Chapter 145

Tang Cheng'an stepped into the Inspector's mansion, his steps faltered, his heart pounding like thunder.

There, Wang Zhe's aged face was as black as a soot-covered pot, his eyes shooting icy glares that swept over Tang Cheng'an from head to toe, as if ready to devour him alive.

His heart lurched—he wondered if the old villain had another treacherous scheme lined up against him.

He forced calmness, walked up to Wang Zhe, bowed, and feigned concern: "Inspector, what's wrong? Has something upset you?"

Wang Zhe's face twisted into a cruel smile as he replied coldly: "Tang Cheng'an, you truly are an excellent official—I'm utterly awed."

Tang Cheng'an's heart skipped—he couldn't tell if Wang Zhe was praising him or mocking him.

He forced a smile, humbly saying: "Inspector, I don't understand your words. I've merely done my duty, serving the court to the best of my ability."

Wang Zhe, seeing his pretense, smiled even colder: "You don't understand? Very well—I'll make you understand. Bring him in." As he spoke, two burly men dragged a man through the door. The man wore white robes, had a handsome face, but was bound tightly with ropes, a cloth stuffed in his mouth, silent.

Tang Cheng'an recognized him instantly—the White Robe Leader. His blood ran cold—he couldn't fathom how Wang Zhe had captured this martial master.

Worse still, behind the White Robe Leader, Jiang Mingyu—who had been dead by his own scheme—walked in unharmed, his eyes sharp as blades, fixed on him.

Tang Cheng'an recoiled in terror, stepped back, his face ashen, no longer able to hide his panic.

Jiang Mingyu smiled lightly: "Commander, your complexion looks dreadful. What's wrong? Do you know this man?" His tone dripped with mockery and venom.

If not for Tukesiluo's martial prowess, Tang Cheng'an knew he and Jiang Mingyu would now be cold corpses.

Without hesitation, Tang Cheng'an shook his head violently: "I don't know him. I've never met this man before."

Wang Zhe sneered: "Since Commander Tang doesn't recognize him, let me introduce him—this man is Hu Qiang, a bandit chieftain. More than an hour ago, he launched a brutal attack on Minister Jiang."

Tang Cheng'an feigned shock and outrage: "Such a heartless monster deserves thunderbolts from heaven! I beg the Inspector to execute him immediately and avenge Minister Jiang!" Then he waved to the yamen runners: "Why are you still standing? Drag him out and behead him—now!"

As long as Hu Qiang never spoke again, he could escape this disaster.

Wang Zhe remained calm: "Commander Tang, your righteous fury is admirable—but isn't it a bit too hasty?"

Tang Cheng'an's heart tightened; he forced a smile: "Inspector, you jest. I simply despise such traitors."

Jiang Mingyu sneered: "Commander, your reaction is so intense—do you have something to hide?"

Tang Cheng'an's spine chilled; he trembled: "I... I only seek justice for Minister Jiang..."

Tang Cheng'an's face turned white, as if plunged into an ice cellar.

Wang Zhe sneered: "Hu Qiang, look—he wants you dead. After doing this, are you willing to let him silence you?"

Bound and gagged, Hu Qiang lifted his head, eyes glacial as he stared at Tang Cheng'an: "Fine. Since Commander Tang wants me to die for him, don't blame me for abandoning martial brotherhood."

Tang Cheng'an's heart pounded; he shouted in panic: "This man is lying! He's delirious with death—don't believe him!" He ordered the runners: "Drag him out and execute him—hurry!"

Wang Zhe's face darkened; he slammed his fist on the desk: "Commander Tang, this is the Inspector's mansion—not your personal court!" He fixed his gaze on Hu Qiang: "Speak. Why did you attack Minister Jiang? Who ordered you?"

Hu Qiang's eyes blazed with killing intent: "It was this Commander, Tang Cheng'an! He paid me five thousand taels to ambush Minister Jiang with my twenty men on the official road!"

Tang Cheng'an trembled, sweat pouring down his forehead.

Hu Qiang continued: "He promised another five thousand taels upon delivering Minister Jiang's head. The banknotes are in my chest—take them and verify. This plot also involved Tang Cheng'an's private secretary—he was the one who contacted us!"

As he finished, Tang Cheng'an's face turned deathly pale; his legs buckled and he collapsed to the ground.

Tang Cheng'an still couldn't fathom how Jiang Mingyu had survived twenty assassins—or how he'd secretly brought Hu Qiang to Wang Zhe's door.

Wang Zhe's voice was like ice: "Commander Tang, do you have anything left to say?"

He ordered his men: "Strip Tang Cheng'an of his official robes and imprison him. Tomorrow morning, escort him and Hu Qiang to the capital for the Ministry of Personnel to punish severely. Take the Ma secretary too—let him join his master."

Seeing the runners advancing, Tang Cheng'an knelt and begged: "Inspector, Minister Jiang, I admit my guilt! I was ordered by Prince Qi—I had no choice! Please, for old ties, show mercy!"

He pounded his head against the floor, then looked fearfully at Jiang Mingyu, eyes filled with pleading.

Wang Zhe sneered: "Tang Cheng'an, begging is too late. For years, you've used Prince Qi's favor to undermine me—what old ties do we have?"

"When you sent Hu Qiang, did you ever consider sparing Minister Jiang's life? You ambitious monster—how dare you beg me for mercy? It's laughable!"

"Had you held your ground, I might have called you a hero. But this craven, guilt-ridden begging? I'm utterly disappointed."

Wang Zhe feigned a sigh: "I could spare you—if Minister Jiang agrees. Then I'll pretend none of this happened."

Hearing this, Tang Cheng'an bowed repeatedly, pleading desperately for Jiang Mingyu's mercy...

Tang Cheng'an wept as he pounded his head: "Minister Jiang, I was blind! I believed false accusations and brought this disaster upon myself! You are the Emperor's appointed envoy, a top imperial scholar—surely you are magnanimous. Forgive my past sins, spare my life! I swear I'll never oppose you again!"

His plea, his repentance, dripped with utter despair and sorrow.

Jiang Mingyu's smile didn't fade: "Commander, I understand your feelings. But someone like you, left alive, will always be a threat. Publicly, I must enforce the law. Privately—do you think I'm the kind to repay evil with virtue?"

With that, he coldly ordered: "What are you waiting for? Drag him away!"

Tang Cheng'an tried to beg again, but the runners seized him and dragged him out.

Wang Zhe exhaled deeply, his expression easing. He understood Jiang Mingyu's lack of mercy was vengeance for Tang Cheng'an's cruelty. Tang Cheng'an must have been terrified—otherwise he'd never have begged so shamefully. Too bad Jiang Mingyu had made his decision; this pleading was useless.

"Finally, I've plucked out this thorn in my eye, Minister Jiang—you truly are my good omen," Wang Zhe remarked.

Good omen? Jiang Mingyu smiled bitterly. Had it not been for Tukesiluo's sacrifice, this "good omen" would already be dust. Wang Zhe's words were excessive.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Wang Zhe, Jiang Mingyu felt a measure of relief. Removing Tang Cheng'an had severed Prince Qi's arm—this would disrupt his rebellion. Jiang Mingyu must seize this moment and accelerate his own expansion.

Just outside the city, Wu Xiao galloped up on horseback, face tense: "Sir, disaster has struck!"