[Hetu][Heavenly Demon][Episode 5 Chapter 2]

Chapter Two: Undercurrents
In the capital, the imperial court had been in turmoil for some time. The old emperor remained on sick leave, suspending court sessions, and

all state affairs were naturally handled by the Crown Prince and the three princes, along with several Grand Secretaries.

The atmosphere in court had been relatively pleasant; although Zhao Qinli was frivolous and unruly, he dared not

act recklessly . However, today's court was not as relaxed as usual; instead, an indescribable sense of oppression prevailed.
"The thief's body has been escorted to the capital, and officials from Shuntian Prefecture are verifying his identity." The Crown Prince Zhao Qinli,

unusually solemn, said with deep sorrow, "Those despicable outlaws of the Jianghu have treated our court as nothing!

Openly murdering soldiers and kidnapping my brother is tantamount to rebellion; everyone has the right to kill them."
Following the proper etiquette for the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince sat at a side table processing memorials. Next were

the three princes who held real power in the court. Yang Shu remained expressionless, eyes closed, seemingly deep in thought, saying nothing. Prince Ding,

Zhao Yuanqing , also kept his eyes closed and remained silent, his face revealing no emotion.
"Your Highness, has the Duke of Jing's memorial arrived?" Prince Rong, Zhao Yuanqing, asked with a

grim face. Usually the most amiable in court, his expression was now quite menacing. After all, it was his most beloved eldest son who had been kidnapped;

what father wouldn't be upset at this moment?
"Let me see..." Zhao Qinli was clearly unfamiliar with court affairs, and only after being reminded did he frantically start searching

. His frivolous movements and perfunctory attitude not only made Prince Rong's face darken further, but even the other ministers

couldn't help but frown.
"Yang Cun, Yang Cun... Oh, here!" Zhao Qinli searched for a long time before finally

finding , but his hand trembled and he couldn't hold it steadily. Just as the memorial was about to fall to the ground, the old eunuch Jinliang saw it,

quickly bent down, picked it up, and respectfully placed it on the table to avoid provoking Prince Rong, who was already like a powder keg.
"Your subject, Yang Cun, was ordered to return to Jiangnan. Along the way, we passed through a small town outside Suzhou. Our troops and carriages were

exhausted travel far, so we entered the city for a short rest. That night, I went out with several soldiers to relax, only to unexpectedly encounter

Prince Rong's heir and his entourage surrounded by hundreds of bandits! At this time, I ordered my subordinate Wang Dong to mobilize troops, but Ma Zheng refused to acknowledge the seal of authority and refused to send horses for reinforcements. In dire

straits first and report later, forcibly seizing Ma Zheng's troops and leading my soldiers to rescue them overnight. Unfortunately, the bandits were numerous

, and the Suzhou troops did not come to our aid. We killed most of the bandits, but failed to rescue the heir. I weep and sigh!"
Upon hearing this, the court was immediately in an uproar. Good heavens! What is this if not rebellion! Several hundred

people openly attempted to kidnap the prince's heir! Although the heir held no official rank, he was still a member of the imperial family and would certainly

inherit Prince Rong's throne in the future. These bandits were so audacious; they simply did not respect the court and the imperial family.
"I fought bravely all night against the bandits, but the docks were treacherous, and the Suzhou troops failed to arrive in time.

The bandits also resisted fiercely. Despite killing many enemies, I was unable to rescue the Crown Prince. I am ashamed and indignant at the incompetence of the Suzhou

officials , who allowed hundreds of bandits to act with such lawlessness. I have already

sent the witnesses, evidence, and the criminals back to the capital for Your Majesty's decision."
After reading this, Jinliang's previously smiling face darkened.
"Your Highness, what should we do?" Zhao Qinli suppressed the urge to yawn, maintaining a pained

expression . Having been confined for so long, and now dressed in the Crown Prince's robes, he couldn't hide a hint of smugness,

as if boasting of his continued imperial favor, causing the officials in the court to frown secretly.
"Your Highness, I wish to make a trip to Shuntian Prefecture!" The Prince's face was now clouded with gloom.
"Alright, that's settled then. Court adjourned." Zhao Qinli, remembering the Ryukyu

beauty still hidden in the Eastern Palace, had no desire to attend court anymore. He hadn't expected such a stunning beauty to exist in a brothel. His eyes

gleamed undisguised lust; he longed to return to the Eastern Palace and enjoy her soft, fragrant body.
"Court adjourned!" Jinliang frowned, glanced at the two princes who had remained silent,

sighed , and still called out according to protocol.
The atmosphere in the court today was incredibly oppressive. Even the usually amiable Prince Rong's face darkened, a look that was almost as intense as

imperial wrath. As the court adjourned, the officials were all cautious,

barely daring to whisper amongst themselves. Everyone knew that Prince Rong doted on his eldest son, and with this incident, the court had

lost face. Moreover, the expressions of Prince Zhen and Prince Ding were not pleasant either; it was best not to provoke them now.
Prince Ding went directly to the Ministry of War due to military affairs. At this moment, a dozen or so large horses slowly emerged from the palace gates.

Prince Rong, who usually traveled by sedan chair, was anxious and disregarded the pomp and circumstance. Prince Rong's plump face appeared somewhat stiff,

filled with worry and indignation. He rarely showed such ferocity,

but tear them to pieces, I can't quell the hatred in my heart."
"Brother!" Yang Shu remained silent for a while before speaking softly, "Uncle sent me a secret letter. Those

traitors are clearly members of the Demonic Sect. Their route should be heading southwest, possibly towards Hebei or Tianjin."
"I thank Duke Jing on my behalf!" Prince Rong narrowed his eyes, cupped his hands, and said, "I have important matters to

attend to, so please excuse me!"
"Yes, Brother, if there's anything I can do for you, please don't hesitate to ask!" Yang Shu also cupped his hands in thanks.
"Farewell." Prince Rong, leading his men, hurried towards Shuntian Prefecture.
"Tongbao, let's go back to the manor first!" Yang Shu shook his head. The usually elegant and composed Prince Rong was in such a hurry;

it seemed this matter was suspicious. He wondered what his uncle had asked Yang Tongbao to convey.
Inside the Zhenwang Mansion, in the small pavilion in the front courtyard, Yang Shu, having changed out of his lion-patterned robe and dressed in plain clothes, remained elegant and serene. He closed his eyes,

sipping the fragrant tea in his cup, and softly asked, "Tongbao, speak! What is the message your uncle wants you to convey?"
"Yes!" Standing before him was none other than Yang Tongbao, the chief military officer of the manor. The events in Suzhou had caused quite

a stir . With so many people to be escorted, Yang Cun, after much deliberation, decided to be cautious and sent Yang Tongbao with

five hundred soldiers to personally escort them. Although he had the responsibility of guarding, Yang Tongbao understood the importance of this matter, so he led

his troops to travel day and night along the land route back to the capital.
Some things are inconvenient to write down, whether in memorials or secret letters. The safest way is to pass on the information verbally.

So Yang Tongbao

told . These things did not appear in the memorials, not because he wanted to hide them, but because Yang had doubts and

felt that there were many suspicious points. He could not be completely open to telling everyone.
"Wasn't the young master supposed to be traveling? Why would he suddenly buy so many supplies?" Yang Shu frowned upon hearing this,

vaguely understanding Yang Cun's intentions. This matter was indeed more complex than it appeared on the surface.
"The Duke has entrusted me to inform Your Highness!" Yang Tongbao said solemnly, "The thieves seem to have been lying in wait for a long time, planning

meticulously before making their move. And the actions of the Demonic Sect are not typical of ordinary martial artists. The capital may be in

turmoil. I hope Your Highness will consider matters carefully, and also not be careless in dealing with the Rong and Ding Princes."
"I understand, you may leave." Yang Shu took a sip of tea and waved for Yang Tongbao to take his leave.
After Yang Tongbao left, only Yang Shu remained in the large garden, lost in thought with his eyes closed. Suddenly, the air

twisted , and the massive body of the Earth Slave appeared behind Yang Shu in an instant. He asked with some doubt, "Your Highness,

has that brat really gained the approval of the Vajra Seal?"
"It doesn't seem likely. The strange phenomena my uncle experienced those nights shouldn't be related to the Vajra Seal." Yang Shu's head throbbed.

More frustrating than the Vajra Seal was the current intricate situation. One thing after another, when would the truth finally come

to light?
"I knew it. That kid doesn't seem like someone with such good fortune." The Earth Slave nodded in agreement.
"Notify the gatekeeper to close the mansion to guests this afternoon. I have some things to think about." Yang Shu felt his mind

was in turmoil and desperately needed some quiet time to think.
"Understood." The Earth Slave wanted to say more, but seeing Yang Shu's distracted state, he could only

hold back for now and dutifully play the role of errand boy.
Although the people of the capital were still busy with their lives, the sheer number of soldiers coming and going on the streets

was astonishing. Near the imperial city, the Shuntian Prefecture government was practically running itself ragged.

The sheer number of criminals and officials convicted that day , escorted by Prince Zhen's mansion and personally interrogated by Prince Rong,

meant that the officials of Shuntian Prefecture dared not be negligent. They quickly mobilized personnel from all over to assist Prince Rong's mansion in the interrogation.
The Shuntian Prefecture prison should have been heavily guarded, but due to the overwhelming workload,

only two soldiers were on duty. After all, this was under the Emperor's nose; no one had ever dared to attempt a prison break here. Therefore, the guards

yawned incessantly, completely lacking energy, both relieved to avoid being assigned to those arduous tasks and

complaining about how boring these days were.
"Ugh, so sleepy..." The guard on the left yawned, complaining, "

I should have been resting today. I went to Zuixianglou with Lao Liu and the others and went crazy all night. Why does the court have so many problems?

They rushed me back this morning, and I'm so tired I could barely keep my eyes open."
"Come on, you didn't call me either!" The guard on the right also yawned, muttering, "Luckily

, I had some fun last night too. You know what, that young widow on West Street was really something. I was almost

drained dry by her yesterday. That figure, tsk tsk..."
As they continued their lewd laughter, a dozen dark figures silently approached along the wall. The two guards

were too insensitive to notice the subtle movement. Less than ten steps away, two

masked suddenly pounced forward, their movements as fast as cheetahs, quickly covering their mouths.

A flash of cold light appeared in their hands as they accurately pierced their hearts.
"Alright, go in and deal with the rest. Hurry up, no dawdling!" At this moment, a leader-like

man in black entered, giving the order in a low voice. The other men in black quietly opened the cell door and

rushed in.
The two guards struggled, their eyes wide with disbelief, blood flowing more and more from their necks

until they could no longer make a sound, only convulsing instinctively.

Only release them, throwing them to the ground. Their movements were so practiced that this was clearly not their first time carrying out such assassinations.

Precise and swift, their skill and ruthlessness far surpassed that of ordinary mountain bandits.
The underground prison, with its incredibly sturdy stone walls blocking out the sunlight, was dark and damp.

Rats and insects crawled on the ground, and a damp, foul stench filled the air.

Although it was a temporary detention center, countless people had died here over the years. The eerie atmosphere

was terrifying, making anyone who entered feel extremely uncomfortable.
"Quickly!" The men in black seemed quite accustomed to this environment. Upon entering, they immediately scattered like a tide,

running off in perfect unison in various directions to carry out their tasks.
Manpower was severely stretched today; a cell holding dozens of prisoners had only four guards.

In a short time, through silent assassination, the four guards' bodies were piled together. The leader of the men

in black picked up their keys and distributed them, whispering, "Alright, now find the target quickly

!"
"Yes!" The others simply nodded in agreement, asking no further questions.
The prisoners lay there like zombies,

their . But then, to their surprise, a group of

masked men in black suddenly appeared, silently opening the cell door. These men said nothing, only

uttering a hoarse "Go quickly" after opening the door, before immediately getting back to work. Many of those imprisoned here were death row inmates or heinous criminals

. Under such severe torture, execution would likely be a mercy. Now, with a glimmer

of hope, no one had time to think. They rushed out of the prison in ecstasy, not considering why such a bizarre thing had happened in this heavily guarded place.
A group of men in black moved about, their leader searching through the densely packed cells. When they reached the farthest

corner, their eyes lit up. In a small cell covered with straw, a figure huddled listlessly

in the corner. Though much thinner, he was noticeably fairer than the other prisoners,

not the kind of deathly pallor, clearly someone who hadn't been imprisoned long before, and not someone who had suffered hardship and toil outside

.
"Who are you?" he asked, disheveled and with lifeless eyes, his voice hoarse, as if

he had given up hope and felt even asking such a question was pointless.
"The dignified Governor of Tianjin has fallen to such a state!" The leader in black sneered, and with a wave of his hand, several of

his men immediately opened the prison doors and dragged out the distraught Xiao Jiu.
"You... are you going to silence me?" Xiao Jiu's lips trembled, his voice devoid of any fear, and even

faintly carrying a sense of relief and anticipation.
"No, it's giving you a new life!" The leader in black smiled sinisterly, smoothing Xiao Jiu's dry, disheveled hair, and

said coldly, "Killing someone is something only Prince Ding would do. We don't want him to get his way, so you have to

live . Waiting to die is easy, but your value as a living person is much greater!"
"Just give me a stab..." Xiao Jiu's expression turned indifferent, and he silently shook his head.
"Is that so?" The leader in black raised his hand, and a jade pendant appeared in his palm! The jade pendant was perfectly round,

carved with lifelike detail, and the character "Xiao" on the front was even more eye-catching.
"He's my son... What... What have you done to him?" Xiao Jiu's eyes turned bloodshot with anxiety.

His previously lifeless body erupted into a hysterical roar: "If he loses a single hair, I

'll !"
"Don't worry, he's fine," the black-clad leader sneered. "But if it weren't for us, you

'd be meeting in the afterlife. Now you have no choice. I'll take you to see your son.

Listen to what he has to say, and you'll realize how foolish it was to die like this."
"Okay, okay..." Xiao Jiu's voice trembled, a mixture of excitement, surprise, and confusion, an

indescribable feeling.
The black-clad leader laughed triumphantly. The others immediately helped the already exhausted Xiao Jiu out of the prison

. The bodies of the guards outside had already been cleared away. Several carriages waited quietly. After boarding, Xiao Jiu

didn't which direction they were going. He only knew that after leaving the capital, they had traveled for most of the day, the road becoming increasingly

rugged and uneven, clearly not on the official road.
Night was near, the stars were few, and the dense forest was shrouded in darkness. The leaves rustled in the evening breeze, the sound both

quiet and somewhat eerie. Deep in the mountains north of the city, several carriages slowly came to a stop in front of a small house

. Xiao Jiu was hungry and cold. He had been suicidal during his imprisonment and felt numb. Now,

suddenly being rescued from prison and breathing fresh air, he felt a little awkward.
"We're here." The leader in black helped Xiao Jiu down, and the other men immediately drove the carriages, seemingly in a hurry,

back the way they came.
"Who are you working for?" Xiao Jiu had been starving for so long and had suffered so much in prison that he could

barely stand. But he wasn't stupid. He looked at the leader in black and couldn't suppress his curiosity.
"We... are the ones who rescued you." The leader in black was clearly taken aback, not expecting Xiao Jiu to ask such a question.
"Is that so? If you were doing good deeds, you wouldn't have broken into the prison and killed people." Xiao Jiu sneered,

his expression blank, but still pressing forward. "When you left the city gate just now, you passed through in no time.

Logically speaking in the capital, with so many carriages passing by, the guards would definitely have checked them thoroughly

. They wouldn't have let you go without even checking who was inside. There are so many things happening in the capital now; they couldn't possibly be so careless.

The only possibility is that you have a unique seal, the kind of seal unique to people with immense power."
"You officials are indeed cunning and shrewd." The leader in black smiled, not answering, and

helped Xiao Jiu into the house, saying, "You don't need to know who we work for. At least we won't kill you to

silence . Remember, you have value to us. How you use that value to save your life is your own

business."
"I... understand." Xiao Jiu's expression darkened, and he nodded with a veiled meaning in his words.
"Go on, your son is adorable." The leader in black escorted Xiao Jiu to a small hut on the left. After

opening he hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "Rest for a bit. There are our people everywhere here.

Don't even think about running away. I'm sure you won't want to run away after you see what's going on."
"Hmm..." Xiao Jiu had a bad feeling, but he forced himself to nod calmly.
The leader in black turned and left, closing his eyes to rest under a large tree in the courtyard. Xiao Jiu dragged his weak body, supporting himself against

the wall, and slowly walked into the dark hut. Everything inside was very simple, with only the oil lamp on the table casting

a dim light. On the large bed in the corner, a small body lay peacefully. As if hearing the noise, it immediately

asked in a childish voice, "Uncle, is that you back?"
"My Ming'er, Ming'er..." Hearing that familiar voice, Xiao Jiu trembled as if electrocuted

. He dragged his unsteady steps to the bedside, and when he saw the scene before him, his mind went blank, and he almost

fainted .
"Dad, is that you? Dad?" Lying on the bed was a seven or eight-year-old child,

a time when he should be innocent and lively, but his small body reeked of medicine. A

horrifying scar marred his once delicate face, almost disfiguring half of it. His eyes were wrapped in thick gauze, stained with faint blood,

making him look terrifying.
What almost made Xiao Jiu faint was his son's foot—one of his feet was gone! His entire body was wrapped in

layers of gauze, covered in wounds and blood. His little face was pale and colorless,

and although he was still lively when he spoke, he sounded very weak!
"Dad, Ming'er, it's Dad!" Xiao Jiu's vision blurred, and he leaned against the headboard, looking at his young son's

miserable state , and burst into uncontrollable sobs.
"Dad, it really is you, ah…" The little boy on the bed also became extremely excited, but with the slightest movement,

he screamed in pain.
"Ming'er, what's wrong with you? Don't scare your father!" Xiao Jiu cried out frantically, tears streaming down his face. Seeing his son

convulsing in pain on the bed, he screamed like a madman. But his son was shaking uncontrollably, and he dared not touch him. He was completely

disoriented almost unbearable.
"What's wrong with him?" At that moment, the leader in black, hearing the commotion, rushed in. Seeing the child

convulsing on the bed, he immediately rushed forward and quickly pressed several acupoints on the child's body. The convulsing toddler

immediately calmed down, his breathing became even, and he fell into a deep sleep.
"My son... what have you done to him?" Xiao Jiu, tears streaming down his face, grabbed the black-clad leader's hand,

his eyes blazing with fury as he demanded, "What happened to him? How could you torture such a young child like that

!"
"Calm down, listen to your son!" The black-clad leader seemed reluctant to use force against him.

After stopping his agitated actions, he stepped forward to take the boy's pulse, shaking his head as he said, "This child is blind now,

and has so many wounds. It's a miracle he's alive. It's also my fault for letting you father and son meet so hastily."

"He was so agitated just now that he aggravated his wounds, that's why he was in so much pain."
"What, blindness?" Xiao Jiu was struck dumb, his vision went black, and the whole world

seemed to collapse in an instant.
The black-clad leader remained silent, ignoring the stunned Xiao Jiu, and went straight to the back room to get herbs.

He started brewing them in the room, sighing as he did so, "Alright, you should rest for a bit.

The child will need more medicine when he wakes up. He's very weak right now. It's lucky that such a young child is alive after suffering such severe injuries

."
Xiao Jiu silently shook his head, slumped down in front of his son's bed, and looking at his wounded young son, his nose

stung, and tears streamed down his face uncontrollably. Even if he was the most wicked man in the world, he was still a father. Seeing

the miserable state of his own flesh and blood, his heart ached terribly, and he wished he could die in his son's place to suffer these torments.
Time slowly slipped away in the oppressive and gloomy atmosphere of the room. In the blink of an eye, a day and a

night had passed. Xiao Jiu simply wept silently, watching her suffering child, who seemed to have lost his soul and was

incapable of any thought. The leader in black, after preparing the medicine, sat quietly by his side, watching this scene. Even the most cold-blooded

person would be moved by it. The father, like a walking corpse, and the severely injured young child—what a heartbreaking

scene it was.
As dusk approached, the toddler on the bed coughed, as if having a nightmare. His childish voice was filled with

fear and helplessness. He cried out in terror, "Daddy...where are you? Daddy,

don't leave Ming'er!"
"Ming'er, Daddy's here, Daddy's here!" Xiao Jiu froze, quickly grabbing the child's small hand. Tears streaming down his face, he gently soothed him, "Daddy will always be here, Ming'er, be good, don't be afraid, Daddy won't go

anywhere ." 　　"Daddy, Ming'er is scared..." the little boy choked out, his small hand gripping Xiao Jiu's hand with unexpected strength, so tightly it hurt. The fear and terror in his voice brought tears to He dared not further upset his poor child, and could only wipe away his tears while comforting the frightened boy. 　　"Child, it's time for your medicine." At this moment, the leader in black stepped forward and handed them the medicine. "Uncle, this medicine is so bitter!" The little boy, though still in pain, couldn't hide his childlike innocence began to whine softly. Although he couldn't see his father's feigned anger, he clearly hadn't grasped the seriousness of the situation, including his eyes behind the thick bandages. 　　"Come on, Ming'er, be good. Daddy will feed you. You have to drink it quickly so you'll get better soon." Xiao Jiu knew the black-clad leader meant no harm and that the medicine was harmless, so he quickly picked up the bowl and spoon - fed his son. The child was incredibly obedient, enjoying his father's love, and obediently drank the medicine with a frown . If it weren't for the bloodstains, the gruesome scars on his face, and the bandages, he would have looked incredibly innocent and adorable. 　　The black-clad leader didn't say anything more, turned and left, silently closing the door, leaving the father and son, who had survived a near-death experience, to their own devices. 　　Inside the room, Xiao Jiu alternated between crying and laughing, suppressing the urge to wail, tears streaming down his face, still comforting his son in a gentle tone. Children are naturally more innocent, and the joy they felt upon seeing their father was unimaginable . Although he was still a bit mischievous, he became much more obedient at this moment. Xiao Jiu wiped away his tears, wishing his son had always been this well-behaved. But looking at his son's condition, the conspicuous scar on his innocent little face , and the gauze over his eyes, he tried to force a smile, but the tears flowed even more fiercely. 　　"Ming'er, tell your father, where is Mother? Where are Grandma and the others?" Xiao Jiu talked to his son for a long time before finally asking the question he least wanted to ask, his voice trembling. 　　"That day, ah..." The little boy's face was deathly pale, his lips were ashen, and he was instantly covered in cold sweat. Trembling, he murmured in extreme fear, "Father, that day... Uncle Prince said he would send someone to fetch us. We were on the carriage heading to the capital, saying we were coming to find you, Father. But on the third night, we were traveling at night when we reached a deserted mountain. Those adults, those soldiers... ah, they kicked us off the carriage..." 　　As the young boy recounted his story in fits and starts, Xiao Jiu felt a surge of anger rush to his head. It turned out that Prince Ding's promise to treat his family well was a lie. He had pretended to bring them to the capital, but in reality, he had already planned to kill them to silence them . His entire family of over twenty people had been abandoned in that desolate wilderness. Even worse , those beastly soldiers had raped and murdered his wife and concubine right in front of the child! The child didn't understand what rape was; he only knew that his grandmother, mother, and aunt were crying and wailing naked, their cries so heart-wrenching that even recounting it terrified him. Xiao Jiu bit his gums until they bled, but he quickly swallowed the blood, suppressing his overwhelming hatred, and comforted his trembling son in a trembling voice. His bloodshot eyes were filled with an intense, unyielding hatred. His beloved wife and concubine had been humiliated and killed, his elderly mother had died a gruesome death and her body had abandoned—the entire Xiao family of over twenty people had perished just like that. 　　"Zhao Yuanqing…as long as I, Xiao Jiu, have a breath left, I swear I will never let you live under the same sky!" Xiao Jiu softly comforted his young son, but a tear of blood silently streamed down his dirty face. Thinking of his entire family who , thinking of his wife who had been violated to death, and looking at his child who had barely survived, the only softness in his heart supported his trembling, choked voice; all that remained was overwhelming hatred. 　　As night fell, the depths of the mountains were filled with the chirping of insects and the roars of beasts, the occasional tranquility shattered . The courtyard gate was tightly shut, and a dozen guards patrolled every corner. The leader, dressed in black, sat at a table under a tree, on which lay several small dishes, a roast chicken, and a few jugs of wine. 　　He had removed his mask, revealing a rugged yet imposing face, around forty years old, strong and tall, exuding an indescribable murderous aura. He ate the dishes and drank the fiery wine, sighing with each sip, but his gloomy face and somber expression betrayed no sign of pleasure. 　　The door slammed open, and after carefully closing it again, Xiao Jiu walked directly to the leader, said nothing, and grabbed a jug of wine, gulping it down. In the blink of an eye, he had drunk a full pound.

After a few sips of wine, Xiao Jiu felt a burning heat in his internal organs, coughing uncomfortably, yet also experiencing a kind of

cathartic pleasure. His eyes were bloodshot, and his flushed face clearly showed the hatred in his

heart .
The black-clad leader didn't say a word, silently taking a sip of wine and then eating the side dishes on the table. Xiao Jiu also didn't speak, sitting

directly opposite him, grabbing a chicken leg and gnawing on it while gulping down the pungent liquor. The black-clad

leader chuckled: "The dignified Governor of Tianjin, dressed in fine clothes and enjoying the finest wines, century-old

vintages , I didn't expect you to be able to drink this country bumpkin's brew."
"Why did you save my son?" Xiao Jiu took a few more gulps, ignoring his sarcasm, staring wide-eyed

at him.
"Just a side job." The leader in black took a big gulp of wine and exhaled sharply. "Our mission was to find

evidence of your and Prince Rong's corruption and embezzlement. Saving your son was unexpected. We just didn't expect Prince Ding to be so

impatient and act so quickly, catching us off guard. Otherwise, we could have saved a few

more people."
"What about Prince Ding's men?" Xiao Jiu's eyes turned cold, and he couldn't help but grit his teeth as he spoke.
"Killed them all." As the leader in black spoke, he made a throat-slitting gesture, natural and smooth,

without the slightest affectation or even a hint of threat.
"Tell me, what do you want me to do?" Xiao Jiu was silent for a moment, having already weighed the pros and cons in his mind. Regardless of

whose men were on this side or what their purpose was, he had no other choice but to protect the last heir of the Xiao family

.
"Was it Prince Ding's men who stole the Imperial Preceptor's relics in Tianjin?" The leader in black's eyes lit up. Seeing Xiao Jiu's calm

demeanor after his initial despair, he decided to get straight to the point.
"Yes!" Xiao Jiu sneered, "I arranged for those people to enter the city and hide, but I never

expected I would become Zhao Yuanqing's scapegoat because of this."
"Go and rest, there's no need to rush." The black-clad leader was silent for a moment, then shook his head,

not wanting to ask any more questions.
"You have done me a favor, and I will remember it forever." Xiao Jiu didn't say much more, standing up resolutely, but

when he turned back to speak, there was a hint of pleading: "I don't know whose people you are, but I know

I can't escape being silenced one day. I only ask you, if I die one day, please take care of Ming'er.

He will be a cripple in the future, and he is the only bloodline of my Xiao family. Please help me protect him no matter what."
"I will try my best." The black-clad leader trembled, looking at Xiao Jiu's lonely and sinister figure, and couldn't help but

shake his head. The power of hatred is indeed immense. A corrupt official who was once only interested in romance and pleasure could

become so ferocious. This person wasn't brainless; rather, he was consumed by greed and lost his way. In fact,

he probably understood more than I did.
"Hmm, I'll go rest first." Xiao Jiu's words were ethereal and empty. As he closed the door and turned away

, the icy hatred emanating from the crack in the door sent a

chill .
"Hmph, the capital is probably going to be quite turbulent." The leader in black shook his head and sighed, then added with a touch

of self-deprecation, "It seems like it's never really been peaceful."
As night fell, several of his men rushed over, panting, and whispered a few words in the leader's ear. Upon hearing this,

the leader burst into laughter, saying with a hint of amusement, "The Duke of Jing

has finally arrived in Hangzhou after all this time. Jiangnan is the granary of the nation; someone in the capital must be having trouble sleeping, haha! This Duke

doesn't be one to be trifled with. Jiangnan is definitely going to be in turmoil this time."

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