Arson!
With this command, a group of Security Bureau members raised torches and piled dry grass along the walls of the inner courtyard.
Then they splashed a lot of accelerants.
Then.
Blazing flames erupted.
The firelight made everyone's faces glow red, white mist and black smoke intertwined, devouring each other.
The fire burned for several hours.
In the end.
The estate was left charred and tattered by the flames, the originally white walls now covered in black scorch marks.
The ancient trees in the courtyard were incinerated.
The ground cracked inch by inch.
The mist shrouding the inner courtyard also completely dissipated at this moment, revealing the original appearance of the inner courtyard.
Like the courtyards of most mansions.
The inner courtyard was typically where the master and their family members resided, so it was quite spacious, with artificial hills, flowing water, and pavilions.
Now, after being burned, it appeared chaotic.
"Sir, people from the Anomaly Bureau have arrived."
At this moment.
The Security Bureau's martial artist led a team of people from the Anomaly Bureau inside.
This time, leading the team was the captain of the Mountain City's Anomaly Bureau, named Xu Qiu, who was one of He Jin's most outstanding subordinates.
He came personally.
Which showed how much He Jin valued this matter.
"Director Bai."
Xu Qiu was a stoic giant, appearing rather rugged, standing there like an iron tower giving off a sense of solidity and gravity.
When he saw Baiyu, he just greeted him with a light nod.
"Hmm, hello Captain Xu."
Baiyu nodded and said, "The situation inside is very peculiar, just now I had a few subordinates go in, but they couldn't hold out for long before convulsing and losing their senses.
They are still in the hospital now."
Xu Qiu's expression turned grave, "Really? Have you found anything else?"
"It's not clear for now. I set a fire inside to burn away all the white mist.
For the moment, it doesn't seem so dangerous in there."
Baiyu looked at Xu Qiu, wanting to know how this professional intended to handle the situation.
He was now the director of the Security Bureau.
Naturally, he would also be responsible for extraordinary events within Mountain City. Now that such an anomaly had been discovered here, he could not just walk away.
Moreover.
The whereabouts of so many nobles.
Baiyu didn't believe they had all left Mountain City, as such a large-scale departure would not go unchecked by the city.
It's highly likely.
This group of people hadn't left the city but had encountered some accident within it.
For instance, the situation inside Grey Rock Count's estate.
If a normal person got involved in this without anyone's help, it would invariably mean certain death.
These nobles.
Baiyu had a nagging feeling that they might really be connected to what's happening here at Grey Rock Count's place.
After hearing Baiyu's reply, Xu Qiu did not come to an immediate conclusion, instead walking a circle along the edge of the inner courtyard.
After carefully observing the terrain.
He returned and said, "Director Bai, I think we can't be hasty in this matter. We must send people in to investigate personally."
Baiyu was speechless.
Isn't that obvious? But judging from appearances, the risk after the mist cleared seemed much less.
Indeed, they should go inside and take a look.
At the very least, figure out how this has come about and resolve it.
As the director of the Security Bureau, it was a duty he could not shirk.
"Captain, why don't we go in first?"
Baiyu suggested.
In this situation, ordering subordinates to charge in would realistically achieve little.
Not only would it not have much effect, but it would also lose the morale of his people.
Xu Qiu gave Baiyu an unexpected glance, seemingly surprised that he would put himself at risk.
After the initial surprise.
The captain nodded, "Alright, but Director Bai, you must be cautious. Your position is very important right now. If anything happens to you, it would make the situation in Mountain City difficult.
So if we encounter any danger later on, it's best to retreat immediately."
...
Once everything was prepared.
Baiyu and Xu Qiu, each with three trusted aides, entered the inner courtyard.
The layout of the inner courtyard was like a series of interconnected courtyards.
Courts were adjacent to one another, connected by covered walkways and arch bridges, maximizing the use of space to its fullest.
Baiyu and Xu Qiu spent quite some time testing the front of the inner courtyard.
Only after confirming that there was no problem inside did they lead their people in.
Upon entering the inner courtyard.
They were met with a stone screen carved with various exotic beasts, crafted with exquisite detail and lifelike artistry.
This stone screen exuded a strong sense of age.
Baiyu was inwardly admiring the opulence, thinking that this Lord Earl certainly knew how to savor life, even a simple entry screen was of great value.
But at this moment.
Xu Qiu's heart skipped a beat, and with a somber gaze, he said, "Director Bai, did you notice something's wrong?"
Baiyu paused.
With that reminder, he too realized the problem.
All the paths behind them had disappeared.
The road they had just taken to step into the inner courtyard had vanished unknowingly, with only a cloud of fog behind them.
One of the martial artists from the Anomaly Bureau tried to exit.
But was completely unable to break through that layer of fog. No matter if it was blood qi or something else, once engulfed by the mist, it was like a clay ox entering the sea — without a trace.
The situation was growing dire.
Baiyu carefully sensed the surrounding environment.
"Director Bai, have you discovered anything?" Xu Qiu's face lost the confidence from before.
In such an isolated space, completely cut off from the outer world, no one could remain calm.
Baiyu hesitated uncertainly, "There are two possibilities, one is that we've fallen into a special Simulation Realm, and the other is that a Spirit Realm tide has formed here."
Simulation Realm.
Spirit Realm tide.
