Chapter 972: Chapter 106: The Cage

Great Chu Imperial City.

Today, Yong’an Street was blocked and impenetrable, filled with commoners marching with protest signs, their shouting as loud as gongs and drums.

The Imperial City Department’s spies were ordered to enforce a lockdown, even dispatching cavalry to block streets with spears and lances—

Yet these “commoners” were extremely fierce, forcibly pushing the cavalry forward, even attempting to charge at the Imperial City Department.

In recent days, demonstrations in the Imperial City have been tumultuous.

Apart from Yong’an Street, all other protests were violently suppressed by the “Imperial City Department.”

But this place is an “exception.”

Yong’an Street is where the Northern County Family gathers. The so-called commoners here in the demonstration are actually the retainers of the Northern County Gate Valve. This grand protest is precisely the Northern County’s “protest” against the Imperial City Department. After Chen Jingxuan resigned and left the Imperial City, Jiang Qihu also resigned from the position of Deputy Director at the Imperial City Department. He did not return to Qing State but instead came directly to Yong’an Street, gathering many old subordinates to stay at the Chen Mansion.

Everyone knows that this demonstration is at Jiang Qihu’s suggestion.

These retainers of the Northern County Gate Valve are not easy to kill.

“Without my order, no action.”

The newly promoted Special Enforcement Officer Xuan Wu sat on horseback at the end of the long street, his expression gloomy, watching the scene before him. Beside him, strands of evil qi seemed to solidify, intimidating several young spy leaders into silence… They exchanged glances with each other.

Ever since the First Seat’s return, Xuan Wu, who had been confined in the “dungeon,” was inexplicably put to use.

According to the case files left by the Record Keeper… this guy is a survivor of the Qu River incident. By rights, he should have been confined in the dungeon under severe interrogation, but perhaps due to the “Copper Bone” betrayal, the First Seat no longer trusted his old associates and thus exceptionally promoted this guilty person. However, this promotion did not turn out wrong; Xuan Wu cleanly and swiftly handled several tasks in the Imperial City Department, and he personally managed the suppression of previous protests. Today, this Yong’an Street is the “toughest battle” after the undercurrents erupted.

Once Yong’an Street is suppressed.

The arrogance of these young members of the Northern County Family will struggle to rise again.

Xuan Wu held the Token, silently waiting for Yuan Jimo’s order.

In recent days.

The Imperial City has been in an uproar, with many issues surfacing.

Some say, the Holy Empress, blinded by greed, used any means necessary to intercept the Dragon Vein, leading Qin Ancestor to Ren Shou Palace to kill him.

Others say the Holy Empress has already accomplished her goal by luring the Taoist Sect, only Da Sui Sword Palace has yet to submit.

More rumors claim… the Holy Empress isn’t human at all but a Great Demon! Due to the Grand Emperor’s kindness, she was sheltered within the palace, taking advantage of opportunities to cause chaos under the guise of making a wedding robe for the Demon Country, hence the ridiculous actions like “abolishing the Northern Territory”!

These rumors and whispers are indeed unimportant.

In this struggle, the discourse of the “common rabble” is the least important thing…

Xuan Wu neither believed nor cared about these rumors.

He only knew, the Holy Empress hadn’t appeared for a long time, and the Imperial City Department didn’t dare to decisively kill these Northern County Gate Valve retainers due to the lack of their behind-the-scenes master’s nod. Xuan Wu was waiting for Yuan Jimo’s order, and Yuan Jimo was waiting for the Holy Empress’s communication order; everyone was waiting, even these seemingly arrogant Northern County retainers were the same.

Many “big figures” in the Imperial City knew.

Today, the Ren Shou Palace situated in the deepest part of the Imperial Palace had truly disappeared.

The Holy Empress almost evacuated the entire Imperial City’s deployment force, personally leading the Imperial City Department officials to board the Treasure Ship southbound to Da Sui Sword Palace…

Now.

All the waiting was just to wait for a result.

Xuan Wu held the Token.

With a buzz.

The Token gave a crisp response, and Xuan Wu’s eyes lit up, Yuan Jimo relayed only one word.

“Kill!”

A single word was enough.

Xuan Wu displayed the Token, and several spies received the order, their demeanor immediately turning grim.

“Pass the order of the First Seat, immediately suppress the mob on Yong’an Street!”

Xuan Wu raised the Token high and shouted sharply: “If anyone defies, kill without mercy!”

With his voice, the scene shifted.

“Boom!”

The Imperial City Department’s cavalry moved forward with shields raised, forcing the crowd on Yong’an Street to retreat step by step.

Those retainers of the Gate Valve, momentarily scattered by the massive impact, their formations completely broken—

Iron hooves struck the ground in a grand display of power.

Dozens of cavalry emerged from behind Xuan Wu, sealing all the street corner exits.

Dark clouds enveloped the Heavenly Peak.

The sound of swords being drawn was sharp, the sword light breaking through the gloom.

It was at this moment, from the end of the shadowy street came a large, imposing young figure slowly walking out.

Jiang Qihu removed his Imperial City Department and Black Scale Guards uniform, wearing only a silken robe of a wastrel, the robe loose but with the ferocious tiger embroidered on its lapel, one hand resting on his waist. Though the long blade was not drawn, it exuded an overpowering and oppressive presence.

Alone, he was a match for thousands.

The scattered crowd, quickly bowed before this “tiger,” making way for him.

The young members of the Northern County Family followed behind Jiang Qihu, each with a somber expression.

Even the cavalry of the Imperial City Department were intimidated by this powerful presence… Although they were acting on the First Seat’s order, they dared not act rashly. After all, the person in front was the Deputy Director of the Imperial City Department; the so-called “resignation” had not yet received imperial approval. In the eyes of these cavalry, Mr. Jiang was merely taking a temporary break, and he might be reinstated to his post tomorrow or the day after.

Clip-clop, clip-clop.

The sound of hooves was first frantic, then gradually became orderly…