Embers of Sword

Chapter 572 Twenty-Four Hours (18)

In the dungeon, the two faced off in a tense standoff, deathly silent.

The candlelight flickered and swayed in the wind, and the spies in this silent dungeon seemed to be forming two opposing camps.

Before tonight, everyone in the Imperial City Guard assumed that Yuan Jimo had died in Qujiang, and that Jiang Qihu was the undisputed future head. In fact, for most spies, this was a good thing. Jiang Qihu was an upright man, and if they could work under him, they wouldn't have to live in fear of being punished for making small mistakes.

Unfortunately.

Yuan Jimu has returned.

The first thing he did upon returning was to publicly execute the Special Envoy, Tong Gu.

"Lord Yuan is truly ruthless. He killed a trusted confidant who had followed him for many years without hesitation."

Jiang Qihu glanced at the bronze skeleton and said calmly, "The Imperial City Division is an important place for official business, and the position of chief is vacant... Do you expect all the brothers to wear mourning clothes for you? Now that you have killed the bronze skeleton, what will you do with the other brothers?"

These words resonated with many people.

They feared Yuan Jimu.

During this period, many people expressed their intention to surrender to the library.

Given the capabilities of the Imperial City Guard, it's impossible that they couldn't find out.

Since Yuan Jimu has decided to settle scores... how could these surrendered people possibly escape?

"Lord Jiang, you flatter me."

Yuan Jimo wiped his long sword and said calmly, "I almost died at Qujiang. It is only reasonable for you brothers to seek refuge with other sects. However, Tonggu should really wear mourning clothes for me."

The cultivation resources, official positions, and benefits of Tong Gu were all obtained by Yuan Jimu on his behalf.

Before the Qujiang Incident.

Tonggu was Yuan Jimu's "right-hand man".

"Before I left, this kid swore he would take good care of the Imperial City Guard."

But what has happened now?

"I killed him because he owed me."

Yuan Jimu paused for a moment, then smiled and said, “Ignorance is no excuse. My brothers and I were unaware of what happened in Qujiang before… As long as you repent and recognize your mistakes, I, Yuan, can forgive and forget what you did before.”

Having said that.

But the spies who heard these words were all drenched in sweat.

Yuan Jimu was a "true villain".

They had worked with the chief for ten years and knew his style all too well.

Let bygones be bygones?

That sounds nice... but who knows what will happen in the future?
"Tonight's performance is simply to let you all know that I, Yuan, am still alive."

Yuan Jimo sheathed his sword, looked around, and said quietly, "I've heard that many people have been advocating for 'Lord Jiang' to take the top seat these days... I wonder how many have changed their minds now?"

obviously.

Tonight's meeting in the Imperial City Guard dungeon is to force everyone present to make a decision—

"absurd!"

Suddenly, a black-robed spy with a white beard stepped forward.

He cleared his throat and said loudly, "Since the Chief is not dead... how can we talk about promoting a new leader? It's just a farce!"

The dungeon was no longer deathly silent.

The black-robed spy approached Yuan Jimo and stated his position.

“He Yong, Registrar of the Imperial City Bureau’s Earth Division.”

Yuan Jimu smiled and said, "I remember you. You worked in the Imperial City Guard for twenty years."

"...Yes, my lord."

He Yong was somewhat surprised, then replied with a flattered expression, "I have been serving as the Registrar of the Imperial City Guard for twenty-one years."

"Seven days ago, you submitted your 'pledge of allegiance' to the library. You delivered the interrogation list from the Earth Prison over the past thirty years to Chen Jingxuan."

Yuan Jimu's single sentence wiped the smile off He Yong's face.

He Yong's face suddenly turned pale.

Yuan Jimu not only knew his name...

We also know what he did...

This means that, although Yuan Jimu has not appeared in public during this period, he has been in control of all the intelligence in the capital...

"grown ups……"

He Yong's voice trembled, and he couldn't speak.

He slowly bent over, burying his head very low.

The blood from the bronze bones on the ground spread right up to him, soaking the hem of his official robe, which hung low to the ground as he bowed.

"no need to worry."

Yuan Jimu said gently, "As I said before, as long as one repents and recognizes one's mistakes, I can forgive and forget what one did before."

“…My lord?!” He Yong looked up at Yuan Jimo in disbelief.

"Effective immediately, I hereby appoint you as the supervisor of the Earth Prison."

Yuan Jimu spoke in a gentle tone, then sighed, "He Yong... actually, that interrogation list isn't important. But if you had resisted the temptation seven days ago, you would be the registrar of the three prisons now."

He Yong was stunned.

"This humble servant is willing to serve Your Excellency with utmost loyalty!"

Immediately afterward, another spy stepped forward from the crowd.

This is a young man, carrying a knife and a sword, with a scar on his face.

"Xu Huan".

Yuan Jimu smiled and pointed out the name, his eyes filled with appreciation: "You have always been someone I have high hopes for. You have cultivated to the Cave Heaven Realm at such a young age. During the time I have been away from the capital, you have remained well-behaved, which is very rare... Now that Tonggu is dead, the vacant position of 'Special Envoy' should be filled by someone."

Xu Huan also looked incredulous: "My lord, me?"

The Great Chu Imperial City has only ten special envoys in total.

Each one must possess the strength of a fully realized grotto-heaven.

Although he has cultivated to the Cave Heaven Realm, he is currently only at the third level of cultivation.

"Don't underestimate yourself."

Yuan Jimu took out a bottle of pills from his waist pouch and said softly, "This is an 'immortal pill' made by the one at Renshou Palace. After consuming it, it will not only increase your Yuan Power, but also allow you to comprehend the 'Dao Realm' ahead of time. With your talent, it won't be long before you reach the peak of the Cave Heaven Realm."

Xu Huan accepted the pill with both hands, his palms trembling uncontrollably.

What does it mean to rise to the top in one step?
This is a step to success!
The elixir personally refined by the Holy Empress... In the past, he would never have dared to dream of such a thing.

With two more defectors appearing, the dungeon began to stir.

The strong wind blew, and the flickering flames of the torches, which had been swaying precariously, now swayed and leaned toward Yuan Jimo.

Jiang Qihu watched this scene unfold.

He's actually not very good at winning people over.

After the Qujiang Incident, Shulou was responsible for arranging everything regarding his identity.

At this moment, Jiang Qihu knew very well that he should stand up and say something.

At the very least, some promises should be made.

But he couldn't say it.

Looking at the flickering torches in the dungeon, one by one they approached Yuan Jimo.

All Jiang Qihu could do was remain silent.

"..."

In a short while, more than 70% of the fire lamps in the dungeon returned to Yuan Jimo's side.

Where Jiang Qihu stood, only a few lights followed.

Among them were some of Jiang family confidants who had come to the capital with him.

There were also some loyal old subordinates whom he had personally trained over the years.

Tonight, the Imperial City Division dungeon is a battlefield without gunpowder... The moment the torch flickers and falls, the war is over.

Yuan Jimu returned to the Imperial City Guard alive.

A sword without bloodshed.

He regained the power that belonged to him.

However, Jiang Qihu's unease did not dissipate.

He calmly watched as the spies in the dungeon regrouped and gradually left him, without the slightest ripple in his heart...

He didn't care about the power of the Imperial City Guard, nor did he care about the empty title of Chief.

Of course, they don't care about those who have left them.

My own unease tonight.

It wasn't because of a dispute over the chief seat at all—

珰。

A slight tremor suddenly sounded from the command token at Jiang Qihu's waist.

He frowned, slowly reaching into his waist pouch and pressing down on the signal token.

Jiang Qihu currently only carries three communication tokens on his person. One is the Ruyi Token, used to communicate with his master; one is the Imperial City Token, used for official duties; and this third one is the Qingzhou Token, used to contact the Jiang family.

At this moment, the magistrate of Qingzhou is trembling!

As his divine sense swept over him, Jiang Qihu's expression immediately turned ashen.

The dispatch from Qingzhou was extremely brief, consisting of only four characters, yet it struck like a bolt from the blue—

The Jiang residence has been attacked!

(End of this chapter)