Cai Yin led ten people running along the long street.

"Cai, why have you returned?"

Wei Qun asked.

Cai Yin did not answer, only kept a somber expression.

Wang Yanli said, "The Black Water Gang has secretly amassed armor, and several skilled military personnel have entered the city. They are very likely plotting against Wu'an County or even Pingzhou!"

"The Black Water Gang alone is not enough to cause turmoil."

Cai Yin said slowly.

Wang Yanli pondered for a moment, his heart sinking, and asked, "Is there a force in Wu'an County working with them? Could it be the Li Family? They've been oppressed by Marquis Wu'an for years and might be planning a rebellion out of resentment."

This was not Wang Yanli's fault.

Normally, the Huo Family, after all, has an inherited marquis title, and the wife of the Huo Family's heir is the daughter of the Prefect of Pingzhou, so they have no reason to rebel.

Wei Qun frowned and said, "But Han Lang is from the Huo Family. His recent appearance seems to cooperate with the Black Water Gang's actions."

From beginning to end, Cai Yin remained silent and expressionless, saying nothing.

Before long, they arrived at the entrance of the Cyan Dragon Bureau.

Everyone dismounted.

Cai Yin looked at Chen Tang and said in a deep voice, "Stay at the Cyan Dragon Bureau tonight. I want to see who dares to touch you here!"

Chen Tang remained silent for a moment, then said, "Actually, tonight's mission was assigned to us by Lord Tan."

Wei Qun and Wang Yanli exchanged a glance.

In fact, they also had similar doubts in their minds.

But after all, it was Tan Wujiu, the Azure Dragon Department Captain.

They couldn't believe that Tan Wujiu would deliberately send them to their deaths!

Chen Tang thought for a moment and said, "From now on, I might not be able to stay at the Cyan Dragon Bureau."

Chen Tang could confirm that even if Tan Wujiu was not involved in the rebellion, he certainly had something to do with tonight's events.

Returning to the Cyan Dragon Bureau might not be safe.

Moreover, given the commotion tonight, the Black Water Gang and the Huo Family might immediately rise in arms.

At that time, the Li Family and Qingmu will become targets of the Black Water Gang and the Huo Family.

He couldn't hide in the Cyan Dragon Bureau while people were fighting outside.

Wang Yanli quickly said, "Xiao Chen, maybe tonight's issue is just a misunderstanding. Let's have Cai take us to see Lord Tan and clear things up face-to-face."

"Yes, stay at the Cyan Dragon Bureau."

"We've gotten to know you over this month, and now you're leaving suddenly. We can't bear it."

Everyone tried to dissuade him.

Only Cai Yin remained silent.

It seemed he always knew that Chen Tang would leave one day.

After a moment of silence, Cai Yin said, "Wait here for me."

After saying this, he turned and entered the Cyan Dragon Bureau.

Shortly, he came out, carrying a pitch-black sheathed long knife.

Chen Tang immediately recognized it as the knife that Chen Da'an had once left for him!

Indeed, the knife was in Cai Yin's possession.

Cai Yin handed the knife to Chen Tang and said, "When I took back this knife, I melted it down, added some cold iron, and reforged it. Its hardness and sharpness are no less than the Cyan Dragon Sword."

Hearing this, Chen Tang instinctively drew the long knife.

Clang!

The blade was unsheathed, and a chill rushed forth!

With just one look, Chen Tang could tell this knife was far superior to the one Old Sun forged.

The blade was as smooth as a mirror, and at the end of the blade, there were still those two lines of small characters: "When a wild man sees injustice, he grinds against the Eternal Saber in his chest."

Chen Tang couldn't help asking, "Cai, since you knew I was the one involved that night in Changze County, why didn't you expose me? Why did you protect me and recruit me under your command?"

This had always been his question.

At that time, no one knew Qingmu's true identity yet.

There was no way Cai Yin could have done it for Qingmu's sake.

At that time, in everyone's eyes, he Chen Tang was just a hunter's son from a poor background.

"It's nothing. I just think you haven't done anything wrong and shouldn't be punished."

Cai Yin said, "The vendetta of a father is irreconcilable. If justice can't be achieved, blood revenge becomes the only justice. If it were me, I would also turn the world upside down to kill him like you did."

These words truly resonated with Chen Tang.

Indeed, when he learned that Cai Yin had dug up Chen Da'an's grave to take that knife, he once suspected Cai Yin.

He didn't know what Cai Yin's intentions were.

What were his motives?

Did he want to catch him in a mistake, or did he have some private agenda?

Only at this moment did Chen Tang realize.

Cai Yin's treatment of him was more like protecting a young person he admired.

Even though they were strangers.

Though Cai Yin worked in the Imperial Court and was even part of the 'Court's hound,' Chen Tang nevertheless felt a sense of Jianghu loyalty from him.

Cai Yin smiled and said, "I know you don't like using swords, and I always knew that one day you would leave. So I planned to give you this knife when you left. I just didn't expect this day to come so soon."

Chen Tang apologized, saying, "Cai, I'm sorry I couldn't stay until the mid-year evaluation and ended up disappointing you."

"It's nothing."

Cai Yin shook his head and said, "When I originally brought you into the Cyan Dragon Bureau, I never expected you to stay long. Your rustic temperament and passionate spirit would be wasted in the court."

"I initially just wanted you to avoid the conflicts among the various forces in Wu'an County, lest you get caught up and end up broken and bruised."

"Heh..."

Cai Yin gave a bitter smile and said, "I just didn't expect that even within the Cyan Dragon Bureau, I couldn't protect you."

Chen Tang said, "Cai, don't worry about me. Who will win or lose tonight is still unknown!"

"Good!"

Cai Yin felt a surge of warmth in his heart and said loudly, "You go back first, I'll tell Old Tan, and we'll take them over to help you right away! I just don't believe we can't beat this group of scoundrels!"

Wei Qun looked worried, recalling the events of tonight, and shook his head, "Lord Tan may not agree to our action."

"Whether he agrees or not, I will just go and inform him."

Cai Yin snorted coldly, "If it were someone else, I would have already gone over with a knife to kill them!"

Chen Tang hurriedly advised, "Cai, you're in the Cyan Dragon Bureau, with many inconveniences and obligations. Do not force it, I can handle it on my side."

"I know."

Cai Yin said, "No matter what, I have to get answers about tonight's event!"

"Cai, brothers and sisters, take care."

Chen Tang cupped his hands in farewell.

"Be very careful!"

"Don't worry, we might come to help you shortly."

Everyone bade farewell to Chen Tang and then followed Cai Yin into the Cyan Dragon Bureau.

Chen Tang gripped the long knife in his hand tightly and ran toward his home.

Success or failure lies in tonight!

...

Li Mansion.

In the courtyard, five hundred attendants in black clothing wore resolute expressions, each holding a wine bowl in one hand and gripping a long knife in the other, their gazes firm, waiting for an order!

These were the guard attendants trained secretly by the Li Family over the years.

The reason Li Yan did not live in the County Governor's Mansion but established a private residence outside is primarily this reason!

In the County Governor's Mansion, almost all were people planted by the Huo Family, obeying Han Lang.

Every move Li Yan made would be monitored.

But in the Li Family's private residence, he could secretly train people loyal to himself.

However, given the Li Family's finances in Wu'an County, training five hundred guard attendants was already the limit.

Any more, and the residence couldn't accommodate them; it would also easily arouse the vigilance of various forces and lead to leaks.

These five hundred have been trained for several years and are counted among the elite.

Among them, there are even a few at Eighth Grade and over twenty at Ninth Grade!

When the loud noise came from the direction of Wu'an County East Gate, Li Boxiong gathered the five hundred attendants here, waiting for orders.

Li Boxiong said solemnly, "Father, come with us to the Marquis Wu'an's Mansion."

Li Yan, with a calm demeanor, shook his head, "Still proceed according to the original plan. The Eldest Princess and Chen Tang are bait to attract the main force of the Black Water Gang; I am another bait to draw in the Huo Family's forces and experts."

"If they don't see me appear, it will easily arouse suspicion. Later, I will go to the County Governor's Mansion to wait for the Huo Family's people to come."

Li Junqing frowned and said, "But this is different. The Eldest Princess has the Vermilion Bird Guard for protection, while you are alone, how can you handle Huo Zinan and the Huo Family's experts?"

"Hehe."

Li Yan chuckled softly and said, "Don't worry, it's not so easy for the Huo Family to kill me. Your main task is to quickly break through Marquis Wu'an's Mansion and capture Marquis Wu'an, which is the key."

"Controlling Marquis Wu'an can suppress the Huo Family and Han Lang's two thousand city defense troops, leaving only the hundreds of the Black Water Gang, which are not a threat."

Li Zhongmou said, "Father, why don't I leave a few people with you?"

"No need."

Li Yan shook his head, "With you by my side, it would only be a hindrance."

After saying that, Li Yan picked up a cup of wine, faced the five hundred attendants below, and said in a deep voice, "Today's success or failure depends entirely on you. If victorious, your defense of our land will be rewarded with wealth and honor! If defeated, I will die before you!"

With that, Li Yan drank the wine in his cup.

The attendants also finished their wine and then smashed their cups on the ground!

Under the watchful eyes of the attendants, Li Yan walked out of the Li Mansion alone.

In the hearts of the attendants, there arose a wave of admiration.

If it were them, they wouldn't dare to face the elite of the Huo Family alone.

Such courage alone is enough to command respect!

As Li Yan just stepped into the County Governor's Mansion, his movements were quickly reported to the Huo Family.

"He's gone."

Huo Zinan rose from the side of Marquis Wu'an's bed and said, "I'm going to meet our County Governor."

"Tonight Wu'an County is really lively."

Marquis Wu'an's hoarse voice sounded, "Too bad my body can't take it, or I'd join you."

Huo Zinan laughed, "Father, you can rest at home. Tomorrow I'll bring Li Yan to you, so he can pay respects."

"One more thing, you must get this out of him!"

Marquis Wu'an suddenly said.

Huo Zinan asked, "Father, do you mean the second brother's death?"

"Exactly."

Marquis Wu'an gritted his teeth, "Over the years, I've always suspected it was Li Yan's doing. The palm power of that Sky Splitting Palm is likely of the Fourth Grade! Be careful, there might be a Fourth Grade expert by his side."

"Fourth Grade doesn't matter."

Huo Zinan sneered, "Our Huo Family isn't without Fourth Grade experts."

Marquis Wu'an thought for a moment and said, "Let Old Wu accompany you, with him ensuring everything is foolproof."

Huo Zinan frowned, "Uncle Wu is Third Grade, better to stay and protect you."

"What could happen to me here?"

Marquis Wu'an said, "Old Wu, accompany him on this trip."

"Yes, Marquis."

A withered old man flashed out from a short distance away.

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