Chapter 198

Youli knelt, wailing in tears. Just as Jiang Mingyu was about to pass judgment, a servant suddenly spoke: "Isn't this the daughter of Master Tang? How did she end up here?"

Jiang Mingyu was stunned and demanded of the man: "Are you certain?" His heart plunged into ice—if she truly was Tang Cheng'an's daughter, everything made sense!

The servant bowed deeply and replied: "My lord, I once saw her accompany Master Tang to visit Inspector Wang. It is unquestionably her."

Jiang Mingyu frowned, his face dark as storm clouds. He glared at Youli and demanded: "Is this truly the case?"

Youli's face turned ashen; she could no longer utter a single word.

Jiang Mingyu saw her fall silent and understood at once. He stepped forward slowly, his hawk-like gaze sweeping over Youli, teeth clenched:

"So this is it—you're the daughter of that beast Tang Cheng'an! No wonder you knew all our secrets—you've been colluding with Wang Jingchun all along!"

Youli wept uncontrollably, pleading: "My lord, I am innocent! I have never left the Liu household..."

Jiang Mingyu slapped her across the face and roared: "Still trying to lie? Your father's entire family has been exterminated. Today, I will flay you alive to avenge my army's grievance!"

Youli screamed, clutching her head. Jiang Mingyu watched coldly, his heart ablaze with fury. This woman was Tang's daughter—disguised as a Liu maid, infiltrating here, cunning and venomous, no doubt a spy!

Youli finally tore off her disguise and snarled: "Yes! I am Tang Cheng'an's daughter, Tang Youli! You killed my father—I will avenge him!"

Jiang Mingyu sneered: "A fine Tang Youli—pretending to be virtuous for ten years, all to exact revenge!"

Zhuge Yu remained confused. Jiang Mingyu explained: "My earlier actions were merely the first step to lure the snake from its hole. Then I forced everyone to kneel and be punished—just to wait for the spy to slip up."

"The innocent knelt all day and fell asleep. Only the guilty spy stayed alert, watching for exposure. That's how I caught her!"

Zhuge Yu suddenly understood, praising his master's brilliant stratagem.

Jiang Mingyu's face was icy as he told Tang Youli: "I never imagined you, who preached righteousness, were so venomous inside—deceiving the world for ten years! Today, I will flay you alive to avenge my army's blood-deep grudge!"

Tang Youli sneered: "Even if you kill me, you cannot hide the truth! You usurped power, murdered my father's entire family—karma will come for you one day!"

Tang Youli mocked: "Jiang Mingyu, you've finally won! When my father was killed, I had to flee in disguise, secretly hating you!"

"Later, when you pacified the people, I slipped into the Liu household as a maid and finally learned your plan to attack Lingna. I secretly passed the information to Wang Jingchun—we set the ambush to eliminate you, this scourge!"

Tang Youli's voice trembled, tears spilling: "How I wished to kill you with my own hands to avenge my father! But your luck is ironclad—you escaped unscathed. All my efforts... wasted!"

Jiang Mingyu watched coldly, saying nothing.

Tang Youli gave up: "Fine. I have only death ahead. If you want to kill me, kill me. If you want to flay me, flay me—just get it over with!"

With that, she widened her eyes, glaring fiercely at Jiang Mingyu, her voice rising and falling: "I, Tang Youli, will never beg! You, traitor, will surely face heaven's retribution—your family destroyed!"

"When that day comes, my vengeful spirit will haunt you—making you wish you were dead!"

Tang Youli closed her eyes, awaiting her fate. Jiang Mingyu looked at her, his heart a storm of emotions.

He remembered the horrific state of Zhang Jiani and Tuxeslu; his rage could no longer be contained. He ordered coldly: "Throw this venomous woman into the dungeon. Tomorrow, execute her publicly to honor the fallen martyrs!"

Tang Youli was bound tightly, half-dragged away. Jiang Mingyu's chest still churned with unrest—fate was unpredictable.

He realized his rise must have stirred the vested interests; more hidden arrows would come. Today it was Tang Youli—who knew who would come tomorrow?

Jiang Mingyu sighed deeply, a thousand thoughts surging within him. He understood: to focus without distraction, he must complete his hegemony and unify the realm as soon as possible!

Zhuge Yu paused, then spoke: "Master, tomorrow is the perfect moment to march. Executing Tang Youli will greatly boost our army's morale!" A flicker of killing intent crossed his eyes—kill her, and strike Wang Jingchun's spirit, avenge his brothers.

"Besides, Wang Jingchun will never expect us to counterattack so soon after our defeat. Our troops will strike utterly by surprise and crush him!" His tone was firm—he had arranged everything, waiting only for tomorrow's battle.

He added gravely: "More crucially, the Liu army is closing in—we must seize Lingna first!" He pointed to a mountain fortress on the map—it was the northern frontier's key chokepoint. If we hold it, we block Liu's advance and secure our own retreat.

Jiang Mingyu's eyes gleamed as he nodded repeatedly: "Your strategy is brilliant! Then tomorrow, execute Tang Youli and raise the banners for war!" He clapped Zhuge Yu's shoulder, showing approval and trust.

"I will personally lead Jiaqi and others, raising ten thousand elite troops—I will capture Wang Jingchun alive!"

Suddenly, he remembered something and warned Zhuge Yu: "Keep this secret from Yi Fei. She's gentle—if she learns the truth, she'll blame herself endlessly."

Jiang Mingyu couldn't bear to see her suffer. Zhuge Yu nodded understandingly; only then did Jiang Mingyu depart. They had agreed: tomorrow at dawn, Jiang Mingyu would march to seize Lingna! This time, they would strike with surprise, swift as thunder, crushing Wang Jingchun and unifying the northern frontier!

At first light, Jiang Mingyu was already alert, ready to lead his army into battle. He wore a brocade battle robe, a precious sword at his waist, a golden crown on his head, his bearing majestic. He stepped from his tent to find ten thousand troops fully armed, banners fluttering, horns blaring.

He waved his hand: "Take Tang Youli from the dungeon for execution!" He would use her blood to honor his fallen friends—and show Wang Jingchun his resolve and authority.

Soon, a guard rushed back, panicked: "My lord! Tang Youli has escaped!" His voice shook; he dared not meet Jiang Mingyu's gaze.

"What?!" Jiang Mingyu exploded in rage. He stormed toward the dungeon, roaring all the way: "Useless fools! You can't even guard a woman!" He cursed himself for being careless—he'd failed to strengthen the guards, giving Tang Youli her chance.

Jiang Mingyu's face darkened. He kicked open the dungeon door—inside, empty. Tang Youli was gone. He paced angrily, his mind racing: she was clever and cunning—she must have slipped into the crowd under cover of night, or disguised herself as a soldier. He must send men to pursue immediately—she must not escape.

At that moment, a jailer trembled, pointing to the corner. There lay a poor soul dressed in jailer's clothing, dead, a sharp short knife buried in his chest, its hilt still trembling as if replaying the brutal scene. Blood seeped from the wound, staining the ground.

Jiang Mingyu narrowed his eyes, studying the wound—deep to the bone. The attacker's cruelty was clear. He knelt, examining every detail of the corpse, searching for clues to solve the mystery. He noticed the man's clothing torn at the corner, revealing a small pocket.

A soldier timidly spoke: "Report, my lord—the dead man was last night's night-watch jailer. We found this on him." He solemnly handed over a cloth bag. He couldn't believe it—the jailer had always been kind and diligent; how could he be linked to Tang Youli?

Jiang Mingyu swiftly opened the bag—inside, a pile of golden coins. The jailer had taken Tang Youli's bribe, planning to open the gate for her last night—but she had murdered him. Jiang Mingyu hurled the gold to the ground in fury; coins scattered with sharp clinks.

Jiang Mingyu clenched his fists, veins bulging. He cursed himself for his carelessness—Tang Youli, this ruthless woman, had slipped through his grasp. Now he must lay a new net across the land—vowing to capture her.

"Tell Zhuge Yu—issue a full-manhunt for Tang Youli. Let her not escape." His voice was cold. This woman, if left alive, would become a great threat.