It was early November, and the north was already nearing the dead of winter, but in Lujiang, the temperature was only slightly cooler.

Dark clouds obscured the moon, a cool breeze blew, and within the city of Lujiang under the cover of night, flickering firelight accompanied shouts and cries.

Three thousand vanguard soldiers of the Imperial Guard, carrying torches, ran through the streets and alleys of Lujiang City, amidst the constant barking of dogs.

"Quick, keep up!!"

Wearing iron armor, Dong Zhuo personally led a group of men straight to Zhang Yan's residence, with the Xiahou brothers and Xu Chu following behind.

Soon, the procession stopped, and the two tightly closed vermilion doors appeared exceptionally bright under the torchlight.

"Knock on the door!"

Dong Zhuo, standing at the front of the group, turned his head to look at Xu Chu, who was standing to the side with a robust build.

Without saying a word, Xu Chu stepped forward and swung his huge fist at the door.

"Knock knock knock~!"

A dull sound echoed through the street, and everyone stared intently at the crack in the door.

Soon, an angry voice came from inside the door: "Who is it? At this hour, are you looking for trouble?"

Xu Chu ignored him and continued to swing his fist, smashing it towards the door.

"Stop banging! If you break it, can you afford to pay for it...?"

Soon, the tightly closed door opened a crack, and a servant looked out while cursing. When he saw the torches and Dong Zhuo and his men outside, he immediately stopped talking.

"Go in!!"

Amidst the terrified gaze of his servant, Dong Zhuo waved his hand, then led his men to push open the gate and swarm in.

The students following behind Dong Zhuo would stop every five steps, and soon the entire courtyard was filled with guards every five steps. The torches in the students' hands illuminated the area as if it were daytime, leaving no blind spots.

Dong Zhuo strode to the front of the Zhang residence's main hall, then glared fiercely at the servant.

"Immediately, summon everyone in your household!"

"Please... please wait a moment, General, I'll be right there!"

The servant was so frightened by Dong Zhuo's fierce gaze that he ran away in a panic towards the back hall.

Soon, Zhang Yan arrived in the courtyard with his wife, children, and more than forty servants from the mansion.

Looking at Dong Zhuo's fierce face and his soldiers as sturdy as pine trees, Zhang Yan felt a sudden panic. He then forced himself to remain calm and stepped forward, bowing respectfully to Dong Zhuo.

"I wonder what brings this general here so late at night?"

Dong Zhuo glanced at Zhang Yan sideways: "I have been ordered to search the area!!"

Zhang Yan was slightly taken aback: "Now? But it's so late at night..."

"It will be quiet at night and won't disturb the neighbors!"

Before Zhang Yan could finish speaking, Dong Zhuo waved his hand and shouted, "Search them thoroughly!!"

"yes!!"

Dozens of soldiers responded in unison, and then, carrying torches, ran towards the various rooms and courtyards of the Zhang residence.

"Miao Cai, Zhong Kang, come this way with me!"

Xiahou Dun, who rushed to the backyard first, beckoned Xiahou Yuan and Xu Chu to rush towards a bedroom.

Xiahou Dun rushed forward and kicked the door.

With a loud crash, half of the sturdy wooden door flew off, while the other half wobbled precariously, leaving Xiahou Yuan, who was standing to the side, speechless.

"Second brother, we could have easily pushed the door open and gone in. Doesn't your foot hurt...?"

"What do you know, kid? Didn't you hear General Dong just say to search thoroughly?"

Xiahou Dun rubbed the soles of his feet, glared at Xiahou Yuan, and then stepped inside.

"Uh... that's pretty ruthless!!"

Seeing Xiahou Dun limping, Xiahou Yuan muttered something and then followed him.

The three people who entered the house then began to search through drawers, cabinets, and under the bed.

Meanwhile, the soldiers who rushed into the other rooms were also perfectly carrying out Dong Zhuo's orders, searching them thoroughly.

The clanging and clattering sounds rose and fell.

Hearing the commotion, Zhang Yan's eyelids twitched, and a look of pain appeared on his face. Only now did he realize the meaning of Dong Zhuo's words, "search thoroughly."

This isn't a search, it's blatant house raiding! And this fat Dong, he doesn't look like a military officer at all, he's practically a bandit...

Zhang Yan closed his eyes in pain, cursing inwardly, while already fantasizing about burning that fat Dong to a crisp after he succeeded.

"Second brother, there's nothing here. Let's hurry to the next room!"

Looking at the messy room, Xiahou Yuan looked at Xiahou Dun with excitement, as if he had become addicted to smashing things.

"Who said there isn't?"

Xiahou grinned, then went to the bedside, picked up a quilt, and with a ripping sound, tore open the quilt cover, took out a piece of silk cloth from his bosom, and stuffed it inside.

"Come here, let me hug you!!"

With that, Xiahou Dun tossed the quilt to Xiahou Yuan.

"Uh... second brother, what's wrong with you...?"

Xiahou Yuan was somewhat bewildered by Xiahou Dun's actions.

"Enough with the nonsense!"

Xiahou Dun glared at his stupid brother, then walked out of the house, and Xiahou Yuan, who was carrying a quilt, hurriedly followed.

Soon, the three brothers arrived in front of Dong Zhuo, and Xiahou Dun stepped forward and gave a military salute.

"General Dong, we have found something suspicious in the back room!"

After saying that, Xiahou Yuan, looking embarrassed, hugged the blanket and walked forward.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yan's expression changed, and he quickly looked up.

When Zhang Yan saw the blanket that Xiahou Yuan was holding, he couldn't help but frown.

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