In the frigid lands, after my exile, I began to slay demons and monsters.

Chapter 66 Oh, my heart!

Ning Xiaoxi and Ning Ziqing rode together on a light cloud beast, occasionally glancing at the exotic beast ridden by the deputy pavilion master in front of them.

The beast was agile and upright, with smooth and delicate fur that shimmered with iridescent light under the sunlight. Its eyes were like deep stars, sparkling with intelligence and agility. As if aware that Ning Xiaoxi was observing it, it would occasionally glance at her with an arrogant look.

"That's the Five-Colored Cloud Beast, which the Vice Pavilion Master managed to tame with great difficulty," Chief Secretary Fang explained, noticing Ning Xiaoxi's fondness for it. However, with many of the personnel at the Muyun garrison having suffered losses during this trip, he wasn't in much of a mood to talk.

Ning Xiaoxi knew that Chief Secretary Fang was feeling bad; the sacrifice of the strategist and several subordinates had weighed heavily on everyone's hearts.

With the deputy pavilion master leading the way, Ning Xiaoxi and Ning Ziqing dared not leave halfway and followed the team back to their base.

After gathering all the Celestial Masters at the base, along with Lord Tianjie and Lord Tianyou who were going to fight, Zuo Daniu announced something.

"Di Jie's reconnaissance this time was flawed; he failed to detect the Tu Shan clan's anomaly in time, resulting in hundreds of civilian casualties in Muyun Mountain City. The Celestial Master Pavilion's garrison also lost one strategist, eight officers, and thirty-seven guards." Zuo Daniu looked around at everyone in the courtyard, seeing their expressions of shock or doubt, and continued, "It has now been decided that Di Jie's garrison status is revoked, and he will return to the royal city with me to await trial. Effective immediately, Inspector Tian Gang Tian You will take over all affairs of Muyun Mountain City, with the necessary personnel assigned to Tian Gang. The garrison will remain unchanged for now, and its status will be upgraded if needed later."

"Di Jie confesses his crime." Di Jie's face was grim. He had initially thought it was just a minor disturbance caused by demons, but he hadn't expected so many of his colleagues to die. Actually, the Vice Pavilion Master hadn't told him about the Black Dragon's escape; otherwise, he wouldn't know how he would have died!

"Tianyou accepts the order."

Ning Xiaoxi and Ning Ziqing stood by the gate. They were not personnel of the Dijie garrison and were only qualified to listen in.

Lord Tianyou, of medium build, neither fat nor thin, appeared very sharp, with eyes like lightning that seemed to pierce through to the heart. "Today, the clerk will preside over the funeral rites for the military advisor and his subordinates and guards. These will be temporarily handled within the Tianshi Pavilion. I will visit the city lord." Lord Tianyou's sharp gaze swept across the entire room. "This matter ends here. I do not wish to hear another word about this matter."

"Yes, my lord."

"Yes, my lord."

As the crowd gradually dispersed, Ning Xiaoxi grabbed her brother's hand, wanting to leave with the crowd.

"Xiao Xi." Chief Secretary Fang walked over quickly. "The Vice Pavilion Master wants to see you."

Ning Xiaoxi glanced at her brother, thinking she could escape the investigation!

"Ziqing, come along." Chief Secretary Fang looked at the brother and sister with a gentle expression. They were innocent victims this time. Besides, it was because of Xiaoxi's tracking that Dijie's garrison was able to save face a little, though not much.

Inside the main room, only the deputy pavilion master and Lord Tianyou were seated; Lord Tianjie was not seen.

"Greetings, Vice Pavilion Master, greetings, Lord Tianyou."

"Greetings, Vice Pavilion Master, greetings, Lord Tianyou."

The brother and sister straightened their expressions and bowed respectfully.

"Ning Xiaoxi, Ning Ziqing." Tianyou carefully looked the siblings up and down, his gaze landing on Ning Xiaoxi's wrist. "Did Tianji give that to you?"

Ning Xiaoxi glanced at it, then bowed and said, "Yes, it was given to me by you, sir, when we came out of Panhou Mountain City last time."

"He's so cunning. He's found a promising talent and is afraid we'll snatch him away," Tianyou said with a hint of teasing. "Tianjie has other matters to attend to, so he won't be meeting you. He asked me to tell you to get together with Tianwei when you arrive in Bingyuan Prefecture." At this point, he seemed to think of Panhou Mountain City and fell silent again.

"Thanks to Xiaoxi and the others for arriving in time, we had the opportunity to kill Yanwu. Although the Black Dragon escaped, merit is merit, and our Celestial Master Pavilion is not stingy." Zuo Daniu was a burly man who spoke frankly.

"Thank you, sir."

"Girl, I'll personally apply for the exoneration of your parents and brother from their criminal records." Zuo Daniu looked at Ning Xiaoxi with a hint of affection in his eyes. "Is there anything else you want?"

"Is Lord Zuo thinking of his own granddaughter?" Tianyou chimed in. "She's already a secret of the heavens, so it's probably useless for you to have any ideas."

"Hey kid, can't I just simply like someone younger?"

"Sir, do you even believe what you're saying?"

Zuo Daniu was speechless, then pointed at Tianyou and shook his head with a helpless laugh, "You're the one who's Tianji's best friend, aren't you? You've shut everyone down, leaving no room for anyone else to speak."

"Hmph, that guy has eight hundred schemes but he wouldn't use them for anything worthwhile, who cares about him!"

Ning Xiaoxi and Ning Ziqing huddled together like quails; it was like gods fighting while little devils tried to run away.

"Girl, have you seen Bai Qingnian's heart?" Zuo Daniu's tone changed, and he asked seriously.

Ning Xiaoxi's heart churned, her face paling. "That's Lord Bai's heart?" Tears streamed down her cheeks, boundless regret filling her eyes. "I saw a heart in the strategist's hand within the formation being snatched away by a falcon, and I don't know where it went. But, I just never imagined it was Lord Bai's heart." As she spoke, tears continued to fall, and sobs escaped her lips uncontrollably.

The deputy pavilion master and Tianyou exchanged a glance, neither of them expecting the little girl to be so emotional. She was so heartbroken just from knowing a little bit of news.

"If...if...if I had known earlier, I would have risked my life to get that heart back." Tears streamed down Ning Xiaoxi's face, her cheeks bulging, and her sobbing voice made everyone who heard it feel sorry for her.

"Xiao Xi." Ning Ziqing saw her younger sister crying so sadly, and remembered her heart-wrenching cries in her mother's arms earlier. She couldn't help but go over and hug her sister. "Sister, it's okay, it's okay."

The deputy pavilion master coughed, too embarrassed to speak.

Tianyou glared at Zuo Daniu, then stood up and walked to the siblings. "Military Advisor Bai is the eldest son of the Bai family of Qingping. He was supposed to return to his hometown of Qingping after completing his term in Panhou Mountain City, but this incident happened. The Bai family lost their beloved son and also lost their heart, so naturally they are unwilling to let it go. Knowing that the Deputy Pavilion Master is in charge of apprehending the murderer, they asked you, sir, to help find him."

Hearing Tianyou's explanation, Ning Xiaoxi felt uncomfortable hiding in her brother's arms and crying. She wiped away her tears and turned to face Tianyou. "The falcon came very suddenly. I had just arrived at the scene and was only focused on whether my brother was there. I didn't have time to notice anything else." Ning Xiaoxi frowned and thought for a moment. "Then I saw the shadow of the falcon carrying the heart in its beak, and then I was suddenly attacked by Yanwu Luosha. In my haste, I took out my weapon to fight her. I didn't have time to think about anything else."

Lord Tianyou kept a close eye on Ning Xiaoxi's expression but couldn't detect anything unusual. He then smiled reassuringly and said, "It's alright. This is an unexpected accident. I'll send other officials to keep an eye on this matter. Xiaoxi, don't worry about it."

Ning Xiaoxi looked dejected. "I'm so useless. I couldn't win back the strategist's heart."

Zuo Daniu also comforted her at the right time, "Xiaoxi, don't underestimate yourself. You're already a rare and capable woman to have survived in that chaotic scene and even rescued your brother. You're much braver than my little granddaughter."

Ning Xiaoxi patted her chest and said in a somewhat childlike manner, "With me here, no one can hurt my family!"

The deputy pavilion master and Lord Tianyou both smiled.

Ning Ziqing smiled as she looked at her younger sister.

Ning Xiaoxi smiled too.

Oh my god, my heart is about to jump out of my chest!