The Empress's No.1 Lackey

"Swords drawn and crossbows cocked!"

The Jinyi government officers, dressed in dark black, were like a pitch-black tidal wave that Zhao Douan cleaved through, but it also thrust him onto the crest of danger.

In the courtyard, the energy of the martial artists vibrated and interwove intricately like a spiderweb, truly a case of pulling one hair and moving the whole body.

"Master Zhao!"

Zhang Han's usually expressionless face, for once, showed a trace of confusion:

"What do you mean by this?"

Zhao Douan said with a smile:

"Does Mr. Zhang truly not understand, or are you pretending to be confused? Given that you are my senior, you shouldn't be unaware of what this means."

Zhang Han was silent for a moment.

His gaze swept over the defensive gear and weapons of everyone present, the armor-piercing crossbows, and he suddenly felt the wind grow piercingly cold:

"I heard that Lihua Hall had a mission today, to go out and capture rebels, but I wasn't sure whether it was true. Looking at all of you now, could it be that you suspect the rebels are hiding within the official's residence?"

Zhao Douan cheerfully said:

"I wouldn't dare. I only suspect that the rebel is far at the horizon, yet near right before our eyes."

Zhang Han was taken aback:

"Do you suspect that I am a rebel?"

Zhao Douan said regretfully:

"At first, I also found it hard to believe that Brother Zhang could be the mole hiding within the government office. Hah, in fact, it was only this morning that I was certain. Otherwise, Brother Zhang would have been apprehended by Lord's own hands yesterday, and you would not have survived until today."

He was as tall as the other man, but at this moment, he looked down upon him from a height, and he sighed:

"Brother Zhang, after all, we are colleagues. I advise you to lay down your weapons and surrender voluntarily. Come with me to see Lord, and perhaps His Majesty. Considering your years of service, you might be treated leniently. But if you persist in your delusions and resist stubbornly... hah..."

With a light laugh, the sound of taut bowstrings surrounded him.

Hou Renmeng and the others, with their hand-held knives, also channeled energy into them.

The killing intent boiled.

The Divine Chapter Realm was strong, but even a fierce tiger cannot stand against a pack of wolves.

The officials from Lihua Hall were fully armed, with their defensive gear and weapons boosted, and with their coordinated efforts, they truly had the ability to compete with a Divine Chapter Realm.

Seeing this, the Zhang family's servants had long been scared witless, trembling and not daring to move, and family members who had rushed out of the back house were also driven back by the government officers with swords.

Zhang Han, by himself with a seven-foot sword, stood like a boulder before the dark tidal wave.

He said in a deep voice, "Master Zhao, there could be a misunderstanding. I, Zhang, will certainly not..."

Zhao Douan shouted, "Then put down your weapon!"

Zhang Han froze.

Zhao Douan's face, which had been smiling, now stripped away all smiles, leaving only a dark and ferocious look. His sleeves billowed and a dominant aura pervaded:

"You should know who stands behind me—it's His Majesty! If you are truly innocent, then drop your weapon and follow me. Otherwise..."

With a grim smile, he raised his hand as if to signal:

"Lihua Hall!"

Behind him, the government officers arranged in a semi-circle, carrying cold iron shields and taking the role of infantrymen, stepped forward, closing in tightly.

Both sides slowly converged, and the martial energy around Zhang Han was also stimulated, causing the seven-foot sword in his hand to hum and tremble.

However, the Master of Peony Hall eventually let out a long sigh and closed his eyes.

"Clang!"

The seven-foot sword dropped to the ground.

With arms spread wide, he said magnanimously:

"Zhang Han's conscience is clear to heaven and earth! I have received the ruler's grace and served him loyally! Today I am wrongly accused, so what if I am taken to jail? Once His Majesty and Lord investigate and find out the truth, they will clear my family's name! Master Zhao, go ahead."

Zhao Douan's raised hand stopped mid-air, his eyes wavering uncertainly, and he signaled with his eyes.

Immediately, two apprehensive attendants stepped forward.

They used a pair specially made for restraining martial artists, heavy brass shackles, to bind Zhang Han's neck and hands.

It was only after he was fully locked up that the crowd exhaled in relief.

Making certain he would not suddenly lash out and kill anyone.

"Master Zhao, I have not been sentenced yet. I hope you won't alarm my family members at home, and certainly not the neighbors."

Zhang Han said a few words, then turned his head to look at his family members behind him, who were crying inconsolably. His lips moved slightly, but then he turned back:

"Let's go."

But then, he saw Zhao Douan giving him a strange look and did not respond.

The surrounding Jinyi officials did not receive Zhao Douan's command and did not move.

The atmosphere became somewhat stiff, and Zhang Han furrowed his brows:

"Master Zhao, do you refuse even this small request?"

In the next second, the fierce and evil-looking Zhao Douan suddenly burst into hearty laughter, spreading his arms and walking over warmly to unlock the shackles himself.

With a face full of sincerity:

"Mr. Zhang's loyalty is evident to all, and I truly admire it. Sorry for the disturbance, please forgive us."

Zhang Han was dumbfounded; the Zhang family, between sobs, despair, and chilling fear, were all dumbstruck as well.

Not just them, even the Jinyi officials who had braced themselves for some surprises were taken aback.

They wondered if their master had learned acting skills, as he changed his demeanor so quickly.

Zhang Han, bewildered, said, "What is this..."

Zhao Douan smiled and said:

"This matter cannot be explained in a few words. I am pressed for time. Mr. Zhang, please wait for news at home, and remember Lord's order: no one from your household should go out, to avoid any misunderstandings."

Having said this, he gestured:

"Retreat!"

Like the ebbing tide, a large group of government officers disappeared outside the gates.

Leaving only the miserably dangling half-broken door hanging on the door post.

Through the doorway were the clustered Zhang family, with tears still on their faces, disheveled in the wind.

...

...

The carriage continued to drive.

Inside the carriage.

Using his extraordinary senses, Ma Yan experienced a roller coaster of emotions from perplexity, anger, suspicion, to utter bafflement...

Finally settling on complexity, he looked toward the person returning with a deceitful heart and asked:

"So, this was your purpose, to root out the mole?"

Ma Yan thought he understood. All of the preceding events were an act, meant to deceive Zhang Han. If Zhang had resisted with force, that would have confirmed a strong suspicion.

And since he ultimately chose to be captured without resistance, even though it did not 100% clear his name, it said enough.