Chapter 191: Conspiracy Exposed

Not good! Jiang Xiaomu's heart alarm blared; he snapped his head back, only to see a black-clad ninja already stationed at the secret passage entrance, the cold-glinting katana in hand aimed at him; 'Interesting, it seems I can get some exercise tonight…'

'Who goes there?!' Wang Shouren's voice came from behind the iron door; immediately, the door was flung open, and Wang Shouren appeared in the doorway, his face full of shock and anger.

'Jiang Xiaomu?! You dare barge into the Chancellor's residence!' Wang Shouren pointed at Jiang Xiaomu and shouted sternly.

'Chancellor,' Jiang Xiaomu sneered, 'you and I, each to the other—I never imagined that a high minister of a nation would collude with Eastern Ocean pirates, plotting rebellion!'

'Hmph! To the victor go the spoils, as it has always been!' Wang Shouren's eyes grew fiercer. 'Since you've uncovered my secret, you have only one path—death!'

Before his words faded, two ninjas lunged forward. Jiang Xiaomu dared not be careless, brandishing his dagger to meet them. The secret passage was narrow, making it hard to use fists and feet; Jiang Xiaomu could only rely on his agile footwork and superb swordsmanship to contend with the ninjas.

Blade light and sword shadow flickered in the narrow passage.

The opponent's strength was profound, and Jiang Xiaomu gradually felt overwhelmed.

Taking advantage of his dodge, the black-clad ninja kicked him in the chest; Jiang Xiaomu grunted, stumbled back a few steps, and slammed into the cold wall.

'Die!' Wang Shouren snarled, drawing his waist sword and thrusting it at Jiang Xiaomu.

At the critical moment, Jiang Xiaomu twisted his body, barely avoiding the fatal blow. Wang Shouren's sword tip scraped his clothing, raising a chill wind.

'With just you, you want to kill me?' Jiang Xiaomu took a deep breath, about to counterattack, when suddenly a sharp pain shot from his chest. Looking down, he saw a hand-sword embedded in his chest, blood gushing out.

'Despicable!' Jiang Xiaomu gritted his teeth, his vision darkened, and his body swayed on the verge of collapse.

'Hahaha,' Wang Shouren laughed triumphantly, 'Jiang Xiaomu, you're ultimately one move short! Die!'

Having said that, Wang Shouren raised his sword and stabbed.

It seemed Jiang Xiaomu was about to meet his end in the underworld.

Suddenly, a feathered arrow shot straight in; the black-clad ninja had no time to react, was hit in the chest, and collapsed in pain.

A squad of Embroidered Uniform Guard burst through the door; taking advantage of Wang Shouren's stunned moment, Jiang Xiaomu swiftly knocked the sword from his hand, at last escaping death.

Leading the way, Lu Bingxin stepped into the secret passage.

"Lord Wang, Mr. Jiang, and…" he glanced at the black-clad ninja slumped on the ground after being shot, "come with us."

"You dare! This is the Chancellor's residence; breaking in like this is a grave crime……"

Upon seeing Lu Bingliang produce the Empress's arrest warrant, Wang Shouren's voice gradually faded.

……

During the process of escorting Wang Shouren back to the palace, Lu Bing discovered in Wang Shouren's study a secret room letters colluding with the Eastern Ocean people and a large quantity of poison; these, together with Jiang Xiaomu's written eavesdropping records, were all sent to the palace.

'Wang Shouren, do you know your crime!' the Empress shouted angrily.

In the Golden Throne Hall, the Empress sat high on the dragon throne, her face grimly terrifying. Wang Shouren knelt at the hall's center, forcing composure.

'Your Majesty, you wrong me! I am utterly loyal to you, harboring no rebellious intent!' Wang Shouren kowtowed repeatedly, desperately defending himself.

'Still dare to quibble!' Lu Bing stepped forward and presented the silk cloth Jiang Xiaomu had written to the Empress,

'Your Majesty, this is the confidential report transcribed by Minister Jiang, clearly recording the conversation in which Wang Shouren and the Eastern Ocean ninjas conspired to rebel. Moreover, we found in Wang Shouren's study letters colluding with the Eastern Ocean people, as well as a large quantity of weapons and poison.'

The Empress took the slip, examined it carefully, her face growing even darker. She lifted her head, her icy gaze fixed on Wang Shouren: 'Both human and material evidence are present; what else do you have to say?'

Wang Shouren's face turned ashen; he lifted his head, glaring venomously at Jiang Xiaomu standing nearby, and howled:

'Jiang Xiaomu, you villain! You framed me!'

Jiang Xiaomu snorted, calmly pulling a black cloth from his sleeve—the very one taken from the ninja leader's body in the mountain cave earlier. Embroidered on the cloth was a peculiar pattern, the insignia of the Eastern Ocean 'Shadow' organization.

'What is this, Chancellor? You should know very well.'

Jiang Xiaomu said lightly, the corner of his mouth curling into a sneer.

Wang Shouren's face went from ashen to bluish-black, then to deathly gray; his lips trembled, but he could not utter a word. This black cloth, like the final straw that breaks a camel's back, utterly shattered his psychological defenses.

'Shadow…' the Empress murmured, a chill flashing in her eyes. This notorious Eastern Ocean organization, she had long heard of, never expecting it to have infiltrated her own court!

'Your Majesty, this cloth is what your servant retrieved from the leader of the Shadow organization.' Jiang Xiaomu added timely, 'This person is precisely the ninja who sneaked into the capital to rendezvous with Wang Shouren.'

Wang Shouren collapsed limp on the ground, unable to rise.

'Guards!' the Empress ordered, 'Throw Wang Shouren into the heavenly prison and interrogate him strictly! All his accomplices shall be subjected to harsh questioning!'

In the Golden Throne Hall, the atmosphere grew heavy; the officials fell silent like cicadas in winter, none daring to provoke the Empress at this moment.

Jiang Xiaomu stood to the side, watching as guards dragged Wang Shouren away, feeling not a shred of pity. This old man, sly and deceitful, would stop at nothing to achieve his aims—he had long deserved this fate.

'Jiang, my beloved,' the Empress's voice interrupted his thoughts, 'this time, thanks to you, we discovered Wang Shouren's plot in time, averting a great disaster.'

'I dare not claim credit,' Jiang Xiaomu said humbly, 'this is merely what I ought to do.'

'My beloved, there's no need for excessive modesty,' the Empress smiled slightly, 'I will surely reward you richly.'

'I am humbled,' Jiang Xiaomu hurriedly said, 'I only wish to ease Your Majesty's burdens and contribute my modest share to the Great Qian.'