Chapter 174: Undeniable Death

Pei Dongyong let out an angry roar and joined the battle.

He was tall and muscular, his long sword dancing with tiger-like vigor, each strike carrying the force to split mountains and crack stone.

That black-clad figure had been fighting Jiang Xiaomu to a standstill, but with the addition of this fierce warrior, the pressure instantly doubled and danger loomed on all sides.

"Dog thief, where do you think you're fleeing!"

Pei Dongyong bellowed, bringing his long sword down in a fierce chop, forcing the black-clad figure to retreat repeatedly.

Seeing the situation turn bad, the black-clad figure feinted a move and turned to flee.

But as soon as he turned, he felt a chill in his back—a flying dagger struck him squarely in the heart.

"Ugh..."

The black-clad figure let out a muffled groan, staggered a few steps, and collapsed to the ground.

The surrounding yamen officers swarmed forward, pinning the black-clad figure down tightly.

Jiang Xiaomu hurried forward, ripped off the black-clad figure's mask in one motion, only to see an unfamiliar face beneath.

His complexion was ashen, his eyes tightly shut, and he had already breathed his last.

"Dead?" Pei Dongyong stepped forward to examine him.

"He actually committed suicide by poison!"

Jiang Xiaomu crouched, carefully examined the black-clad figure's corpse, and discovered a tiny poison pouch hidden in his sleeve, already bitten open.

"It seems the mastermind behind this is no ordinary foe," Jiang Xiaomu said, standing up with a furrowed brow.

"They've even trained suicide assassins."

Pei Dongyong also wore a grave expression.

"Sir, the assassin's identity..."

"First, take the corpse back to the government office, then we'll talk."

Jiang Xiaomu ordered.

Everyone carried the assassin's corpse back to the government office; upon hearing the assassin had been captured, Li Wenqing rushed over immediately.

"The assassin has been captured?"

Li Wenqing looked at the corpse on the ground, his face grim.

"A pity, he already took poison and killed himself."

Jiang Xiaomu shook his head.

"Can we find out his identity?"

Li Wenqing pressed further.

Jiang Xiaomu and Pei Dongyong exchanged a glance, both shaking their heads.

"The assassin had nothing on him to prove his identity, and I've never seen that face before."

Jiang Xiaomu said.

Li Wenqing paced back and forth, brow furrowed.

"This matter is no trivial affair; we must promptly report it to the Imperial Envoy."

After receiving the memorial, Imperial Envoy Zhang Yu's face changed drastically; he immediately summoned his subordinate officials to discuss countermeasures.

"How dare this assassin rob the execution ground in broad daylight—utterly audacious!"

Zhang Yu snapped:

"We must quickly uncover the truth and bring the mastermind to justice!"

"Sir, since the assassin is a suicide warrior, it will likely be hard to uncover his identity."

One official said.

"No matter how difficult, we must investigate!" Zhang Yu declared firmly.

"This matter is of great importance; we absolutely cannot be careless!"

Just then, a yamen officer hurried in to report.

"Sir, Mr. Jiang requests an audience!"

"Let him in!" Zhang Yu said.

Jiang Xiaomu entered the main hall and bowed to Zhang Yu.

"Sir, I have an important matter to report."

"Speak!"

"I found a jade pendant on the assassin."

Jiang Xiaomu said, producing a finely carved jade pendant from his bosom and handing it to Zhang Yu.

Zhang Yu took the jade pendant, examined it closely, and his face instantly grew even darker.

"This jade pendant... comes from the palace!"

Zhang Yu furrowed his brow, his fingers repeatedly rubbing the jade pendant; its cool touch could do nothing to quell the turmoil of doubt in his heart.

The material and craftsmanship of this jade pendant are exceptional, clearly the work of an imperial court artisan.

He racked his brains, but could not recall which palace noble had ever worn such a jade pendant.

"This jade pendant..." Zhang Yu murmured, his gaze turning to Jiang Xiaomu.

"Mr. Jiang, do you recognize this object?"

"I am unlearned; I truly do not know its origin."

"Hmm..." Zhang Yu fell into contemplation.

"This matter is of great importance; Mr. Jiang, you must keep it confidential until I have investigated thoroughly and then make a decision."

"I understand, sir."

Jiang Xiaomu clasped his hands and replied.

After Jiang Xiaomu left the hall, Zhang Yu immediately summoned his trusted aides and informed everyone about the matter of the jade pendant.

Hope to pool wisdom and find some clues.

However, everyone looked at the jade pendant and exchanged bewildered glances, all utterly clueless.

At that moment, Jiang Xiaomu left the Imperial Envoy's Residence, pondering another matter in his mind.

Prefect Zhao is dead; the Imperial Court will surely appoint a new prefect to take charge of Wangzhou City.

Rather than let others benefit, it's better to benefit oneself.

Although the system's rewards of gold, silver, and jewels are enough for him to squander for several lifetimes, who would ever complain about having too much power and influence?

Moreover, holding an official post makes things much more convenient.

But the position of prefect isn't something you can just buy with money.

Jiang Xiaomu pondered for a moment and decided he still needed to start with Zhang Yu.

After all, as an Imperial Envoy, he ought to know some connections.

Thus, early the next morning, Jiang Xiaomu again paid a visit, bearing the carefully prepared gift.

"Mr. Jiang, have you come today because you've made a new discovery?"

Zhang Yu opened the door and got straight to the point, asking.

"Your Excellency's discernment," Jiang Xiaomu said, clasping his hands and smiling:

"I have come this time indeed to seek another favor."

"Mr. Jiang, please speak freely."

"To be frank, I am quite interested in the way of officialdom."

Jiang Xiaomu rubbed his hands, feeling slightly embarrassed, and said:

"I wonder if you could give me a bit of guidance?"

Zhang Yu was taken aback by the words, then burst out laughing loudly.

"Mr. Jiang, you are highly skilled in martial arts and full of stratagems; if you entered the court as an official, you would surely serve the Imperial Court with utmost loyalty!"

"But, the ways of officialdom cannot be learned overnight..."

Jiang Xiaomu quickly went along with his words and said:

"Exactly so; that is why I wish to ask you for some advice. Do you have any good strategies?"

Saying this, he quietly pushed the gift he had brought toward Zhang Yu.

Zhang Yu glanced at the **exquisite gift box, understood perfectly in his heart, yet put on a stern facade and said:

"Mr. Jiang, your words are mistaken; the way of officialdom lies in petitioning for the people."

"How could benefiting a region's populace be measured by money?"

Jiang Xiaomu silently cursed the "pretty boy" in his heart, yet his face was full of smiles.

"What you teach is correct; I was momentarily foolish."

"But I am utterly ignorant of officialdom's affairs; I hope you will give me much guidance."

Seeing him so "well-behaved," Zhang Yu felt satisfied and began to probe indirectly what position he was aiming for.

"Does Mr. Jiang have a particular post in mind?"

Zhang Yu took a sip of tea, as if casually asking.

Jiang Xiaomu feigned contemplation, then cautiously probed:

"I have heard that Prefect Zhao... the position of prefect of Yunzhou Prefecture now... I wonder..."

Zhang Yu set down his teacup, looking at Jiang Xiaomu with a half-smile, a glint flashing in his eyes.

"Mr. Jiang, you have quite an appetite!"

"What you say is true! I am indeed utterly ignorant of officialdom and desperately need your guidance."

"It's like a tiny boat in a vast sea; without a lighthouse to guide it, wouldn't it lose its way?"

Zhang Yu smiled with deep meaning.

"Mr. Jiang, you overpraise it; the way of officialdom is hard if you say it's hard, easy if you say it's easy."

"The key lies in whether one has mastered its secrets."

He paused, his eyes unintentionally glancing toward the gift box on the table.

Jiang Xiaomu understood at once and immediately opened the gift box.

Only to see the gift box divided into two layers; the upper layer held several pieces of fine-quality jade.

The lower layer was neatly stacked with gold bars, their golden light flashing, dazzling to the eye.