Can Only Kill Lin Xiao

After killing Zhang Zhantian and the other man.

Lin Xiao stepped out of the ruins and said to Xue Shan and Chang Le, "Report this. Say that both Northern Qi spies have been eliminated."

"Yes, my lord."

Chang Le and Xue Shan were still reeling in shock.

Those had been two Grandmaster-level experts.

Though there were no shortage of Grandmasters on the Zhenwu Continent, the deaths of two Grandmasters at once were absolutely no small matter.

After all, Grandmasters were not comparable to Acquired Realm or Innate Realm martial artists. Every one of them had cultivated for decades.

Moreover, one needed extraordinary talent to break through to the Grandmaster Realm.

Which person who became a Grandmaster could possibly be ordinary?

Yet even so, two Grandmasters had died just like that.

Just how powerful was their lord?

They did not know, nor did they dare ask. They only knew that if they followed this lord faithfully, they would surely soar to great heights in the future.

Within a single day, two major incidents occurred in Stability Prefecture one after another.

The first was that a Jinyiwei Small Banner single-handedly suppressed Stability Prefecture's martial world.

The second was that, that very night, he forcefully killed two Grandmaster-realm spies identified as agents of Northern Qi.

One of them was actually Zhang Zhantian, the expert who oversaw the Su Family Merchant Guild.

Perhaps some people in high positions could guess that the truth was not so simple.

But ordinary people cheered and praised Lin Xiao.

Northern Qi was a foreign race. If Northern Qi entered the Central Plains, heaven knew how many commoners would suffer.

Now that Jinyiwei Small Banner Lin Xiao had slain Northern Qi's secret agents, he was undoubtedly a great hero.

Early the next morning, Chang Le and Xue Shan arrived outside Lin Xiao's courtyard gate.

When Lin Xiao emerged, both men's eyes burned with excitement.

Because they knew that Lin Xiao had promised to give them cultivation techniques today.

Sure enough, Lin Xiao casually took out two manuals.

"This Ever-Changing Divine Movement is a lightness skill and movement technique. Chang Le, you will cultivate this one."

"These are the Blood Sabre Technique and the Purple Mist Divine Skill. The Purple Mist Divine Skill is a Daoist cultivation method, emphasizing uprightness and harmony. Progress will be slightly slower in the early stages, but later on, it can make your true qi exceptionally stable. Breaking through to the Grandmaster Realm is not impossible either. It all depends on your own comprehension."

"Here are two pills that can add ten years of cultivation. They are rewards for you as well."

These three martial arts had been the pillars of Lin Xiao's early rise.

Of course, he had merely simplified the three martial arts somewhat, allowing the two of them to master them faster.

If they were the original versions, these two might not reach mastery even after twenty years.

He needed to cultivate these two as quickly as possible. After all, he could not personally handle everything in the future. Without capable subordinates to get things done, he would work himself to death.

"Thank you, my lord."

Chang Le and Xue Shan abruptly dropped to one knee, their expressions agitated as they bowed to Lin Xiao.

They had never imagined that they would one day receive such treatment.

Following the right person truly was the shortcut to success in life.

"Mm, rise. As long as you serve well from now on, I will not treat you poorly."

"My lord, rest assured. From this day forth, even if I must climb mountains of blades and plunge into seas of fire, I, Chang Le, will not so much as furrow my brow."

Xue Shan was the duller of the two, but upon hearing Chang Le's words, he hurriedly declared his loyalty as well.

The three headed toward the Pacification Office together.

Just as they arrived at the Pacification Office, they heard that an Imperial Edict had arrived from the capital.

Upon entering the gates of the Pacification Office, Lin Xiao saw the same old eunuch who had once delivered an Imperial Edict to him in the capital, standing there with a beaming smile.

"Lord Lin, we meet again."

"This servant has come today to deliver His Majesty's decree to Lord Lin."

"His Majesty truly favors Lord Lin."

"You've only been a Small Banner for a few days, yet you are already to be promoted to Thousand Household."

"Promoted to Thousand Household?"

The Jinyiwei who had rushed over upon hearing the news were all shaken when they learned that Lin Xiao had leapt three ranks at once to become a Jinyiwei Thousand Household.

This was an absolutely exceptional promotion.

Could it be that Lin Xiao would one day succeed the Jinyiwei Chief Commander?

After all, when an official suddenly began leaping three ranks at a time against all convention, it was a signal being sent to countless people.

Lin Xiao put on an excited expression and quickly said, "Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch. I am deeply grateful for His Majesty's regard. I, Lin Xiao, will certainly not fail His Majesty's heartfelt expectations, and will pacify the whole realm for His Majesty."

The old eunuch then began to read out the Imperial Edict. After receiving it, Lin Xiao also accepted the Jinyiwei Thousand-Household Officer's waist badge.

"Eunuch, you have traveled a thousand li to Ding Province to deliver the decree. Please rest awhile before returning to the capital."

The old eunuch understood what Lin Xiao meant and nodded with a smiling face. "Mm, having come so far, this humble servant truly is a little weary. I shall rest briefly before returning to report back to His Majesty."

Lin Xiao turned to Chang Le. "Chang Le, go make arrangements at the Drunken Immortal Inn. I'll bring Eunuch over later."

Chang Le bowed. "Yes, my lord."

Lin Xiao then turned to Xue Shan. "Go to the Imperial Prison and interrogate that Northern Qi spy we caught last night. Find out what Northern Qi is plotting."

Xue Shan also bowed and departed.

The old eunuch's expression shifted. "Lord Lin, you captured a Northern Qi spy?"

Knowing that the old eunuch understood his meaning, Lin Xiao smiled. "Eunuch, while I was on duty last night, I encountered a Northern Qi spy. There had originally been three of them, but two were rather capable. I failed to hold back in time and beat them to death, leaving only this one."

"I hope we can pry something out of him."

"Lord Lin is truly formidable. You casually captured a Northern Qi spy just like that. Once this humble servant returns, I will certainly report this matter to His Majesty."

"Then I must trouble Eunuch."

"Eunuch, you must be exhausted from the journey. This official will immediately arrange a place for you to rest."

Lin Xiao brought the old eunuch to the post station in Dingzhou City and entered the room that had been prepared.

The guards accompanying and protecting the old eunuch stood watch outside the door.

Lin Xiao and the old eunuch entered the room.

After the two exchanged pleasantries for a while, a knock sounded outside.

When the door opened, Chang Le stood there respectfully, holding a tray covered with red cloth.

"Mm, you may withdraw first."

Lin Xiao shut the door and placed the tray on the table.

"Eunuch, this is but a small token of my respect. I hope you will kindly accept it."

"Lord Lin, this is...?"

Lin Xiao smiled. "Why not lift the cover and see?"

The old eunuch had guessed a little, but when he uncovered the tray, he was still startled.

"Oh my, Lord Lin, this is truly a grand gesture."

Lin Xiao said, "Eunuch, there is no need for courtesy. This is an offering from this humble official to Eunuch."

"I only hope that should Eunuch have the opportunity in the future, you might put in a few good words for this humble official before His Majesty."

The old eunuch hurriedly said, "Lord Lin, rest assured. You are now one of His Majesty's most favored men."

"Because of Lord Lin's matter, His Majesty flew into a rage during court and dealt with a fifth-rank official."

"This humble servant thinks that even without speaking well of Lord Lin before His Majesty, His Majesty will not forget Lord Lin."

While Lin Xiao was receiving the old eunuch, the atmosphere within the Jinyiwei Garrison Command was exceedingly oppressive.

Especially for Pacification Envoy Pei Suifeng.

Pei Suifeng had served as the Pacification Envoy in Ding Province for thirty years. All this time, he had regarded the Ding Province Garrison Command as his own.

Now, he keenly felt the threat.

This Lin Xiao's momentum was simply too overwhelming.

Not only was he personally capable, he even had the Emperor's support behind him.

If this continued, he would surely be unable to keep his position.

He had to think of a way to break the deadlock.

Yet there were only two choices to break it.

One was to force Lin Xiao out and make him leave Ding Province.

The second was to make Lin Xiao die.

The second was undoubtedly the best solution. The first would not only be troublesome, but might also leave evidence behind or cause Lin Xiao to bear a grudge.

The second, however, could eliminate every future worry.

But with Lin Xiao's strength, killing him would not be so easy. Even if Pei Suifeng acted personally, the chance of success was not high.

"Must I really do this?"

A cold gleam flashed through Pei Suifeng's eyes.