The First Lackey Under The Empress

This book is first published on the entire network by 𝕥 𝕨 𝕜 𝕒 𝕟 . 𝕔 𝕠 𝕞!

Swords drawn and bows bent!

The black-clad constables of the Embroidered Uniform Guard were like dark waves, cleaved apart by Zhao Du'an, yet also pushing him to the forefront.

Within the courtyard, the martial energy of warriors surged, densely interwoven like a spiderweb, truly affecting the whole with the slightest movement.

"Investigator Zhao!"

A rare hint of confusion flickered across Zhang Han's usually stoic face:

"What is the meaning of this?"

Zhao Du'an smiled ingratiatingly:

"Is Lord Zhang truly unaware, or merely feigning ignorance? By all accounts, you are my senior; surely you know what this means."

Zhang Han paused in silence.

His gaze swept over the armor and weapons of the assembled men, the armor-piercing crossbows, and he suddenly felt a chill in the air:

"I heard that the Pear Blossom Hall had a mission today, to go out and apprehend rebels, but I knew not if it were true. Seeing you all like this now, could it be that you suspect rebels are hidden within this official's home?"

Zhao Du'an chuckled:

"I wouldn't dare. I merely suspect that the rebels are far away in the sky, yet right before our eyes."

Zhang Han was stunned:

"You suspect that this official is a rebel?"

Zhao Du'an sighed melancholically:

"At first, I dared not believe it either, that Brother Zhang was actually the mole hidden within the yamen. Heh, in truth, I only confirmed it this morning. Otherwise, Brother Zhang would have been captured personally by Eunuch Du yesterday, and wouldn't have survived until today."

He was of similar height to the other man, but at this moment, he looked down upon him, sighing softly:

"Brother Zhang, we are colleagues after all. I advise you to lay down your weapon, surrender willingly, and return with me to see Eunuch Du, and even His Majesty. Perhaps, considering your merits over the years, you will be dealt with leniently. But if you remain obstinate, resisting stubbornly, heh…"

With a light laugh, the surrounding bows and crossbows all emitted the sound of taut bowstrings.

Hou Renmeng and the others also infused their sabers with qi.

A murderous aura surged.

Although experts in the Divine Seal Realm are strong, even tigers cannot withstand a pack of wolves.

The constables of the Pear Blossom Hall were fully armed, enhanced with armor and weapons, and supported by teamwork, indeed possessing the ability to contend with a Divine Seal Realm expert.

Seeing this, the servants of the Zhang family were already pale with fright, trembling and daring not to move. The family members who rushed out from the rear residence were also forced back by the constables wielding sabers.

Zhang Han stood alone, holding a seven-foot sword, like a reef standing before a dark sea.

He said in a deep voice: "Investigator Zhao, there may be some misunderstanding. Zhang will never…"

Zhao Du'an shouted sharply: "Then lay down your weapon!"

Zhang Han froze.

The smile on Zhao Du'an's face vanished, replaced by a gloomy and tyrannical expression. His sleeves billowed, and wisps of overbearing qi emanated:

"You should know that the one standing behind this official is His Majesty! If you have a clear conscience, then drop your weapon and return with this official. Otherwise…"

He sneered, raising his hand as if to wave it:

"Pear Blossom Hall!"

Behind him, the constables arranged in a semicircle, holding cold iron shields and acting as foot soldiers, stepped forward, pressing closer.

The two sides gradually approached, and the martial energy within Zhang Han also erupted in response, causing the seven-foot sword in his hand to hum and tremble.

However, this Investigator of the Peony Hall ultimately sighed and closed his eyes.

"Clang!"

The seven-foot sword fell to the ground.

Spreading his arms, he said with a sense of righteousness:

"Zhang Han faces heaven and earth with a clear conscience! I have enjoyed the Emperor's bounty and served him loyally! If I am wronged today, then so be it if I enter prison with you! When His Majesty and Eunuch Du investigate the truth, they will surely restore the Zhang family's innocence! Investigator Zhao, do it."

Zhao Du'an's raised hand stopped in mid-air, his eyes filled with suspicion, and he gave a look.

Immediately, two subordinate officers, trembling with fear, stepped forward.

Using a specially made set of yellow copper shackles, specifically designed to restrain martial artists, they confined Zhang Han's neck and hands.

Only when he was completely locked down did everyone breathe a sigh of relief.

Confirming that he would not suddenly erupt and kill people.

"Investigator Zhao, I have not yet been convicted. I hope you will not disturb my family members, and even more so, do not disturb the neighbors."

Zhang Han said a few words, then turned his head to look at his family members behind him, who were crying their eyes out. His lips moved, and finally, he turned back:

"Let's go."

Immediately, he saw Zhao Du'an looking at him with a strange expression, not responding.

The Embroidered Uniform Guards around him did not move, not having received Zhao Du'an's order.

The atmosphere was momentarily stiff. Zhang Han frowned:

"Investigator Zhao, could it be that even this small request will not be granted?"

The next second, the fierce-looking Zhao Du'an suddenly laughed loudly, opened his arms, walked over enthusiastically, and personally removed the shackles for him.

His face was full of sincerity:

"Lord Zhang's loyalty to heaven and earth is admirable, and Zhao is truly impressed. I apologize for the disturbance, and hope you will bear with it."

Zhang Han was dumbfounded, and the Zhang family members, whether crying, despairing, or frightened, were all dumbfounded.

Not only them, but even the Embroidered Uniform Guards, who had some psychological preparation, were also stunned.

They thought that their superior had learned opera, and his face changed so quickly.

Zhang Han asked blankly: "What is this…?"

Zhao Du'an smiled:

"This matter cannot be explained in a few words. Zhao is still pressed for time. Lord Zhang, please wait for news at home, and remember Eunuch Du's orders: family members must not go out, lest there be any misunderstanding."

After saying that, he waved his hand:

"Withdraw!"

A large group of constables disappeared outside the door like a receding tide.

Leaving only half of the broken gate, hanging miserably on the doorpost.

In the doorway, the Zhang family members huddled together, tears still on their faces, disheveled in the wind.

… …

… …

The carriage continued to move.

Inside the carriage.

Relying on his extraordinary senses, Ma Yan, who had "heard" the events in the courtyard, experienced a series of expressions: bewilderment, anger, doubt, confusion…

Finally turning to complexity, he looked at the returning, rotten-hearted someone:

"So, this is your purpose, to trick out the mole?"

Ma Yan roughly understood that everything just now was acting, the purpose was to deceive Zhang Han. If he resisted with force, then his suspicion would be great.

And his choice to surrender had already been made, although it could not be said to completely clear him of suspicion, it was enough to explain the problem.

"Senior Brother is wise," Zhao Du'an said with a smile, "That's exactly right."

Ma Yan said calmly:

"His Majesty sent you to reside in the Pear Blossom Hall, not just to promote you, or to help the Imperial Prison solve its chronic problems, but also to find the mole, right?"

Zhao Du'an nodded: "Yes."

Ma Yan sighed:

"So, today there was no 'rebel clue' at all, it was all fabricated by you, the purpose was to separate them from each other and deceive them one by one?"

Zhao Du'an smiled: "Yes."

Ma Yan asked doubtfully: "Do you think this is feasible?"

Zhao Du'an shook his head:

"I can't guarantee it, but I know that similar methods, used with Senior Brother's identity, may not be good. You may have even deceived them, but it had no effect. But the thing about routines is not that they are useless, but that it depends on who uses them and how they are used."

Ma Yan stared at him:

"You think you can succeed by using it?"

Zhao Du'an thought for a while and said:

"At least I put in more effort. Weren't you also fooled by me, Senior Brother? Believing that I really got rebel clues from that pile of information? Trusting the authenticity of today's action?"

At this moment, he finally understood a series of operations by Zhao Du'an since entering the Pear Blossom Hall:

Establishing authority and opposing the Eight Halls served to both subdue subordinates and subtly lay the groundwork.

Including the arrogant, overbearing, yet intelligent image he projected during this period, all subtly deepened the eight hall masters' impression of him.

Only with this series of preliminary preparations could Ma Yan not suspect today's "arrest."

If those preceding steps were omitted.

If Zhao Du'an's first action upon entering the Imperial Prison was "house arrest," using deceptive tactics, the effect would be greatly diminished.

Zhao Du'an flattered:

"Senior Brother is insightful. It is precisely because even Senior Brother was briefly deceived that I have the confidence to fool them.

Imagine, if the mole is among them, they would surely understand that the reason they are under house arrest is because you distrust them, fearing a leak. What kind of crucial clue would cause you to take such drastic action?"

Ma Yan narrowed his eyes and interjected:

"It must be a very crucial clue, so they would worry, be anxious, and try to contact other accomplices, but hesitate due to fear of being monitored.

At this time, you would lead people to break down the door and say those words, making them mistakenly believe that you have caught some people and followed the clues to identify their mole status."

Zhao Du'an nodded, offering a pear from the fruit plate:

"Therefore, Senior Brother, you must hide, otherwise, once you show your face, it will not only alert the other party but also, due to the disparity in martial strength, make them give up resistance and harbor侥倖."

Ma Yan took the pear and said in a deep voice:

"But if it is just you leading these people, it will make them want to fight back. I'm not afraid of them resisting; I'm afraid they won't dare to resist."

The two smiled at each other.

This was also the first time Zhao Du'an had seen a smile on the Grand Eunuch's face.

As they spoke, the carriage had already arrived at the second destination.

"Master, we have arrived at the residence of the Pomegranate Hall Master," Qian Kerou's voice came from outside the carriage curtain.

"So fast?" Ma Yan was taken aback.

Zhao Du'an got up and explained as he walked towards the outside of the carriage:

"Because the route I planned is the shortest."

Three key suspects:

Zhang Han, Tie Chi Guan, Hai Tang.

Zhao Du'an chose to gather at "Jinjiang Embankment" because the route allowed for the fastest access to the three homes.

Otherwise, such a large-scale operation would inevitably attract outside attention.

Once the Kuangfu Society members sensed something was wrong and sent a message, even if he sent people to secretly monitor the residences of various Jisi, there would still be a risk of failure.

He never considered himself a clever person, at most having some petty cleverness.

What he truly relied on to survive in this dangerous world was the habit of thinking one step ahead, developed in his previous life.

And arranging all the possible process nodes in advance.

This was the basic skill of a great secret agent.

...

"Master, this is the place."

Qian Kerou and the other three gathered around him as he got out of the carriage.

Zhao Du'an looked up at a courtyard leaning against the edge of the alley, with the back door leading to the commercial street and a complex network of alleys inside.

"If we eliminate one of the three suspects, what is the probability of the remaining one being the culprit?" Zhao Du'an suddenly asked.

The four subordinates were stunned and said in unison:

"Of course, it's half, right?"

"No, it's two-thirds," Zhao Du'an said, giving a logically contradictory answer, muttering:

"I originally suspected Hai Tang the most, but now, I have to change it up."

The subordinates, who had never heard of the "Monty Hall problem," were at a loss, feeling that their superior was unfathomable.

His words were like those of the monks of Shenlong Temple, full of Zen riddles.

Zhao Du'an touched the inner armor inside his official robe and said:

"Tell the brothers to be extra careful, don't push too close, if an accident occurs, retreat immediately, don't worry about me."

After all, I have two major bodyguards, one in the open and one in the dark... you fragile guys can't compare.

However, the four subordinates felt a warmth in their hearts when they heard this:

"Yes, sir!"

Shortly after.

As if reenacting the scene, Zhao Du'an led a group of lackeys to break open the Tie family's gate, with crossbowmen sealing off the residence.

As soon as they entered the courtyard, they saw the Tie family's guards already on alert, and the Jisi of the Pomegranate Hall, roaring, rushing out of the house with a long-handled, round-headed, drum-like heavy hammer.

Divine Chapter martial artist, Tie Chi Guan.

Tie Chi Guan was covered in hastily put-on leather armor, his muscles were knotted, his beard was like steel needles, his hands were covered with calluses, and his bulging blue veins seemed about to burst through the skin.

Holding the heavy hammer upside down, he glared fiercely, like a tiger descending from the mountain, extremely imposing.

"Zhao!"

Tie Chi Guan was particularly irritable today:

"What are you doing?!"

Zhao Du'an narrowed his eyes and went through the process of the previous scene again.

However, before he could finish his threats, he heard Tie Chi Guan roar:

"Stop acting like you have authority, get out of here!"

Zhao Du'an looked at him expressionlessly for a few seconds, then suddenly said:

"Jisi Tie, from what I know, although you have a fiery temper, you are actually intelligent and rarely truly outrageous, but today you seem particularly irritable."

Then, his tone sank:

"Someone, cool Jisi Tie down."

In an instant, swords and sabers rang, and shield-bearers approached.

This time, however, the eyes of Tie Chi Guan, like those of a fierce general on the battlefield, suddenly flashed with a hint of determination, and he grinned:

"If you want to die, don't blame me!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a burst of explosive force erupted from under his feet, and the drum-breaking hammer, weighing dozens of pounds, flew out with a whoosh, straight for Zhao Du'an's face!

As fast as lightning!

It was a deadly move!

"Master--"

Hou Renmeng and others were shocked and were about to rush forward to rescue him, but the gap in their cultivation prevented them from keeping up with Tie Chi Guan's movements.

All of this happened in a flash. The crossbowmen on the surrounding courtyard walls had just pulled their bowstrings, and the arrows had left their grooves.

Tie Chi Guan's hammerhead had already reached Zhao Du'an's face.

The strong wind blew backward, tearing apart the band that tied his hair. Zhao Du'an's black hair fluttered backward, and the golden crow flying knife in his sleeve had already gathered its strength to the limit.

However, just as the flying knife was about to be launched, a tall, thin figure appeared silently beside Zhao Du'an.

With a thin, gloomy face, messy, irritable gray eyebrows, and the nickname "King Yama," Overseer Ma Yan expressionlessly reached out his bony left hand.

And gently pressed it on the drum hammer.

"Bang--"

With a muffled sound, the heavy hammer, which was enough to destroy a mountain寨gate, was so easily caught by this big hand.

Ma Yan turned his head, glanced at Zhao Du'an, and said in a low, hoarse voice:

"Boy, battlefield martial artists won't give you time to call for help when they attack. You have a lot to learn."

"Go wait in the back. You've laid the groundwork for the first half. Leave the last part of this ghost hunt to Senior Brother."

After speaking, Supervisor Ma looked at Tie Chi Guan, spat out strength from his palm, and glared coldly:

"Kneel!"

Thanks to: Melancholy Big Orange for the 1824 point币reward support!