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

The door to the secret room was closed, shutting out the strong smell of blood inside.

Shen Jinglong held a few crumpled sheets of paper in his hand.

This was found in a hidden compartment close to Wang Daoyuan's body.

The page was covered with names and detailed financial transactions.

Who sent money to the Holy Lord over there? Who helped transport goods? Who was in charge of keeping an eye on the Shen family's movements?

Everything is on here.

Zhuque followed beside him, wiping the blood from her hands, her eyes brimming with barely concealed excitement.

"Commander Long, this time we've really raided their lair."

She wiped the dagger on her sleeve and then tucked it back into her waistband.

"The Wang family is completely finished. Judging from the commotion outside just now, the Li, Zhou, and Zheng families must be in a panic right now."

"These guys have always tried to trip us up because they have some money."

"The opportunity is perfect now."

"Let's press on and go to their homes one by one tonight to send them to see Grandma and thoroughly clean up Cangcheng."

Zhuque became more and more enthusiastic as he spoke, his hand resting on the walkie-talkie, ready to order the mobilization of the Dragon Guards at any moment.

Shen Jinglong did not respond.

He looked down at the list.

I watched it for less than three seconds.

I applied a little pressure with my fingers.

With a "rip" sound.

The letter turned into fragments at his fingertips, fluttering and falling to the ground, mingling with the dust on the roadside.

"It can't be washed clean."

Shen Jinglong said it in a calm tone.

Zhuque froze, her hand on the walkie-talkie hanging in mid-air: "What? Aren't they all here? Just arrest them according to the list..."

"Just a few ants."

Shen Jinglong patted the scraps of paper off his hands and walked out.

"What Wang Daoyuan spat out were nothing more than a few discarded pawns that the so-called Holy Lord casually tossed into Cangcheng."

"The real big fish isn't in Cangcheng at all."

"Keep those three families alive."

"Why? Are you saving it for the New Year?" Zhuque was confused and quickly followed after him.

The night breeze was a bit chilly, making Shen Jinglong's trench coat rustle loudly.

"This net needs to be cast."

"If the water isn't muddy, how dare the big fish show their faces?"

"Don't stir the water too clear before the fish are in the net."

Suzaku nodded. Although she still felt it would be more satisfying to just cut him down, Dragon Commander's words were an ironclad rule.

"So what do we do now? Go home?"

Shen Jinglong looked up at the sky.

The moon was half-hidden by dark clouds, appearing deathly pale.

"Go back to Baicao Hall."

"Things have been a bit turbulent these past few days, so I have to stay with Sisi."

. . .

Baicaotang.

It's 1 a.m.

The lanterns at the gate swayed in the wind, and the shadows on the ground danced wildly.

Two guards on night watch were huddled behind the stone lions to avoid the wind.

One of them was named Tiezhu, a young man who had only been working there for two months.

The other one is called Lao Zhang, and he's a seasoned veteran.

"Goodness gracious, what time is it? My eyelids are drooping."

Tie Zhu was holding a thermos, stomping his feet and complaining.

"It's only a little past one o'clock, what are you panicking about?"

Old Zhang lit a cigarette, took a puff, and exhaled a shapeless smoke ring.

"Young man, why are you so weak? You can't even handle staying up all night?"

"What we call cultivating immortality, you know?"

"If this were a novel, we'd be like... those extras who're in charge of delivering lunchboxes. If we don't keep our spirits up now, we'll have to open the door for the main character when he comes back."

Tie Zhu sighed, pulled up the collar of his down jacket, and hunched his neck.

"I'm afraid we'll encounter the villain before we even get to see the main character."

"Think about it, isn't that how it's always portrayed on TV?"

"A dark and windy night for murder."

"Those of us who stand guard are often the first to get killed off, without even a single line."

"I don't have any grand ambitions. I just want to save more money, build a two-story house back in my hometown, get married, and in a few years, let my son take the civil service exam."

"Shut up! Someone's coming!"

Old Zhang's ears twitched, and he slammed out his cigarette, reaching for the baton at his waist.

far away.

Two beams of stark white headlights pierced the darkness.

A black sedan, without honking its horn, silently glided over like a ghost.

Stopped at the bottom of the steps.

The car door opened.

A woman came down.

He was wearing a black trench coat with the collar turned up high, and large sunglasses that covered half of his face.

Even if you can't see their face clearly, their aura that keeps strangers at bay makes people afraid to look them in the eye.

Tie Zhu's legs trembled slightly: "Brother Zhang, is this... is this a villainous female demon? Judging from her posture, she looks like she's about to devour someone."

"Stop talking nonsense and stand up straight!"

Old Zhang gave a low shout.

The woman walked up in her high heels, her footsteps echoing.

Every step felt like stepping on someone's heartbeat.

I walked to the door.

stop.

Take off your sunglasses.

He revealed a delicate yet chillingly cold face.

Princess Huimin.

Where is Shen Jinglong?

She spoke, her voice not loud, but carrying an unquestionable tone of command.

Tie Zhu felt his throat was dry, and he could barely speak.

"Um... well... Commander Long hasn't returned yet, so... how about we reschedule?"

Princess Huimin didn't even glance at him, and simply took out a golden token from her bag and waved it.

"I'll wait here."

After saying that, she pushed aside the iron pillar blocking her way and strode inside.

Tie Zhu and Lao Zhang exchanged a glance.

No one dared to stop them.

. . .

Ten minutes later.

A sudden screech of brakes sounded at the door.

Shen Jinglong is back.

Upon entering the hall.

Then I saw Princess Huimin sitting on the sofa in the center, holding a cup of tea in her hand, but she didn't drink it.

The tea had long since gone cold.

Zhuque followed behind Shen Jinglong. Upon seeing this, her brows immediately furrowed, and her hand instinctively reached for her waist.

"What's this woman doing here? In the middle of the night, doesn't she know better than to be discreet?"

Zhuque muttered something under her breath, clearly annoyed.

Shen Jinglong waved his hand, signaling Zhuque and all his subordinates to leave.

"You all get out."

"No one is allowed to approach within fifty meters of the hall without my order."

"Yes."

The doors to the hall were closed.

The room was empty, with only two people remaining.

It was very quiet.

Shen Jinglong walked to the opposite side of the sofa and sat down without any ceremony.

They didn't ask anyone to change the tea to hot tea.

He just stared at Princess Huimin like that.

"If you've come so late, it must be for something important. The tea service at my Baicaotang is charged by the second."

Shen Jinglong spoke, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger.

Princess Huimin placed the teacup she was holding on the table.

With a "clatter".

A bit heavy.

"Shen Jinglong, do you think you're so great?"

"You destroyed the Wang family and forced Prince Anle to leave, do you think you'll be in charge of Cangcheng from now on?"

Princess Huimin stared into Shen Jinglong's eyes, speaking rapidly with a hint of hostility.

Shen Jinglong smiled.

The skin laughs but the flesh does not laugh.

"Whether it's impressive or not, I don't need to say it myself."

"It's a fact that Prince Anle runs faster than a rabbit."

"What? Are you here to speak up for that good-for-nothing? Or to stand up for him?"

"If so, the door is over there. Goodbye and don't bother coming back."

Shen Jinglong pointed to the gate.