Chapter 681 - 210: Great Victory, Shen Bai’s Stratagem

Ding Quan turned to look at Yang Chuan. "General Yang," he said, "you are well aware of what happened and why. You also know what needs to be done. Lord Shen has explained everything."

Yang Chuan smiled bitterly. "Thank you for saving my life, sir. I will never forget it. I know what to do now."

"Since the Marquis of Ren De has been merciless toward us, we will be treacherous toward him. We will see Lord Shen’s plan through to the end."

Ding Quan nodded. Without lingering, he led the way toward Lingyun Dao.

The aftermath would naturally be handled by the Observatory members at the scene.

...

「In Lingyun Dao, inside the Observatory’s five-story building.」

As soon as Shen Bai returned, he ordered Wang Teng to remain and guard the Observatory. He then took Ma Yuan and half of the Observatory’s members and headed for the Government Office.

Along the way, Shen Bai explained everything that had happened.

Ma Yuan, however, was somewhat puzzled. "My lord, why not eliminate the Marquis of Ren De as well?"

They had more than enough evidence. Ma Yuan couldn’t understand why Lord Shen was hesitating to act.

Shen Bai glanced back at Ma Yuan. "He commands a massive army," he said. "Many of those soldiers are just following orders. It would be a waste for them to die; they are more useful alive to the Great Zhou Country."

Hearing this, Ma Yuan seemed to only half understand. "I see. You mean to say, Lord Shen, that you want to use another strategy? To subdue the enemy without a fight?"

Shen Bai nodded. "Of course. It’s the only way to ensure a stable outcome. I’ve already set things in motion."

"Then why are we heading to the Government Office now?" Ma Yuan asked.

He was confused, so he asked directly.

Besides, Ma Yuan had figured out Shen Bai’s temperament by now.

He knew Shen Bai preferred subordinates who were direct and disliked those who beat around the bush.

"To take care of a serious internal threat, of course," Shen Bai said coolly.

"Zhang Dao Ling’s guilt has been established. That being the case, we can’t let him remain."

With that, Shen Bai fell silent and quickened his pace, striding toward the Government Office.

...

「Inside the Government Office.」

Zhang Dao Ling sat in the main hall, his hand gripping the armrest of his chair. A look of lingering attachment filled his eyes.

’I’ve lost. I’ve lost completely.’

He was the only one left. He had already dismissed all the constables and the Chief Constable.

The moment he learned that Shen Bai had returned to Lingyun Dao, Zhang Dao Ling knew. The three Demonic Forces from Xinhua Academy had likely all fallen to Shen Bai.

’He won. Now it’s time to settle old scores.’

Zhang Dao Ling’s gaze shifted to the main entrance of the Government Office.

He hadn’t reached his position by being a fool. He knew that with Shen Bai’s safe return, neither he nor the Marquis of Ren De would be able to escape.

Zhang Dao Ling had no intention of running or trying to escape.

The Great Zhou Country was vast, but traitors never met a good end.

Though his son was gone, he still had a family.

He couldn’t flee with his family; they would be too large a target, which would only increase the danger.

That being the case, Zhang Dao Ling decided to wait right here for Shen Bai to arrive.

Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed from outside the Government Office.

The main gate shattered, sending splinters flying everywhere.

The walls and courtyard of the Government Office were already swarming with members of the Observatory.

Flanked by Ma Yuan and Ding Quan, Shen Bai strode into the main hall.

"Lord Zhang, what a refined pastime. Sitting here in the main hall so late at night. Aren’t you afraid the cold wind will chill you to the bone?"

Shen Bai said with a smile.

Zhang Dao Ling looked at Shen Bai coldly. "You’ve won. It’s only natural you’d want to say a few things to gloat. I have been waiting for you here. I had no intention of running."

"From the day I became an official, I fought my way up from a mere County Magistrate. I have my own dignity."

"And is that ’dignity’ of yours what made you collude with Demonic Forces and harm your own colleagues?" Shen Bai retorted.

A vicious glint flashed in Zhang Dao Ling’s eyes. "You are no colleague of mine. My son died because you came here. To this day, I still hate you."

Shen Bai said coolly, "So what do you intend to do? Resist arrest?"

Zhang Dao Ling shook his head. "As I just said, I am a Dao Ling. Until that title is stripped from me, I am your equal in rank. You may take me, but my pride as a Scholar will not permit you to drag me away under guard."

With that said, Zhang Dao Ling started to walk, preparing to leave the Government Office on his own terms.

His meaning was clear: the pride of a Scholar meant he would go to the Observatory’s prison cells willingly, but he would never allow Shen Bai to march him there by force.

Even if he were to be executed, he would not bow his head.

"What a pedantic fool."

A voice suddenly rang out beside Zhang Dao Ling’s ear.

He instinctively turned his head, only for Shen Bai’s palm to strike him across the face.

He was a Scholar; at such close range, his reflexes were no match for Shen Bai’s.

In an instant, Zhang Dao Ling’s head spun and his vision blurred. Then, he felt a foot pressing down on his face.