Chapter 312: First Volume, Chapter 312: Eliminate the Eyes and Ears

First Volume, Chapter 312: Eliminate the Eyes and Ears

This casual remark sent a chill through Xu Chang's heart.

Even Qin Feng's understanding of Xu Chang's background remained ambiguous.

Yet Liu Hongyan, before his eyes, knew him inside and out, as if she had thoroughly investigated his identity.

Xu Chang's gaze toward Liu Hongyan changed drastically, yet he feigned calmness, quickly clasping his fists in salute and apologizing: "Please, Second Miss, forgive me. As a Tianji Camp Guard, I cannot leave the Tianji Camp without Young Master's orders."

Hearing this, Liu Hongyan smiled gently, holding the military dispatch: "Is it because you dare not leave the Tianji Camp without Feng'er's orders—or because you dare not leave Jingdu without the Black Guard Office's orders?"

Xu Chang's heart lurched; he was about to protest, but Liu Hongyan cut him off first.

"Though I'd rather not use my status to pressure you, I am Feng'er's Second Sister, and in his heart, I hold immense weight. If you refuse to obey me, I will expel you from the Tianji Camp—even Feng'er will not defy me. If you cannot handle such a simple task as surveillance over the Tianji Camp, the Black Guard Office's nature demands you be replaced."

"Between you and me, mutual understanding suffices—why resort to clumsy tricks?"

Xu Chang's mood grew unbearably heavy; even facing Qin Feng, he had always been composed, for Qin Feng would never defy the Saint unless absolutely forced.

But Liu Hongyan before him pressed upon Xu Chang with unbearable pressure, for this woman seemed unafraid of even the Black Guard Office or the Saint.

Unnatural!

According to the Black Guard Office's secret files, Liu Hongyan was the most virtuous of the Qin Family, managing only household affairs—how had she suddenly become so aggressive?

Was the Black Guard Office's investigation into Liu Hongyan insufficient—or was her acting so masterful that even the Black Guard Office had been deceived?

He could not figure it out, so he stopped trying.

Feeling Liu Hongyan's gentle, watery gaze, Xu Chang found himself powerless to resist; he reluctantly took the military dispatch and, under Wu Wei's escort, departed the Tianji Camp for Pingyao County.

Countless possibilities flashed through Xu Chang's mind, yet none made sense—he could no longer hold back and turned to Wu Wei: "Captain Wu, Pingyao County is Gao Ming's Ancestral Land. Now that Gao Ming has been banished back to serve as County Magistrate there, he should have no ties left with the Qin Family… why has Second Sister suddenly begun secret correspondence with Gao Ming?"

Is it Second Sister who's secretly corresponding? No—it's you… Wu Wei sighed inwardly, shrugging: "Just open the letter yourself—you'll understand."

Xu Chang gave a bitter laugh: "Captain Wu, you're joking. This is Second Sister's secret letter—how would I dare peek?"

Wu Wei, however, looked utterly unconcerned: "Just open it. If trouble comes, I'll take responsibility."

Xu Chang frowned, hesitated long, then gritted his teeth and tore the letter open—after all, he would have to report the contents truthfully to the Black Guard Office.

But when he saw the letter's contents, Xu Chang froze.

The paper was blank—nothing written on it.

As Xu Chang stood stunned, his neck tightened suddenly—he was seized by Wu Wei. He tried to turn and demand an explanation, but Wu Wei's grip was too strong; his neck wouldn't budge. He opened his mouth to shout, but Wu Wei shoved him to the ground.

The next instant, Wu Wei drew a short knife from his waist and began a barrage of spearthrusts into Xu Chang's abdomen.

"You conspired secretly with Gao Ming—I kill you, and it's justified!"

Xu Chang's eyes widened in disbelief—he could not accept that he, an eye of the Saint, had been falsely branded a criminal and slaughtered like a stray dog out in the Huang Ye.

Wu Wei pulled out the knife, wiped the blood casually on his sleeve, ignored Xu Chang entirely, and turned to walk back.

Meanwhile, a Black Guard hidden on a nearby hill slowly rose to his feet and shouted sharply: "You killed one of the Black Guard Office's men—does the Tianji Camp intend rebellion?!"

Wu Wei sheathed his knife, kept walking, undaunted by the Black Guard's accusation, replying coldly: "Xu Chang secretly corresponded with Gao Ming, plotting to betray the Tianji Camp. My Second Sister discovered it—he brought this upon himself. My Young Master knew nothing of this—just report back as you are told."

Wu Wei ignored the Black Guard Office's men, returned to the Tianji Camp, and acted as if nothing had happened, continuing daily training.

Liu Hongyan stood at the entrance of the Account Room; seeing Wu Wei return, she knew Xu Chang was dead, and calmly walked back inside…

Meanwhile, in the Jingong Yushufang.

The Liang Emperor clutched the bloodstained blank secret letter, staring at it for a long while, then gave a soft snort: "Useless thing."

The Black Guard behind him murmured: "Saint, the Tianji Camp killed Xu Chang without even hiding it—this must have been Qin Feng's order…"

Before the Black Guard finished, the Liang Emperor waved him off: "Qin Feng may be reckless, but he observes boundaries—he wouldn't risk such clumsy overreach. Don't investigate further. Leave."

The Black Guard paused, eyes full of confusion, but dared not speak further once the Saint had spoken—he hurriedly withdrew.

As for planting eyes within the Tianji Camp, it would have to be temporarily abandoned.

The Liang Emperor, hands behind his back, walked to the Liu Li Window, gazing at the evening sky, his gaze heavy with meaning: "That girl finds my eyes and ears inconvenient. Very well. Privilege may be exercised only once—if there's a next time…"

Here, the Liang Emperor gave a bitter smile: "What can I do?"

The Xie Residence Auction had officially begun.

Qin Feng had not appeared yet, causing a clamor to echo throughout the entire Xie Residence.

Qin Feng frowned, staring at Qin Xiaofu in disbelief: "You… you're not joking with me? Xu Chang was really killed by Wu Wei?!"

Qin Xiaofu knew the gravity of the matter, lowering his voice cautiously: "Young Master, how would I dare joke with you about this? Wu Wei himself sent someone to inform us—it was Second Sister's order."

"Second Sister lured Xu Chang out of the city, accused him of secret correspondence with Gao Ming, and killed him in the wilderness before the eyes of the Black Guard Office."

In an instant, Qin Feng's mind raced to its limit.

Could Second Sister have killed Xu Chang to clean house for me?

No—that doesn't make sense! For one, Xu Chang was the Saint's eye, a grave violation; for another, Second Sister, gentle and virtuous, always kind to outsiders—how could she suddenly become so ruthless?

Moreover, based on Qin Feng's understanding of the Black Guard Office.

After such a major incident, the Saint must already know—even if he didn't order Qin Feng's arrest, for safety's sake, he should have dispatched the Garrison Army to disarm the Tianji Camp.

Yet, not a single move came from the Saint's side.

Was the Black Guard Office's report delayed—or did the Saint simply not want to mention this at all?

Strange!

It was too strange.

Qin Feng could not fathom it, and felt immense pressure—but one thing he knew clearly: since the Saint had not reacted at all, Xu Chang's death would have no impact on Qin Feng.

Even though all of this could be described as "unbelievable."

Qin Feng muttered under his breath: "Second Sister, just who are you? You did what I wouldn't dare do—and you pay no price at all? What's going on…"