's background further, but do not act without my order. I want to know exactly what they're after."

The scout bowed again. "It will be done, Senior."

As the scout departed, Zhen Chen turned toward the main hall of the Celestial Pavilion, his thoughts a storm of questions. If the Shadow Church truly had designs on Jiang Feng, then the boy's significance was far greater than he initially imagined.

"Old friend, what have you gotten yourself mixed up with this time?" Zhen Chen muttered to himself as he shook his head, his expression shadowed with worry, even though Lin Moyi had advised him beforehand, but still. He strode toward the main hall of the Celestial Pavilion, his long robes trailing softly against the polished jade floors.

The hall, illuminated by golden lanterns etched with runes, radiated an air of authority and gravitas. Inside, a middle-aged man sat at a large oak table, poring over a towering stack of documents. His furrowed brow and slightly disheveled robes revealed the weight of his responsibilities.

The man bore a striking resemblance to Zhen Chen, though his features were more youthful and sharpened by years of toil. Absorbed in his work, he didn't notice his father entering. Zhen Chen moved silently to a window, his thoughts drifting back to the unsettling news of the Celestial Shadow Church's resurgence. It had been decades since their influence had touched Northern Moon, and their return boded ill for the region.

Finally, the middle-aged man looked up, his gaze catching the familiar figure by the window. A flicker of surprise and joy crossed his tired face as he stood and approached with swift steps. Bowing deeply, he spoke with a voice tinged with both reverence and warmth.

"Father, it has been too long since I last saw you. When I heard you had exited seclusion, I searched for you, but you were nowhere to be found." His voice softened. "How are you?"

Zhen Que, the current head of the Zhen Clan, had long been burdened by the weight of leadership. Yet even in his position, his father's presence commanded the utmost respect.

Zhen Chen turned to regard his son, his expression softening slightly. "I've been fine, Que. Just needed some fresh air. And you—leading the clan has aged you too quickly."

Zhen Que gave a tired smile. "It is a heavy mantle, Father, but one I bear willingly. Maids!" he called, his voice firm. "Prepare tea for my father and have a hot bath drawn immediately."

Three maids scurried into motion, their expressions a mix of awe and nervousness. Though many had never seen Zhen Chen before, the mere mention of him sent ripples of urgency through the household.

Zhen Chen, however, waved a hand dismissively. "No need for all that. I didn't come here for leisure." His tone grew sharper. "Que, have any reports come from the Central Empire? Did they mention Jin Wu or what the royal family intends to do about the Celestial Shadow Church?"

The weariness in Zhen Que's eyes deepened as he returned to the desk. Pulling out a scroll with a broken seal, he handed it to his father. "The royal family did send word. At the far edges of the Obsidian Woodlands, there's a valley shrouded in fog year-round. Recently, the fog cleared, revealing it to be the hiding spot of the Shadow Church."

Zhen Chen's grip on the scroll tightened as his sharp eyes scanned its contents. "Phantom Valley?" he asked, his voice carrying a note of recognition.

"Yes," Zhen Que replied grimly. "Something has happened there, but the details are unclear. Worse, the valley is now protected by a Level Five Heaven-ranked formation. Such a thing is nearly unheard of in the current era."

Zhen Chen's brows knit in disbelief. "A Level Five Heaven-ranked formation? Only a formation master at the Spirit Integration Stage could craft something of that caliber. Has the Shadow Church regained its footing to such an extent?" His voice grew cold. "Even our own estate's protective formation, created by our first clan leader, required centuries of refinement. Who could have constructed such a thing in modern times?"

Zhen Que nodded solemnly. "The royal family believes the Shadow Church has unearthed something ancient—or worse, gained the aid of an external force. The Golden Steppe royal family, of course, denies any involvement, but Jin Wu is like a stain on their name that refuses to come off. They hate the Shadow Church even more than we do."

"The council was called," Zhen Que continued, his tone grave. "They estimate it will take six months for the royal army to arrive in the Obsidian Woodlands. By then, chaos will likely have spread. Major cities in the region are already fortifying themselves. Father, we should do the same."

Zhen Chen gazed out the window, the distant spires of the estate's defenses rising against the darkening sky. "I handed the headship to you for a reason. Do what you must to protect the clan." He turned, his eyes hard as steel. "I will leave in the morning to investigate Phantom Valley myself. Ensure the council cleanses this city of any Shadow Church spies."

Zhen Que bowed deeply. "As you command, Father."

Zhen Chen swept out of the hall, his robes trailing behind him like a shadow. As the door closed behind him, a black-robed figure emerged from the shadows, his head bowed respectfully before Zhen Que.

Without looking up, Zhen Que began writing on a fresh scroll. When he finished, he sealed it with the insignia of the Zhen Clan and handed it to the figure. "Deliver this to the leaders of the other Five Powers. Inform them that the Obsidian Waterfall Realm will open in forty-eight days. They are to send the names of their representatives from the younger generation immediately."

The figure bowed silently, disappearing as quickly as he had come. Zhen Que leaned back in his chair, his mind weighed down by the storm brewing on the horizon.