Mu Rong Liu Zun's eyes darkened, a chill seeping from their depths, his killing intent radiating outwards.
The innkeeper couldn't help but shiver, his legs trembling. Leaning against the wall, he fumbled his way upstairs, leading their group to a private room beside the staircase.
"Please, guests."
Qing Yao nodded. The light in the corridor illuminated the innkeeper's face. He was very pale, his pupils dilated, clearly terrified. Qing Yao's voice was soft and gentle, "Bring a table of the inn's best wine and food."
"Yes, yes," the innkeeper retreated. Qing Yao reached out and held Liu Zun, her clear voice resonating, "Everything will be alright. Don't be anxious."
"En."
Qing Yao's cool words were like a handful of snow in winter sinking into his restless heart, calming him considerably. Haste would be of no use now; they could only control the course of events.
This man was likely a trapped beast in a hunting ground, and might harm more people. Therefore, they had to proceed carefully, lest he further disrupt Lin'an City.
"Everyone, sit down. This journey has been tiring. We'll have a good meal later, tidy up, and then we must not let our guard down."
"Yes."
The group responded and sat around the carved round table. Xiao Yu'er sat beside Qing Yao, her small face also etched with anxiety. Cornered, the man's next actions would likely be even more bloody and cruel.
Knowing these people were not ordinary, the innkeeper dared not neglect them. Though frightened, he still had to do business. He carefully set out a table of dishes, saying,
"Enjoy your meal, honored guests," before fleeing. The private room on the second floor fell silent, everyone focused on eating.
As these were all skilled martial artists, and formidable ones at that, many of the conversations from the first-floor hall carried up to the second.
"When do you think the Emperor will hold morning court?"
"Who knows?" This voice was clearly hushed. Another voice sounded again, "Will any more ministers speak up? I heard two have already been executed?"
"Are you courting death? You dare discuss court affairs at a time like this."
Another warning voice rang out, followed by silence downstairs, eerily quiet.
Upstairs and downstairs, everyone ate quietly, stayed in their rooms, or departed. Occasionally, the innkeeper's shout would be heard, "Farewell, honored guests, come again!"
This voice lacked the usual warmth and liveliness. Who would pay attention to his words at a time like this?
In the private room on the second floor, Mu Rong Liu Zun and Qing Yao and the others had also finished their dinner. The quiet space was filled with a chilling, sharp stillness.
"What do we do now?"
Qing Yao's clear voice sounded. Everyone looked up at the Emperor, awaiting his decision. Mu Rong Liu Zun's pupils suddenly darkened, and a deep, hellish voice emerged.
"Immediately send people to the Ministry of War. Enter the palace under the cover of night and apprehend Shangguan Hao in one fell swoop."
"Shangguan Hao will likely not await his doom passively. He will surely make a move at this time."
Qing Yao raised an eyebrow, reminding the Emperor. Mu Rong Liu Zun spoke with wild arrogance,
"So what? I must reclaim the palace and the court as quickly as possible, or more people will be harmed. This time, I will not give him another chance."
Mu Rong Liu Zun declared resolutely, his words sharp. Qing Yao nodded; they could only act according to the situation.
"Alright, then let's go to the Ministry of War immediately."
The Ministry of War mansion, its grand and imposing six-character gate, was tightly shut. Lanterns hung high before the gate, and two magnificent lions with bluestone balls in their mouths stood vigilantly on either side, exuding an air of dominance.
The dark blue iron gate conveyed a sense of grandeur and atmosphere. In the dark night, several soldiers in military uniform were moving about before the gate, patrolling intermittently.
The neigh of a carriage startled the soldiers on night duty, who immediately grabbed their spears and approached, asking aggressively, "Who goes there?"
Mu Rong Liu Zun and Qing Yao sat within the carriage, their figures unmoving. Nan An Wang, behind the carriage, pulled on the reins, mounted his horse, and a layer of ice enveloped him. He spoke coldly, "We wish to see Minister Li of the Ministry of War?"
"Who are you, to demand an audience with Minister Li at night?"
As the leader finished speaking, Geng Han's willow-leaf saber flashed, slicing off a small lock of the man's hair, narrowly missing his life. The man's face turned ashen with fright, and he stumbled back two steps. Those behind him steadied him, exchanging glances.
Nan An Wang, Mu Rong Liu Zhao, his black eyes like two frozen pools of icy depth, spoke sternly, "A mere centurion, daring to be so presumptuous? Call Minister Lin out at once, and say a distinguished guest wishes to see him."
Upon hearing Mu Rong Liu Zhao's tone, the centurion dared not say another word. He stammered, retreated, and quickly pushed open the door and went inside.
In truth, the Minister of the Ministry of War was not at the mansion. He had been invited out by several officials in the evening and had not yet returned. The few soldiers remained outside, partly to patrol and partly to await the Minister.
At this time, the entire Lin'an City was on high alert. The officials in the court, for self-preservation, could only meet privately, none daring to meet openly for fear of incurring the Emperor's wrath and becoming another victim.
However, with the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, Lord Li, in charge of the mansion, the minor centurion promptly reported the matter.
The Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, Lord Li, along with several officials from the Ministry of War, emerged with trembling hearts. Upon seeing that the person on the horse was Nan An Wang, they were greatly alarmed and filled with dread.
The Emperor had issued an imperial decree to apprehend Nan An Wang, yet Nan An Wang had actually come directly to the Ministry of War. What was to be done?
The Vice Minister of the Ministry of War was in a dilemma, unsure of how to react, and stood frozen before the main gate.
Mu Rong Liu Zhao dismounted, extended his black horsewhip, and in a flash, it ensnared the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, Li Qinghan. With a forceful pull, Lord Li was dragged before him, gasping for breath, and said, "Your Highness Nan An Wang, why have you come to the Ministry of War? The Emperor has issued a decree to arrest you? Why don't you leave?"
This Li Qinghan had no prior animosity towards Nan An Wang, so he hadn't expected to be apprehended, only feeling a sense of surprise.
"The Emperor?"
Mu Rong Liu Zhao snorted, his deep voice resonating, "I want you to meet someone."
As his words fell, the brocade curtain of the carriage was lifted, revealing a pair of exquisite and captivating features. A pair of dark, deep eyes, carrying an unexpressed chill of a frozen pool, gazed coldly at the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, Li Qinghan, frightening him into a great change of color. He struggled to kneel down with a thud.
"Your subject Li Qinghan greets Your Imperial Majesty."
Li Qinghan was bewildered. Why was the Emperor with Nan An Wang again? Wasn't an imperial decree issued to arrest Nan An Wang over a month ago?
The several officials of the Ministry of War, as well as the patrolling men, had already knelt on the ground, speaking fearfully, "Your subjects greet Your Imperial Majesty."
Mu Rong Liu Zun lifted the curtain and alighted from the carriage, extending his hand to help Qing Yao down. His cold and commanding voice echoed in the night, "Rise."
"Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty."