Chapter 4: We are the Embroidered Uniform Guard!

White Cloud County, Long Separation Lane, a squad of black cavalry charged wildly; wherever they went, the common folk all retreated to both sides.

At the head of the black cavalry was Shen Qing, and behind him was Lin Zikai with a constipated expression.

The disturbance was great; Shen Qing had no thought of covert action, he intended to uproot them with the speed of thunder before one could cover their ears.

Lin Zikai looked ahead at the faintly visible Huang Manor and asked, "Sir, what do you plan to do?"

"What do you mean, what to do? The Huang family assaulted the emperor's personal guards, exterminated them, what else is there to say?"

Shen Qing's tone was flat, yet the words he spoke were ice-cold.

Shen Qing gave a harsh shout.

"Listen up, everyone: charge straight in, leave none who dare to resist!"

"Yes!"

Having said that, Shen Qing kicked the horse's belly and shot out like a leopard.

He drew his goose-feather saber with his right hand, activating the Rou Feng Blade Technique.

A cold light flashed in the air.

Boom!

The Huang family's thick earth-and-stone wall was blasted open by Shen Qing into a large hole.

The sound was so loud it could be heard for miles around.

Inside the Huang Manor, several sword-wielding servants rushed out, cursing.

But the next second, several tearing sounds rang in the air.

These servants' vital points were instantly filled with arrows.

Afterward, Heigou and Lao Li led the charge into the Huang Manor, cutting down anyone who dared to hold a weapon.

Shen Qing narrowed his eyes; a stout man burst from the study, gripping a black iron long spear—this was Huang Zikun.

At the same time, Huang Zikun noticed Shen Qing, but he didn't think much of it; after all, in the early hours Shen Qing had been fleeing from him.

He turned his head to look at the Embroidered Uniform Guard slaughtering inside the manor, intending to stop them first.

But the next moment, Huang Zikun's hair stood on end, and a cold voice sounded in his ear.

"Nice guts, daring to present your backside to me?"

Huang Zikun instinctively moved to thrust his spear back, but before his hand could even lift, he felt a tremendous force strike his waist and abdomen.

Boom!

Huang Zikun's body flew backward, leaving an afterimage in the air, only stopping after smashing through three walls.

Shen Qing's kick caused all the Embroidered Uniform Guard inside the manor to pause for a moment; they looked at him and gulped.

At the same time they secretly rejoiced, glad the kick wasn't aimed at their waists.

Amid the rubble, Huang Zikun pushed aside a massive stone pressing on him, blood continuously spilling from his mouth.

"How... how is this possible?"

Huang Zikun struggled to rise, but couldn't; he could no longer feel his lower body—Shen Qing's kick had snapped his spine.

"Head of the Huang family, long time no see—if I recall correctly I've never offended you, why are you framing me?"

Shen Qing walked unhurriedly toward Huang Zikun.

A glimmer of despair appeared in Huang Zikun's eyes; the matter was truly exposed, yet he still tried to put up a tough front.

"Lord Shen, you're joking—how could a merchant like me dare to frame you?"

Shen Qing laughed.

"Heigou, grab a few people for me—this Huang family head is forgetful; help him remember."

Although the Huang family had many servants, they were mere rabble, unable to withstand the trained Embroidered Uniform Guard.

After seeing Huang Zikun killed in a single kick, the rest collapsed like a mountain; after just a few exchanges, the servants kept retreating.

Soon the Huang family's household members were also seized by the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Heigou's gaze swept over the crowd and instantly locked onto several women—all of Huang Zikun's concubines.

He strode forward, seized a concubine's hair, ignoring her wails, and dragged her to Shen Qing's side.

Heigou drew his steel sword; as his hand rose and fell, the woman's hand dropped to the ground, and the Huang Manor instantly echoed with her anguished screams.

"Head of the Huang family, do you remember now?"

The Huang family head was on the verge of collapse, yet he kept his mouth shut, still clinging to a sliver of hope that someone would come to rescue him.

"Lord Shen, I really didn't..."

Shen Qing didn't even turn his head; he merely pointed a finger, Heigou's face turned cold, his sword rose and fell, and the wail cut off abruptly.

A round, rolling head rolled to Huang Zikun's feet.

Seeing Shen Qing silent, Heigou continued toward the crowd, grabbing a woman in green robes—Huang Zikun's favorite concubine.

The woman in green robes immediately burst into tears, crying out.

"Husband, save me, please save me!"

"Husband! Just say it—they're the Embroidered Uniform Guard; they won't stop until they achieve their goal!"

That sentence directly shattered Huang Zikun's psychological defenses—yes, they are the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

"I'll talk, I'll talk—just stop quickly."

Shen Qing waved his hand; Heigou's raised blade also halted, stopping just a few centimeters from the woman in green's arm.

Shen Qing gave a cold chuckle.

"If you'd spoken earlier, it would have been fine—why make me go through a procedure?"

Huang Zikun's eyes filled with regret as he clenched his teeth tightly.

Shen Qing: "Speak—where did the silver go?"

Not clear, I only know that Yinzi went east all the way......

There weren't many questions; Huang Zikun was also cooperative, and the questioning was over in a moment.

Lao Li came before Shen Qing holding a piece of paper.

Sir, Huang Zikun has confessed everything.

He doesn't know where Yinzi went, nor does he know which of our ambushers are present.

But the one who recruited him into the group was Xiao Bin, a petty officer of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and what was promised to him was a position as a patrol inspector in the Patrol Inspectorate.

Shen Qing glanced at Huang Zikun lying on the ground like a dead dog and gave a light chuckle.

No wonder a merchant would take such risks; it turns out he wanted to enter politics.

Sir, should we continue the interrogation?

Shen Qing shook his head: 'Just sign and affix your seal.'

Huang Zikun numbly signed his name, pressed his fingerprint, then looked toward Shen Qing, bearing the last sliver of impossible hope.

I've confessed everything, I've signed this document—can you spare my Huang family a way to live?

My Huang family has saved up over the years; I'm willing to offer it all to you, Sir.

Shen Qing snorted, and instantly silver light flashed in the courtyard; countless blades were raised high and then came crashing down.

Accompanying it was the sound of heads hitting the ground.

Huang Zikun collapsed completely: 'Why! Why! Shen Qing! Why!'

Shen Qing drew his goose-feather saber and slowly walked toward Huang Zikun.

You're not as perceptive as your concubine; didn't she say that?

We are the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

A silver light flashed.

【Congratulations on successfully plundering the trait: Exceptional Physique (Green)】

Bai Yun County Chief Flag Office

Sun Jin's face has now completely subsided, but his teeth won't come back.

He frantically complained in Sun Yan's room, shouting about his grievance.

After a while, only after Sun Yan promised to help him take revenge did he leave the room crying.

After Sun Jin left, a man in a purple robe stepped out from behind the screen, looking at Sun Yan's unsightly complexion and said with a smile.

"Chief Flag Sun, why are you so furious? Those several carts of silver have already been hidden; we just need to wait for this wind to pass, and then Chief Flag Sun, you will make a fortune."

Sun Yan's face was full of worry: 'That Shen Qing has a problem.'

The man in the purple robe showed a hint of disdain: 'What problem? If you ask me, just kill them all together.'

You insist on saying they're fat fish, you just want to make another profit.

Sun Yan shook his head: 'He today annihilated the Sishui Gang and also beat my men.'

You say, is it possible that the higher-ups have noticed our abnormality, and this Shen Qing is their spy?

Was his previous incompetence all an act?

The man in the purple robe slapped his paper fan and laughed: 'If you're afraid, I can go again for you.'

Sun Yan still hesitated a bit.

A sudden burst of footsteps sounded outside the door, and the man in the purple robe retreated behind the screen.

A commandant walked in, still holding a carrier pigeon in his hand.

Lord Sun, there is an important matter to report.

Petty Officer Shen and Petty Officer Lin, fully armed, headed toward the west of the city.

Sun Yan's eyelid twitched.

The west of the city?

Alright, I understand; you pass the order down, keep a close watch on them, see where they're headed.

The commandant had just saluted and was about to leave the room, but Sun Yan called him to stop.

By the way, have Xiao Bin come see me right away.