Chapter 1031: One Touch Away from Ignition

"That's certainly a possibility." Tang Tian'er's face showed worry. "That fellow just came to the merchant's bank to get some items, and immediately after, the Prefect was arrested. Is he truly my fated nemesis?"

"I'm worried that the Zhenyuan Merchant Association will soon be implicated," Qian Dong said. He had seen the man retrieve items from the association before, making it hard not to connect the two.

"Who do you think could be behind this?" Tang Tian'er asked, frowning.

"Could it be the Flying Horse Merchant Association?" Qian Dong suggested. "They've always wanted to replace us."

"Even ten Flying Horse Merchant Associations combined couldn't rival us. My concern is if they have someone backing them." Tang Tian'er stood up and looked out the window. "Have you found anything about Zhang Che, the owner of the Flying Horse Merchant Association?"

Qian Dong and the others shook their heads. "His background is mysterious, and his cultivation is high. We haven't found any concrete evidence. However, analyzing past events, we suspect he might have connections with the Demonic Cult."

"The Demonic Cult?" Tang Tian'er snorted. "These guys aren't good at much else, but they're top-notch at causing trouble. Send people to keep an eye on the Demonic Cult's branch in Yunzhong Commandery. Report back immediately if there's any unusual activity."

"Yes, madam!" Qian Dong quickly acknowledged the order and left.

Next, Tang Tian'er assigned tasks to the other managers. Seeing their worried expressions, she couldn't help but reveal her usual sweet smile. "There's no need to worry, everyone. Zhenyuan Merchant Association has weathered countless storms over hundreds of years. What is this minor issue compared to that?"

The managers also chuckled. "Miss is right. We've always been the ones to stir up trouble, not the other way around. If this matter doesn't involve us, so be it. But if someone tries to frame us or set us up, we won't be easy to bully."

Tang Tian'er smiled and nodded. She waved her hand, signaling them to return to their posts. Then, she sat alone in the room, lost in thought.

Meanwhile, Sang Hong took Zuo Su and the others back to the guesthouse and imprisoned them. He then personally interrogated Zuo Su about the smuggling operation.

Zuo Su, of course, flatly denied everything, claiming he had been framed.

They were all old foxes in the officialdom and naturally knew how to deal with such interrogation tactics.

After half a day of interrogation, nothing useful was extracted.

Sang Hong had no choice but to suspend the interrogation. He went outside the cell to consult with Zu An.

"Uncle, do you think he's innocent?" Zu An asked.

Sang Hong's expression was grim, and he shook his head.

Zu An was surprised. "Did you get a confession?"

"Not exactly," Sang Hong replied. "This fellow is extremely cunning; he didn't reveal any weaknesses. Unfortunately, that very fact is his biggest flaw. If he were truly innocent, he would be working with me right now to investigate the real culprits. Instead, he's beating around the bush and talking nonsense."

Zu An was suddenly filled with admiration. "Uncle's insight is truly sharp; you saw through him so quickly."

"Stop flattering me. We have a huge problem now." Sang Hong gave a wry smile. "Before, I held out a sliver of hope that Zuo Su had been framed, which would mean the imperial court still had someone trustworthy here. But now even he's implicated, proving that the entire officialdom in Yunzhong is rotten to the core. We're isolated and without support now."

It was no wonder he was so pessimistic. He had only brought a few hundred Imperial Guards this time. While they were a considerable fighting force, they would be easily defeated by a real army. He had originally planned to unite with the Prefect's mansion forces to counterbalance the Governor's office. But now, the Prefect's mansion was also untrustworthy.

"Let's wait until Gao Ying and Pei You bring the others back," Zu An reassured him. "Those people don't have Zuo Su's composure. As soon as someone speaks, everything will fall into place."

Zuo Su's status was special, so he couldn't be tortured. But there were no such restrictions for the others. The Embroidered Uniform Emissaries were experts at making people talk. Once the evidence was secured, they could legitimately deal with Zuo Su. They could then seize the opportunity to reclaim the military authority of the Prefect's mansion. After that, no one would be able to say anything.

"Let's hope so," Sang Hong knew this was the best possible outcome. But he soon frowned slightly. "Why aren't they back yet?"

Just then, a commotion was heard outside. Soon, someone came to report: "Lord Gao and Lord Pei have returned."

Sang Hong and Zu An quickly went outside. Seeing the two disheartened figures, they were startled. "Where are they?"

The two had not brought back suspects as expected. Instead, they had many stretchers, all covered with white cloth. Seeing this, Sang Hong and Zu An's hearts sank.

Gao Ying and Pei You explained with crestfallen faces: "We searched according to the list and found that those people had either received a warning and escaped, or they had committed suicide in their rooms. Not a single living person was apprehended."

"They were silenced!" Zu An and Sang Hong exchanged glances, both seeing shock in the other's eyes.

But it didn't make sense. Their operation had been so swift; how could anyone have been faster than them? The person hidden behind the scenes was simply too powerful.

Just as they were reeling in shock, heavy footsteps suddenly resounded from outside.

"What's that sound?"

They abruptly turned their heads.

At that moment, a guard rushed in frantically, reporting: "Report! County Commandant Dong Jin is leading a large force here!"

"What?!" The group was instantly stunned.

Sang Hong snorted coldly. "What audacity!"

With a grim face, he immediately walked out. Gao Ying and Pei You quickly followed. Zu An waved his hand, signaling the Imperial Guards to prepare.

The group arrived outside the gate. They found the entire guesthouse completely surrounded.

"Dong Jin, how dare you!" Sang Hong stared grimly at the person in the lead. "Are you trying to rebel?"

Dong Jin was tall and well-built. They had all met him at the welcoming banquet before, but at that time, his official rank was lower, so he wasn't seated at the main table.

"I wouldn't dare!" Dong Jin cupped his hands in a salute. "We are merely here to seek an explanation. Lord Zuo has been diligent and devoted to the imperial court in Yunzhong Commandery for years, always considering the empire's best interests. Yet today, you arrested him on a baseless charge and forced a large number of Prefectural officials to their deaths. Can an imperial envoy act so wantonly?"

Sang Hong said calmly: "As an imperial envoy, I naturally act on behalf of the Emperor and have the authority to deal with local officials. Why would I need to explain myself to you? On the contrary, you brought troops here immediately after I made arrests. How could such a coincidence happen?"

Dong Jin replied: "Yunzhong Commandery is a strategic location, often targeted by bandits. Therefore, soldiers in the city constantly monitor various movements. Furthermore, Lord Sang, you've caused such a large commotion; it would be hard for us not to know."

"So what is your intention now? Attacking the imperial envoy's guesthouse can be considered rebellion." A hint of murderous intent flashed in Sang Hong's eyes. Such a situation called for decisive suppression, otherwise, others who were watching might follow suit, leading to trouble.

Unfortunately, the opponent seemed prepared. He was entirely hidden within the ranks of the soldiers. If Sang Hong failed to strike him down in one blow, the situation would become unmanageable.

"Lord Sang, please don't label us with such a serious charge. We are merely here to seek justice; we would not dare to rebel." Dong Jin's body was also taut, his hand firmly on his sword hilt.

"What kind of justice do you seek, then?" Sang Hong asked expressionlessly.

"Release Lord Zuo." No sooner had Dong Jin finished speaking than his subordinates echoed him, with shouts of "Release Lord Zuo!" rising one after another.

Zuo Su, in the dungeon, even heard them. He opened his eyes, showing neither joy nor sorrow.

Seeing the soldiers grow more agitated with their shouts, even showing a tendency to charge forward, the elite Imperial Guards all brought their long spears forward, adopting a defensive posture. Sensing their movements, the city gate soldiers also drew their long blades.

Beads of sweat visibly trickled down Dong Jin's face. Clearly, he was very nervous at this moment. What did it mean to assault an imperial envoy? For now, it might barely be justifiable, but if an actual fight broke out, his actions would be no different from rebellion.

Sang Hong's face was also ashen. He quickly calculated in his mind how to apprehend his opponent directly. Unfortunately, the opponent was very experienced, hidden within the protection of the military formation. No matter how he calculated, his chance of success was no more than fifty percent.

The situation was on the verge of exploding. Both sides clearly understood that if even a single spark of unexpected trouble occurred, the entire situation would spiral out of control. Although both sides were deliberately exercising restraint, what if someone decided to fish in troubled waters and incite further conflict...?

What they feared most came to pass. Just then, a whistling arrow suddenly shot in from an angle, and a Yunzhong Commandery soldier fell to the ground.

At this point, someone in the formation shouted: "They want to kill us all as rebels! Fight, brothers!"

Everyone's nerves were already taut. With such an instigation, everyone instinctively followed blindly. Soon, the Yunzhong Commandery soldiers clashed with the Imperial Guards.

"Damn it!" Dong Jin cursed under his breath. He could clearly see that someone was secretly instigating trouble. But at this point, he was helpless. His men had descended into madness, and he couldn't stop them even if he wanted to. He could only try to rescue Lord Zuo first.

Sang Hong was also extremely frustrated. Although he understood that both sides seemed to have been manipulated, this was a blatant scheme, and no one could stop it now. A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes. If that was the case, he would kill all these people right here, which would also deter others who might be contemplating similar actions. With his and Zu An's cultivation, combined with the elite Imperial Guards, they certainly wouldn't lose. However, they would undoubtedly suffer considerable losses.

"Ding."

Just then, a burst of pipa music suddenly echoed from the sky.

Everyone instinctively turned their heads to look. They saw a figure appear in a window on an upper floor of the guesthouse.

The person wore an embroidered robe trimmed with gold and a yaksha mask. Their entire presence exuded an inexplicable sense of oppression.

Gold-badge Embroidered Uniform Emissary!