Duke Tian Long was so shocked that his body nearly lost all strength when he heard the dreadful news. How could he not be? Liu Zen, who was supposed to serve as the crucial witness in the investigation, had reportedly chosen to end his own life out of fear of receiving severe punishment for the betrayal he had committed.But while Duke Tian Long was overwhelmed, Xiao Chen was not convinced so easily. The young warrior's analytical mind refused to accept the explanation of Liu Zen’s alleged suicide. Merely two days earlier, he had personally spoken with the man—the same man accused of spearheading the failed coup attempt.During that conversation, Liu Zen had expressed willingness to become a full witness, even volunteering to reveal every detail he knew regarding Minister Yao Li’s conspiracy. He promised to expose the names of officials who had allied themselves with Yao Li in the plot to overthrow King Cheng Ho from his rightful throne.“Soldier, take me to the prison,” Xiao Chen sai

Once they stepped outside the dining house, Hong Wei quietly halted his companions. His gaze remained alert, sweeping the busy street before he spoke in a low, steady tone.“One of the soldiers from the Zinan prefecture just slipped away,” he informed Xiao Chen and Xiao Ji.“Where exactly?” Xiao Chen asked sharply, his instincts tightening like a pulled bowstring.“We crossed paths with him just moments ago,” Hong Wei replied, turning his head slightly toward the entrance of the dining house as though replaying the moment in his mind.“We can’t turn back in there,” Xiao Ji warned. “If we do, they’ll surely suspect us. Too many eyes are watching.”“But do you think he recognized us?” Xiao Chen asked again, emphasizing the possibility they couldn’t ignore.“I’m not certain,” Hong Wei admitted. “Though when I glanced at him, he was staring straight ahead, not directly at us. But that doesn’t guarantee he didn’t notice.”A crease formed between Xiao Chen’s brows. “I’m suspicious of the fo

The young swordsman—now twenty-three years of age—moved swiftly across the rooftops of the residential district, his light footsteps barely making a sound. From above, Xiao Chen continuously scanned the area below, observing every movement with the vigilance of a predator stalking its prey.When he was still ten houses away from the residence of Minister Yao Li, Xiao Chen abruptly halted. Through the dim glow of the moon, he caught sight of two figures dressed entirely in white entering the large compound. The night was murky, the moonlight weak; because of that, he could not clearly make out their faces. Yet their calm and dignified posture was unmistakable—men who carried power in their steps.Xiao Chen narrowed his eyes when he noticed the guards at the gate bow deeply in respect. From that reaction alone, he could already guess: these two must be important guests of Minister Yao Li.Once those white-clad figures disappeared into the residence

The fused body of Kun Tao and Sin Po jerked violently, as if struck by a surge of icy terror. In front of them, a swift and razor-sharp attack cut through the darkness—an attack so precise and merciless that it carried the unmistakable intent to end their lives in a single, decisive blow.Inside the shared consciousness that bound their merged forms together, Kun Tao screamed in alarm. His voice—though only echoing through the corridors of their joint mind—was filled with pure, unfiltered desperation.“Separate! We must separate now!” he shouted frantically. “If we stay like this, if we remain fused, we’ll die without even a chance to defend ourselves!”But Sin Po responded with a harshness that cut deeper than any blade.“You were the one who boasted earlier,” Sin Po sneered from within, the tone sharp as broken glass. “You said you wanted to fight until the very last drop of blood. And now you beg for life? Now you tremble before the shadow

Note: The chapters “Combined Body” and “Bad Premonition” were indeed reversed in their order.After Xiao Ji and Hong Li finished washing themselves, the three of them made their way toward the dining place they had already visited twice before. Unlike their previous visits, this time they chose to sit on the ground floor instead of the upper level. None of them were interested in observing anyone from above today, so a simple table downstairs felt safer and more convenient.The lower floor was bustling with people. Loud chatter, clinking bowls, and the aroma of hot dishes filled every corner of the room. Yet the liveliness did not bother them in the slightest. In fact, Xiao Chen found it rather advantageous—if any of Grand Minister Yao Li’s men happened to inspect the upper floor, they would never suspect the three of them were calmly seated among the noisy crowd below.“So?” Xiao Ji leaned forward eagerly, his curiosity burning. “What did you find out last night? Anything worth repor