Chapter 541 - 267: Fortunately, It Wasn’t

Chapter 541: Chapter 267: Fortunately, It Wasn’t

Lord Blade dangled from Qing Shisan’s grasp like a helpless chick, all his earlier ferocity gone.

Zheng Xiu stepped forward, grabbed Lord Blade by the hair, and yanked his head up. Lord Blade had thick brows, large eyes, a hooked nose, and a predatory gaze. With his high cheekbones, gaunt face, and a scattering of pockmarks, he had the look of an unpardonable villain.

"A talented man and a beautiful woman?"

Zheng Xiu looked at Lord Blade and asked with a faint, noncommittal smile.

Lord Blade looked up in a daze at the exceptionally handsome man before him. He still didn’t seem to understand what had happened; his entire den had been inexplicably raided. When he got a clear look at Zheng Xiu’s face, his eyes widened in recognition. He opened his mouth, gurgling as he tried to explain, but as soon as he did, blood spurted out like a fountain—Qing Shisan had cut out his tongue.

The best way to deal with a Thousand Gate General who used their voice as a medium was to cut out their tongue.

CLANG CLANG CLANG CLANG!

Just then, the rapid clang of a Copper Gong sounded from outside Xiaoyao Square, followed by the thunder of approaching footsteps. Jiang Gaoyi, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, had arrived in person to uphold justice. Anyone unaware of the situation would have assumed he was here to apprehend treasonous rebels.

"Ah! Lord Jiang, you’ve shirked no hardship, feared no obstacle, and bravely stormed this den of thieves to arrest a wanted criminal. I am deeply impressed!"

Surrounded by men from the Six Gates, Jiang Gaoyi entered the courtyard, his expression shifting. Zheng Xiu flicked his long sleeves, walked toward him, and spoke with exaggerated politeness.

"Your subject, Jiang Gaoyi, pays his respects to Prince Zheng!"

Following behind Jiang Gaoyi was Guo Zifei, a Divine Hunter of the Six Gates. He was momentarily stunned to see a row of White Silk strips lined up in the courtyard, wondering who on earth could be faster at punishing evil than the Six Gates. But upon hearing the exchange between the Red King and Jiang Gaoyi, Guo Zifei clicked his tongue, a look of sudden understanding dawning on his face.

Last winter, he had been one of the fortunate men invited to the Zheng Clan’s estate for a reunion banquet, so there was no question whose side he was on. After respectfully greeting Prince Zheng, Guo Zifei immediately demonstrated the vaunted efficiency of the Imperial City’s Top Divine Hunter. With a grand wave of his hand, he barked at his subordinates, "Lock down Xiaoyao Square and round up any who escaped the net! Don’t let Prince Zheng or Lord Jiang be alarmed!"

"Yes, sir!"

In all their years of service, how often did they stumble upon such a freebie? Instantly, they roared their assent, more energized than if they’d been pumped full of stimulants, and scattered to obey.

"You’ve worked hard, Lord Jiang!"

Meanwhile, the Red King and Jiang Gaoyi were still, on the surface, exchanging pleasantries and formal greetings.

"No, it is Your Highness! Despite being burdened by countless affairs, you still keep the people’s safety in your heart, charging into this den of thieves at a moment’s notice to capture wanted fugitives. This humble subject is filled with awe! My admiration for you is like a great river, flowing without end! Like the countless stars that dim their light in deference to the moon! If I could just learn one ten-thousandth of your courage and righteousness, Prince Zheng, I could die without regret!"

"Lord Jiang, you exaggerate, you exaggerate!"

"Not at all, not at all! The Red King’s righteousness is just like that of the loyal and valiant General Zheng of old... Truly, a tiger father does not sire a dog son!"

Jiang Gaoyi sighed with deep emotion, once again clasping his hands to bow, but the Red King, feigning distress, quickly stopped him.

To an outsider, it was a deeply moving reunion between a prince and his loyal minister. As soon as Zheng Xiu and Jiang Gaoyi were close, however, they began whispering.

Jiang Gaoyi whispered, "Your Highness, what did this fellow do to offend you? To cause such a scene? You’ve completely wiped out his den."

"I wouldn’t say he ’offended’ me. He just made Second Lady unhappy."

Jiang Gaoyi’s eyes lit with understanding. "So that’s how it is!"

He understood Second Lady’s unique and irreplaceable place in Zheng Xiu’s heart. Making her unhappy was courting death; the man had no one to blame but himself.

"Then..."

Jiang Gaoyi glanced at the still-living Lord Blade. ’This is tricky,’ he thought. According to procedure, a major criminal had to be imprisoned, tried, re-tried, and only after a thorough interrogation could he be slated for execution after the autumn harvest.

He’d definitely miss this year’s autumn executions; it would have to wait until next year.

Jiang Gaoyi stared at Lord Blade’s savage face. The look of utter confusion written there soon twisted into one of pure murderous intent as he overheard their conversation and spat out another mouthful of blood.

Jiang Gaoyi’s brow furrowed. "Your Highness, this man wants to kill."

"I know." Zheng Xiu nodded with a smile, then suddenly feigned a look of horror. Pointing at Lord Blade, still held by Qing Shisan, he bellowed, "HISS! The scoundrel dares to resist arrest! Quick! Someone, protect Lord Jiang!"

Qing Shisan, ever perceptive, understood instantly. He pressed his palm against Lord Blade’s neck. SHINK! His Sleeve Sword shot out and retracted in a flash. When he pulled his hand away, a horrifying, bloody hole had appeared on Lord Blade’s neck.

Lord Blade’s eyes went wide in his final moments. If he hadn’t experienced it himself, he would have never believed officials could collude so brazenly. ’If I get a next life,’ he thought, ’I want to be a good person.’

He twitched a few times and then went still. Watching Lord Blade die so decisively, Jiang Gaoyi stumbled back a few steps, wiped away some nonexistent sweat from his brow, and threw himself to his knees. "Thank you, Your Highness, for saving my life!"

After a brief moment of chaos, Guo Zifei, ever the Top Divine Hunter, restored order and proactively apologized to Jiang Gaoyi.

There were still many rich merchants, young masters, and common folk in Xiaoyao Square who had no idea what had just transpired. After a moment’s thought, Jiang Gaoyi let them all go under the guise of "victims." The Red King’s anger was directed solely at Lord Blade. A bit of recreational gambling among the wealthy was practically a national pastime; arresting them all for questioning would only offend a lot of influential people. The current Jiang Gaoyi was far too diplomatic to make such a thoughtless mistake.

Guo Zifei conducted a thorough search of Xiaoyao Square and, before long, found the diary Qing Shisan had mentioned in a hidden compartment under Lord Blade’s bed. With both a witness and physical evidence now in hand, the arrest warrant was rock-solid. Tomorrow, they would just need a Painter to touch up that grotesque portrait, and the case could be closed at light speed.