Chapter 673

First Volume, Chapter 673: Peak Standoff

The battle was about to erupt.

At this critical moment, figures emerged from surrounding alleys and rooftops, converging toward this spot.

These individuals all wore black robes, their heads covered by black sacks, leaving only their eyes exposed.

They were the Black Guard!

The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

In an instant, the Brocade Guard and Night Owls were surrounded by over thirty Black Guards.

The Black Guards on the rooftops drew their bows and arrows.

The Black Guards closing in from the ground held single-edged knives or short swords.

The leader of the Black Guard Bureau, hands behind his back, strolled forward calmly, as if strolling through his garden.

Watching the Brocade Guard and Night Owls now trapped in desperation, he let out a cold laugh.

"Northern Di Night Owls, Tianji Camp Brocade Guard—and now my Black Guard Bureau."

"Tonight, our three longtime rivals have finally gathered."

The Black Guard Bureau Director glanced at the two Night Owls, his eyes filled with contempt.

"Since the Northern Di Envoy Group entered Jingdu, my Black Guard Bureau has intensified purging spies across the capital."

"Yet in just these three days, we've captured five Night Owls."

"I thought you'd have learned restraint—but you still dare commit violence under the Son of Heaven's feet? How audacious, how ignorant of death!"

"Do you truly believe this Jingji, this Tianzi Jiaoxia, is your Northern Di territory, where you can do as you please?"

"Since you've fallen into my hands tonight, rest assured—I'll strip you bare, gnaw you clean, then send you on your way."

The Black Guard Bureau Director longed to flay these enemy spies alive right now!

Unbeknownst to him, the entire Black Guard Bureau was holding its breath.

If they didn't prove their strength now,

the Liang Emperor's trust in the Black Guard Bureau would only dwindle further.

The Liang Emperor, who forged the Black Guard Bureau, could just as easily elevate the White Guard Bureau or the Lu Wei Si.

Since the Northern Di Night Owls had walked right into his lap, how could he not take them?

The Black Guard Bureau Director's peripheral vision fell upon Liu Ming.

His words dripped with mockery.

"Rumors say the Brocade Guard always operates in secrecy."

"My Black Guard Bureau has clashed openly and covertly with your Brocade Guard for years—we've captured many Brocade Guards, yet never a single valuable live prisoner."

"I assumed the Brocade Guard was some impenetrable organization."

"But now I see—it's nothing special!"

"You knew this Jingdu City was my Black Guard's domain, yet you still dared to show your faces."

"Hehehe!"

"All the blood feuds from the comrades you Brocade Guards have killed these past days—tonight, we settle them all."

The Night Owls, who had braced for a final desperate fight,

upon seeing this, burst into loud laughter.

Especially as they stared at Liu Ming across from them, their eyes brimming with mockery.

"Brocade Anwu Guard? Just a bunch of arrogant fools!"

"You're both spies of the Liang Kingdom, yet you kill each other—hahaha!"

"Since I joined the Night Owls, I've long prepared to die for the cause—what is death to me?"

"But before I die, seeing the two greatest spy organizations of Liang Kingdom tearing each other apart—it's truly delightful!"

Hearing the Black Guard Bureau Director's threats and the Night Owls' mockery,

Liu Ming's eyes showed not the slightest ripple.

Even the other Brocade Anwu Guards beside him remained calm and composed.

Even more unexpectedly, these Anwu Guards began laughing too.

This wave of laughter sharpened the Black Guard Bureau Director's gaze.

"You dare laugh when death is upon you? I'll see how long you can keep laughing!"

Liu Ming sighed softly, shaking his head in regret.

"Let me tell you what they're laughing at."

"No matter how loudly your Black Guards threaten, all of us comrades will walk away unharmed."

At these words, the Black Guard Bureau Director roared in fury.

"Dream on!"

"I know your Anwu Guard is formidable—but to break through my thirty-plus Black Guards and walk away unscathed?"

"The greatest joke in the world!"

Facing the Black Guard Bureau Director's rebuttal, Liu Ming shrugged, his expression serene and detached.

"I won't deny that after more than a decade of growth, the Black Guard Bureau has become the top intelligence organization in Heaven."

"Not even my Brocade Guard can match it—nor can the Northern Di Night Owls."

"But alas, when things reach their peak, they decline; when they reach their zenith, they begin to fall."

"The larger the Black Guard Bureau grows, the more bloated and convoluted its functions become, and the more uneven the quality of its members."

"Precisely because of this, the Black Guard Bureau's operational space has been repeatedly squeezed."

"To this day, though its tentacles still stretch across Shedynasty and neighboring states, it is suppressed everywhere."

"If you must ask, the only place where the Black Guard Bureau still holds absolute dominance is this Jingji region."

"Pitiful—and even more tragic."

Hearing Liu Ming's words, the Black Guard Bureau Director's expression shifted unpredictably.

Though furious, he knew deep down that Liu Ming had hit every nail on the head.

Once merely the Liang Emperor's dagger, the Black Guard Bureau has now become a tool of politics.

In the past, the Black Guard Bureau handed evidence to the Seventh Prince Li Yong, causing the Second Prince Li Qian to fall.

Merely this one act proves the Black Guard has abandoned its original purpose and no longer deserves the Liang Emperor's full trust.

Precisely because of this, the Black Guard Bureau has gradually declined.

This time, the Black Guard Bureau Director has laid a tight net, preparing to capture all the Northern Di Night Owls and Brocade Robe Guards.

He does this solely to prove to the Liang Emperor the Black Guard Bureau's value.

Faced with Liu Ming's biting sarcasm, the Black Guard Bureau Director clenched his teeth.

"After all this, you still cannot escape death!"

"You Brocade Robe Guards—if you're wise, better offer your necks for execution and preserve some dignity."

At these words, the group of Brocade Robe Anwu Guards burst into laughter again.

Liu Ming shook his head helplessly, as if thinking the Black Guard Bureau Director was utterly foolish, unfit for the Herald position.

The Black Guard Bureau is no longer what it once was—where talent alone determined promotion and incompetence was cast down.

It has become a decaying den of Power Struggle.

Liu Ming did not waste words; he slowly raised his hand.

A rustling sound erupted.

From behind the Black Guard's Encirclement Lines, another twenty-plus Brocade Robe Anwu Guards surged forth.

They surrounded the Black Guard once more—from behind.

Worse still!

Every one of these Brocade Robe Anwu Guards held crossbows newly developed by the Tianji Camp!

Seeing the sudden appearance of the Brocade Robe Anwu Guards, the Black Guard Bureau Director's palms sweated, yet his words did not waver.

He deliberately mocked.

"Hmph! Even if you were prepared, what of it?"

"This is the Jingji heartland—once fighting begins, the noise will surely draw the Garrison Army to crush you."

"At that point, not one of you will escape."

Hearing this, Liu Ming's eyes narrowed slightly.

"So now, has the Black Guard Bureau sunk this low?"

"Must you rely on other departments just to barely complete your mission?"

"If you're this incompetent, better dissolve outright!"

These words pierced straight into the Black Guard's heart.