Although it was past midnight, Li Ru, who was in the inn, was not sleepy at all.

Of the several constables responsible for escorting Li Ru, only one remained to guard him, while the others were already fast asleep.

"Magistrate Li, it's late, you should get some rest! We have a long journey ahead tomorrow!"

The guards noticed that Li Ru was still sitting at the table, so they went up to him and spoke to him very politely.

"Thank you, but I'm not sleepy yet!"

"Sigh~"

The constable couldn't help but sigh. He had accompanied the investigators to Heyang. Although they had uncovered Li Ru's crimes, he found that the people under Heyang's rule lived in peace and prosperity, and the locals praised Li Ru. He could tell that Li Ru was a good official.

Therefore, the yamen runners took good care of Li Ru along the way. He was also from a poor background and was unwilling to believe that an official who was deeply loved by the people would do something like colluding with the Xiongnu.

Seeing the constable shaking his head and sighing, Li Ru smiled with relief, then closed his eyes and began to think carefully. He realized that his current predicament was caused by his subordinate and the person behind him.

He was just a minor county magistrate; why would they go to such lengths to frame him?

"Their main target isn't me, it should be... the Emperor."

Li Ru kept sorting out the ins and outs of the whole incident in his mind. After a long time, Li Ru suddenly opened his eyes.

"Yes, that's right. I was appointed through the Emperor's examination. To bring me down is a slap in the face to the Emperor!"

Thinking of this, Li Ru suddenly felt enlightened. At first, he thought that his actions had offended powerful people, and that they had framed him to prevent him from becoming too powerful.

Now, upon deeper reflection, Li Ru realized that his previous thoughts had been too simplistic; he had merely been used as a pawn in a game of power struggles against the emperor.

"Heh~ What a brilliant tactic!"

Thinking of this, a cold glint flashed in Li Ru's eyes, and he couldn't help but sneer, "Powerful families and clans..."

At this moment, in a room not far from Li Ru and the others, five middle-aged men gathered together, quietly discussing something.

A voice came from the darkness, "How is the situation?"

Another voice came, "The light in his room is still on, and the constable in the other room is already asleep."

"Alright, let's split up, kill those constables, and then take Li Ru away! Let's make a big commotion."

"promise!"

After saying that, the group quietly opened the door and crept towards Li Ru's room.

The leader whispered a few words to his subordinates, who nodded in understanding. Then, he led three men stealthily toward the room where the constables were sleeping, while the leader and one other man remained outside Li Ru's room.

Once everything was ready, the leader stood up and kicked open Li Ru's door, and the same thing happened on the other side. With two loud bangs, the two groups of people rushed into the two rooms at the same time.

Who are you people?!

Upon seeing the two men who suddenly rushed in, each holding a long sword, the constable responsible for guarding Li Ru immediately drew his sword, shouted loudly, and stood guard in front of Li Ru.

Li Ru's expression changed. Standing behind the yamen runner, he stared intently at the two people who rushed in, trying to guess their identities.

"Hmph~ The one who'll take your life!"

The leader snorted coldly, then charged forward without saying a word, slashing his long knife at the neck of the constable.

Seeing this, the constable hurriedly gripped his knife with both hands and raised it upwards to block the fatal blow. As the sound of metal clashing rang out, the constable couldn't help but take a few steps back.

The constable looked at his opponent in horror. He had already fallen into a disadvantageous position after only one exchange with one person. If the two of them attacked together, he was afraid he would not survive today.

After repelling the constable with one blow, the leader charged at him again, followed closely by his companions, eager to kill the constable as quickly as possible.

At the same time, they shouted loudly, "Magistrate Li, we have been ordered to come and rescue you, do not be afraid!"

Hearing their shouts, the constables were slightly taken aback and glanced at Li Ru with surprise.

Li Ru, who was standing to the side, immediately guessed the two men's intentions, and his face turned extremely gloomy.

"careful!"

Noticing the constables' unusual behavior, Li Ru hurriedly called out to warn them, then rushed towards the two assassins, trying to stop them. He didn't want to see someone who trusted him die in front of him like this.

Since the assassins' target wasn't him, it meant he was still useful to them. As long as they had reservations, he might be able to save the constable.

Li Ru's idea was correct, but he was still a step too slow.

Just as Li Ru made a move, two assassins rushed in front of the constables. They were too fast!

Hearing Li Ru's reminder, the constable reacted, but it was too late. In the brief moment of hesitation, two long swords came at him from the left and right at the same time.

The constable instinctively swung his long sword, barely managing to block a fatal blow from the left, while another long sword plunged viciously into his right chest.

At the same time, the leader of the assassins kicked the constable hard in the stomach.

"Ah~...."

The constable cried out in pain and was sent flying backward, crashing heavily to the ground. He couldn't help but feel a sweet taste in his throat, and blood immediately spilled from the corner of his mouth, while blood continued to flow from his right chest.

From their confrontation with the constables to the constables falling to the ground, it all happened in the blink of an eye.

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