Even emperors have it tough, so don't be too picky about the entries.

He strode towards the mountain gate, and several gatekeepers immediately surrounded him.

"What are you doing! Stop right there!"

Chen Shao stopped in his tracks, and Qin Ling Shuang's token flashed past the henchmen.

Then he slapped the leader of the henchmen.

"asshole!"

"Aren't you taking me to see your gang leader yet!"

"You've delayed something important, you'll be held accountable!"

As the saying goes, it's easier to see the King of Hell than to deal with his underlings.

Chen Shao didn't have time to waste words with them.

The more you give these low-level thugs face, the more arrogant they become.

A slap delivered with overwhelming force has an immediate effect.

The henchman was stunned by the blow.

He covered his face and looked the person up and down.

The man carried a large sword on his shoulder, looking imposing, not to mention his natural and intimidating aura, which was even more frightening than that of the county magistrate.

The henchmen exchanged glances, no longer daring to cause trouble, and hurriedly bowed and scraped as they led the way.

Along the way, Chen Shao observed carefully.

There was no panic, no celebration, and no trace of looting within the Dragon Subduing Gang.

And it seems they cannot muster three thousand well-trained elite soldiers.

This made him even more certain.

This was definitely not the work of the Dragon Subduing Gang; it must have been done by those heartless officials!

A moment later, Chen Shao was led to the heart of the Dragon Subduing Gang's territory.

Above the hall entrance hangs a plaque with three large characters: "Hall of Gathering Righteousness".

Someone had given advance notice, so once they arrived, there were no obstacles.

Chen Shao, carrying a large sword, strode across the threshold.

Dozens of leaders in the hall turned around in unison, their gazes sharp as knives.

Someone had already placed their hand on the hilt of the knife at their waist.

A middle-aged man in his early forties was sitting in the very center.

With fair skin, three long wisps of beard, and small but piercing eyes, he was none other than Xu Baoyi, the leader of the Dragon Subduing Gang.

Xu Baoyi had a very good reputation in the martial arts world.

He was public-spirited, righteous, and respectful to scholars.

Seeing Chen Shao storm the Dragon Subduing Gang alone, he showed no fear.

He immediately developed a fondness for his talent.

Smiling, he descended the steps and greeted them with clasped hands.

"This hero is a complete stranger. May I ask what brings you to our Dragon Subduing Clan?"

Chen Shao was anxious and didn't waste any words.

He handed Qin Ling Shuang her waist token directly.

"I need your help urgently, Chief Xu. I have a favor to ask."

"After the deed is done, Black Wind Stronghold will give you a thousand taels of gold. We will never go back on our word."

It turned out they were heroes from Black Wind Stronghold... The other leaders in the Hall of Righteousness also breathed a sigh of relief.

They're not here to plant a flag, at least not to do so.

Although Black Wind Stronghold and Dragon Subduing Gang did not have a very close relationship, they had been able to coexist peacefully for many years with a tacit understanding.

"May I ask, hero, what is the matter?"

A reward of a thousand taels of gold is far too generous.

Xu Baoyi had no choice but to be cautious.

"Someone impersonated a member of the Dragon Subduing Clan and went on a killing spree in Huaiyuan Prefecture."

"Huaiyuan Prefecture is now a sea of ​​blood."

"I simply cannot stand by and watch, and I want to speak up for the people and teach those damned bastards a lesson!"

A stone stirred up a thousand waves.

The hall immediately erupted in noise.

"What?!"

"Damn it, how could they do such a heinous thing? And then frame our Dragon Subduing Gang?"

"How could the heroes of my Dragon Subduing Clan do such a thing!"

Is the news about the hero true or false?

It was clear they were all men of vigor and vitality, and Chen Shao felt confident.

Qin Ling Shuang's name is quite useful.

Xu Baoyi held the token and examined it from all angles.

Then a meaningful smile appeared on his lips.

He tossed the token to Chen Shao.

He chuckled.

"Isn't Qin Ling Shuang taking herself way too seriously?"

"To accomplish something this big, you'd need at least several thousand men. Do you really think you can get my Dragon Subduing Gang brothers to risk their lives for you with just a tattered token and an empty promise?"

"There's no such logic in the world."

"You should go back and tell Chief Qin that her Black Wind Stronghold's influence doesn't work with me."

Depend on...

Chen Shao inwardly cursed.

Damn it, Qin Ling Shuang, is this all the face you have? Even heroes are treated like royalty...

He could understand Xu Baoyi's actions.

After all, it's not easy to expand a team like this.

How can you so easily act on behalf of Heaven?

The premise of acting on behalf of Heaven is to first protect one's own interests.

If you're going to rob the rich to help the poor, shouldn't you first help yourself?

Chen Shao deliberately tossed the token in his hand.

My brain is really having a brainstorming session.

What should I do?

Are we just relying on Guan Yu's entry to force this?

That's ridiculous; he wasn't even sure how strong they were.

Furthermore, this would only exacerbate the conflict and would not be of any benefit.

We still need to focus on Xu Baoyi.

Chen Shao recalled the information he had gathered along the way.

Xu Baoyi, the third son, was known in the underworld as the Filial and Righteous Black Third Brother.

The Dragon Slayer Gang under his command and Qin Ling Shuang's Black Wind Stronghold follow the same path.

They all used the banner of acting on behalf of Heaven to gain prestige in the chaotic world.

It is said that this person failed the imperial examinations repeatedly when he was young.

I have never given up my dream of studying all these years.

Occasionally, he would also make a cameo appearance, going to the capital to take the imperial examination and reflect on his life.

Chen Shao decided to take a big gamble.

Blow up!

At worst, we can sacrifice one of our concubines to escape.

Anyway, she's either Han Cao's daughter or Yuwen Huagu's daughter.

He hesitated for a moment, then put away the black waist tag.

Another side of it was revealed.

This waist tag is clearly made of pure gold.

A nine-clawed golden dragon is engraved on it.

The dragon's body is coiled into a ball, its head is raised high, and its claws are sharp as hooks.

No one in the entire world dares to carve such a pattern.

As soon as Chen Shao flashed his waist token, the entire Gathering Hall fell silent.

Imperial emissary?

Or was it sent by the dog emperor himself?

Someone immediately drew a knife from their waist.

"Kill that corrupt official!"

"That corrupt official has some nerve, daring to come alone to my Dragon Subduing Gang!"

"Kill him!"

Xu Baoyi, however, did not give the order.

The gang leader stared intently at the waist token in Chen Shao's hand.

His face flushed red at a visible speed, and his Adam's apple bobbed up and down several times.

He managed to squeeze out a sentence:

What position did the hero hold in the imperial court?

Depend on...

Qin Ling Shuang, oh Qin Ling Shuang, you almost ruined things for me.

Look at my waist badge, and suddenly Your Excellency becomes a hero again.

Chen Shao's expression turned serious:

"I am Chen Shao, the Emperor of the Great Yan!"

These words caused an uproar in the room.

Did the emperor run into a bandit's den?

This is absolutely ridiculous.

Does he think we're too soft-hearted or what?

My first reaction was, "Stop talking nonsense."

But upon closer inspection of this young man...

At eighteen or nineteen years old, she possessed a noble air.

Especially matching the legendary description: extremely handsome face, which is completely true.

In this world, it's easy to impersonate an emperor, but not so easy to impersonate someone as good-looking as him.

If you don't believe me, just look around the entire Hall of Righteousness; those with regular facial features are extremely rare.

He really was the Emperor of the Great Yan Dynasty!

The other leaders were simply shocked.

Xu Baoyi took a deep breath, immediately lifted his robes, and knelt on one knee:

"This humble subject, Xu Baoyi, kowtows to Your Majesty!"

Chen Shao quickly helped him up.

"No need for such formalities."

Xu Baoyi raised his head, his eyes still filled with disbelief.

The dark-skinned man's voice was trembling.

"Your Majesty... are you... here to offer amnesty?"

Offer amnesty?

Chen Shao originally had no such idea.

Xu Baoyi, however, gave him a heads-up.

The emperor himself offered them amnesty; wouldn't that make them weep with joy as they wrote their petition?

Chen Shao nodded slightly:

"good!"

"I have come out of the capital incognito because I heard that the members of the Dragon Subduing Gang are all loyal and righteous men who rob corrupt officials without disturbing the common people, and who act on behalf of Heaven and are loyal to the court."

"If I don't even recruit heroes like this, what kind of emperor am I?"

Xu Baoyi was moved to tears.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty has been waiting for you for so long... Has Your Majesty not noticed that the name of the Dragon Subduing Gang is also waiting for Your Majesty?"

Subduing the dragon... Chen Shao thought it meant subduing the giant dragon.

I never expected... that they surrendered to the dragon.

This Chief Xu really put a lot of thought into it!

"Chief Xu, oh no, Lord Xu, time is of the essence. I'll explain everything to you on the way. First, gather your troops and come fight alongside me!"

Xu Baoyi slapped his forehead.

"Look at my brain, I've completely forgotten about such an important matter."

"Those people dared to loot an entire prefecture; they are truly audacious!"

"Brothers!"

"Immediately take your troops and accompany His Majesty to Huaiyuan Prefecture!"

His excitement was palpable.

My long-cherished wish is finally about to be fulfilled.

But at that moment, a man around thirty years old suddenly appeared.

He stood up abruptly.

He slapped the chair next to him until it shattered.

He angrily said:

"Today they want to surrender, tomorrow they want to surrender again, they've chilled the hearts of our brothers!"