Chapter 597 - 388: Absolute Power and Control (Part 2)

Although Liu Shushan was suspicious, he was also a cautious person and didn’t ask directly. After all, any channel that could uncover such confidential information wouldn’t be easily divulged by anyone. Why pry into someone’s secrets?

After exchanging information, everyone looked at Duan Rong expectantly, asking if he had any good ideas.

Duan Rong just yawned, saying he had no ideas and that it was too late, so they’d talk about it tomorrow.

When he said this, he clearly saw Shen Mizi’s eyes instantly dim.

Duan Rong also felt sorry for Shen Mizi, and he was deeply moved by her filial devotion in risking her life to save her father. However, the matter was evidently fraught with peril; how could he rashly get involved?

They were all indeed exhausted, having traveled continuously, and remained tense all day. Seeing that there were only about two hours until dawn, they hurried to get some sleep.

Xiao Yu unexpectedly left Duan Rong and went to sleep in the same room as Shen Mizi, leaving Duan Rong alone on the bed.

He turned over, holding another pillow in his arms.

In truth, there was a very significant piece of information he had not shared with Shen Mizi and Liu Shushan.

That was that the Governor of Ruyang Prefecture, Yang Ji, was going to Divine Cloud Prefecture himself. His purpose was to find a way to get the documents in the Shen Yanliu case reviewed within ten days and sent to Ruyang Prefecture.

The reason Duan Rong hadn’t mentioned it was because he thought that although Liu Shushan couldn’t find out today, he would definitely know by tomorrow.

Because once a Governor left Ruyang Prefecture, someone would certainly know. Since Liu Shushan could uncover information, Duan Rong thought it would be better to wait for him to inform everyone.

After all, after he finished sharing some circumstances within the dungeon, Liu Shushan already gave him a somewhat strange look.

Just as Duan Rong expected, by noon the next day, Liu Shushan gathered them in the hall to talk about Governor Yang Ji heading to Divine Cloud Prefecture.

"Ten days?" Shen Mizi couldn’t sit still.

"Yes!" Liu Shushan knew Shen Mizi was anxious, but he had to tell her the truth.

Shen Mizi’s body suddenly trembled; her emotions were in a state of intense turmoil.

She suddenly turned, knelt down in front of Duan Rong with a thud, and tearfully said, "Brother Duan, if you just save my father’s life, my life will be yours. You and your wife can do with it as you please! I swear by heaven and earth!"

As she spoke, she unexpectedly kowtowed to Duan Rong, and in her intense emotion and True Qi disturbance, she knocked down and pulverized a piece of the floor, sending up a faint plume of smoke.

Xiao Yu immediately stepped forward to help Shen Mizi up. "Sister Mizi, get up. Duan Rong cannot accept such a grand gesture from you!"

Shen Mizi stubbornly prostrated on the ground, refusing to get up despite Xiao Yu pulling her.

She understood she wasn’t pleading for herself but for her father.

Duan Rong said, "Get up! Doing this will shorten my life!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Mizi raised her head, already in tears.

She was inherently proud and aloof, and because of this demeanor, her past bitterness was magnified, twisting her soul.

But now, for her father’s life, she gave up all dignity, even her own life.

She had just declared that if Duan Rong saved her father, her life would be at his mercy!

This implied she was willing to be enslaved!

"Brother Duan, you’re always resourceful; please save my father’s life!" Shen Mizi said, prostrating again, her shoulders constantly shaking, clearly on the verge of an emotional breakdown.

Xiao Yu looked at Duan Rong helplessly and asked, "Have you thought of a way?"

Duan Rong silently looked at the prostrated Shen Mizi.

In fact, after lying down last night, he had a sudden insight into a method. Yet, his heart hesitated. Though he pitied Shen Mizi, he truly did not want to rescue Shen Yanliu.

A corrupt official who harmed the people deserved to die without pity!

But now, as he watched the nearly collapsing Shen Mizi, he suddenly changed his mind.

Though Shen Yanliu deserved death, having such a filial and valiant daughter meant his fate was not yet sealed!

Furthermore, with Shen Yanliu’s Dantian destroyed, even if he saved his wretched life, he could never clear his name of sin and would have to live anonymously, incapable of causing further harm.

At this point, Duan Rong decided to agree to Shen Mizi, because the method he had thought of, if executed without flaw, could save Shen Yanliu’s life without any of them being exposed.

Ximen Kankan, standing by, suddenly looked at Duan Rong and said, "If you have a way, just help her. Even if it means taking some risks."

Duan Rong glared at him, then walked to his side, whispering, "Burn that thing for me, and I’ll help. How about it?"

"Ah..." Ximen Kankan was taken aback, not expecting Duan Rong to bring this up now, but he also couldn’t bear Shen Mizi’s pitiful, broken demeanor. So, he agreed, "Alright, I’ll burn it."

Duan Rong glanced at him, whispered, "You’d better keep your word."

Liu Shushan stood nearby, his eyes oddly watching them.

"What are you two whispering about?" Xiao Yu suddenly asked with cold eyes.

Duan Rong laughed, "Oh, nothing."

Then he looked at Shen Mizi still prostrating and said, "Mizi, if you really want me to save your father, stand up."