Scourge Messenger

Chapter 97 Arrival in Jiangnan
Yan Qing knew that Yue'er was Shang Yue, the eldest son of the Shang family, and Xin Hao was Shang Xin Hao, the second daughter of the Shang family, who was already married.

"Why take children's words to heart? Once they get to know each other, the older brother will naturally care for his younger sister. Even Buddha and Bodhisattvas are not immune to evil thoughts. If we judge by intentions rather than actions, the human world would be a hell."

"Great monk, do you think I hate Yue'er?" Shang Xuanwen turned to look at the Rat Monk: "I hate myself."

"After that, I took off the Heart-Binding Bell and tried to escape that hell. But what awaited me was not paradise, but another hell. I would think that anyone I talked to was malicious, even if my son ran over to hug me, I would think that he would hurt me."

"I put the Heart-Binding Bell on again. It was like a carriage that allowed me to walk faster and more comfortably than anyone else, but after sitting in it for a long time, I forgot how to walk. I could only continue to ride in the carriage and never have any contact with the people outside the carriage."

"Only in this way can I avoid being stung by the hell of others."

He slowly regained his composure, transforming back into the taciturn, autocratic, and aloof Prime Minister of Liang. He looked up at the paper in the Rat Monk's hand and said, "From then on, I established a rule at home: no reward without merit. Conversely, if you receive a reward, it means you have already made an effort, and you don't need to thank anyone else, just yourself."

"The missing fatherly love can be made up for with education and self-confidence."

Watching Shang Xuanwen walk back to the back room, Yan Qing couldn't help but ask, "Even if your daughter resents you?"

"I'm used to it."

Yan Qing glanced at the system time; it was already 11:26. Soon, the thieves would gather at the Thieves' House. He didn't have much time left. Although the success rate was low, he could only rush over and steal the Heaven-Slaying Sword after Shang Xuanwen went to bed.

Yan Qing stood at the door, itching to hear the creak of the bed. But what reached her ears first was the distant sound of an explosion!
There are experts too! ?
Yan Qing could only watch helplessly as Shang Xuanwen dressed and ran out at top speed. Not only him, but everyone on duty in the Ministry of Personnel was jolted awake by the sudden explosion. Looking up to the north, they could see a plume of black smoke rising.

"Judging by the direction, it seems to be the city's armory." Shang Xuanwen looked at the military officer on duty at the Ministry of Personnel: "Chen Zaiyuan, how many soldiers are there in the Ministry?"

"Twenty-six people."

"Leave ten men to guard the scene; the rest of you come with me to inspect it." Shang Xuanwen looked at the Rat Monk: "Aren't you going back?"

Why did the explosions occur at a crucial facility in Jiangnan City precisely before the Thieves' House operation began? It's almost as if Shang Xuanwen was deliberately lured away.

Yan Qing's mind raced, but he had too little information to guess what would happen next. Although Shang Xuanwen was right in front of him, and the Heaven-Slaying Sword was within reach, he had no chance to steal it anymore.

If the rat monk dared to make a move, he would be arrested on the spot by everyone around him.

What should he do? What can he do?
"Prime Minister."

The Rat Monk said, "This humble monk suspects there is a conspiracy behind the explosion. As a guard, I must stay by his side at this critical moment."

"But this humble monk is unarmed. If I encounter any enemies, please lend me the Heaven-Slaying Staff."

"Great monk, you seem to have a particular fondness for the Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber." Shang Xuanwen's words made Yan Qing, who was watching from outside the screen, nervous. However, Yan Qing was just overthinking it: "Once you become a messenger, I will give you a longsword as a token."

……

...

Although the hall of the thieves' house was empty, the atmosphere was almost suffocating.

The thieves stared at the constantly moving dots on the sand table. Even though they were wearing masks, Yan Qing could tell that their faces were ashen—at least Yao Shiyuan and Ying Ru were certain of that.

"Why would he be running around the city so late at night?" The pharmacist asked, sounding like a mother who had just seen her child not come home. "There was an explosion at the armory in the north of the city. It's suspected that the Taihu rebels caused the disturbance." Shang Xinlei pointed to the burning buildings to the north and said, "The Taihu rebels cause trouble in Jiangnan City several times a year. They just assassinated Shang Xuanwen a few days ago. It's probably because Shang Xuanwen captured many of their accomplices that they retaliated so quickly."

"I have no interest in Liang's internal strife. The question now is what to do!" Yaoshi looked at Yan Qing: "Does your inside man still have a way to steal the Heaven-Slaying Sword?"

"I can only say that you shouldn't have too high expectations," Yan Qing said. "In any case, if we want to get the Heaven-Slaying Sword, we have to find Shang Xuanwen first."

“With the armory on fire, many people will definitely be rushing there,” Ying said calmly. “Our advantage is that we can act covertly and take advantage of the enemy’s unpreparedness. If we face the army directly, and they realize that the main city’s rules have been temporarily lifted, then we might not even be able to save our lives, let alone complete our mission.”

Compared to this mission, the first mission in Chang'an was as easy as a picnic. The treasure was hidden in an unmoving chest, which was hidden in Anguo Temple. From beginning to end, the thieves never faced the imperial court in Chang'an, and the enemies they encountered were just a few bald men.

But this time their target was the sword of the Prime Minister of Liang, and they were bound to confront the Liang court no matter what. Even though Yaoshi Yuan and Ying Rushi usually thought that Southern Liang was weak and vulnerable, when individuals faced the state apparatus, they still felt an overwhelming pressure.

What's more, they were confronting the most powerful prime minister of Liang in the capital of Liang!

The enemy had already gained the advantage of terrain and popular support, but now they had lost even the advantage of favorable timing. How could the thieves not be anxious?
"All members present. Mission begins in five seconds. Deployment location: Jiangnan City, Shangxiajiu Archway..."

Just before the teleportation, everyone witnessed another explosion in the central area of ​​the sand table, sending billowing smoke into the air. This area was the heart of the Great Liang Dynasty, the most crucial location in Jiangnan City: the Imperial Palace!

No one cared where the palace had been bombed; everyone turned to look at Shang Xuanwen, who was moving, and saw him immediately stop and turn to look in the direction of the palace.

As the countdown ended, the thieves' vision went black. Before they could even open their eyes, their bodies were already being embraced by the night breeze of Jiangnan.

The surrounding roads were pitch black, except for lanterns hanging at both ends of the archway, which illuminated the four large characters on the archway: "A Wonder of Jiangnan".

Besides the four large characters, there are many other names on both sides, all of which are the names of restaurants and eateries in Jiangnan City. Unlike the common memorial arches for loyalty and filial piety or chastity, the Shangxiajiu Archway is a food archway. Only the winners of the food competition held every five years are qualified to have their shop names engraved on it. Tourists from other places only need to look up at the archway to know where to find delicious food in Jiangnan.

It's a pity it's nighttime, otherwise Yan Qing would really like to find a chance to eat something.

“Look,” the pharmacist said, pointing to the east.

They turned their heads and saw billowing black smoke rising from the majestic palace in the distance. Countless torches lit up in the mansions outside the palace. After a brief moment of panic, they gathered together, like a swarm of fireflies imprisoned by four walls.

"Shang Xuanwen was also paying attention to the situation at the palace just now," Ying said. "Compared to the armory, the palace is undoubtedly more important. As the prime minister, he has both the responsibility and the right to enter the palace to check on the situation."

"Moreover, even if we can't find Shang Xuanwen in the palace, we have another option." The Pharmacist, like a runaway girl, squatted on the archway and coldly uttered the most prestigious name in Jiangnan City: "The Emperor!"

"If we can't capture Shang Xuanwen, we'll use the emperor to force him out! If he won't let me complete my mission, then let Liang Kingdom experience what it's like to have its emperor kidnapped in the capital!"

“A crazy idea,” Ying said calmly, “but we have no other choice.”

At this moment, Yan Qing looked at Shang Xinlei.

From the very beginning, Shang Xinlei proposed the plan to infiltrate the palace and kidnap the emperor. After it was rejected by everyone, she never brought it up again and remained silent, even ceasing to lead the meetings... Even now, with so many issues arising, she still remains completely silent.

Was she indifferent, or... not surprised?

(End of this chapter)