Chapter 88 The Fish That Escaped the Net

Chapter 88 The Fish That Escaped the Net

The setting sun, like blood, stained the majestic eaves of the Regent's Palace with a poignant crimson.

"Report—!!!"

A series of hurried footsteps echoed through the corridor.

Han Zheng, clad in heavy armor and covered in blood, strode into the study.

The stench of blood emanating from him was so strong it was almost choking, but his face was radiant with undisguised ecstasy and excitement.

"Thump!"

Han Zheng knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in front of him, and raised his voice as loud as a bell:

"Your Highness! Your Highness's Consort!"

"I have fulfilled my mission! As shown on the map, I led my men in a swift and decisive attack, and have successfully wiped out six of the seven strongholds!"

"A total of 83 Northern Rong spies were killed! Five hundred scimitars, thirty jars of flaming oil, and over one hundred catties of poisonous smoke were seized!"

The release of this series of figures was truly gratifying.

The gloom that had shrouded the capital for three whole days seemed to have been torn open by that magical map at this moment, revealing the long-lost sunlight.

Pei Yunjing, sitting behind his desk, slowly put down the vermilion brush in his hand.

His phoenix eyes, which were always bloodshot and on the verge of mania, finally regained some clarity and calm.

As the spies were largely purged, the constant torment he felt, along with the chaotic noise from across the city, finally subsided considerably.

"well done."

Pei Yunjing nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to Tangli, who was nervously twisting her handkerchief.

A slight upturn at the corners of his mouth suggested a smile that wasn't quite a smile:

"It seems that the 'one-eared master' that my beloved concubine encountered is indeed quite skilled."

Tang Li chuckled dryly, then guiltily avoided his gaze.

"Hehe...yes, a master always has some supernatural abilities..."

In her heart, however, she was giving Da Huang a huge thumbs up: Well done! He'll get a bonus later!

"but……"

Han Zheng's voice suddenly lowered, and a look of shame and regret appeared on his face:

"This humble general is incompetent; a fish... escaped the net."

Pei Yunjing's eyes sharpened: "Which place?"

"In the north of the city, there's a shop that sells sesame seed cakes."

Han Zheng said through gritted teeth:

"The leader of that stronghold was very cunning. When we stormed in, the place was already deserted. But the charcoal fire in the stove was still burning brightly, and the tea on the table was still warm... Obviously, the man had only been gone a short while, no more than half a cup of tea's time!"

"Did you search?"

"We searched! The area within a five-mile radius was sealed off, and not even a rat was spared, but that person seemed to have vanished into thin air, leaving no trace whatsoever."

Pei Yunjing tapped his fingers lightly on the table, making a "tap, tap" sound.

To be able to escape perfectly under the noses of the Black Armor Guards in the short span of half a cup of tea's time, this person is no ordinary individual.

"You can run away from the monk, but you can't run away from the temple."

Pei Yunjing snorted coldly, his eyes still gleaming with murderous intent:

"Since he's the leader, and all his men are dead, he'll never let this go. Send the order: be lenient on the outside but strict on the inside. I want to see how long this last rat can hide."

...

At the same time.

Deep beneath the capital city, in the dark and damp depths of the drainage ditches.

This place is perpetually shrouded in darkness, filled with the city's sewage and filth, and permeated with a nauseating stench and a putrid smell.

"Tick-tock...tick-tock..."

Wastewater dripped down the moss-covered stone wall.

A dark shadow, just like a real giant rat, was curled up in the stench-filled shadow.

He tore off the honest-looking "pancake uncle" mask from his face, revealing a sinister, gaunt face covered in scars.

He was the highest-ranking leader of the Northern Rong who had infiltrated the capital, codenamed "Lone Wolf".

"Damn it... damn Dasheng dog..."

Lone Wolf clutched his left arm tightly, where there was a deep, bone-revealing knife wound, a scratch he had sustained from a stray arrow during his escape.

Blood trickled from between his fingers, dripping into the sewage at his feet, and was instantly swallowed by the darkness.

He just couldn't figure it out.

Their disguise was flawless, and they had been lying low for three years without incident, so why did they suffer such a precise and devastating attack in just half a day?

Those black-armored guards seemed to have opened their eyes to the heavens, rushing straight to their hiding place without uttering a single word, killing them on sight!

"Who is it...?"

In the lone wolf's bloodshot eyes burned a venomous, ghostly flame.

"Who leaked our whereabouts?!"

His ten years of hard work and eighty-three elite brothers were all wiped out overnight.

Now, he is truly all alone.

The mission failed; going back means certain death.

Staying here is like being trapped in a cage.

Lone Wolf took a deep breath, enduring the excruciating pain, and reached for a waterproof tarpaulin wrapping beside him.

That was the last bit of his possessions that he risked his life to bring with him.

It wasn't gold or silver jewelry, but ten pounds of extremely pure gunpowder.

"Since you won't let me live..."

The lone wolf stroked the cold package, a crazed, twisted smile spreading across his face, revealing a destructive, mad grin.

"Then let's die together."

He raised his head, his gaze seemingly piercing through the thick layers of earth, looking up at the bustling capital city above.

In two days, it will be the Mid-Autumn Festival.

That was the most lively day of the Great Sheng Dynasty.

As is customary, the regent would accompany the emperor that evening, departing from the palace, passing through the imperial street, and ascending the city tower to celebrate with the people.

The "Bridge of Immortality" is their only way to cross.

That was the largest stone arch bridge in the capital, spanning the moat, symbolizing the longevity of the nation.

On the night of the lantern festival, the bridge will be crowded with people watching the lanterns, while boats will be plentiful under the bridge.

"The Bridge of Immortality...hehe..."

The lone wolf let out a hoarse laugh like an owl:

"Pei Yunjing, I will turn your Bridge of Immortality into a Bridge of Severance."

"I will use this last bit of gunpowder to send you, and all the people of this city... on their way!"

He picked up the package, endured the excruciating pain, and turned to disappear into the deeper, darker sewers.

The direction points directly to the moat.