The night was as dark as ink, and the southern city of Xianyang was completely silent.

"Reporting to you, sir, those merchants have just gathered at the 'Yuelai Inn,' seemingly to discuss something important." A man in black silently approached Yang Duanhe.

"Discuss?" Yang Duanhe sneered. "You mean to plan an assassination, don't you? These remnants of the Yan Kingdom, their methods are exactly the same as before."

He gritted his teeth as he recalled the tragedy that had occurred in Yan.

The families of those soldiers were killed by these people using sleeping potions and poison. The women and children, who were powerless to even kill a chicken, died tragically.

"Sir, shall we make our move now?" the man in black asked.

"No rush," Yang Duanhe waved his hand. "Since they dare to operate within Xianyang City, they must have other accomplices. Have the brothers keep an eye on them and make sure they figure out their entire network of connections."

Just then, another spy rushed over: "Sir, something terrible has happened! The merchants have split up and are moving in different directions!"

"What?!"

"They split into three groups. One went to the north of the city, one went to the west market, and the third..." the spy lowered his voice, "...is heading towards the palace!"

"Good!" Yang Duanhe's eyes flashed coldly. "They really couldn't hold back. These scoundrels still love to ambush the weak, just like before. Guards!"

"exist!"

"Pass down the order: split up and follow them. Remember, pay close attention to the powders they use. These people love using poison; they've killed countless innocent people before. We absolutely cannot let them succeed this time!"

"promise!"

Just as Yang Duanhe was about to lead his men in pursuit, he suddenly remembered something: "Wait!"

"Is there anything else you need, sir?"

"Send someone to inform the Grand Commandant," he said in a deep voice, "that the remnants of the Yan Kingdom have begun their operation. Tell him to send more men to protect the Queen and Lady Afang. These people love to ambush unarmed people..."

Before he could finish speaking, a scream suddenly came from afar, followed by the sounds of fighting.

"Not good!" Yang Duanhe drew his sword. "Follow me!"

As he sped along, the scene before him instantly transported him back to his time in Yan.

Several men in black were locked in combat with assassins from the Yan Kingdom.

The assassins wielded short blades, their movements were unpredictable, and every move they made was a deadly technique.

"How dare you!" Yang Duanhe roared, "Surrender now!"

The lead assassin was taken aback when he saw him: "Yang...Yang Duanhe?!"

"You recognize me?" Yang Duanhe sneered. "That makes things even easier. You remnants of the old regime, who committed atrocities in Yan back then, none of you will escape today!"

As he spoke, he struck first. A flash of cold light appeared, and an assassin fell to the ground.

He had waited far too long for this sword strike. He hadn't been able to personally kill these villains back then, but now he finally had the chance.

Seeing that things were going badly, the other assassins immediately scattered and fled.

Yang Duanhe was not about to let them go, and led his men to pursue them separately.

None of these people should be let go!

While chasing an assassin, they suddenly smelled a strange fragrance.

"Sir, be careful!" The man in black pushed him aside just in time. "It must be their sleeping potion! Many soldiers were drugged with this back then..."

Sure enough, several guards who hadn't managed to dodge in time fell to the ground.

Yang Duanhe secretly felt lucky; if he had fallen for the trap, he would probably have been doomed tonight.

"Keep chasing!" he ordered. "Make sure to capture a few alive for questioning!"

Meanwhile, the wicked husband also sprang into action upon receiving the news. He mobilized a large number of men, completely surrounding the princess's palace. Everyone entering and leaving was strictly checked, not even a single grain of powder was overlooked.

"Grand Commandant!" Zhang Erhe rushed over, "What about Miss Afang..."

"I'll go myself!" the wicked man ordered as he walked out. "Go and inform the King that the remnants of the Yan Kingdom have begun their operation. Tell him not to make any rash moves! These people are masters at taking advantage of chaos."

Just as Zhang Erhe was about to turn around, his wicked husband called out to him, "That's right!"

"Does the Grand Commandant have any further instructions?"

"Have everyone at the Black Ice Guard be on high alert!" the wicked man said gravely. "Especially around the Queen's palace; there can be no mistakes. These shady rats love to strike in the chaos, and they might be waiting for this opportunity!"

Before the words were finished, a shout of battle suddenly came from afar.

The wicked man and Zhang Erhe exchanged a glance, both seeing the seriousness in each other's eyes.

"Sir, something terrible has happened!" A secret agent rushed in, flustered. "Suspicious individuals have been spotted in the north of the city! It seems to be..."

"explain!"

"An unknown force has intervened; they somehow obtained military uniforms and infiltrated the city's defense forces!"

"How dare they!" A cold glint flashed in the wicked man's eyes. "It seems they're planning an inside-outside attack. Send the order to all city gates to be on high alert; we absolutely cannot let them in their accomplices!"

Just then, another secret report arrived: "Reporting to the Grand Commandant, chaos has broken out in the West Market as well! Someone is poisoning teahouses, and several people have already fallen ill..."

"You bastards!" the wicked husband roared in fury. "These beasts are still as heartless and insane as they were back then!"

Yang Duanhe had told him this when he was wiping out these people in Yan. These people were not only skilled in assassination, but also liked to create chaos in densely populated areas. Once they succeeded, they would take advantage of the chaos to carry out their plans.

"Send men to the West Market immediately!" he ordered decisively. "Investigate every teahouse. Also, have the Imperial Medical Bureau prepare the antidote!"

"promise!"

The wicked man stood on high ground, watching the torches rising and falling throughout the city, secretly plotting in his heart.

These remnants of the Yan state were clearly well-prepared; otherwise, they wouldn't have been operating in so many places simultaneously.

It seems they had already planted spies in Xianyang.

This operation is likely not just about revenge...

"Pass on my orders!" he said to Zhang Erhe, "Mobilize the elite troops and deploy them to key locations."

“The princess’s palace and Afang’s villa, in particular, must be guarded very closely.”

"Since these people dare to operate within Xianyang City, we must ensure they don't leave alive!"

This night was destined to be anything but peaceful.

Inside Xianyang City, the figures of Black Ice Guards and Qin soldiers chasing after their prey were everywhere.

Yang Duanhe led his men to search the southern part of the city, and along the way they had captured several Yan Kingdom assassins.

But he knew that the real opponent had not yet shown up.

The mastermind behind this mysterious force must still be hidden somewhere, waiting for the final opportunity...

"Men!" he ordered as he hurried along, "Search every corner of the southern city! Don't let a single one of these remnants escape!"

"We obey!"

The atmosphere in Xianyang became exceptionally tense. As if sensing the tension, the people locked their doors and windows and quietly stayed at home.