CHAPTER 444: 343. REQUEST FOR ASSIGNMENT

In the Yulin Army training ground, the black-clad spies and the silver-armored Yulin Army stood distinct and at odds.

Wu Xuange stood gripping his spear, facing Xuan Snake in front of all the Yulin Army, and loudly questioned: "Are you here because of the Korean Envoy case, or are you harboring personal motives? If it’s just for your Ritual Supervision’s internal strife, it seems you’ve gone mad wanting to be ’Top Three’; you’re well aware this matter has nothing to do with my Left Brave Guard of the Yulin Army."

Xuan Snake replied with a meaningful tone: "Commander Wu is so certain that it has nothing to do with your Left Brave Guard, could it be you know who the real culprit is? Hurry and reveal the true culprit, and I will immediately capture and bring them to justice."

Wu Xuange’s expression gradually darkened.

Everyone speculated it was the Chen family and the Xu family, but that thin layer of paper could not be pierced.

Seeing his reluctance to speak, Xuan Snake sneered: "When I reached the zodiac position, you were but a small commander in the Longevity Army. It’s not your place to teach me how to conduct affairs. Don’t think I’m abusing my power for personal gain; today’s events have incited the wrath of His Majesty and the Prime Minister, and not only you will be investigated, but all officials, clerks, and commoners present at the time as well! Take him to the Imperial Prison, and if anyone obstructs, kill without mercy!"

The spies rushed forward, seizing Wu Xuange’s arms, but he remained rooted to the spot, immovable.

Perched leisurely on his horse, Xuan Snake continued: "Do you really think just because you have Wu Xiu as your backer, you can openly defy my Spy Department? If you remain obstinate, I may have to act first and report later. Wu Xiu has invested many resources to elevate you to the Peak of Innate; do you really think you are my match?"

After a moment of silence, Wu Xuange slowly released the energy from his body, letting his long spear clang as it dropped to the training ground.

As the spies took Wu Xuange away with the Left Brave Guard of the Yulin Army, Li Xuan stepped forward: "Wait..."

However, just as he took half a step, Chen Ji forcibly pulled him back.

Li Xuan turned his head in astonishment, while Chen Ji silently shook his head.

Xuan Snake laughed heartily: "Good, at least someone is wise enough."

Li Xuan looked at Chen Ji: "I am the governor of the Yulin Army; even if Wu Xuange and I don’t see eye to eye, I shouldn’t just sit idly by."

After careful consideration, Chen Ji whispered: "Lord Li, Xuan Snake isn’t here to investigate a case but rather for internal strife. Wu Xuange has enjoyed the benefits from Wu Xiu, so naturally, he must bear the consequences—it’s his own choice."

Li Xuan frowned: "I may dislike the Eunuch Party, but Wu Xuange is truly an elite of our dynasty. With his ability to lead troops, he could undoubtedly hold his ground alone in the future. If he dies amidst an internal struggle within the Eunuch Party, it would be a loss for our dynasty. I care not for factional struggles; I only do what is right."

Chen Ji gripped Li Xuan’s arm tightly: "Don’t you see that neither the cabinet ministers nor the officials ever cared whether there’s one more Wu Xuange or not, and neither should you. Lord Li, if you spend your life only doing right, you won’t achieve anything."

Li Xuan opened his mouth.

Chen Ji turned to look at Xuan Snake: "Lord Xuan Snake, you know what you’re here for, and we know it too. On that day, it was Wu Xuange alone who decided to quell the disturbance on Chessboard Street and East Rongmi Lane. Could you not trouble the rest of the Yulin Army? Just take Wu Xuange alone."

Xuan Snake squinted: "And what if I choose to trouble them?"

Chen Ji calmly said: "The soldiers of the Left Brave Guard have known Wu Xuange for only two days, and Lord Xuan Snake knows very well that you won’t get what you want from them. If your interrogation yields nothing and you make a mistake in this case, Treasure Monkey, Jiao Tu, Yun Yang, and Jin Zhu might be so delighted they won’t sleep for days. If you doubt me, we can send someone to the Spy Department to fetch them and let them enjoy the spectacle."

Xuan Snake was silent for a moment, then smiled brightly: "I was just joking with you."

Then he waved his hand, signaling the spies to release the Yulin Army and only take Wu Xuange away.

As Xuan Snake rode past Chen Ji, sitting high on his horse with a large cloak, he looked down at Chen Ji: "I will remember you."

Chen Ji met his gaze without flinching: "Farewell, Lord Xuan Snake."

Xuan Snake chuckled sinisterly twice, then rode out of the gateway without looking back.

Li Xuan looked at the night beyond the gate with a complex expression: "As the governor of the Yulin Army, I can’t even protect a subordinate."

Chen Ji had no time to worry about Li Xuan’s emotions, so he turned to the gate, anxiously gazing toward the Imperial Palace Gate.

Who knows if the cabinet ministers and officials of the court realized that the Jing Dynasty Military Intelligence Department was actually behind all this? Judging by Xuan Snake’s current internal strife, it seems that no one was focusing on the ’external enemies.’

Chen Ji didn’t care who won or lost between the Jing Dynasty and the Ning Dynasty, nor did he care who set a trap for whom today and another tomorrow—it didn’t matter to him at all.

But this time, the one leading the troops to war was Wang Daosheng.

On that day at Lu Hun Manor, facing challenges from the Buddhist Sect, it was Wang Daosheng who acknowledged Chen Ji as his direct disciple; it was Wang Daosheng who wrote specifically to Hu Junxian for protection when Chen Ji went to Guyuan.

At this moment, Chen Ji saw the Jiefan Guard suddenly move in front of the Imperial Palace Gate, forming a line at the gate.

A group of cabinet ministers walked out from the Imperial Palace Gate, supported by people onto carriages and left.

Then a group of officials came out from within the gate. Wearing simple clothes, Wang Daosheng stood out among the crowd of officials in their red official robes. The red-robed officials cupped their hands, congratulating him, but he merely responded politely, his face without a trace of joy.

Once the officials boarded their sedans, Wang Daosheng was left alone, walking toward Chengtian Gate, without sedan, carriage, or escort.

This man, once celebrated in the 15th year of Jianing for his ’Twelve Strategies of Pacifying the Japanese,’ now found himself worn down, his hair turned gray.