Chapter 196

"Since that's the case, why don't we join forces?" Jiang Xiaomu gave a slight smile,

"I need Lord Huo's manpower and intelligence network, while Lord Huo needs me to capture Wang Shouyin and ascend to the position of prime minister. We each take what we need— isn't that a win-win?"

Huo Yunseng fell silent for a moment:

"Jiang Sir, you are indeed straightforward! Good, I will cooperate with you this once. However, I'll say the unpleasant thing up front: if you fail to capture Wang Shouyin, or if I discover you have any ulterior motives, then don't blame me for being impolite!"

"Rest assured, Lord Huo, I, Jiang Xiaomu, always keep my word."

Jiang Xiaomu rose, clasped his hands, and said, "Happy cooperation."

"Happy cooperation." Huo Yunseng also gave a slight nod to Jiang Xiaomu and said.

After leaving the Grand Marshal's Residence, Jiang Xiaomu immediately summoned the elite of the Ghost Face Army and began a carpet search inside and outside Jingcheng; Huo Yunseng also mobilized the elite retainers of the Grand Marshal's Residence to assist the Ghost Face Army in the manhunt.

Two days passed, yet there was still no trace of Wang Shouyin.

Jiang Xiaomu began to feel uneasy; he always felt that something was off.

That night, Jiang Xiaomu was studying routes near the Prime Minister's Residence, trying to infer Wang Shouyin's hiding place from clues.

Suddenly, he felt a strange sensation— a feeling of being watched, like a thorn in the back.

He jerked his head up, but saw nothing.

"An illusion?" Jiang Xiaomu muttered under his breath, yet his heart grew more vigilant.

Suddenly, a faint smell of blood assailed him. Not good!

He followed the smell of blood. The scent grew stronger, and eventually he arrived at a secluded alley behind the Prime Minister's Residence.

In the alley lay a man wearing the flying-fish uniform of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, already dead.

A dagger was plunged into his chest, blood staining the surrounding ground red.

Jiang Xiaomu crouched down, carefully examined the corpse, and discovered that the deceased was precisely the Embroidered Uniform Guard tasked with surveilling Wang Shouyin's residence!

"It seems Wang Shouyin is not a simple prison break." Jiang Xiaomu thought to himself,

"He must have other schemes!"

At that moment, he noticed a bloodstained string of beads scattered beside the corpse.

He recognized this sandalwood bead string—it was Wang Shouyin's personal item!

"Did Wang Shouyin deliberately leave this clue to lure me here, or did he just drop it accidentally during a struggle with this Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

Jiang Xiaomu grew increasingly perplexed: "What exactly is he trying to do?"

He stood alone in the alley, the night wind fluttering his robes, making a rustling sound.

He knew tonight would be a fierce battle! Wang Shouyin was no reckless man; every move of his was filled with calculation.

Rather than a clue, this bead string was more like a provocation, a taunt.

Over the past two days he had led the Ghost Face Army and the Huo family troops in an almost city-wide search, finding no clues… Where could this old scoundrel be hiding?

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck him—

There was still an oversight… The most dangerous place is the safest place!

"The most dangerous place…"

Jiang Xiaomu sprang to his feet, quickly walked to the map on the wall, and fixed his gaze on the map of Jingcheng.

Wang Shouyin's residence had been searched, all his close associates arrested; logically he should have fled Jingcheng. But what if he did the opposite?

Jiang Xiaomu's gaze fell on an inconspicuous spot on the map— the Qingfeng Ya residence west of the city.

It was one of Wang Shouyin's private villas, rarely visited on ordinary days, and located very close to the Prime Minister's Residence. During the earlier search, because it was too conspicuous, it had actually been overlooked.

"Qingfeng Ya residence!" Jiang Xiaomu's eyes flashed,

"If I were Wang Shouyin, with no way out, I would surely choose to hide in the most familiar place— also the easiest to overlook!"

He immediately sent a carrier pigeon to order the Ghost Face Army to dispatch personnel to Qingfeng Ya residence, and also sent someone to inform Huo Yunseng, telling him to bring troops to set up an ambush outside the city, just in case.

【Ding! Host's life detected to be in danger】

【Host led the Ghost Face Army to find Wang Shouyin, but was shot dead by archers lying in ambush in the dark】

【The Ghost Face Army, leaderless and outnumbered, was annihilated by Wang Shouyin's faction; three days later, at the Heavenly Sacrifice Ceremony, Wang Shouyin stormed the Imperial Palace, successfully usurped the throne, and the Empress was killed】

【Wang Shouyin, to vent his vengeance, hacked Jiang Xiaoyu to death with random blows】

The system's alert tone startled Jiang Xiaomu deeply; he had overlooked the possibility that Qingfeng Ya residence housed many strong foes.

He must not fail here! His own and Jiang Xiaoyu's safety, as well as the security of the entire Great Qian, all hinged on this night.

It seemed that tonight he could not win by force; he had to rely on strategy.

"Xiong Kuohai!" Jiang Xiaomu barked lowly.

"Boss, I'm here!"

Xiong Kuohai replied in a low voice, gripping his broadsword tightly, ready at any moment to strike.

"Take ten men, storm in through the back gate, create chaos, draw fire. Remember, don't get bogged down— strike and withdraw!"

"Got it!"

Xiong Kuohai grinned, showing a mouthful of big white teeth, and quickly began deploying.

Jiang Xiaomu watched their retreating backs, feeling somewhat relieved.

Wang Shouyin was full of tricks; if they chose a frontal assault, they would surely fall into his trap.

Only by feinting east and striking west could they catch him off guard.

"Others, follow me!"

Jiang Xiaomu gave a low shout, leading the remaining Ghost Face Army members, and silently made his way to the side courtyard of Qingfeng Ya residence.

Qingfeng Ya residence. Inside, only a dim small lamp was lit, ensuring that from outside the rooms appeared pitch black; Wang Shouyin was conferring secretly with several black-clad men.

"The Heavenly Sacrifice Ceremony in three days will be the best time for us to rise up." Wang Shouyin said, lowering his voice,

"By then the city defenses will be empty; with our inside‑outside coordination, plus the certainty we already have, we can seize the Imperial Palace in one fell swoop!"

"When the time comes, joining forces with the territories we have already subdued, this world will ultimately still be mine!" Wang Shouren revealed a sinister smile.

"Chancellor, rest assured," a black-clad ninja said,

"Our Shadow has already made thorough preparations. As soon as you give the order, we can storm the Imperial Palace and seize that emperor……"

Before he finished speaking, a shout of killing suddenly came from the rear courtyard, and immediately after, Xiong Kuohai's rough voice rang out across the night sky:

"Brothers, kill! Chop down these sons of bitches!"

Wang Shouren's face changed drastically; he abruptly stood up and roared:

"What's going on? Where did the shouting come from?"

A black-clad ninja rushed in panic, shouting in terror:

"Chancellor, it's terrible! The rear courtyard… someone has broken into the rear courtyard!"

Wang Shouren silently cursed, this bunch of idiots can't even guard the rear courtyard!

He hurriedly ordered the ninjas beside him: "You few, go see what's happening! The rest, keep watch!"

As his words fell, Jiang Xiaomu, leading members of the Ghost-Faced Army, burst in through the window,

Jiang Xiaomu stood at the forefront and commanded:

"Capture Wang Shouren alive; for the others, those who surrender shall be taken alive for now, while resisters shall be killed without mercy!"

Wang Shouren looked in horror at the suddenly appearing Jiang Xiaomu; he never expected Jiang Xiaomu to show up here.