"Why not?" Zhang Yuan asked, his smile unchanged.
The three people who knew the truth, Qin Zhendong among them, flickered their eyes but remained silent.
"This does not comply with the law." Qin Zhenming spoke briskly. "You only know that the two clans colluded with the Illusionary Mist Nine Bandits, but you do not know exactly how many people were involved. According to the law, the Lord of Wutan City should lead an investigation, clarify the imperial laws, and only then arrest and punish those responsible."
"Even if everyone in both clans was involved, the Lord of Wutan City should be the one to mobilize the city garrison or request assistance from nearby troops. It should not be the Black Armored Guard overstepping its authority."
Qin Zhenming cared for Zhang Yuan and did not want him to suffer losses due to youthful impulsiveness or clan conflicts.
A fine achievement of punishing evil and eliminating wrongdoing would be utterly tarnished if people called it a scheme born of clan strife.
Zhang Yuan could sense the concern in his eyes, and warmth rose in his heart.
But he did not immediately reveal the truth. Instead, he turned to Ge Donglai and asked, "Commander Ge, is that your view as well?"
"Correct." Ge Donglai nodded expressionlessly. "The empire has its laws. Your merit is real enough, but when clan disputes are involved, you should avoid suspicion rather than rush to push this through and seek to borrow the Black Armored Guard's strength."
Compared with Qin Zhenming's well-intentioned reminder, Ge Donglai's words were far more direct. He was only one step away from pointing at Zhang Yuan's nose and accusing him of abusing public authority for private revenge, using the Black Armored Guard in the process.
As for whether Ge Donglai said this to protect the Black Armored Guard, uphold imperial law, or for some other reason, it was still too soon to tell.
However, Mu Kun and Ao Benyu both wore slightly more subtle expressions upon hearing this. Each had his own calculations, so neither said anything.
Zhang Yuan did not pursue the matter. Instead, he nodded as though he had been taught a lesson. "Thank you for the guidance, Commander Ge. I will remember it well."
Ge Donglai gave a chilly "Mm," looking as if he had been born incapable of smiling.
Although Qin Zhenming had not received Zhang Yuan's thanks, he still secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
At that moment, Zhang Yuan took out a Recording Stone from his Storage Ring and cupped his fists. "Commander, there is more intelligence I have not yet reported."
"Speak." Qin Zhendong raised a hand lightly. Though he knew what Zhang Yuan was about to say, he pretended otherwise.
"The Illusionary Mist Nine Bandits are not ordinary bandits. They are the Dark Cloud Guard of the Chuyun Empire," Zhang Yuan said.
One sentence stunned everyone present!
"Boy Zhang, you cannot speak such nonsense!" Qin Zhenming shot to his feet.
"Captain Zhang Yuan, are you sure you are not joking?" Mu Kun's expression hardened, killing intent surfacing in his eyes. It was directed at the Illusionary Mist Nine Bandits and the Chuyun Empire.
The Jia Ma Empire and the Chuyun Empire were sworn enemies. The Mu family naturally bore no small amount of hatred toward the Chuyun Empire as well.
Ao Benyu, Ge Donglai, and the others all wore subtle expressions.
"I naturally would not dare speak recklessly about such a matter." Zhang Yuan raised the Recording Stone. "Lord Lin and the personal guards under my command are all witnesses. This Recording Stone contains Sen Ma Rong's confession, and I also found letters proving that they had secretly contacted the Chuyun Empire."
Mu Kun immediately cupped his fists toward Qin Zhendong. "Commander, I request permission to view the Recording Stone."
The others immediately echoed his request.
After a brief pause, Qin Zhendong nodded. "Granted."
Zhang Yuan immediately injected Dou Qi into the Recording Stone.
The next moment, the scene from three days ago reappeared.
Zhang Yuan and his men confronted the Illusionary Mist Nine Bandits along with Jia Lie Bi. Their conversation confirmed that they were in the same group.
Then, Lan Juan somehow discovered Lin Zhengqing and Master Gu Ni's arrival. Sen Ma Rong immediately ordered a retreat, Jia Lie Bi suddenly self-destructed, causing casualties among the Illusionary Mist Nine Bandits, and Zhang Yuan seized the opportunity to take down Lan Juan with a single arrow before joining the battle and displaying his might.
After that came the interrogation of Sen Ma Rong and another Da Dou Shi. The information the two revealed was completely consistent.
When the recording ended, Lin Zhengqing spoke at the right moment. "As the Lord of Wutan City, I personally witnessed the entire matter alongside Master Gu Ni of the Mittel Auction House. I can serve as a witness."
Zhang Yuan took out another Storage Ring and handed it to Qin Zhendong. "It contains some of the letters Sen Ma Rong used to contact the Chuyun Empire's imperial family. I have already verified them."
"In truth, my original plan was to use the Jia Lie and Ao Ba clans to lure out and eliminate the Illusionary Mist Nine Bandits, while also confirming their lawbreaking. Lord Lin would handle the rest."
"But after unexpectedly learning that the Illusionary Mist Nine Bandits were the Chuyun Empire's Dark Cloud Guard, I knew this matter had changed."
Back on Earth, there was a saying: fighting organized crime required evidence, fighting terrorism only required a list of names, and quelling rebellion only required coordinates.
If the Jia Lie and Ao Ba clans had merely violated imperial law, then naturally the law would judge them. But now, it was treason.
"Bastards!"
Qin Zhendong took out the letters from the Storage Ring and examined them. Before long, he slammed his palm against the table, stripped of his usual refinement.
"Look. Look at this yourselves! These Illusionary Mist Nine Bandits had secretly gathered intelligence on the major cities and towns of our Northeast Province for more than a decade. Troop deployments, the basic circumstances of the major clans, even certain young talents—they knew it all."
"If the Chuyun Empire ever sent troops to attack, then as long as they captured Black Mountain Fortress, entering the Northeast Province would be like entering unguarded territory. And the Jia Lie Family and the Ao Ba Clan head had actually been secretly supplying them with provisions. They are outright traitors!"
Qin Jingyan was quick-witted and immediately distributed the letters to the four commanders.
After reading only part of the contents, all four began cursing furiously. Even Ge Donglai was no exception.
Naturally, Zhang Yuan had already screened these letters. None mentioned the treasures of the Illusionary Mist Mountain Range.
"Captain Zhang Yuan, hand Sen Ma Rong and Liu Chuan over to me." Mu Kun said coldly, "I will make sure they suffer."
"I would have liked to, but unfortunately, they are already dead." Zhang Yuan revealed a helpless expression.
"Dead?" Ge Donglai frowned. "Didn't you capture them alive?"
"This old man can answer that." Lin Zhengqing stepped forward on his own initiative. "After realizing there was no way out, they triggered the poison within their bodies. Captain Zhang Yuan acted to prolong their lives, but it could not last. They lost all signs of life along the way."
"That is indeed a common method used by the Chuyun Empire's Dark Cloud Guard." Ge Donglai had been about to say more, but Mu Kun confirmed Zhang Yuan's explanation first. Then he cupped his fists toward Qin Zhendong. "Commander, I request permission to wipe out the Jia Lie Family and the Ao Ba family in Wutan City."
The other three were unwilling to fall behind and also requested the assignment.
This was the extermination of traitorous clans. It would count as military merit for both them and their subordinates.
"You two can get lost. Weren't you the ones opposing the extermination of the bandits just now?" Mu Kun said to Ge Donglai and Qin Zhenming.
Ao Benyu immediately voiced his support.
"I was considering Zhang Yuan's interests." Qin Zhenming immediately said, "Zhang Yuan belongs to my Xuan Character Camp."
Ge Donglai did not look embarrassed in the slightest. With a cold expression, he said, "Let ability decide. The commander will make the decision."
The four of them immediately split into two sides and began hurling insults at each other.
Such situations were perfectly normal in the military.
"What do you think?" Qin Zhendong did not issue an order directly. Instead, he asked for Zhang Yuan's opinion.
The four instantly stopped arguing and looked at Zhang Yuan expectantly.
Qin Zhenming even wore a smile of certain victory.
Zhang Yuan was his—
"Please have Lord Mu Kun and Lord Ao Benyu each deal with one clan."
Zhang Yuan had long prepared his answer and replied with a smile.
Qin Zhenming:?
Aubenson and Mu Kun revealed delighted expressions.
"If our Xuan Character Camp acted, I am afraid people would say we were using public resources for personal ends and seeking private revenge." Zhang Yuan smiled at Qin Zhenming.
"You brat, you might as well not have explained." Qin Zhenming smiled helplessly and returned to his seat.
With matters having reached this point, he could no longer argue for it, though he still felt frustrated inside.
But the next moment, he saw Zhang Yuan hand him a scroll.
"What is this?" Qin Zhenming asked in confusion.
"Wouldn't you know after looking at it, Commander?" Zhang Yuan played coy.
Qin Zhenming accepted the scroll and turned to seek Qin Zhendong's approval. Seeing Qin Zhendong calmly drinking tea as though nothing concerned him, he opened it and read.
The contents first left him stunned. Then his expression became serious and confused, before realization dawned on him. He laughed loudly and slammed the table. "Good! I can do without such a trivial mission of quelling rebellion."
Mu Kun and Aubenson:?
Ge Donglai: ""
Why was he the only one being left out?
(End of Chapter)
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