Frontier Hero: From Receiving a Convicted Woman to Becoming an Emperor for All Time

Back at his residence, Han Shi'an sat at the table, his expression shifting between light and dark.

This time, he had suffered a major setback at Shen Chuxiao's hands. In his decades in officialdom, he had never suffered such a loss. Thinking about everything that had just happened, he was almost driven mad.

Zhao Chongyuan stood aside and whispered, "Lord Han, we can't delay any longer. If we drag this out any longer, and Zhou Henian really starts making baseless accusations, we'll all be doomed."

No one would have imagined that this matter was related to Zhao Chongyuan.

However, that is indeed the case.

Zhou Henian dared to secretly transport grain to the Black Stone tribe of the barbarians. With so many checkpoints, it would have been impossible for him to completely conceal his activities without someone secretly informing him.

Zhao Chongyuan is the key link in Ling Shuang Pass.

Han Shi'an asked, "Have you found out where Zhou Henian is being held?"

"It should be in the camp's prison. But Lu Chenzhou sent Lin Shang to guard it personally; not even a fly could get in. Our people... dare not approach."

"Dare not?" Han Shi'an suddenly raised his head. "You really are a piece of trash! As the military commander of Ling Shuang Pass, wielding real power, and having arrived so many years before Lu Chenzhou, you can't even get into a prison? What use are you good-for-nothings to me?"

Zhao Chongyuan was scolded until his face turned red. Although he was unhappy, he dared not say a word.

Han Shi'an stood up and walked to the window.

He had been at Ling Shuang Pass for some time, ostensibly to investigate Zhou Henian's treason case, but secretly to destroy the evidence in Zhou Henian's hands.

But in recent days, he hasn't even seen Zhou Henian's face. Instead, he has suffered heavy losses and was publicly humiliated by a mere scout captain.

What worried him even more was that if Zhou Henian's matter was not handled properly, he would only have one way out: death.

"We can't wait any longer." Han Shi'an turned around. "Go and spread a message that I'm hosting a banquet at Wangfeng Tower tonight to congratulate Shen Chuxiao on his promotion to scout captain."

Zhao Chongyuan looked up, surprised, and asked, "Does Your Excellency mean—"

"If we can't kill him openly, we'll kill him secretly. This Shen Chuxiao is even more difficult to deal with than Lu Chenzhou. If we kill him, Lu Chenzhou won't dare to do anything to me. Once Shen Chuxiao is dead, Lu Chenzhou will be completely at my mercy. Oh, and bring Lin Shang along too. That guy is Lu Chenzhou's lackey; he has to die as well."

"Yes."

Shen Chuxiao was quite surprised when he received the news.

Zhao Chongyuan had always been at odds with him.

After all, he became a scout captain at such a young age, and the general even gave him special permission to draw troops from various camps at will, expanding the force by several hundred, which was unprecedented in Ling Shuang Pass.

Not only was Zhao Chongyuan unhappy, but the other veteran officers were also resentful.

Lin Shang sensed something was amiss and advised Shen Chuxiao not to go to the appointment.

Shen Chuxiao readily agreed, secretly laughing to himself. How naive of Han Shi'an to think he could be manipulated with such petty tricks.

Before leaving, he instructed Zhao Wu to keep a close watch on the military prison tonight and to report immediately if any suspicious person approached.

He then went to Wangfeng Tower with Lin Shang and Tie Niu.

Wangfenglou was the only decent restaurant in Lingshuang Pass. The border region was bitterly cold, and ordinary people couldn't afford it, but that didn't stop its business from booming.

Merchants from all over the world and important generals of the border army would hold banquets here for important matters.

The group arrived at Wangfeng Tower, where the waiter led them into a private room.

"Brother Shen is here, please have a seat!" Zhao Chongyuan greeted him with a big smile, making an uninformed person think that the two were very close friends.

Shen Chuxiao gave a few perfunctory words before being pulled to a seat.

Zhao Chongyuan and his trusted men greeted them warmly. Shen Chuxiao glanced around and noticed that Han Shi'an had not yet shown up.

"Brother Shen, you've become a scout captain at such a young age, and the general has even granted you permission to freely draw men from various camps. This is unprecedented. Come, let me toast you!" Zhao Chongyuan raised his wine bowl.

"Brother Zhao, you flatter me."

Shen Chuxiao picked up the bowl and drank it all in one gulp.

"Brother Shen, when you achieve great success in the future, don't forget your old brothers!" Zhao Chongyuan said with a smile, raising his wine bowl again.

After a few bowls of wine, Shen Chuxiao pretended to be slightly drunk and stood up, saying, "Why hasn't Lord Han arrived yet? I'll go invite him!"

"Lieutenant Shen, don't worry, Lord Han will be here soon!" Zhao Chongyuan grabbed him.

As soon as he finished speaking, Han Shi'an walked in from outside the door, alone, without any personal guards.

"Lord Han has arrived! Please, take a seat!" Zhao Chongyuan hurriedly welcomed Han Shi'an to the head seat, then called to the innkeeper, "Innkeeper, quickly serve the dishes!"

Zhao Chongyuan cleared his throat and said loudly, "Today, Lord Han is hosting a gathering to congratulate Brother Shen on his promotion to scout captain. I have taken the liberty of inviting everyone here, and I hope Lord Han will not take offense!"

Han Shi'an smiled and waved his hand, indicating that it was alright.

After several rounds of drinks, Zhao Chongyuan raised a bowl of wine to Shen Chuxiao.

"Brother Shen, we had a disagreement before because of Zhou Henian's matter. Today, I apologize to you, and I hope you will be magnanimous and not hold it against me!"

Zhao Chongyuan looked completely sincere, which made it seem like he was really serious.

Shen Chuxiao waved his hand and said, "General Zhao, you're exaggerating. No one would have thought that Zhou Henian was colluding with the barbarians. It's not your fault. After all, you've worked together for many years, so there must be some feelings between you."

He emphasized the last few words.

Zhao Chongyuan's face twitched, and his eyes changed slightly.

Seeing this, Han Shi'an quickly tried to smooth things over: "What are you saying, Commandant Shen? What do personal feelings matter in the face of national righteousness? Let alone colleagues, even if my own parents were to have an affair with barbarians, I would personally behead them."

"Lord Han is indeed selfless," Shen Chuxiao sneered. "But if that same dedication were truly used to protect the country, I, Shen Chuxiao, would admire it. So why did you lead men to ambush me outside the restaurant, intending to kill me?"

Upon hearing this, the private room fell silent.

Han Shi'an looked at Shen Chuxiao in shock.

Zhao Chongyuan slammed his hand on the table and shouted, "What are you saying, Commandant Shen! Lord Han invited us to dinner today because he sincerely wanted to resolve our conflict. How could he have any intention of targeting you? Why are you acting so drunk? How can you say such things?"

He spoke with righteous indignation, but a hint of panic, as if his plan had been exposed, flashed in his eyes.

That's impossible... Shen Chuxiao came out of the military camp with only Lin Shang and Tie Niu, without any other attendants. How could he have known there was an ambush outside?

A bad feeling welled up inside me.

But he quickly calmed down.

Just then, he noticed that Shen Chuxiao had somehow gotten close to him, his bright eyes seeming to see through everything, which startled him and sent a chill down his spine.

"General Zhao, I was just saying, why are you so nervous?"

Shen Chuxiao looked at him with a half-smile.

"I...I'm not nervous about anything!" Zhao Chongyuan tried to remain calm.

Shen Chuxiao turned to Han Shi'an: "Lord Han, I, Shen Chuxiao, will not beat around the bush. Since you want to find someone to kill me, then show me your true abilities. Do you think I can't see through your intentions at this trap? I'm afraid inviting me to dinner is just a pretense; your real purpose is to send someone to kill Zhou Henian in prison."

A murderous glint flashed in Han Shi'an's eyes, but his heart was filled with utter shock—

Because Shen Chuxiao's words were exactly the same.

"Shen Chuxiao, you son of a bitch!" Zhao Chongyuan dropped the pretense. "You asked for it!"

After saying that, he clapped his hands.

Outside the private room, a sudden burst of footsteps could be heard.