Chapter 273 Who is the mastermind behind 'Dark Shatter'?
When Wang Wu arrived at the Lu residence, he told Sun Jing that General Xiao had important matters to discuss and ordered him to go there immediately.
Although Sun Jing had his doubts, he remained loyal to his wife.
He first went to the inner courtyard and truthfully reported the matter to Lu Zhaoruo.
Lu Zhaoruo nodded slightly after hearing this, without saying anything more.
With his wife's tacit approval, Sun Jing turned around and left with Wang Wu.
However, the moment he turned around, an uncontrollable resentment surged up in his chest.
Deep down, he was extremely dissatisfied with Xiao Yeming!
If you care so much for your wife, why do you always back down at the last minute, only to break her heart?
What is the purpose of this urgent summons?
With these mixed feelings, Sun Jing stepped into Anzhai.
He stood silently before Xiao Yeming, immediately feeling the sharp, undisguised scrutinizing gaze sweeping down from above.
Sun Jingxin immediately understood.
Under Xiao Yeming's relentless and sharp questioning, Sun Jing lowered his head and remained silent for a long time. Finally, he took a deep breath, raised his head abruptly, knelt on one knee, and met Xiao Yeming's gaze with composure: "General, you are wise. I... was indeed a member of the 'Dark Sha' organization, codenamed 'Dark Gull'."
His eyes held a resolute determination that disregarded all reservations as he continued, “The organization has a strict hierarchy. We receive orders only through tokens and have never seen the master’s face. However, I have been ordered to handle several ‘dirty jobs’ related to the coast and know for certain that the master of ‘Dark Sha’ is secretly colluding with Japanese pirates. His identity… must be that of a high-ranking official in the court, with connections that reach the heavens.”
Xiao Yeming frowned, full of confusion and bewilderment: "Madam Lu is just a merchant. Even if Yunshang Pavilion handles procurement for the palace, which may have hindered some people's financial path, why would she need to use such a secretive force as 'Dark Fiend' to silence her? Moreover, she has the protection of Princess Yongfu behind her, and I, Xiao, am by her side. How could this person dare to be so reckless?"
He ruled out suspects one by one: "As for the Geng family, the Jiang family, the Li family, and even the Wan family who was driven away, even if they had personal grudges, they would never have the financial resources or connections to hire 'Ansha'."
He pondered for a moment, then suggested a possibility: "Could it be the Grand Princess's residence? Is it that Lady Yunxiu is holding a grudge?"
Sun Jing hurriedly said, "General, this assassination of Lady Lu was carried out using the core assassins of 'Dark Fiend,' whose methods are ruthless and decisive. Such a force cannot be mobilized by gold or silver. According to the ironclad rules of 'Dark Fiend,' only the owner of the highest-level 'Mysterious Iron Token' can personally issue the order to mobilize such power."
He concluded in a somber tone: "Therefore, this was by no means a hired murder, but rather... carried out by his master's orders, with a determination to succeed."
Upon hearing this, Wang Wu gasped in shock and exclaimed, "Could it be... that the owner of this 'Dark Blade' is the Grand Princess herself?"
Xiao Yeming shook his head decisively: "Absolutely impossible. Although the Grand Princess has a domineering personality, she has made great contributions to both dynasties. Back then, she was even ordered by the late emperor to marry Minister Yun. There is absolutely no way she would do anything like colluding with the enemy, betraying the country, or having an affair with the Japanese pirates."
Sun Jing analyzed in a deep voice: "General, you are wise. The mastermind behind 'Dark Sha' is nothing more than two types: one is a high-ranking and powerful figure in the court who holds real power; the other is a noble family with deep roots and close ties to the royal family."
"They mobilize 'dark forces' to eliminate targets, usually for only two purposes: either to cover up a shocking secret, or to clear obstacles that affect vital interests—for example, channels for secret communication with Japanese pirates."
Wang Wu frowned and suggested a possibility: "Madam Lu is a merchant, so she shouldn't be a direct obstacle. However... she did present a map of the Japanese pirate stronghold in Jizhou City. Could it be that this is why she was retaliated against?"
Xiao Yeming immediately dismissed the guess: "If it were to avenge old grudges, why wait until today to take action? There must be a deeper, more pressing reason behind this."
His gaze was sharp as he uttered the core deduction, word by word: "Unless... Sister Lu accidentally touched upon a secret that must never be touched, or... her very existence is, to someone, a thorn in their side that must be removed."
Upon hearing this, a chill ran down Wang Wu's spine.
Sun Jing's expression was solemn as he continued, "There is one more thing I must report to the general. When I was fighting those dozen or so masked assassins that day, the few desperate moves I used in desperation were all secret techniques passed down within the 'Dark Fiend' organization, used to identify fellow members. The leader of the opposing group hesitated noticeably during the fight, and I'm afraid... he has already seen through my background."
He raised his head, a hint of worry in his eyes: "The organization has strict rules, and traitors will be hunted down for thousands of miles as a warning to others. Now that my identity has been exposed, 'Dark Slash' will not let it go and will definitely send another top expert to silence me."
Upon hearing this, a cold glint flashed in Xiao Yeming's eyes, and he immediately gave a deep order: "Wang Wu!"
"Your subordinate is here!"
"Immediately select eight skilled men from the personal guard, in pairs, divided into four shifts, to secretly protect Sun Jing day and night. Remember, your mission is not to alert the enemy, but to ensure Sun Jing's safety and, without fail, capture the leader of the assassination attempt alive!"
"Your subordinate obeys!"
Wang Wu clasped his hands in acceptance of the order and immediately turned to make arrangements.
Xiao Yeming looked sharply at Sun Jing: "You can continue as usual, there's no need to deliberately hide your whereabouts. This time, we'll use you as bait to lure the snake out of its hole! I want to see just who this 'Dark Fiend' master really is!"
Sun Jing clasped his hands in a deep fist salute: "I understand! I will follow your instructions, General!"
He was about to turn around and leave when he stopped in his tracks.
He hesitated for a moment, then finally turned around and looked directly at Xiao Yeming, asking the question that had been weighing on his heart for so long: "General, please forgive my presumption... Since you are so devoted to my wife, why... why have you never asked for her hand in marriage?"
His voice was trembling with excitement, and he asked, "Could it be that... you, like those common people, care about the gossip outside, and in your heart... do you ultimately despise your wife for the misfortune she suffered and the loss of her chastity?"
These words were like the sharpest dagger, precisely piercing Xiao Yeming's most bleeding wound!
Xiao Yeming froze abruptly, his originally cold and stern face instantly draining of all color.
After a long silence, he finally managed to squeeze out a broken, low growl from between his teeth, his voice hoarse beyond recognition: "Disgusted?"
He abruptly turned around, his back to Sun Jing, his shoulders trembling slightly as he tried to suppress his emotions: "I... how could I despise her? I..."
I am the culprit who ruined her reputation! I am the source of all her suffering! What right do I have to despise her? What face do I have to... propose to her?
In the end, he could only wave his hand weakly and say, "Go down."
Sun Jing was even more confused.
But he said no more, clasped his hands in a salute, and silently withdrew.
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