Hurt my loved ones? I'm not guarding this country's borders anymore!

Previous Chapter Recap: "Yes! We swear to complete the mission to the death!"

The next day, early in the morning.

A gold-embossed invitation was delivered to Marshal Long's residence by a special envoy from the Military Affairs Bureau.

No signature.

There is only a faint orchid mark.

That was Princess Huimin's personal seal.

Location: Tingyuxuan (Listening to the Rain Pavilion).

This is the most elegant and mysterious teahouse in Cangcheng.

They usually only entertain dignitaries, and it's said that a cup of their tea can cost as much as a year's worth of food for an ordinary family.

"Commander Long, Tingyu Pavilion is located in a complicated area, and it's also the territory of that princess. Should we lead troops to surround it?"

Suzaku wiped the short blade in his hand, his eyes wary.

"Need not."

Shen Jinglong casually tossed the invitation onto the table, changed into casual clothes, and said, "It's just a trap."

Leading troops would only make me, Shen Jinglong, look like I'm afraid of a woman. You wait outside; I'll go alone.

……

Tingyuxuan is built by the lake.

A light drizzle falls, and the waters stretch endlessly.

Inside the private room, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood.

Princess Huimin changed out of her palace attire today and wore an elegant moon-white cheongsam that accentuated her breathtaking curves.

She was preparing tea herself, stirring the soup with her delicate hands.

If you ignored the occasional glint of shrewdness in her eyes, this would be an absolutely exquisite portrait of a lady.

"Lord Dragon, please."

Princess Huimin pushed a cup of fragrant tea in front of Shen Jinglong with a smile.

Shen Jinglong sat down but did not drink the tea.

He looked at the rain outside the window and said calmly, "I won't drink the tea. Princess, please speak your mind."

"Dragon Lord is truly a man of few words."

Princess Huimin was not annoyed. She took a sip of tea and said, "I invited the Dragon Lord here today, firstly to congratulate him. He wiped out the four great families overnight. Such swift and decisive measures are unique in the entire Great Xia Dynasty."

"Secondly..."

She leaned forward slightly, her breath sweet as orchids, "What has Your Majesty thought of the previous proposal? A marriage bestowed by the King is the highest honor. If Your Majesty agrees, we will be husband and wife from now on. Cangcheng will be yours, and this half of the Southern Territory will also be yours."

"couple?"

Shen Jinglong turned his head, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "So, the princess's so-called marriage is just about inviting me for tea while sending people to steal things from my residence in the middle of the night?"

Princess Huimin's hand trembled, and a few drops of tea spilled out.

But she was, after all, a woman who had seen many storms, and her smile remained unchanged: "Your Majesty is joking. How could I not understand?"

"That man in black last night was quite skilled."

Shen Jinglong tapped his fingers lightly on the table, making a rhythmic "tap-tap" sound. "Unfortunately, he couldn't keep his mouth shut. He said that the princess was even more nervous about those secret ledgers than Prince Anle."

The air in the private room seemed to freeze instantly.

Princess Huimin put down her teacup.

The alluring look on her face vanished, replaced by the calm and sharpness befitting someone in a position of power.

"It seems I underestimated you."

She sighed. "Shen Jinglong, since you're a smart man, I'll be frank. My surname is Shangguan."

Shangguan!

Shen Jinglong raised an eyebrow.

The Shangguan family is one of the five great clans of the capital!

That was one of the families with the closest ties to the royal family and the most immense power!

"King Anle has been in this position for too long, and his reach has become too long."

A cold glint flashed in Princess Huimin's eyes. "Our Shangguan family needs evidence of his crimes in the south. And the account book in your hand is the best weapon."

"You want to use me as a pawn?" Shen Jinglong sneered.

"It's cooperation."

Princess Huimin corrected her, "You have military power, I have intelligence. Prince Anle is our common enemy. I know he has a hidden force in Cangcheng called 'Shadow Tower.' As long as you give me the account books, I can use the Shangguan family's intelligence network to help you uncover this Shadow Tower."

"Not only that."

She continued to throw out the bait, "I know you're looking for medicine to save your daughter. The Shangguan family possesses rare treasures from all over the world; perhaps I have clues about those supremely yang-enhancing items you're looking for."

have to say.

This offer is very tempting.

Especially the medicine for saving Sisi.

Shen Jinglong remained silent for a moment.

Just when Princess Huimin thought he was going to agree.

He suddenly stood up.

"Cooperation is possible."

Shen Jinglong looked down at her. "But not now. If you want my account books, first show me your sincerity. Send me the exact location of Shadow Tower, or a thousand-year-old Fire Spirit Mushroom. Otherwise, forget it."

"You!" Princess Huimin was furious. "Shen Jinglong, you're too arrogant! Do you know who you're talking to? Without me, you can't move an inch in the capital!"

"That's my business."

Shen Jinglong straightened his collar, turned around and walked out.

He paused as he reached the door.

"Also, let me remind the princess of something."

Shen Jinglong didn't turn around, his voice coming coldly, "I know more than you think. For example... those men under Prince Anle who wear black clothes with fire embroidered on their cuffs."

boom!

Princess Huimin suddenly stood up, and the teacup shattered on the ground!

"Blood Flame?!"

She exclaimed in shock, "How could you possibly know about Bloodflame?! That's royalty..."

Before she could finish speaking, Shen Jinglong's figure had already disappeared into the rain.

Princess Huimin was left alone in the private room, her face pale and her chest heaving violently.

"He...he even knows about Blood Flame..."

Princess Huimin muttered to herself, her fingers gripping the corner of the table tightly.

This man is too dangerous.

The cards he held were far more terrifying than he had anticipated.

"Someone come here!"

Princess Huimin took a deep breath and regained her composure.

A maid appeared like a ghost.

"Send a message to Father." Princess Huimin's eyes flashed with a cold light. "The plan has changed. Shen Jinglong is uncontrollable. If he cannot be used by me, I must... eliminate him as soon as possible!"

The rain was getting heavier and heavier.

Outside Tingyu Pavilion, Shen Jinglong held up a black umbrella.

"Commander Long, the negotiations have broken down?"

Zhuque, who had been waiting outside, came forward and asked in a low voice.

"We never intended to reach an agreement anyway."

Shen Jinglong looked at the hazy street ahead and smiled coldly. "The waters in the capital are murky. The Prince of Anle and the Shangguan family are nothing but dogs fighting each other. We don't rely on anyone but the guns in our hands."

"Let's go home."

"I'm afraid... it won't be easy to travel."

Suzaku suddenly stopped and reached for the short blade at his waist:

"Commander Long, there's a murderous aura ahead."