Bang.
Zhou Shun's residence was violently smashed open.
Squads of soldiers clad in red armor and carrying long spears poured inside.
Two burly generals in dark crimson armor strode into the residence.
"Where is he?"
"He fled ahead of time."
"He cannot escape. He is suspected of selling military equipment to the Incense Gathering Cult—an unforgivable crime!"
The two generals swept their gazes over the many stunned, horrified servants in Zhou Shun's residence.
"By order of Commander Yuchi, the commander-in-chief, search the place! No one is permitted to leave. Squat where you are!"
The enormous residence consisted of more than ten interconnected rooms, all now surrounded by squads of red-armored Chijing Army soldiers.
The surrounding streets had also been placed under martial lockdown. No one was allowed to pass through at will.
Martial arts experts stood encircling the area atop the surrounding rooftops, looking down from above.
Xie Yan was among them as well, accompanied by several disciples from her sect. She stared coldly at Zhou Shun's residence.
"What a fine Zhou Shun. He dared commit such evil deeds, and even tried to drag me down with him. Good thing I came to my senses in time," Xie Yan said coldly.
In truth, her so-called realization was a lie. As early as when Zhou Shun began seizing people, she had sensed something was amiss and immediately went to the Chijing Army.
Sure enough, just as she had expected, Zhou Shun had intended to flee in fear of punishment and dump all the blame onto her shoulders.
Xie Yan immediately decided to go all the way and led people here to raid his home.
"Report! Zhou Shun and his group have been spotted near the east city gate!" a soldier shouted from nearby, releasing the carrier pigeon in his hand.
"Move!"