Tap, tap, tap...
Countless black-armored Imperial Guards and constables moved through the area around Longxi Alley in the Eastern District, a clamor rising on all sides:
"Search every house..."
"Careful, there are more Heaven-Shaking Bombs here. Go to the Military Armory Directorate and fetch someone who knows how to handle them..."
Meanwhile, inside Palace City, several Black Bureau Chief Constables who had hurried over stood outside the Brilliant Sun Pool, with palace maids and female physicians coming and going past them.
Ye Jingtang stood before the entrance. Though his hair was disheveled, his expression was as composed as ever. He gestured toward the Eastern District:
"Anyone fleeing Longxi Alley could only head for the northern city wall. Since they laid traps beforehand, they must have placed them along the sparsely populated routes suitable for escape. Search every inch and miss nothing..."
"Yes!"
"Watch out for anyone trying to silence them. Once Lord Shang and the others arrive, transfer the prisoners to the dungeon immediately. Don't stop along the way. Zheng Kun committed countless bloody crimes in Liangzhou. Once he's in the dungeon, don't hold back on the torture. Use everything you have on him and make sure he talks. Whatever he confesses, record it all and submit it to Prince Jing..."
"Yes..."
The Brilliant Sun Pool lay on the eastern side of the Imperial City. Earlier, Ye Jingtang had escorted Dongfang Liren back, intending to take her straight to the Palace of Eternal Joy. But as they passed this place, Dongfang Liren had seen that both of them were covered in dust and soot from the explosion and stopped here to summon palace maids and physicians.
Greenery and flowers surrounded the Brilliant Sun Pool, with only one large hall at its center. Quite a few palace maids were