Chapter 164: Apprehend Lu Chen! A True Man Dies Where He Belongs!

Yu Ke heard your three's conversation.

His heart stirred, involuntarily recalling Dai Zhong's origins.

Back then, refugees from the north flooded like a tide, the land awash with wailing, its horror beyond words; only after the Lu family army took control did this cease.

Many fled southward back then, and Dai Zhong was among them.

Yet among those who knew Lu Chen well, counted carefully, only those from the Lu family army remain.

Lu family army—a distant name.

A place nearly sealed off; though Daqing sent countless spies into the north, none reached its true core.

Beyond the twenty-six openly known generals, the Lu family army had a secret division called "Mercury."

Mercury was a covert bureau.

Named after: "Scattered like mercury spilled on the ground, entering every crevice."

Its members were personally selected by the Young Protector Lu, each one an exceptional talent.

Its duties encompassed military intelligence, covert assassinations, and discipline enforcement within the army—all mastered to perfection.

Even Daqing's Eastern and Western Depots, the Censorate, and the Ministry of Justice held no record of its existence—its secrecy was astonishing.

The world praised the Young Protector's military genius, yet knew nothing of his even more terrifying talent for selecting men.

Yu Ke, a court official who had weathered twenty years of political tides, dealt daily with people, understood Lu Chen's uncanny eye for talent—rare in the world, unmatched by any.

Not a single general in the Lu family army defected; not a single soldier fled. Morale remained firm, every soldier loyal, willing to die for him.

Commanders and soldiers alike held their proper places, each fulfilling their talents—truly a genius unseen in ages.

Imagine if he had entered officialdom—he would have been a statesman of unparalleled ability.

Yu Ke pondered inwardly: "Could Dai Zhong be the hidden reef of the 'Mercury' organization, long Qianfu in Daqing?"

Within "Mercury," spies were called "reefs"—silent, moving unseen through the world.

If today's events reached the Son of Heaven's ears, Dai Zhong's current power would vanish like morning dew.

That is a matter for later.

At present, the imperial decree is mountain-heavy; not a single deviation allowed.

Yu Ke sternly reminded: "Magistrate, you must obey the Son of Heaven's will and apprehend Lu Chen without delay."

At these words, the grand hall's atmosphere turned instantly tense.

Wang Shi'an, Deputy Magistrate of the Dalisi, could not help but lift his gaze toward Dai Zhong, his expression complex.

Apprehend Lu Chen and deliver him to the Dalisi.

This was the Son of Heaven's direct edict, issued by the Dalisi —no one could challenge it.

Xie Linghao and Zhang Lin fixed their piercing gazes on Dai Zhong's figure; the tension was electric.

Behind the screen, three women's eyes shimmered, brimming with worry.

Dai Zhong slowly turned, scanning his subordinates.

His gaze was icy!

All present stiffened, lowering their heads, daring not meet his eyes.

Dai Zhong's authority in the Dalisi ran deep; none feared him not.

Wang Shi'an wrestled internally, finally summoning courage to rise and object—yet under Dai Zhong's gaze, he retreated again, his clenched fists betraying his inner turmoil.

Dai Zhong surveyed the room, a sly, meaningful smile curling his lips, then spoke in a low tone: "The law of the land knows no favoritism; all who break it shall be punished."

"Yet the Young Protector's character is upright; all under heaven owe him their blessings—the law does not touch him."

At these words, thunder and wind seemed to rumble faintly within the hall.

All were stunned—none expected Dai Zhong to speak such a thunderous truth at this moment.

Openly challenging the imperial command, defying the authority of law!

Yu Ke's face turned instantly ashen.

He knew Dai Zhong had always been fair and impartial—yet now, at this critical moment, he stood up for Lu Chen.

As if seeking to exonerate him.

"This…"

Xie Linghao and Zhang Lin exchanged a shocked glance.

For Dai Zhong to say this was like the Dalisi Magistrate leading a rebellion.

"There is no law to govern the Young Protector"—what absurdity.

The three women behind the screen were equally stunned.

Wang Shi'an could no longer contain his rage—he leapt to his feet and roared: "Magistrate, this is monstrous! Lu Chen may have battlefield merits, but if he breaks state law, he must be punished according to law!"

"How can merit and crime be conflated?"

Wang Shi'an's voice echoed long through the hall.

Dai Zhong laughed coldly.

"Had it not been for the Young Protector's grace, how could the Wang family have risen to its present glory? Back then, beyond Hulao Pass, had the Young Protector not turned the tide, your family would have become the target of all, reviled by the world, and utterly destroyed."

Hearing this, Wang Shi'an's breath grew ragged, as if struck at a deep wound—the Wang family's current prestige had long been whispered to stem from Lu Chen's favor; he had always resented it.

He screamed, nearly mad:

"What has the Wang family to do with Lu Chen? He was merely a former Young Protector—now stripped of all rank!"

"My grandfather was a minister of three reigns, at the pinnacle of power, Grand Tutor, Marquis of Jiangnan, and Commander of the Wave Subduing Army—His Majesty himself granted him a seat of honor! What does Lu Chen have to compare with the Wang family?"

"What does he have to compare with?!"

Yu Ke saw the situation spiraling out of control; unease gripped him.

He drew a deep breath, steadied himself, then turned sharply to the sword-wielding guards behind him and barked: "Seize Lu Chen at once—no mistakes!"

Yet the disciplined guards did not move. Their eyes turned unanimously to Dai Zhong, awaiting his final order.

This sight darkened Yu Ke's face further; he glared fiercely at the guards, voice heavy with unyielding authority: "Did you not hear the imperial edict? Defying it is a crime punishable by extermination of nine clans!"

The guards paled, exchanged uneasy glances—none dared take a single step.

The hall's tension thickened.

Yu Ke was desperate, yet understood Dai Zhong's authority in the Dalisi was too great for him to challenge.

Helplessly, he turned to Dai Zhong, voice tinged with pleading: "Magistrate, this moment is critical—please, for the sake of the greater good, do not commit folly!"

Dai Zhong remained silent. He did not answer Yu Ke directly, but glanced calmly around, then fixed his gaze beyond the hall, as if seeing through the thick stone walls to the encircling troops outside.

Yu Ke realized there was no more time—he clenched his teeth and declared: "Magistrate, you see how many troops surround us—today's matter is beyond our control."

"Lu Chen cannot escape."

"You are a good official—I, Yu Ke, admire you. You should not die here. A true man should die where he belongs."

"It's not worth it."

Yet Dai Zhong still said nothing. His silence made the tension unbearable.

(End of Chapter)