Chapter 197: Victorious Return to the Court

"How... how could this be?" Wang Shouren asked in astonishment.

"We meet again, Chancellor." Jiang Xiaomu brandished his sword, pointing straight at Wang Shouren's face.

The several black-clad ninjas beside Wang Shouren, seeing this, all rushed forward at once.

However, before they could act, they were surrounded by the Ghost Face Army members, with no chance to help Wang Shouren escape.

In an instant, blades flashed inside the room, flesh and blood flew everywhere. Shrieks and roars intertwined.

Wang Shouren made a covert gesture; the ninja hiding in the beams understood and shot a sharp arrow straight at Jiang Xiaomu's chest.

The next moment, a feathered arrow shot from behind Jiang Xiaomu, precisely striking the incoming arrowhead with such force that it split the enemy's arrow in half in midair.

It was Ye Ying! Jiang Xiaomu knew without turning that such archery could belong to only one person.

"Whoosh!"

At breakneck speed, before anyone could react, Ye Ying fired another arrow; the ambush archer on the beams was hit by a heavy arrow and fell heavily from the roof.

Wang Shouren watched the black-clad ninjas fall one by one, realizing he could not escape disaster tonight.

He tremblingly took out a black pill from his sleeve, a flash of resolve in his eyes.

Wang Shouren swallowed the black pill whole; it dissolved upon contact, spreading a bitter taste through his mouth.

He gave a feral smile and said to Jiang Xiaomu:

"Jiang Xiaomu, do you think you've won? I tell you, you're wrong! Even if I die, I won't let you have it easy!"

Jiang Xiaomu silently thought, "Oh no." This bastard is probably going to poison himself to death!

At that moment, with a burst of laughter, Huo Yunsheng strode into the room:

"Old Wang, the pill I gave you is actually just a regular herbal medicine. Your complexion looks awful—take it to strengthen your body!"

Huo Yunsheng teasingly watched Wang Shouren, who had taken the pill but showed no reaction.

Wang Shouren's face flushed red then white—this bastard!

"Huo Yunsheng, may you die a horrible death!!"

That day in prison, Huo Yunsheng handed him a black pellet, telling him that, as fellow officials, if the torture in jail became too painful, he could use this poison pill to leave a decent corpse.

Wang Shouren's eyes turned blood-red with rage, and he kept cursing Huo Yunsheng.

Just as Jiang Xiaomu was about to seize Wang Shouren, a loud boom sounded—the door was smashed open, and Xiong Kuohai led a troop charging in.

"You dog thief, where do you think you're going?" Xiong Kuohai roared, swinging his great blade at Wang Shouren.

Jiang Xiaomu quickly shouted, "Xiong Kuohai, stop! Keep him alive!"

Xiong Kuohai then realized, hastily lowered his blade, scratched his head, and gave a foolish smile:

"Heh heh, I almost forgot, the boss wants him alive."

Wang Shouren escaped death, his heart filled with both shock and anger.

He glared viciously at Jiang Xiaomu and Xiong Kuohai, grinding his teeth as he said:

"Jiang Xiaomu, Huo Yunsheng, you wait for me! I won't let you off!"

Jiang Xiaomu gave a cold chuckle and said:

"Chancellor, you'd better first think about how to explain this to Her Majesty the Empress."

Having said that, Jiang Xiaomu ordered people to bind Wang Shouren tightly and escort him back to the palace.

Wang Shouren was taken to the Heavenly Prison, heavily guarded; this time he likely could never turn things around.

Jiang Xiaomu also bound the few surviving shadow ninjas and handed them over to the Ministry of Punishment; the Empress ordered a thorough interrogation to root out and eradicate any remnants of the shadow infiltrators in Great Qian.

The next morning, Jiang Xiaomu entered the palace to see the emperor and reported in brief how he had captured Wang Shouren to the Empress.

"Beloved subject, you handle affairs capably—you are truly a usable talent of Great Qian. Name your reward, and I will grant it!"

The Empress smiled warmly at Jiang Xiaomu.

Jiang Xiaomu looked at Huo Yunsheng, who was also presenting his report beside him.

"Your Majesty, capturing Wang Shouren alive was largely thanks to Grand Marshal Huo Yunsheng's prior deployment; I merely contributed my modest effort."

Upon hearing this, the Empress turned to Huo Yunsheng and asked, "Lord Huo, is this really true?"

Huo Yunsheng never expected Jiang Xiaomu to actually give him such great credit; he hastily cupped his hands and said:

"Your Majesty, I indeed received some advance information and made some deployments, but in the end it was General Jiang who turned the tide and captured Wang Shouren."

Jiang Xiaomu humbly said, "General Huo, you overpraise me; I merely did what was my duty."

The Empress watched the two modestly defer to each other, feeling very pleased.

She smiled and said, "Both of you are my pillars of state; this time you have both rendered great service, and I will surely reward you handsomely."

Jiang Xiaomu and Huo Yunsheng hurriedly gave thanks.

After court adjourned, Huo Yunsheng walked up to Jiang Xiaomu and said with deep meaning:

"Jiang, I have noted today's affair."

Jiang Xiaomu smiled slightly and said:

"General Huo, don't be so polite; what I have promised will surely be fulfilled—even four horses cannot catch up."

After parting with Huo Yunsheng, Jiang Xiaomu walked alone along the palace corridor when the system's voice sounded timely:

【Congratulations, host, for surviving in Clear Wind Abode and thwarting Wang Shouren's plot.】

【Reward obtained: 3000 Heavenly Fate Points.】

Jiang Xiaomu's fatigue vanished, replaced by excitement—this system is really generous this time, giving so much!

Returning to his residence, Jiang Xiaoyu came running over, excited:

"Big brother, I heard you rendered great service; the Empress is going to reward you!"

"How do you know, little girl? Your news is unbelievably fast!"

Jiang Xiaomu clicked his tongue—how could this just-happened affair already have reached Jiang Xiaoyu's ears?

I've met a new friend, she told me! Look, she's in the room, I'll take you to meet her!

Jiang Xiaoyu grabbed Jiang Xiaomu and was about to run into the room:

Sister, my brother's back! You two, get to know each other!

Inside the room sat a woman in a light gauze robe, her figure graceful.

When Jiang Xiaomu saw the woman's face clearly, his smile vanished instantly, and the blood in his whole body seemed to freeze.

This woman is none other than the highway tiger from that night in the Grand Marshal's Residence!

How…… could she appear here, together with Jiang Xiaoyu?!

The woman in the room rose slowly, her figure beneath the gauze skirt alluring and graceful, every frown and smile exuding a captivating charm.

She walked up to Jiang Xiaomu and performed a graceful salute:

Lord Jiang, I hope you've been well.

You…… what are you doing here? Stay away from Xiao Yu! Jiang Xiaomu's muscles tensed, he was on high alert.

The woman covered her mouth and laughed lightly, her eyes flickering with a hint of mischief:

How? Lord Jiang, you don't welcome me?

Jiang Xiaoyu, standing aside, asked doubtfully: 'Brother, do you two know each other?'

She embraced Ru Yan's arm, the two of them leaning intimately against each other:

This sister is called Ru Yan; she's amazing, she's taught me so many things!

Lord Jiang, there's no need to be so surprised, Ru Yan seemed to see through Jiang Xiaomu's thoughts,

I and Xiao Yu just felt an instant connection, so I came to see her. I have no other intentions.

Jiang Xiaomu struggled to hold back his reaction in front of Xiao Yu:

Miss Ru Yan, I don't know why you've come this time; besides visiting Xiao Yu, is there anything else?

Ru Yan revealed a smile with deep meaning:

I've come this time naturally to congratulate Lord Jiang on his great achievement and promotion.