The Delegation Entered the Bandits' Den

The Delegation Entered the Bandits' Den

The group entered Yongtang City in grand procession. It was only after they passed through the city gates that the Imperial Guards and the many Imperial Guard soldiers finally breathed a sigh of relief.

At the foot of the Son of Heaven, the defenses were impenetrable. Surely no one would dare cause trouble here.

The moment they entered Yongtang City, the system notification in Bai Yan's mind rang out as well.

Ding! The host has safely escorted the Bozeguo delegation into Yongtang City and completed the mission to escort the Bozeguo delegation. Claim the reward?

Claim it!

Ding! Congratulations, host. You have obtained the max-level Spiritual Rhinoceros Finger!

The reward is being distributed...

Distribution complete.

In the next instant, a vast stream of information surged into Bai Yan's mind. It was none other than the cultivation method and essential principles of the Spiritual Rhinoceros Finger.

After only a few breaths, Bai Yan's comprehension of the Spiritual Rhinoceros Finger had reached the maximum level.

Though no painted phoenix wings carried us side by side, our hearts understood each other with a single point of connection!

The Spiritual Rhinoceros Finger could be used for both offense and defense, excelling at both.

Not only could it clamp down on every weapon under heaven, but it was also a peerless pressure-point technique.

With a single thrust of the finger, it could sever meridians, shatter dantians, and kill without a trace!

Its power was extraordinary, and it was also remarkably graceful and stylish.

What a fine technique!

The corners of Bai Yan's lips curled upward, and his mood improved greatly.

Under the escort of the Imperial Guards and Imperial Guard soldiers, the ten carriages safely entered Huitong Hall.

This was where the Great Yu Imperial Court specially received foreign guests. Before delegations from various countries went to pay their respects to the emperor, they would all rest here temporarily.

Huitong Hall's defenses were also extremely tight. A thousand-man unit of the Four Symbols Legion had been stationed outside the hall year-round.

In theory, once he had escorted the delegation to Huitong Hall, Bai Yan's mission would be considered complete.

But Zhou Long insisted on asking him to stay and help investigate the traitor within. After thinking it over briefly, Bai Yan agreed.

This concerned the emperor's safety. If they truly managed to expose the rebel, it would be a heaven-shaking achievement.

For Bai Yan, who was eager to rise through the ranks, this was undoubtedly an excellent opportunity.

After eating and drinking his fill, night soon descended.

Even after nightfall, Huitong Hall remained brightly lit.

Everyone from the Bozeguo delegation had gathered in the spacious courtyard.

The Imperial Guards and Imperial Guard soldiers also surrounded the courtyard and stood guard in tight formation.

If they discovered the rebel, they would ensure he could not escape even if he sprouted wings.

"What does General Zhou mean by this?"

The Princess of Bozeguo wore a thin veil and pressed both hands against her lower abdomen. Her tone clearly carried anger.

Though Bozeguo was a small country, it was still a proper state with its own national dignity. The Princess of Bozeguo was naturally extremely dissatisfied that a delegation from her country was being treated this way.

Zhou Long cupped his hands.

"I apologize, Your Highness the Princess."

"The delegation was attacked during the day. I suspect an assassin took the opportunity to infiltrate it and intends to harm His Majesty."

"To prevent any mishap, I must conduct a thorough inspection."

"An inspection?"

The Princess of Bozeguo let out a cold laugh.

"Is General Zhou suggesting that I am the assassin?!"

"I would not dare."

Zhou Long's manner remained respectful, but he did not yield an inch.

"This concerns His Majesty's safety. I have no choice but to investigate. I hope Your Highness the Princess will grant permission."

The Princess of Bozeguo trembled with rage, her tone becoming even more hostile.

"Though Bozeguo is a small country, we will not tolerate such humiliation!"

Zhou Long spoke in a deep voice.

"I have no intention of humiliating Bozeguo. Please forgive me, Your Highness the Princess."

"But His Majesty's safety is more important than anything. To ensure nothing goes wrong, I must investigate thoroughly."

"I imagine Your Highness would not wish to see any accident occur either. No matter whether it affected Great Yu or Bozeguo, it would be bad for both sides."

The Princess of Bozeguo's chest heaved violently. Only after calming herself for a long while did she speak coldly.

"Fine! General Zhou, I will remember what happened today."

"Investigate if you wish, but if you fail to find the assassin, do not blame me for reporting you to His Majesty after I enter the palace and having you punished for slighting a foreign guest!"

Zhou Long was startled by her words, and a trace of retreat immediately arose in his heart.

Being resented by a princess was no good thing.

Although Bozeguo was a small country, once its princess married the emperor, she would at least be granted the position of Noble Consort.

That meant Zhou Long would offend a future Noble Consort today.

But when he thought of the emperor's safety and the lives of his entire clan, Zhou Long could only grit his teeth and hold firm.

"To ensure His Majesty's safety, I am willing to accept the punishment!"

"My apologies, Your Highness the Princess."

Zhou Long cupped his hands and bowed, then waved his hand broadly. Two soldiers behind him brought forward two wine flasks and several dozen wine cups.

Zhou Long explained to the Princess of Bozeguo.

"Your Highness the Princess, Truth Serum Powder has been added to this wine. It can temporarily muddle the mind and cause people to reveal the truth without realizing it."

"This medicine is not poisonous. Its effects will disappear after one night, and it absolutely will not endanger any innocent lives. Please rest assured, Your Highness."

He then turned to the members of the delegation, his voice suddenly turning cold.

"One cup each. So long as there is no guilt in your hearts, you will naturally be safe and sound!"

The soldiers immediately stepped forward, filled the cups, and delivered them one by one to the delegation members. When some hesitated slightly, the Imperial Guards pried their mouths open and forcibly poured the wine down their throats.

Just after drinking the wine, the members of the delegation looked at one another, feeling nothing at all.

But soon, the effects of the alcohol rose. Their heads began to swim, and their vision gradually blurred.

Zhou Long examined them one by one in minute detail, not daring to overlook the slightest clue.

When he reached a maid, Zhou Long suddenly sprang into action and jabbed a finger into the maid's shoulder.

The maid suffered the sudden heavy blow and immediately screamed, spitting out a mouthful of blood before pitching forward.

Seeing the maid collapse in such a sorry state, the maids nearby all shrieked in fright.

Several of them huddled together, trembling with fear, their faces filled with panic.

The Princess of Bozeguo's expression also changed. She was just about to rebuke Zhou Long when he suddenly shouted.

"This person is no maid at all, but a rebel in disguise!"

"Men, strip off her face for this general!"

Two Imperial Guard soldiers immediately rushed forward and pinned the fallen maid down. One of them shaped his hand like an eagle's claw, grabbed her face, and tore off a Human Skin Mask.

Because he had used too much force, he even tore open the maid's original face.

"Hmph. Did you think such a petty trick could fool this general's eyes? I have roamed the martial world for years. Who knows how many martial bandits I have interrogated!"

"A mere Human Skin Mask—child's play!"

Zhou Long let out a disdainful sneer.

"You thought that by using True Essence to disperse the medicine's effects, this general would not notice?"

"You never imagined that this general was waiting for the moment you circulated your energy!"

"If your heart were truly clear, why would you need to circulate your energy to dispel the medicine?"

Once her identity was exposed, the female rebel immediately began cursing.

"You dog! You aid tyrants and oppressors—you will die a miserable death!"

"Emperor Shunying is incompetent and immoral, obsessed with refining pills and neglecting state affairs, plunging the world into chaos and leaving the people destitute! A tyrant like him deserves to be slain by all!"

"Just you wait! The Great Yu Imperial Court's mandate is at an end. Its destruction is at hand!"

The female rebel ranted like a madwoman.

Furious, Zhou Long strode forward and slapped the female rebel flying.

"Defaming His Majesty is an unforgivable crime!"

"Men, break all four of her limbs, cripple her dantian, and take her to the imperial prison to await interrogation!"