Chapter 168: Imperial Envoy

In the fierce skirmish, Jiang Xiaomu gradually realized.

Although Tu Huai possessed astonishing strength and his blade-swinging speed was extremely fast, his movements noticeably slowed when retracting the blade.

This might be because his earlier injury affected his movements.

This is an opportunity!

A gleam flashed in Jiang Xiaomu's eyes as he decided to take a risky gamble.

He deliberately exposed a flaw to lure Tu Huai into attacking.

Tu Huai indeed took the bait, roaring as he raised his guandao high and brought it down fiercely toward Jiang Xiaomu's head.

"Good timing!"

Jiang Xiaomu secretly rejoiced, at the very moment the guandao was about to fall.

He suddenly lowered his body, narrowly avoiding this deadly strike.

At the same time, his long sword shot out like lightning, aiming straight for Tu Huai's abdomen.

Tu Huai's strike hit nothing; his old force was spent and new force not yet generated, leaving him no time to dodge.

"Puchi!" the sound of the long sword piercing flesh was clearly audible.

Tu Huai let out a painful howl, staggered backward, clutching his abdomen as blood gushed out between his fingers.

Jiang Xiaomu hesitated not at all, taking advantage of Tu Huai still reeling from the pain.

He drew backhand the dagger strapped to his leg and viciously stabbed it into Tu Huai's heart.

Tu Huai's eyes widened, a "heh-heh" sound issuing from his throat as his massive body collapsed, kicking up dust.

The valley suddenly fell silent, save for the rustling of leaves in the wind.

Seeing this, the remaining barbarian soldiers fell into chaos.

The commander was dead, morale scattered; some threw down their weapons and knelt to beg for mercy, while others fled in all directions, hoping to escape this nightmare valley.

Jiang Xiaomu did not order pursuit, for a cornered foe should not be chased.

Moreover, his current physical condition did not allow vigorous pursuit.

He drew a deep breath, striving to calm his violently heaving chest; the burning pain in his sternum made him involuntarily frown.

"Clear the battlefield, tally casualties, then withdraw!"

Jiang Xiaomu endured the discomfort and gave orders to the nearby soldiers.

The soldiers immediately sprang into action, beginning to clear corpses and weapons from the battlefield.

Jiang Xiaomu, supported by several soldiers, slowly walked to a rock and sat down, silently watching the busy soldiers.

Upon returning to Look Prefecture City, the setting sun dyed the walls a bloody red.

Fatigue surged like a tide, nearly overwhelming him.

He forced himself to stay alert and ordered the hastily arriving Xiong Kuohai:

"Kuohai, handle battlefield cleanup, arrange the wounded, and comfort the families of the fallen soldiers—this is your responsibility."

Xiong Kuohai clasped his fists in acknowledgment.

"Fine! But your wound, Boss..."

Jiang Xiaomu waved his hand.

"No problem, I won't die."

Having said that, he was helped by several soldiers toward his quarters.

Closing the door, Jiang Xiaomu immediately slipped into the system space.

Before him still lay the illusory white mist, a huge screen hovering in midair.

He didn't have time to admire the strange sight, directly opening the "Exchange" interface to search for healing medicine.

Earlier, to make explosives, he had consumed a large amount of Heavenly Fate Points, leaving only a pitiful few hundred now.

Jiang Xiaomu gritted his teeth and exchanged all his remaining Heavenly Fate Points for a healing sacred pill called Return Spring Pill.

After taking the pill, a warm current instantly flowed through his entire body.

The previously burning wound began to heal rapidly, and even the severe chest pain lessened considerably.

Jiang Xiaomu exhaled deeply, having finally saved his life.

Just then, Xiong Kuohai's voice came from outside the door.

"General, Prefect Zhao requests an audience."

Jiang Xiaomu tidied his clothing before opening the door.

Xiong Kuohai remained his simple, honest self, though worry seemed to linger in his brow.

"What business does Prefect Zhao have?" Jiang Xiaomu asked.

Xiong Kuohai scratched his head.

"This... I, the subordinate, am not sure either, but Prefect Zhao appears somewhat anxious."

Jiang Xiaomu felt a flicker of doubt, yet he promptly went to the Governor's Mansion.

Prefect Zhao saw Jiang Xiaomu and immediately went to meet him.

"Mr. Jiang, you've finally returned! I've been waiting for you a long time!"

"Prefect Zhao, what urgent matter do you have?"

Jiang Xiaomu got straight to the point in his questioning.

Prefect Zhao rubbed his hands, his face full of obsequious smiles, his tone pleading.

"Mr. Jiang, tomorrow the Imperial Court will send an Imperial Envoy to Look Prefecture City."

"One purpose is to inspect the people's conditions; another is to investigate the barbarian invasion."

"Mr. Jiang, with both wisdom and courage, you have earned great merit in repelling the barbarian invasion."

I hope Mr. Jiang can cooperate with this official and lend a hand when the time comes.

Translation: "I hope Mr. Jiang will cooperate with me and lend a hand when the time comes."

I hope Mr. Jiang can cooperate with this official and help out when the time comes.

I hope Mr. Jiang can cooperate with this official and lend a hand when the time comes.

Jiang Xiaomu sneered inwardly, but kept a calm face and said lightly:

Jiang Xiaomu sneered inwardly, but kept a calm face and said lightly:

Jiang Xiaomu sneered coldly in his heart, but his face remained unchanged, he said lightly:

Prefect Zhao, you're too polite; defending the homeland is our duty, so cooperating is only natural.

Prefect Zhao, you're too polite; defending the homeland is our duty, so cooperating is only natural.

Upon hearing this, Prefect Zhao immediately relaxed, his smile becoming more sincere.

Translation: "Upon hearing this, Prefect Zhao immediately relaxed, his smile becoming more sincere." Use Prefect Zhao. So: "Upon hearing this, Prefect Zhao immediately relaxed, his smile becoming more sincere."

With Mr. Jiang's words, this official can rest easy.

Translation: "With Mr. Jiang's words, this official can rest easy." Use Mr. Jiang. So: "With Mr. Jiang's words, this official can rest easy."

Tomorrow when the imperial envoy arrives, I hope Mr. Jiang can go with me to the city gate to welcome him.

Tomorrow when the imperial envoy arrives, I hope Mr. Jiang can go with me to the city gate to welcome him.

"That's natural." Jiang Xiaomu nodded in agreement, but secretly had other plans.

Translation: "That's natural." Jiang Xiaomu nodded in agreement, but he had other plans in mind. So: "\"That's natural. \" Jiang Xiaomu nodded in agreement, but he had other plans in mind."

The arrival of this imperial envoy minister is suspicious; just as the barbarian invasion was quelled, the imperial court sent someone.

The arrival of this imperial envoy minister is suspicious; just as the barbarian invasion was quelled, the imperial court sent someone.

I'm afraid there's an ulterior motive; he must be cautious, just in case.

I'm afraid there's an ulterior motive; he must be careful, just in case.

The next morning, a troop marched mightily toward Wangzhou City, banners flying and dust rising.

Translation: "The next morning, a troop marched mightily toward Wangzhou City, banners flying, dust rising." So: "The next morning, a troop marched mightily toward Wangzhou City, banners flying, dust rising."

Leading them was a man clad in a brocade robe, wearing an official hat, riding a tall, mighty horse, exuding an imposing presence.

Translation: "Leading them was a man in a brocade robe, official hat, riding a tall steed, imposing and mighty." So: "Leading them was a man in a brocade robe, official hat, riding a tall steed, imposing and mighty."

Prefect Zhao had already gathered his officials and waited at the city gate; upon spotting the arrivals from afar, he immediately went out to greet them.

Translation: "Prefect Zhao had already gathered his officials at the city gate; spotting the arrivals, he immediately went to greet them." So: "Prefect Zhao had already gathered his officials at the city gate; spotting the arrivals, he immediately went to greet them."

He bowed and scraped, his face full of smiles.

Translation: "He bowed and scraped, wearing a beaming smile." So: "He bowed and scraped, wearing a beaming smile."

"I am Wangzhou Prefect Zhao Desheng, respectfully welcoming the imperial envoy!"

Translation: "\"I, Wangzhou Prefect Zhao Desheng, respectfully welcome the imperial envoy! \"" Use "Wangzhou Prefect". So: "\"I, Wangzhou Prefect Zhao Desheng, respectfully welcome the imperial envoy! \"

Imperial Envoy Minister Zhang Yu dismounted, looked down upon Prefect Zhao and his entourage with a sharp, slightly arrogant voice.

Translation: "Imperial Envoy Minister Zhang Yu dismounted, looked down his nose at Prefect Zhao and the others, his voice sharp and slightly arrogant." So: "Imperial Envoy Minister Zhang Yu dismounted, looked down his nose at Prefect Zhao and the others, his voice sharp and slightly arrogant."

"I have come by imperial decree to inspect the people's conditions in Wangzhou City."

Translation: "\"This official comes by imperial decree to inspect the people's conditions in Wangzhou City. \"" Use "This official". So: "\"This official comes by imperial decree to inspect the people's conditions in Wangzhou City. \"

"Regarding the barbarian invasion, have you prepared all relevant matters?"

Translation: "\"Regarding the barbarian invasion, have you prepared the relevant matters? \"" So: "\"Regarding the barbarian invasion, have you prepared the relevant matters? \"

"Replying to your honor, this official has prepared everything; awaiting your review."

"Replying to your honor, this official has prepared everything; awaiting your review."

Prefect Zhao answered while bowing and scraping, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

Translation: "Prefect Zhao answered with bowed head and bent knees, sweat beading on his forehead." So: "Prefect Zhao answered with bowed head and bent knees, sweat beading on his forehead."

Zhang Yu let out a soft snort, ignored Prefect Zhao, and strode straight into the gate.

Translation: "Zhang Yu let out a soft snort, ignored Prefect Zhao, and strode straight into the gate." So: "Zhang Yu let out a soft snort, ignored Prefect Zhao, and strode straight into the gate."

Prefect Zhao hurriedly followed, with the other officials close behind, escorting the imperial envoy all the way to the prefect's residence.

Translation: "Prefect Zhao hurried to follow, the other officials close behind, escorting the imperial envoy minister all the way to the Governor's Mansion." So: "Prefect Zhao hurried to follow, the other officials close behind, escorting the imperial envoy minister all the way to the Governor's Mansion."

Jiang Xiaomu stood at the rear of the crowd, coldly observing everything, inwardly sneering repeatedly.

Translation: "Jiang Xiaomu stood at the back of the crowd, coldly observing everything, inwardly sneering repeatedly." So: "Jiang Xiaomu stood at the back of the crowd, coldly observing everything, inwardly sneering repeatedly."

This Zhang Yu, though young, adopts an arrogant, high-and-mighty attitude that is truly detestable.

Translation: "This Zhang Yu, though young, puts on an aloof attitude, truly odious." So: "This Zhang Yu, though young, puts on an aloof attitude, truly odious."

He wants to see what the imperial envoy is really up to.

Translation: "He wanted to see what scheme this imperial envoy minister was up to." So: "He wanted to see what scheme this imperial envoy minister was up to."

Zhang Yu didn't first go to the prefect's office; instead, he went directly to Jiang Xiaomu's home under the pretense of inspecting the people's conditions.

Translation: "Zhang Yu didn't first go to the Governor's Mansion; instead, he went straight to Jiang Xiaomu's home on the pretext of inspecting the people's conditions." So: "Zhang Yu didn't first go to the Governor's Mansion; instead, he went straight to Jiang Xiaomu's home on the pretext of inspecting the people's conditions."

He sat in the courtyard, leisurely sipping tea, his gaze sweeping over everyone.

Translation: "He sat in the courtyard, sipping tea leisurely, his gaze sweeping over everyone." So: "He sat in the courtyard, sipping tea leisurely, his gaze sweeping over everyone."

His gaze finally settled on Jiang Xiaomu, and a playful smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

Translation: "His gaze finally landed on Jiang Xiaomu, and he wore a teasing smile." So: "His gaze finally landed on Jiang Xiaomu, and he wore a teasing smile."

"Mr. Jiang, I've long heard of your great reputation."

Translation: "\"Mr. Jiang, I've long heard of your name. \"" So: "\"Mr. Jiang, I've long heard of your name. \"

Jiang Xiaomu gave a slight nod, his tone neither humble nor arrogant.

Translation: "Jiang Xiaomu gave a slight nod, his tone neither humble nor arrogant." So: "Jiang Xiaomu gave a slight nod, his tone neither humble nor arrogant."

"You overpraise me, sir; I am merely a humble commoner unworthy of such praise."

Translation: "\"You overpraise me; I'm merely a commoner, unworthy of such praise. \"" So: "\"You overpraise me; I'm merely a commoner, unworthy of such praise. \"

The imperial envoy set down his teacup, looking at Jiang Xiaomu with a half-smile.

Translation: "The imperial envoy minister set down his teacup, looking at Jiang Xiaomu with a half‑smile." So: "The imperial envoy minister set down his teacup, looking at Jiang Xiaomu with a half‑smile."

"Mr. Jiang, you're being modest; I've heard that you defeated many with few this time."

Translation: "\"Mr. Jiang, you're too modest; I've heard you defeated many with few this time. \"" So: "\"Mr. Jiang, you're too modest; I've heard you defeated many with few this time. \"

"Repelling the barbarians truly shows both wisdom and courage, admirable indeed, but..."

Translation: "\"Repelling the barbarians shows both wisdom and courage, truly admirable—\"\"" Actually we need to keep the trailing ellipsis. So: "\"Repelling the barbarians shows both wisdom and courage, truly admirable—\""

He deliberately paused, his words laced with doubt.

Translation: "He paused deliberately, his words laced with doubt." So: "He paused deliberately, his words laced with doubt."

"The official has heard that the gunpowder used by Mr. Jiang is immensely powerful; I wonder where it comes from?"