Chapter 43 Teasing her really...broke my heart!
Huang Jiang frowned, clearly struggling internally: "No! The rules are strict, and the order to capture the emperor alive cannot be disobeyed! If we execute the emperor without authorization, no one can bear the responsibility!"
Fangru noticed his wavering and stopped insisting on killing him. Instead, she opted for a less urgent solution, but spoke even faster, making the situation seem extremely urgent:
“Alright! Since the leader insists, let’s proceed with the original plan and attempt to capture him alive. But please promise me two things: First, when you make your move, use sleeping gas or heavy-handed methods to subdue him instantly, giving him no chance to resist or cry for help! Second,” she glanced at the entrance to the flowerbed, “if you find anything amiss or any signs of something out of control, kill him immediately! I will explain all the consequences to Chief Liu! Preserving the lives of our brothers and the success of this operation is our top priority!”
Her words were reasonable and respectful, showing both respect for orders and consideration of actual risks, demonstrating both loyalty and composure.
Huang Jiang pondered for a moment, then finally nodded heavily: "Alright! As you say! Go back quickly, lest the emperor become suspicious."
Fangru felt somewhat relieved, knowing that the initial plan had been completed.
Without saying another word, she quickly turned around and quietly returned along the same path, already planning the next step in her mind.
Just like in her previous life, Fangru cleverly led Zhou Ling to the entrance of Zuixianlou by saying that "the first cup of Xueyu wine should be drunk while it is still hot in a well-ventilated place downstairs to get its true flavor".
The night was slightly cool, and Zhou Ling seemed completely unaware of the danger, walking with ease and even a touch of leisure. Only his deep eyes flashed with a barely perceptible sharpness as they swept over the shadows at the street corner.
The moment his figure was fully exposed on the street, something unexpected happened!
Several dark figures, like ghosts, swooped down from the eaves and shadowy corners of the street, heading straight for Zhou Ling!
These people were swift and ruthless, and were the elite of the Baiyang Society.
However, at almost the same time, several other figures shot out from the windows of the second floor of Zuixianlou and from the shadows of the side alley at an even faster speed!
Just like in the previous life, although they were few in number, they moved with lightning speed and their attacks were cunning and ruthless, each move a killing technique. They were clearly the secret guards arranged by Zhou Ling!
"Protect His Majesty!"
Before the deep shout had even finished, the ear-piercing sound of clashing swords shattered the tranquility of the night.
The guards, like a silent bulwark, instantly engaged in fierce combat with the White Sun Society assassins.
In an instant, swords clashed and blood splattered in front of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion.
Each of the guards was a master fighter capable of taking on ten men; with a flash of sword light, several members of the White Sun Society had already fallen to the ground.
Zhou Ling was protected by two bodyguards in the center. He stood with his hands behind his back, his face calm and expressionless, as if the life-and-death battle before him had nothing to do with him.
He even had the leisure to straighten his cuffs, which had become slightly disheveled from his movements. His composure amidst the flashing swords possessed a breathtaking charm.
Upon seeing this, Huang Jiang's expression changed, and he blew a sharp whistle.
Immediately, more Baiyang Society ambush troops poured out from all directions, and some of them even took out crossbows!
"Your Majesty, be careful!"
One of the guards cried out in alarm and bravely stood in front of Zhou Ling, using his body to block the incoming crossbow bolt, and died on the spot!
Although the guards were brave, the enemy was too numerous and well-prepared, using crossbows to keep them at bay from a distance and gradually separating them.
Zhou Ling's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. He seized an opening, moved swiftly, and glided out of the protective circle like a dragon. He snatched the weapon from one of the assassins, and with a backhand flick, severed the throat of another approaching enemy!
His movements were clean and efficient, displaying the fierce skill of someone who had been through many battles.
His move instantly relieved the pressure on the guards, but it also completely exposed him to attack.
"To catch the thief, first catch the king!"
Huang Jiang roared, and several skilled fighters rushed towards Zhou Ling without regard for their own safety, while simultaneously releasing a stunning smoke.
Zhou Ling held his breath and swung his sword. The sword light was like a bolt of lightning, and he took down two more people. However, the smoke still affected his vision and movements.
A specially made large net suddenly appeared and covered his head, while several lassos wrapped around his legs from strange angles.
He swung his sword and cut off several strands, but ultimately there was no way to avoid it, and he was tightly entangled in the net.
The guards risked their lives to save them, but were blocked at every turn.
Zhou Ling was swarmed by the crowd, his hands were tied behind his back, and he was tightly bound with oil-soaked cowhide rope.
When he was subdued, his breathing was slightly disordered, and there were a few strands of sweat on his temples, but his eyes were still as sharp as a hawk's, coldly sweeping over Huang Jiang and the Baiyang followers around him.
The oppressive and disdainful look in his eyes sent chills down the spines of those who had succeeded, and they dared not meet his gaze.
Suppressing a slight unease in his heart, Huang Jiang waved his hand and shouted, "Take them away! Quickly!"
Two men shoved Zhou Ling, trying to take him away.
As Zhou Ling passed by Fang Ru, who had been hiding behind a box and appeared panicked, he paused slightly.
He turned his head and his gaze fell on Fangru's face again. Beneath her sweat-dampened bangs, her eyes were as deep as a cold pool. There was no anger or fear in them, only a scrutinizing gaze that seemed to see right through a person, and a hint of... knowing, even a touch of playful mockery.
He said nothing, but that one glance seemed to say, "The show is just beginning." Then he was roughly shoved away.
Fangru's heartbeat suddenly went out of control because of that one glance from him.
She suppressed the complex emotions surging within her and continued to hide in the shadow of the nearby pile of clutter, holding her breath and concentrating.
All that could be heard were the sounds of the Dark Guards clashing in close combat with the remaining members of the White Sun Society, and the receding footsteps.
She knew that, following the trajectory of her past life, the crisis was not yet completely over.
Sure enough, shortly after the guards chased after the direction in which the emperor had been abducted, a steady footstep quietly approached from behind.
Fangru's eyes sharpened, but instead of panicking, she adjusted her posture slightly and waited calmly.
She remembered that in her previous life, at this very moment, someone attacked her from behind, knocked her unconscious, and took her away.
And that person was Huang Jiang, who left and then returned.
Just as the other person reached out to slap the back of her neck, Fangru suddenly turned around, looked calmly at the person, and said in a low voice, "Master Huang, it's me."
Huang Jiang's hand froze in mid-air, a hint of surprise flashing across his face before turning into admiration: "Miss Chen is indeed quick-witted! I was worried you had been frightened."
He looked around and, after confirming that it was safe, his attitude was much more polite than before. "Miss Shen, you deserve great credit for capturing Zhou Ling so smoothly this time. You have extraordinary courage and insight. I admire you."
Fangru nodded slightly, not taking credit: "Master, you flatter me. It was just my duty."
Huang Jiang lowered his voice: "We shouldn't stay here any longer. The people from the imperial court will be here soon. Miss Shen, since you are deeply trusted by Chief Liu and know a lot about this matter, why don't you come with me to interrogate that dog emperor? We can see his true colors, and this will be an important qualification for us in the future."
This invitation was a world apart from the attitude she had received in her previous life, who treated her as a prisoner who needed to be tortured.
Fangru understood that this was a crucial step for her to gain further trust and seize the opportunity to advance her plan.
Her face displayed just the right amount of solemnity and curiosity: "I am willing to follow the arrangements of the incense master."
Just like in his previous life, Zhou Ling was taken by Bai Yang to a secluded house.
Fangru did not enter the interrogation room, but chose to stay in the corridor and calmly observe the situation inside through the window crack.
Inside the interrogation room, Huang Jiang and others forced Zhou Ling to write a confession of self-reproach.
Although Zhou Ling was under someone else's control, he remained arrogant and even tried to probe the White Sun Society's secrets in his words.
Fangru seized the opportunity and found Huang Jiang, who was guarding outside the door. She said in a low but urgent voice, "Master Huang, we can't wait any longer! Zhou Ling is good at bewitching people. He will definitely say something like, 'Once you kill me, your leader can use this to proclaim that he is the Mandate of Heaven. At that time, in order to appease the court and successfully recruit you, you 'killers of the emperor' will be pushed out to take the blame,' to divide and weaken you! If we don't act decisively, once the Imperial Guards arrive, we will all die without a burial place!"
A murderous glint flashed in Huang Jiang's eyes; he was clearly convinced by the terrible consequences Fang Ru had described.
He tightened his grip on the knife, then turned to push open the door to the room where Zhou Ling was being held.
Fangru held her breath and stared intently into the room through the crack in the window.
Huang Jiang stormed in, his blade pointed directly at Zhou Ling, who was bound to a chair, and shouted, "You dog emperor! What are your last words before you die?!"
However, Zhou Ling showed no fear even when faced with a sharp blade so close at hand.
He even slightly adjusted his bound sitting posture to appear more composed, then raised his eyes, his gaze shooting towards Huang Jiang like cold lightning.
Deep in his eyes was not fear, but a condescending scrutiny, as if he were the one in control.
“Huang Jiang,” Zhou Ling began, his voice deep and steady, carrying a strange penetrating power that made the fierce Huang Jiang pause in his movements. “If I remember correctly, you were originally from Hejian Prefecture. Ten years ago, you had a daughter, six years old, lively and lovely, named ‘Yaya’.”
Huang Jiang trembled violently, as if struck by lightning. The murderous intent on his face was instantly replaced by disbelief and horror: "You... how could you..."
Ignoring his shock, Zhou Ling continued in that unhurried yet piercing tone, "Unfortunately, Ya Ya was trampled to death by Jiang Yi, the local tyrant of the Axe Gang, in the market. You were filled with grief and indignation, squandering your fortune to seek justice from officials everywhere, but they protected each other, leaving you with nowhere to turn. In the end, you killed Jiang Yi's men and became a fugitive, joining the White Sun Society. Am I right?"
These words not only struck Huang Jiang like a thunderbolt, leaving him frozen in place, but even Fang Ru, who was eavesdropping outside the window, gasped in shock!
She never expected that Zhou Ling knew so much about Huang Jiang's background!
This unfathomable control over information is chilling.
Zhou Ling's gaze swept over Huang Jiang's violently trembling hands, but ultimately drifted, seemingly intentionally or unintentionally, toward the window where Fang Ru was hiding.
Through the thin window paper, Fangru could almost feel the weight of that gaze, carrying a knowing and playful air, and even a hint of... indescribable ambiguity.
Why was he so calm even though he was in such a desperate situation? Had he seen through her trick?
Zhou Ling's lips curled into a faint smile as he looked at Huang Jiang, whose face was ashen. His tone suddenly carried a hint of regret: "Huang Jiang, you were originally a pitiful person who loved your daughter dearly and endured humiliation. Why did you choose to serve the Baiyang Society, which bewitches people and treats your lives like dirt? Do you know that even if you kill me today, the Baiyang Society's higher-ups will push out a 'bandit' like you to take the blame in order to quell the situation and secure amnesty?"
His words seemed to possess a magical power, each one striking Huang Jiang's most vulnerable nerves.
Huang Jiang's hand holding the knife began to tremble uncontrollably. His previous killing intent and determination were rapidly crumbling after Zhou Ling exposed his bloody wounds and pointed directly to a cruel future.
Fangru's heart sank suddenly as she looked out the window.
With just a few words, Zhou Ling not only averted a fatal disaster but also won over the heart of the enemy!
The trap she had painstakingly set up was about to be broken by him so casually!
Zhou Ling's gaze swept across the window frame almost imperceptibly, as if he could see through the thin paper to Fang Ru's surprised and doubtful face.
The smile on his lips deepened as he turned to the pale-faced Huang Jiang, his tone even carrying a hint of "gentle guidance":
“Huang Jiang, it’s only right that you avenge your daughter. That Jiang Yi, now using the alias ‘Zhao Si,’ is hiding in the ‘Yuelai’ gambling den at the very back of the Mule and Horse Market in the west of the city. He has a new scar on his left cheek, making him easy to spot. If you go now, you might still be able to catch him.”
Huang Jiang's pupils constricted, and his breathing suddenly became heavy.
The obsession with avenging his daughter instantly overwhelmed his fear and suspicion of Zhou Ling.
He stared intently at Zhou Ling, as if trying to determine if this was another trap.
Zhou Ling met his gaze calmly, his eyes as deep as an ancient well: "I am the Son of Heaven, my words are law. What benefit would I gain from lying to you? It would only be to see your love for your daughter and give you a chance to settle your grievances yourself."
These words struck Huang Jiang in the softest and most painful place in his heart.
He abruptly sheathed his sword and gave a hoarse order to his men at the door: "Keep an eye on him. No one is allowed to lay a finger on him until I get back!"
Having said that, he didn't look at Zhou Ling again and hurriedly left with a chilling murderous aura.
The room was temporarily quiet again.
Fangru, standing outside the window, was overwhelmed with emotion. Zhou Ling's control over his opponent was terrifying; it was simply beyond comprehension.
Just then, a familiar figure slipped in—it was the henchman who had stolen her Buddhist prayer bead bracelet in her past life.
He squinted at Zhou Ling, who was tied up, clearly intending to loot some valuables.
Before the henchman could speak, Zhou Ling looked up at him, his tone calm yet undeniably firm: "You want wealth and status? Go to the abandoned Ciyun Temple in the east of the city, dig down two feet from the third banyan tree outside the gate, and you'll find a hundred taels of gold. Enough for you to live a carefree life for half your life."
The henchmen were stunned, half believing and half doubting.
Fangru felt a sudden alarm bell ringing in her heart; she couldn't let Zhou Ling continue to bewitch people like this!
She burst through the door, interrupting him coldly: "Don't listen to his nonsense! He's good at psychological warfare; he's just stalling for time and trying to unsettle you!"
Zhou Ling's gaze locked onto her almost the instant she stepped in. His deep eyes held no surprise, but rather a leisurely smile that seemed to say, "You finally couldn't hold back anymore," as if he had been waiting for this moment. He even adjusted his bound posture to appear more comfortable.
"Tsk," he clicked his tongue lightly, his tone carrying an intimate, almost lewd sarcasm, each word clear and distinct, striking the heart like a whisper, "Shen Fangru, my 'good old friend,' you're not even bothering to pretend to be a spy for the Baiyang Society anymore? It really... breaks my heart." He then shook his head with feigned regret.
"spy?"
Fangru met his mocking gaze, forcing herself to remain calm, but her hand clenched slightly in her sleeve. "Zhou Ling, you muddle-headed tyrant, acting against all reason, everyone in the world has the right to kill you! Today I am here to act on behalf of Heaven, what is there to pretend about!"
"Acting on behalf of Heaven?" Zhou Ling chuckled softly, his laughter magnetic and pleasant, as if he had heard something extremely interesting.
His bound body leaned forward slightly, an action that instantly closed the distance between him and Fangru. Even though they were several steps apart, his gaze was intensely aggressive, as if invisible threads were binding her. "Miss Chen, if you are truly acting on behalf of Heaven, why don't you dare let me have a proper talk with the people in charge here? Are you afraid that I... might persuade them with a few words and ruin your 'good deed'?"
He paused deliberately, his gaze lingering on her face, which was slightly flushed with anger, before continuing slowly and deliberately, each word like a hook: "Or... are you actually afraid? Afraid that if I talk too much with others, I'll neglect you, and you'll waste this hard-won opportunity to be 'alone' with me?"
The implication in those words was both alluring and provocative. The henchmen beside him gaped, their eyes darting back and forth between the emperor and the beautiful woman who had suddenly appeared, filled with curiosity.
Fangru's cheeks flushed red, not only from anger, but also from his damned composure and charm that he couldn't shake off even when he was imprisoned, and the ambiguous atmosphere brought about by his words.
She took a deep breath, trying to suppress the pounding in her heart: "Zhou Ling! You're about to die, and you still want to spout nonsense!"
"Quick tongue?" Zhou Ling raised an eyebrow, his eyes growing even deeper, as if he had spotted some interesting prey. "Is all I have left is a quick tongue, Miss Shen... don't you want to verify for yourself?"
He spoke very softly, yet with a fatal allure, as if inviting her into a dangerous game. "Or perhaps, you prefer this feeling... of being able to look from afar, but unable to touch?"
He gently struggled with his bound wrists; the sinewy rope dug deep into his flesh, yet it only accentuated the powerful sense of being trapped. This contradiction created a strange tension.
He looked at her, his tone suddenly carrying a hint of lazy complaint: "However, it's really unladylike to talk while tied up. Miss Chen, why don't you come over and untie me? We can... have a leisurely chat. It's better than you standing at the door, like a neglected wife, just glaring at her husband."
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