Chapter 162: Dig Up Your Ancestors' Graves

Dig up ancestral graves? Tu Kexiluo heard this and immediately perked up: "That's interesting, Big Brother, let's go right now."

He had not a single shred of goodwill toward Fei Hou, who was hell-bent on making trouble for Jiang Mingyu.

Song Yusheng shuddered deeply again.

Moving Fei Hou's ancestral graves—what crime could possibly atone for this? If Fei Hou learned he had aided the tyrant, the consequences were unimaginable.

Seeing Song Yusheng's face alternate between horror and sorrow, Jiang Mingyu said grimly: "What, County Magistrate Song, unwilling to lead the way?"

Song Yusheng quickly forced a smile: "Your servant dares not defy my lord. Since the order has been given, I shall certainly guide you to Longyang Town."

As for moving the ancestral graves, if Fei Hou later seeks retribution, that's a matter for later.

But if he angered this unpredictable Jiang Mingyu now, he would likely lose his life immediately.

Jiang Mingyu nodded in satisfaction: "Then let's set out!"

An hour later, Jiang Mingyu led Tu Kexiluo and three hundred troops out through the eastern gate of Longteng County.

Gazing at the desolate countryside, Tu Kexiluo sighed: "When spring returns, this will be a fine spot for flower-viewing. Fei Hou's ancestors really knew how to pick a place—this is a perfect fengshui site."

Jiang Mingyu could only shake his head helplessly at this peculiar remark.

Soon, they arrived at Longyang Town, where Fei Hou's ancestors were buried. Seeing Song Yusheng leading them, Li Zhihao, the Commandant guarding the imperial mausoleum, immediately stepped forward: "County Magistrate Song, long time no see! What brings you here today with so many men? Are you here to reward us for our hard work?"

Li Zhihao was of medium build, with a fierce appearance, clad in solemn armor that radiated martial authority. Since he guarded the imperial mausoleum, he showed respect to Song Yusheng but maintained a necessary distance.

Song Yusheng quickly stepped back, letting Jiang Mingyu step forward. Jiang Mingyu sized up Li Zhihao with a glance, then smirked: "It's not Song Yusheng leading this party—it's Jiang Mou. No need to worry. Stand aside."

Commandant Li Zhihao scrutinized Jiang Mingyu from head to toe, his face darkening instantly: "Who are you? Why have you brought so many men into the imperial mausoleum? What is your intent?" His eyes gleamed with suspicion.

Jiang Mingyu smiled lightly: "I am Jiang Mingyu."

Hearing the name, Li Zhihao's eyes lit up, his earlier displeasure vanishing instantly: "So you're the Jiang my lord who repelled the Western Xia! I've heard your name for years—you're a hero of Great Feng!"

"If it's Jiang my lord visiting, please, come in to pay your respects to the imperial tombs." He looked as if he'd met a long-admired idol.

But Jiang Mingyu didn't move—he shook his head slightly: "You misunderstand. I didn't come here to pay respects to any ghostly tombs."

Hearing the shift in tone, Li Zhihao's face turned icy: "This is the sacred imperial mausoleum. Jiang my lord, watch your words. Desecrating the imperial tombs is a crime punishable by clan extermination!" His hand had already gripped the hilt of his sword, a clear warning.

Jiang Mingyu burst into laughter: "Let me be plain—I came to level Fei Hou's ancestral graves. Step aside, and I won't harm you. Say another word, and don't blame me for being rude."

Li Zhihao clenched his sword hilt, furious: "Jiang Mingyu! I respected you for your service to the nation, yet you not only desecrate the imperial tombs but speak to me with insolence—you deserve death ten thousand times over!"

With that, he scowled and waved to his tomb-guard troops: "Men, seize this madman! Tear him to pieces and appease the spirits of our late emperors!"

As five hundred tomb guards surged toward him, Jiang Mingyu's gaze hardened and he barked: "Last warning—step aside, or you will die!"

Tu Kexiluo was already poised to strike, his blade gleaming cold as it slashed forward. Li Zhihao opened his mouth to shout—then felt a chill in his throat, his awareness fading...

This sudden turn stunned the five hundred tomb guards watching. After a long silence, one shouted: "They're rebels! Brothers, attack them! The Emperor will reward us handsomely!"

Who knew Tu Kexiluo was so powerful? How could three hundred men stand against five hundred? The tomb guards immediately raised their weapons and charged Jiang Mingyu.

Jiang Mingyu's eyes narrowed, and he growled: "Since you've chosen your own death, don't blame me for being ruthless! Not one of you will live!"

Tu Kexiluo and the three hundred Shangmu troops charged forward into the blades. These peacekeeping soldiers were no match for them—let alone the peerless Tu Kexiluo.

Amid clashing steel, less than two quarters passed, and all five hundred tomb guards lay dead.

Jiang Mingyu motioned coldly: "Dig them all up. Take every valuable item—use it for military rations."

In moments, the white bones of Fei Hou's ancestors lay exposed under the sun. Jiang Mingyu looked at the ruined mausoleum and smiled with grim satisfaction: "Blame your descendants for crossing me."

He turned to the sweating Song Yusheng: "It's getting late. I'll spend the night in Longteng County. Return to the city."

Song Yusheng broke into a cold sweat and hurriedly bowed and obeyed.

The moonlight flowed like water, the stars frost-like. The night of Longteng County should have been silent.

Song Yusheng lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. He kept thinking about how terrible a decision he'd made today—he had followed Jiang Mingyu in desecrating the imperial tombs, a crime against heaven itself. If the court found out, he and his entire family would be executed and exterminated.

He couldn't fathom how Jiang Mingyu dared to act so recklessly.

As he pondered his grim future, his tightly shut door suddenly knocked.

"Tap. Tap. Tap..."

Song Yusheng startled, leapt from bed, and walked to the door. He asked cautiously: "Who is it?"

"It's me." A low, familiar voice came from outside.

Song Yusheng's heart stirred—he opened the door, then froze in shock.

"How is it you?" he stared at the figure standing at the threshold.

The visitor was Li Bo, Commandant of Longteng County's city defense camp. He was a short, stout man, and one eye had been blinded during a past campaign against bandits. When the Shangmu troops seized the defense camp, he had hidden in the crowd without uttering a sound—so Jiang Mingyu had ignored his existence.

Li Bo's dim, single eye cautiously scanned the surroundings. Seeing only a dim oil lamp in Song Yusheng's room, barely illuminating a table and a bed, he deduced Song had no accomplices present. He whispered: "My lord, may I come in to speak?"

Song Yusheng was puzzled—what could Li Bo possibly want? But he stepped aside and gestured for him to enter.

After entering, Li Bo slammed the door shut. He listened carefully for sounds, then lowered his voice.

"My lord, I heard everything that happened today."

"Jiang Mingyu is a court official, yet he committed such an unforgivable crime—he deserves death ten thousand times over."

Song Yusheng, who had just been brooding over his own doom, froze, his face paling. He whispered:

"Commandant Li, what exactly are you suggesting?"

Li Bo smiled coldly.

"My lord, Great Feng is engulfed in flames. The Emperor hates nothing more than rebels."

"If we kill Jiang Mingyu tonight and send his head to the capital, the Emperor will reward both of us handsomely."

Song Yusheng's face turned even paler. Li Bo, with his single eye, swore earnestly:

"Rest assured, my lord, if the Emperor ever asks about today's desecration of the imperial tombs—"

"We will tell the truth: that Jiang Mingyu forced you into it. You had no choice."

"Then you won't be guilty—you'll be a hero who crushed the rebels. Our futures will be bright."

As he spoke, his dim eye glowed with fantasy and excitement.

Faced with such a massive temptation, Song Yusheng, whose face had shifted through several expressions, fell silent.