Lu Fei, Zhang Xun, Han Sheng and other generals followed suit.

He mounted his horse, ready to investigate.

Seeing this, Chen Qingwan didn't have time to think much and had no choice but to bite the bullet and follow.

The group spurred their horses and galloped off towards the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry.

The night wind howled, whipping up Chen Qingwan's clothes and stirring up her thoughts.

Before long, the two groups met in an open area.

The generals of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry wore gleaming armor and rode magnificent and powerful steeds.

His eyes revealed an arrogant and overbearing demeanor.

Lu Yan pulled on the reins, and his black horse neighed and came to a steady stop at the front of the group.

He squinted, scrutinizing the suddenly appearing elite force opposite him, his mind filled with doubts.

"Who goes there? State your name!"

Lu Yan asked loudly, his voice echoing across the empty plains.

The Tiger and Leopard Cavalry general, with his nostrils flared, arrogantly replied:

"I am Li Zhun, a general of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry. I have come to Shannan Prefecture to lend my assistance upon hearing of the invasion from Java!"

"Li Zhun?"

Lu Yan touched his chin; the name seemed familiar.

"What is your relationship with General Li Mu of the Imperial Guard?"

Upon hearing this, Li Zhun paused slightly, then waved his hand impatiently.

"That's my brother! Alright, enough nonsense, where are those Javanese bastards?"

At this moment, Li Kui rode out from behind Lu Yan.

Pointing to the Javanese prisoners groaning all over the ground, he said with a mocking expression:

"Are you blind? Can't you see we've already finished fighting? You're too late!"

"The grandfathers have all cleaned up the battlefield and are just waiting to collect the bodies!"

Li Zhun's face instantly turned ashen.

He glared at Li Kui and asked through gritted teeth:

"Who are you? How dare you speak to me like that?"

He was secretly shocked that the Shannan Prefecture had defeated the Javanese army so quickly.

Could it be that Lu Yan truly possesses extraordinary abilities?

Li Kui curled his lip in disdain.

"I'm your grandfather! I don't know what makes you so arrogant in front of my family!"

"you!"

Li Zhun was furious and about to lash out.

But then he suddenly remembered the purpose of his trip, forcibly suppressed his anger, and snorted coldly.

"He won't be your father anymore soon!"

He suddenly turned his head to look at Lu Yan, his eyes sharp.

"Lu Yan, the Prime Minister has ordered that you intend to rebel. Surrender immediately!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Yan was first taken aback, then burst into laughter.

The laughter was full of sarcasm.

"That old scoundrel Liu An, he really hasn't given up his wicked intentions!"

"Intended to rebel? How did I rebel? Where's the evidence?"

"Based on your empty words?"

Li Zhun sneered:

"Evidence? Hmph!"

"The Prime Minister holds irrefutable evidence of your treason! What else do you have to say?"

"Ironclad evidence? Haha!"

Lu Yan laughed even more unrestrainedly.

"If you're determined to find fault, you can always find a pretext!"

"That old bastard Liu An really went to great lengths to bring me down!"

Chen Qingwan's face was gloomy, and she remained silent at the back of the line.

A storm was brewing in her heart.

That old scoundrel Liu An actually dared to take advantage of my incognito visit.

Unauthorized use of military power within the court!

It seems that this old scoundrel's ambitions are even greater than I imagined!

Lu Yan suddenly drew his sword from his waist, the blade pointing directly at Li Zhun, and shouted sharply:

"Li Zhun, go back and tell Liu An that if he wants to arrest me, Lu Yan, let him come and get me himself!"

"You bunch of shrimp soldiers and crab generals aren't even enough to fill my teeth!"

"How dare you! To show contempt for an official appointed by the imperial court is an even greater offense!"

Li Zhun flew into a rage, drew his long sword, and pointed it at Lu Yan.

"Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, charge! Kill this traitor on the spot!"

"kill!"

The Tiger and Leopard Cavalry roared in unison.

At the critical moment, Lu Yan suddenly raised his hand, signaling the musketeers behind him to stop.

"Wait!"

He shouted loudly, but there was no trace of panic in his tone; instead, there was a hint of mockery.

But in his heart he was secretly plotting:

Miss Chen is still here; she's someone close to the Empress.

If a fight really breaks out with these Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, and it reaches the Empress's ears...

Wouldn't that confirm the charge of treason?

Even if you jump into the Yellow River, you won't be able to clear your name then!

He turned to look at Li Zhun and said with a forced smile:

"General Li Zhun, we are all people of the Great Tong Dynasty,"

"If our own people fight each other, it will make us a laughing stock in other countries. They'll think our Datong is having internal strife!"

"Besides, if the Empress found out about this, wouldn't she be furious?"

Hearing this, Chen Qingwan, who was hiding at the back of the group, almost fell off her horse.

He cursed inwardly:

You're the one who's going to be furious!

Your whole family will be furious!

She suddenly flung the reins, turned the horse around, and galloped off towards Shannan Prefecture.

We need to go back quickly and investigate what Liu An is up to!

Li Zhun was taken aback by Lu Yan's words, then snorted coldly:

"Enough with the nonsense!"

"Since you're afraid of angering the Empress, then obediently surrender and come back to the capital with me!"

Lu Yan chuckled and shrugged:

"That won't do. I'm innocent. Why should I go with you?"

"Could it be that General Li has also learned the art of extracting confessions through torture?"

"You're refusing a polite toast only to suffer the consequences!"

Li Zhun's face darkened.

"Since that's the case, then don't blame me for being impolite!"

Lu Yan's eyes darted around, and a sly smile crept onto his lips:

"How about this, General Li, we have a contest?"

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!