The Empress has abandoned me? I'll support a new emperor and destroy your kingdom!

"Your Highness, he confessed. He was paid a large sum of money to set up an ambush here. We don't know who the employer is, but the contact is a tall, thin man with a scar on his face, who sounds like he's from the capital."

The deposit is five hundred taels of gold, and another one thousand taels will be paid after the deal is done.

There were more than 80 of them in total, divided into three groups. They set up ambushes in Luoying Gorge, Baima Ferry, and Laojun Mountain. This was the first group, and also the strongest.

The last two locations were less crowded, but each had its own "ingenious plan."

"A Beijing accent... a tall, thin guy with a scar on his face..." Yun Jin and Zhou Bo exchanged a glance.

This description somewhat matches the image of a certain "retainer" under the Third Prince's patronage that Su Che had previously provided.

"Also," Zhao Jianing added, pulling out a blood-stained iron tag from his pocket that had been found on the ambush leader. "This tag is made in the military style, but the design is old-fashioned, like... the waist tag that was discarded by the troops stationed in the southern border a few years ago."

Southern Xinjiang? Yun Jin's heart skipped a beat.

The rebel king, Yun Tao, had his fiefdom in the southern borderlands.

The third prince had previously served as the military governor of the southern frontier in the Ministry of War…

The clues seem to be starting to connect.

"Clear the road and speed up the passage! Send someone with my token to Qingping County ahead to mobilize the local garrison troops to provide support along the way and thoroughly investigate any suspicious persons in the vicinity!" Yun Jin decisively gave the order.

She must traverse the danger zone as quickly as possible while simultaneously relying on official forces to counter any potential follow-up attacks.

"yes!"

The team sprang into action.

An hour later, the road was barely cleared to create a passage.

The group abandoned some of the damaged supply wagons, placed the wounded in the remaining carriages, and set off again.

Everyone's face was solemn and tired, but their eyes were even more vigilant.

The snowstorm hasn't stopped, and the road ahead is long.

The first ambush was successfully completed without serious incident.

But everyone knew that this was just the beginning.

Baima Ferry, Laojun Mountain, and the unknown southern battlefield—more dangers await ahead.

What kind of waves will be stirred up in the capital when news of the attack on this team reaches back?

While Yun Jin's caravan was fighting a bloody battle in Luoying Gorge, a thousand miles away in Linyuan City, a silent war, even more dangerous and mysterious, had quietly entered its climax.

The secluded cottage in the south of the city appeared as calm as ever, even more deserted because its owner had "caught a cold and closed the door to guests."

However, deep underground, in a secret room known only to Su Che and a very few core members, the lights were on and the atmosphere was as heavy as iron.

On the huge table, a detailed map of the capital and its surrounding areas was spread out, with dozens of points marked with different colored cinnabar and small notes next to them.

Grey Falcon and several of the most capable branch commanders of "Listening" stood solemnly to one side, quickly reporting the movements of all parties.

"Three quarters ago, 'Jia San' sent a message that Mr. Jia left the Third Prince's residence, went into the 'Baoyuan' pawnshop in the west city, and came out half an incense stick later. He changed into plain clothes and took a sedan chair towards the 'Dabei Temple' in the south of the city. Our people are following him."

"Half an hour ago, 'Yi Qi' discovered that several carts loaded with medicinal herbs and cloth entered the back gate of the Third Prince's residence. However, the weight of the cargo boxes was unusual when they were unloading, suggesting that they might be carrying weapons or people. We have already sent people to investigate."

"News has come from the Jingzhao Prefecture government that there were several 'thefts' in the southern part of the city last night. Not much property was stolen, but the victims were all knocked unconscious by sleeping potions. The methods were sophisticated and not those of ordinary petty thieves. One of the households belonged to a clerk in the Ministry of War's Armory Department."

"The adopted son of Liu Jin, the eunuch of the inner court, left the palace early this morning and went to his residence in the east of the city. He stayed there for a long time. In the afternoon, unfamiliar faces entered and left his residence."

Seemingly scattered and unimportant pieces of information were rapidly pieced together, filtered, and analyzed in Su Che's mind.

His finger moved slowly across the map, finally stopping between the "Great Compassion Temple" and a chaotic shantytown in the south of the city.

"Mr. Jia's trip to Dabeisi Temple was a pretense; his real purpose was to slip away and infiltrate 'Mudfish Alley.'" Su Che's voice was calm, yet carried a cold certainty.

"Mudfish Alley" is a melting pot of all sorts of people, making it the perfect place to hide fugitives and pass on messages.

He goes there in person either to meet someone extremely important or to give extremely important instructions.

Grey Falcon, send more men to keep a close watch on all entrances and exits of "Mudfish Alley," especially the hidden stakeouts that Mr. Jia might come into contact with.

There's no need to alert him; just figure out his purpose.

"yes!"

"The 'goods' transported into the Third Prince's residence are likely assassins or equipment prepared for subsequent operations. Have someone investigate the exact quantity and hiding place. As for the 'theft case' in the Capital Prefecture..." Su Che sneered.

"The real intention was not the wine. The theft at the armory chief's residence was probably not about gold or silver, but rather about certain 'accounts' or 'certificates' that could prove the flow of military equipment."

They want to create chaos, take advantage of the confusion, or even frame someone.

"Have our men secretly protect several clerks who might be silenced and have inside information; if necessary, strike first."

"clear!"

"Liu Jin's godson..." Su Che pondered.

"Mr. Jia did indeed make a move on the inner court. He wanted to use Liu Jin's influence to 'put a bad word' on His Majesty within the palace, or... to influence His Majesty's decisions or even his safety at a crucial moment."

Tell those in the palace to keep a close watch on Liu Jin and his confidants, especially His Majesty's medicine, food, and personal attendants.

If any unusual activity occurs, there is no need to request permission; all necessary measures should be taken to stop it, and the emperor's safety must be guaranteed.

"yes!"

One command after another was issued clearly and decisively.

Under Su Che's control, the massive and sophisticated machine "Listening" operated silently and efficiently, like an invisible net that turned against those opponents who thought they were secretly plotting against each other.

"Sir," Grey Falcon reported, then hesitated for a moment, "a message came from Her Highness the Princess: she has passed 'Fallen Eagle Gorge,' encountered an ambush, was repelled, suffered over a hundred casualties, captured prisoners, and obtained clues pointing to the old military tokens of the Southern Frontier and the Scarface in the capital. Her Highness has accelerated her southward journey and has dispatched local garrisons to provide support."

A cold glint flashed in Su Che's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Understood. Compile a list of the clues we have regarding the connection between the Scarface and the former Southern Frontier Army, and send it to Zhou Bo through secret channels. Also, have our people along the southward route fully cooperate with Your Highness to clear obstacles and provide intelligence. In particular, there are bound to be ambushes at 'White Horse Ferry' and 'Old Jun Mountain,' so Your Highness must be extremely careful."

"yes!"

Grey Falcon accepted the order and was about to leave when Su Che called him back: "Also, activate the 'Type C' plan."

Grey Falcon's body stiffened: "Sir, now? Isn't it too early? 'Criterion C' is what we buried the deepest..."

"It's not early."

Su Che walked to the window and looked at the dark night sky outside. The wind and snow seemed to have lessened a bit, but the chill was even stronger.