Chapter 678: First Volume, Chapter 678: Cruelty and Caution!

First Volume, Chapter 678: Cruelty and Caution!

A flicker of fear surfaced uncontrollably in the Deputy's eyes.

The Deputy knew full well that, before Qin Feng and Li Xiaolan, Liu Ming was merely a minor figure.

But he was still Mo Li's disciple, and the Captain of the Anwu Guard.

For Liu Ming to kill him would be like crushing an ant.

"Dare not? If you dare not, why speak it aloud?"

"Once spoken, it means your loyalty to the Young Master has already diminished."

"Our mission failed first; no excuse can erase that."

"Given his status, the Young Master cannot handle this matter personally; entrusting it to Princess Mingyue is only natural."

"As Jin Yi Wei Commander, Princess Mingyue issuing orders to us is entirely justified."

"You failed your mission, yet refuse self-reflection, and instead complain here."

"How did you become an Anwu Guard? How did you rise to the position of Deputy? I now seriously doubt it!"

Although Liu Ming had been utterly humiliated before Qin Feng and Li Xiaolan,

he knew deep down that this punishment was deserved.

Moreover, the Jin Yi Wei, as a secret agency, must always be subject to oversight and restraint from all sides.

If you choose this path, you must accept this awareness.

Tonight, Liu Ming requested Ning Hu to lead the Tianji Camp Guards as backup.

Preventing total annihilation by the Black Guard Bureau and Palace Guards was only one intent.

More importantly, it was to demonstrate to the Tianji Camp Guards the Anwu Guard's loyalty to Qin Feng.

All secret agents are cunning, crafty individuals.

A single misstep invites suspicion, which leads to death.

"Before I came to Beijing, my master gave me some Jade-like Good Advice."

"I give you these words tonight, just as he gave them to me."

"Young Master Qin is generous to others; for comrades and kin, he will spill his blood and brains without regard for consequences."

"But that is only one side!"

"When Young Master Qin becomes cruel, no one in this world is more cruel than him."

"If Young Master Qin senses any threat, or if the safety of those around him is shaken,"

"Before dawn, every Jin Yi Wei agent within Beijing's borders will be slaughtered by the Tianji Camp Guards."

"Three days later, the Jin Yiwei Headquarters in Beixi County will also be wiped clean."

"If we wish to serve the Young Master, we must be loyal—again and again—without a single trace of selfishness; otherwise, I have already told you the consequences!"

This philosophy of survival was personally taught to Liu Ming by Mo Li.

Liu Ming has always regarded it as sacred scripture, constantly warning himself.

Even Mo Li, as Jin Yi Wei Commander, remains perpetually low-key, never taking any action beyond carrying out orders.

Because since the Jin Yi Wei's founding, an invisible blade has always been held in Qin Feng's hand—and it may strike at any moment!

The Deputy was nearly choked into unconsciousness.

After struggling for a long time, he finally emitted a faint sound.

"Shu Xi remembers…"

Liu Ming slowly released his grip, watching the Deputy gasp for breath, his eyes still as cold as frost.

He turned to the hidden Jin Yi Anwu Guards and said coldly: "You all remember this too."

"The Jin Yi Wei is a secret agency, unlike the Tianji Camp Guards."

"The Tianji Camp Guards are merely a blade—a blade for the Young Master to achieve glory, with no chance to vie for power or grow stronger."

"We are different; all secret agencies inherently possess the potential for power struggles."

"Whoever dares overstep—without waiting for the Tianji Camp Guards to act—I will kill you all first, then pay your families compensation."

None of the surrounding Jin Yi Anwu Guards responded, but their determined gazes were the strongest reply.

Liu Ming finally withdrew his gaze and glanced at the Deputy.

"Go count the Night Owls."

The Deputy did not dare hesitate, immediately rolling off the roof.

As he leaned forward, a knife struck his back without warning.

With a muffled groan, the Deputy tumbled heavily from the rooftop.

Liu Ming pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the blood from his blade.

Standing at the edge of the eaves, he looked down at the writhing Deputy, his gaze sharp as an eagle's.

"This knife avoided vital organs."

"Because the Young Master said: no one from Beixi County may kill another."

"This iron law saved your life."

"You are no longer fit to serve as Anwu Guard."

As he spoke, Liu Ming raised his hand; two Anwu Guards stepped forward to await orders.

Liu Ming's words were firm, leaving no room for negotiation.

"Take him back to the Tianji Camp for treatment, then send him to Beixi County. Say he was wounded on duty and retired with honor."

"His Jin Yi Wei provisions and pay shall continue to be issued monthly as usual."

The two Anwu Guards nodded firmly, leapt from the roof, dragged the Deputy up, and headed toward the Tianji Camp.

Watching the deputy's back.

Liu Ming sighed lightly.

"Comrade, you're retired—go live a carefree life."

"In our line of work, your mind must never waver, or once you fall into enemy hands, you'll betray us…"

"Preventing trouble before it arises serves both the Young Master and our Anwu Guard itself."

The Anwu Guards who witnessed the entire event showed no flicker in their eyes.

They bore no resentment toward Liu Ming's actions.

On the contrary, it strengthened their conviction further.

To become the most treacherous and venomous dagger of Beixi County, they must be ruthless enough with themselves!

"Captain, Lord Ning has sent word—the Qingfen Laborers have entered the city."

Liu Ming nodded, but instead of answering, he asked: "How many Night Owls have we uncovered?"

The messenger, blurted out: "Nine in total."

Nine…

Combined with recent Night Owl losses, it's nearly enough.

Yet Liu Ming knew well: as long as the Northern Di Envoy Group remained in Jingdu, the Night Owls would spare no effort to continue their Secret Infiltration.

For now, Liu Ming could only silently pray that the Night Owls would lie low and not cause trouble again.

"Military Retreat!"

At the order, the Anwu Guards swiftly moved toward the city's outskirts.

At the same moment, Ning Hu led the Tianji Camp Guards in orderly withdrawal from the city.

As they passed through the City Gate, they brushed past a platoon of Qingfen Laborers.

In Jingdu City, with its dense population, hundreds of laborers spend one Envoy daily to clear away the waste.

If cleaning were skipped even one day, the entire capital would reek.

It might even trigger an epidemic.

Maintaining the city's cleanliness has always been one of the most vital duties of every dynasty.

Two young laborers, watching the Tianji Camp Guards march past, exchanged a glance.

"Looks like our brothers inside are in dire straits."

"These past days, continuous sweeps by the Black Inspectorate and the Anwu Guard have left no stone unturned—most of our brothers in the city have already perished."

"Lie low for now. I'll report to the Pillar of the State before making further arrangements."

"By the way, don't slack off on the assassination of Han Yuming—any opportunity, kill him."