Yan Shiyu's longsword moved like lightning, each swing carrying deadly power.

In less than a minute, all five guards lay dead in pools of blood, their faces still bearing the look of terror and disbelief before their deaths.

The man's face turned pale instantly as he watched this scene, his eyes filled with fear, and his body began to tremble uncontrollably.

His lips trembled, his voice tinged with despair: "You...you...how dare you?!"

Chen Zhennan stared coldly at the man, his eyes devoid of any pity.

"Don't worry, I won't kill you before you see your father. Shiyu, tie him up!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Shiyu immediately stepped forward and tied the man up tightly.

When Chen Zhennan returned to the inn, there was not a trace of pity in his eyes when he faced the two criminals he had captured the night before.

These thirteen lives, these thirteen souls, are all awaiting the judgment of justice.

Chen Zhennan fired two shots, decisively and resolutely executing them.

Chen Zhennan and his two companions mounted their horses, their shadows stretching long in the morning light.

"Let's go, don't keep the magistrate waiting."

Chen Zhennan's voice carried a hint of sarcasm as his cold gaze swept over the magistrate's son.

The inn was less than ten miles from the county town, but the magistrate's son was already exhausted and panting heavily after only halfway there.

His face was covered in sweat, and his steps were unsteady, clearly unaccustomed to such a long trek. His breathing became increasingly rapid, each step feeling like walking on cotton, light yet so heavy that he almost fell.

Although Chen Zhennan wasn't in a hurry, he didn't slow down either. Even if he were the son of a county magistrate, or even the son of a prince or nobleman, it wouldn't make any difference to Chen Zhennan.

The sun grew increasingly scorching, and sweat streamed down the magistrate's son's forehead. His lips were already cracked, but he dared not ask to stop and rest.

As Chen Zhennan and his three companions arrived at the city gate, he looked up and saw the two large characters "Jixian" on the city wall standing out prominently under the blazing sun.

Just as Chen Zhennan was about to enter the city, the magistrate's son behind him suddenly shouted, "Guards! I am Sun Hao, the magistrate's son! Save me! Kill those three thieves!"

Upon hearing this, the city guard frowned, his gaze shooting towards Sun Hao like a sharp arrow.

Upon confirming his identity, the city guard's expression changed drastically. He quickly drew his sword from his waist, the sound of metal scraping against metal unusually clear in the tense atmosphere.

He shouted loudly and led the soldiers guarding the city to quickly surround Chen Zhennan and his companions, forming a tight encirclement.

Sun Hao's voice carried a hint of smugness; he seemed to have already seen a glimmer of hope for his rescue, while Chen Zhennan and the other two were pushed to the brink of life and death.

The city guard took the lead, and with his soldiers, quickly surrounded Chen Zhennan and his companions. He then hurriedly untied the ropes binding Sun Hao and pointed his sword at Chen Zhennan.

The blade in the city guard's hand gleamed coldly in the sunlight. His voice was high-pitched and sharp, and he threatened arrogantly, "You ignorant fools, daring to kidnap the magistrate's son, now your death is at hand!"

With the help of the city guard, Sun Hao stood up, a hint of smugness flashing in his eyes.

Sun Hao's lips curled up slightly, revealing a contemptuous smile, as if he could already foresee the tragic end of Chen Zhennan and the others.

"You dared to kill my guards and bind me to walk for more than ten miles. Now, even if you kneel down and kowtow to me, you won't leave Ji County alive!"

Chen Zhennan sat on his horse, looking indifferent, and shrugged dismissively.

"Sun Hao? Right? Let me ask you, is Ji County still under the rule of the new emperor Chen Zhennan?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Hao burst into laughter.

"The new emperor Chen Zhennan's empire? Who acknowledges that this Great Wu empire belongs to him? Our Great Wu empire has endured countless hardships, only to be seized by this traitor. What kind of emperor is he? He is nothing but a usurper!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Shiyu's eyes widened, and he slowly reached out to touch the long sword behind him.

Seeing this, Chen Zhennan quickly stopped him, laughing and saying, "Shiyu, don't be in such a hurry. We should be reasonable when we can be. If we can't be reasonable, then we can talk about it later."

Upon hearing this, Sun Hao scoffed and turned away with a disdainful expression.

"Reasoning? Now you know how to reason? Too late! Old Xu, tie them all up and send them to the county government. I'll go back and wait, and deal with them slowly!"

After saying that, Sun Hao strode away, his loud laughter carrying far and wide.

The city guard gave a soft snort, pointing his blade at Chen Zhennan.

"Dismount obediently and surrender, and I'll let you off easy. If you dare to resist, I'll make the three of you crawl to the county office!"

Chen Zhennan smiled helplessly, and surprisingly nodded and dismounted.

Seeing this, the city guard shook his head and laughed, "That's right. Come on, tie up these three and take them to the county office."

Just as the soldiers guarding the city were about to take action, Chen Zhennan suddenly kicked one of the soldiers in front of him away.

He casually drew his long sword from his back, rushed to the city guard in one stride, and placed the sword directly against the guard's neck.

Chen Zhennan acted too quickly. Before the soldiers guarding the city could react, their superior was captured. For a moment, everyone was at a loss for what to do.

Chen Zhennan's lips curled into a subtle smile, and his eyes revealed a hint of amusement and disdain.

"Do you still want to kidnap me and take me to the county government office?"

As he spoke, Chen Zhennan gently pressed the blade against the guard's neck, startling the guard into trembling.

"I dare not, I dare not, sir, spare my life!" The city guard was terrified and hurriedly begged for mercy, large beads of sweat rolling down his forehead and wetting his collar.

Chen Zhennan snorted lightly, a hint of sarcasm in his eyes.

"Do you know what 'being caught in one's own trap' means?" Chen Zhennan asked.

The city guard was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized that he had almost lost his life.

The city garrison officer beckoned to his soldiers, his voice trembling with a sob: "Quick, quick! Tie me up and take me to the county office with the hero!"

The words of the city garrison officer revealed a sense of helplessness and despair, completely devoid of his previous arrogance and fearlessness.

The soldiers looked at each other, their eyes filled with surprise and confusion, but they still obeyed the order and carefully tied up the city guard, afraid of angering Chen Zhennan again.

The scene suddenly became somewhat comical. The once arrogant city garrison officer was now tied up by his own men and following behind Chen Zhennan, heading towards the county government office.

The onlookers were all amazed by what they saw. Some clapped and cheered, while others shook their heads and sighed, lamenting the impermanence of life.

Chen Zhennan walked at the front of the group, his steps steady and his expression calm, as if he were the boss of Ji County.

“Good sir, I advise you to let me go. This Ji County is not like other places. The county magistrate, Sun Lei, is the son-in-law of the governor of Jingzhou. You can’t afford to offend him.”