County Magistrate Han Zhang and his party had just left the Imperial Guard when Ning Chuan suddenly felt his scalp go numb.
He turned around and saw Leng Hanshuang glaring at him with ill intent. He hurriedly put on a harmless smile.
"Thank you, Lord Leng, for defending me. Thank you, Lord Martial Emperor, for your consideration!"
Ning Chuan hurriedly bowed and cupped his hands toward Leng Hanshuang and the old man in blue.
Leng Hanshuang remained unmoved. Dark clouds gathered over her pretty face as she asked coldly,
"Kid, tell me—what rumors are circulating outside, and what woman are you competing with County Magistrate Han Zhang over?"
"Fuck!"
Ning Chuan's heart skipped a beat, and his old face immediately turned awkward.
I'm innocent in this matter too!
Xiao Lian was also curious, looking at Ning Chuan with an unfriendly gaze.
The gossiping flames in the hearts of the Imperial Guards burned fiercely. They all looked as if they were waiting to watch a good show.
Even the old man in blue opened his eyes slightly, revealing a trace of curiosity.
"Lord Leng, this subordinate only just heard about it as well. Like you, I'm completely in the dark!"
Ning Chuan hurriedly answered truthfully, his attitude exceedingly proper.
"Oh, is that so?"
Leng Hanshuang stroked her lovely chin, seeming half-convinced and half-doubtful. She pointed at an Imperial Guard Squad Leader and asked,
"You. Tell me, what rumors?"
The Squad Leader had just begun to feel smug at another's misfortune, but upon hearing Leng Hanshuang's words, the smile on his lips froze. Frightened, he hastily lowered his head.
"This subordinate is also puzzled and does not know what rumors there are!"
Seeing that the Squad Leader would not speak, Leng Hanshuang could not press him too hard and was about to change the subject.
Just then,
a smug voice came from behind the prison gate.
The voice was deliberately kept low, yet it still carried out clearly.
"See? I told you Ning Chuan was Lord Leng's pretty boy, but you wouldn't believe me!
I won this round. A bet is a bet, so hurry up and pay up."
It was the voice of Zhang Lu, a captain under Xiao Lian.
When County Magistrate Han Zhang and his party had arrived with such menacing force earlier, they had startled Zhang Lu and the others out as well. They had hidden behind the gates of the Heavenly Prison to watch the excitement.
As soon as Zhang Lu spoke,
the hall became so quiet one could hear a needle drop. The atmosphere turned strangely still.
The Imperial Guard Squad Leaders all lowered their heads, hoping to reduce their presence.
Ning Chuan pretended to look around, as though he had not heard Zhang Lu's voice.
Then another voice came from inside. This time, it was Wang Meng speaking.
"Tsk tsk, Ning Chuan, that pretty little boy, actually even got Lord Xiao Lian too...
Tsk tsk... Lord Xiao Lian's...
The brothers are dying of envy!
No, we absolutely have to make this kid treat the brothers to drinks!"
Wang Meng was straightforward by nature and had been born with a booming voice.
To the martial arts experts outside, those few words were practically deafening.
"Cough, cough! Cough, cough!"
Xiao Lian's pretty face chilled slightly. She coughed softly, secretly using her inner force to transmit the sound beyond the gate.
"Mmph... mmph... Don't cover my mouth! Mmph..."
Wang Meng seemed to have had his mouth covered by Zhang Lu and the others before being dragged away.
Everyone's expressions turned strange.
Ning Chuan howled inwardly,
"Brother Wang, you've done me grievous harm!"
Though one dragon sporting with two phoenixes was his ideal, it could not be said so openly in front of everyone.
Especially when all three parties involved were present—it was rather awkward to say it aloud.
Ning Chuan could no longer keep pretending. Somewhat uneasily, he looked toward Leng Hanshuang.
"Well, Lord Leng, as for what rumors there are, this subordinate only just reported to the Imperial Guard. I've been run off my feet all day and have not heard anything specific!
However, please rest assured, my lord. This subordinate will definitely get to the bottom of it.
If anyone dares spread rumors about you, my lord, this subordinate will surely twist off his head and bring it to you to vent your anger!"
Ning Chuan spoke with righteous indignation.
Leng Hanshuang said nothing, her beautiful eyes fixed firmly on Ning Chuan.
Ning Chuan had just flirted with Xiao Lian when this affair cropped up. His old face grew slightly hot.
He felt uneasy. Even when facing the charge of five hundred bandit cavalrymen, he had never been this flustered.
After a long while,
Leng Hanshuang suddenly broke into a smile, and even the air seemed to brighten.
"Kid, I don't even care about it. What are you so nervous for?"
"Whew!"
Ning Chuan let out a long breath, his heart greatly shaken.
He wiped away cold sweat that did not exist and hurriedly began flattering her.
"Lord Leng possesses both beauty and wisdom, with talent and breadth of vision alike beyond compare. This subordinate admires you greatly!"
Everyone was stunned and secretly exchanged glances.
"If this kid Ning Chuan doesn't have something going on with Demoness Leng, I'll eat an Imperial Guard alive!"
Xiao Lian gritted her teeth and glared furiously at Ning Chuan.
"Enough, enough. Now we will discuss serious business!"
Leng Hanshuang spoke in a calm voice, as placid as an ancient well without a ripple. At once, she drew everyone's attention.
She swept her gaze over the room and said lightly,
"The Han Family has colluded with bandits, and the Six Bandit Overlords have fallen into the Imperial Guard's hands.
Han Zhang is extremely anxious. He may send people to break them out of prison!
You must guard the Heavenly Prison well. Thoroughly inspect every meal delivered into the prison.
This matter is of great importance. There must not be the slightest mistake!"
"Yes!"
The eight Squad Leaders' expressions turned solemn as they answered in unison.
Having just been suppressed by the Martial Emperor's aura until they vomited several mouthfuls of blood, they had been holding in their displeasure.
Seeking revenge against a Martial Emperor was something that would be impossible for the rest of their lives.
They could only think that if the County Magistrate dared send people to break into the prison, they would definitely make him pay dearly.
Having said this, Leng Hanshuang stood and bowed deeply to the old man in blue.
"This matter is of great importance. I implore Great-Uncle to remain here. First, keep watch over the Han Family's Martial Emperor; second, guard the Six Bandit Overlords!"
The old man in blue opened his eyes slightly, gently nodded, then half-closed his eyes again.
"Ning Chuan, Xiao Lian!"
"Present!"
"You two, come with me. I have other arrangements for you!"
Following Leng Hanshuang out of the hall, they crossed several courtyards and eventually arrived at Leng Hanshuang's office.
After entering, Leng Hanshuang poured Ning Chuan and Xiao Lian each a cup of tea, and the three sat down.
Leng Hanshuang stared at Ning Chuan, her beautiful eyes shifting as shock filled her heart.
"Is this kid hiding himself too deeply, or does he truly have no inner force at all?
Impossible. He easily captured the Six Bandit Overlords, who are even sixth-rank grandmasters. How could he possibly have no inner force?
This kid is a freak. He must have a great secret, and he is worthy of trust!"
Ning Chuan felt a little embarrassed under her gaze and hurriedly coughed dryly.
"Lord Leng, please give your orders!"
Leng Hanshuang came back to herself, let out a faint sigh, and slowly said,
"Within the Imperial Guard, the only people I can trust who are also strong enough are you two.
Next, there is an extremely important matter that I need the two of you to handle!
"Miss, just say it. Why be so polite with me?"
The moment Xiao Lian returned to Leng Hanshuang's side,
it seemed as if she shed her peerlessly cold and beautiful bearing, becoming a little girl who knew how to act spoiled.
"Thank you for your trust, my lord. This subordinate will naturally give everything I have and repay the grace of your promotion.
May I ask whether the task you are assigning offers a chance to kill enemies?"
A sharp gleam flashed in Ning Chuan's eyes, as though he were filled with anticipation. His words left both women silent for a moment.
Is this kid's killing intent really this heavy?
Xiao Lian could not help recalling how Ning Chuan had smashed the Second Boss of Three Tiger Mountain to death with a headbutt.
Then she remembered how he had brutally beaten the Six Bandit Overlords last night, and her scalp could not help going numb.
Little did she know that, in Ning Chuan's heart, all enemies were Attribute Points waiting for him.
"You can kill as many as you are able to kill, and as many as you are willing to kill!"
Ning Chuan was overjoyed, a green glint appearing in his eyes—the kind that only appeared when he looked at beautiful women.
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