Upon hearing their conversation, Song Yunyang suddenly remembered Qian Kun, the villain who colluded with officials and bandits to plunder the people's money.

"What's the difference between these shady shops and Qian Kun? They're all birds of a feather, bloodsucking locusts!"

Chen Zhennan clearly remembered what happened in Ningzhou, and his expression gradually darkened, like a sky filled with dark clouds, ready to unleash a thunderous rage at any moment.

"Tell me, how long have you been here? How many people have you killed?"

The two people opposite each other exchanged a glance, their eyes revealing a hint of panic, their lips trembling as if they were communicating silently.

“We’ve been here for less than a month and we’ve killed thirteen people in total. And there are other black shops like ours in other places.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhennan's eyes instantly flashed with murderous intent, his gaze like a sword drawn from its sheath, radiating cold light.

"Where is your manager?" His words carried a chilling coldness as he suppressed his anger.

“Our manager comes every morning to check on things and take away the looted goods. He’ll definitely be here tomorrow morning.” One of them finally couldn’t hold back anymore, his voice trembling with tears, as if he had already foreseen his own doom.

Chen Zhennan slowly lowered the pistol in his hand; the soft sound of metal hitting the wooden table was exceptionally clear in the tense air.

His eyes remained sharp, like a predator locking onto its prey in the dark.

"Shiyu, tie these two up and lock them in the back room until the manager arrives."

Yan Shiyu nodded, took out a rope from his waist, and skillfully tied the hands of the two prisoners behind their backs. Then he tied their feet tightly to ensure they could not escape.

Song Yunyang stood to the side, asking worriedly, "Brother Nan, is this really safe? What if the shopkeeper brings more people..."

Chen Zhennan was slightly taken aback, then turned his head and asked, "When did you become so suspicious? I am the current emperor, and you will soon be the empress. You know Shiyu's abilities very well. Don't worry, go to sleep!"

As he spoke, Chen Zhennan put his arm around Song Yunyang's shoulder and pulled her to lie down on the bed.

Song Yunyang's cheeks flushed slightly, but Chen Zhennan didn't go too far. He just pulled her down to lie down, nestled his head on her shoulder, and she fell asleep in no time.

Listening to Chen Zhennan's rhythmic snoring, Song Yunyang couldn't help but smile and gently grasp Chen Zhennan's hand.

...

The first rays of morning sunlight streamed through the window and fell on Chen Zhennan's face.

Yan Shiyu's voice broke the morning's tranquility: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty! Someone has come downstairs; it should be the shopkeeper."

Chen Zhennan opened his eyes upon hearing the sound, and turned his head to see that Song Yunyang had gotten up at some point and was sitting on a chair by the window, holding a book in her hands, looking focused.

Chen Zhennan stretched and slowly got up.

"Let's go downstairs and see who's so audacious."

Song Yunyang put down her book, stood up and followed behind Chen Zhennan, with Yan Shiyu close behind.

The three of them walked slowly and steadily down the wooden stairs, their footsteps making a steady, powerful sound as they approached the door.

Chen Zhennan took a deep breath and then softly hummed in agreement. Yan Shiyu understood, reached out and slowly pulled out the latch, then slowly opened the door.

A young man dressed in white stood outside the door, a fan tucked into his waistband, looking like a scholar, but a hint of cunning and sharpness was hidden in his eyes.

Behind the man were five guards wielding curved swords. Their eyes were wary and cold, clearly not ordinary followers.

When the young man saw that it was Chen Zhennan and his group who opened the door, his brows furrowed slightly, and a hint of surprise and doubt flashed in his eyes.

What happened? Did you make a mistake?

"Who are you? Where are the people in the inn?" His words carried a commanding tone, clearly indicating his habit of giving orders.

Chen Zhennan smiled faintly, his smile carrying a hint of amusement and disdain.

"I am the owner of this inn. Are you here to stay?"

Chen Zhennan's words stunned the people at the door. They looked at each other, then looked at Chen Zhennan with suspicion and hostility.

The leading man looked puzzled and asked in a deep voice, "You must be joking. I am the innkeeper. Did you kill the people inside?"

Chen Zhennan shook his head slightly upon hearing this: "I just wanted to confirm whether you are the owner of this inn. I didn't kill all the people inside; there were two left. They wanted to kill and rob us of our property, so it's reasonable for me to kill them, isn't it?"

Upon hearing this, the man opposite frowned and looked at Yan Shiyu and Song Yunyang warily.

The three people in front of me looked calm, especially the one in the middle. He spoke of killing so casually, and his demeanor and mannerisms exuded an extraordinary aura. He was definitely not an ordinary person.

"Indeed, they wanted to kill for money and deserved to die. But I wonder how you intend to handle this matter? Report it to the authorities, or settle it privately?"

The man's words carried a hint of cunning, clearly trying to probe Chen Zhennan's bottom line. His eyes swept back and forth between Chen Zhennan and the other two, trying to find a flaw.

Chen Zhennan's lips curled into a cold smile, his eyes revealing a hint of contempt, as if mocking the other party's ignorance and stupidity.

"Settle this privately? You're not qualified. Report it to the authorities? You're even less qualified. I have one principle: anyone who tries to kill me must die. Since you're the owner here, there's nothing wrong with settling accounts with you, is there?"

Upon hearing Chen Zhennan's words, the man suddenly revealed a mocking smile, as if he had heard the biggest shock he had ever experienced.

The man puffed out his chest and deliberately raised his voice, seemingly trying to increase his intimidation.

"Listen up! I am the son of the county magistrate. How dare you country bumpkins be so insolent in front of me?"

Chen Zhennan gave a strange "oh," and asked with feigned surprise, "What? You're the magistrate's son?"

"Of course! Kid, you've got guts. I've never seen anyone talk about killing so casually before. But this is my father's territory. If you dare mess with me, you'll die a horrible death."

The five guards behind the man stepped forward as he spoke, looking at Chen Zhennan and his companions with cold smiles, as if mocking their lack of awareness of the times.

The guards' eyes revealed an arrogant and haughty air; they were clearly used to using their master's power to oppress others.

Chen Zhennan responded with an "oh," his expression completely calm, showing no concern for Chen Zhennan's identity.

"Since you are the magistrate's son, I'd like to see how the magistrate will deal with his son."

The man was taken aback, then asked, "What do you mean?"

"It's meaningless. What's so special about a county magistrate's son?"

After saying that, Chen Zhennan suddenly waved his hand, and Yan Shiyu immediately responded. His body shot out like an arrow and rushed directly towards the man's guard.