Dozens of white-clad, masked women descended from the air, wielding long swords, carrying a murderous aura, mercilessly slashing across the vulnerable necks of Boss Shao and others. Blood splattered.

Their sword hilts were all engraved with the character “stop”, with red and white gradient sword tassels hanging down. All these indicated their identity.

“Zhisha!”

Zheng Wan exclaimed in a low voice, her tone grave. Gu Sui asked.

“What is that?”

Amidst the metallic sounds of clashing swords, Zheng Wan’s voice was particularly low.

“It’s an assassin organization in Chaoyang City. Every member is an absolute expert, known to everyone in the city.

If newcomers to the city have connections to request a Zhisha member as a guard, even if it’s just one, their safety is ninety percent guaranteed.”

As the smell of blood gradually spread, Gu Sui raised his hand to cover his nose. Yingge’s maid timely brought over a small incense burner.

Sui Yu cautiously checked for poison before placing it on the table, dispersing some of the heavy blood smell.

Gu Sui glanced at Yingge, his eyes flickering.

“Take all the bodies away, the smell is too strong.”

At Yingge’s command, the dozens of assassins with blood-stained white clothes quickly disposed of the corpses.

Other maids replaced the carpets and removed all the overturned tables, finally restoring some semblance of order to the scene.

However, the mood of those present took a long time to calm down.

“Can we start the banquet now?”

No one dared to object anymore.

“In that case, let me say first, whatever Chaoyang City was like in the past is now history. Now that Chaoyang City has a lord, it also has rules.”

“The first point is, starting from today, killing without reason is forbidden in the city. Violators will be put to death.”

In the midst of silence, Yingge’s gaze lightly swept over those who dared to be angry but not speak out, lightly tapping the table.

“As long as you follow the rules, business will continue as usual. For Winter State and Western Regions, the tariff is seventy percent. For Central Plains, it’s fifty percent. Any objections?”

“On what grounds!”

When it came to money matters, someone immediately voiced their dissatisfaction.

“Chaoyang City isn’t part of the Mu Dynasty anymore. Why does Central Plains only pay fifty percent!”

“Because Central Plains is dozens of times larger than you, because the city lord is from Central Plains, because Zhisha belongs to Qianjin Tower. Do you still have objections?”

Yingge leaned forward slightly, her voice cold. The person sat back down as soon as they heard the word “Zhisha”. Gu Sui, however, frowned slightly.

At this point, no one in Chaoyang City dared to openly object anymore, all expressing their submission.

Only then did Yingge wave her sleeve. Music started playing, and maids served exquisite dishes, smoothly continuing the night banquet.

When the banquet ended and everyone else had left, leaving only Gu Sui’s group and Yingge in the empty hall, he spoke in a deep voice.

“You’re from Central Plains?”

Looking at her deep eyes and exotic features, Gu Sui didn’t think so.

Yingge laughed, her voice tinged with alcohol: “I’m not, but my master is.”

Gu Sui’s eyes narrowed: “So you’re not the city lord!”

“Don’t get excited, young general.”

Yingge hurriedly said: “The city lord is a bit busy and won’t arrive for a few more days. If the young general has nothing else to do, why not stay at the mansion for a few days?”

Gu Sui’s face turned cold: “That won’t be necessary. Tell me Mu Jingyao’s whereabouts.”

“Why don’t you wait a few days, young general? There’s a surprise.”

Yingge clearly didn’t want to hand over Mu Jingyao now, and Gu Sui had no choice. He thought for a long time but couldn’t figure out what she wanted to do, so he had to reluctantly stay for a few days.

“Young master, here’s the news from Liangzhou City for the past two days.”

Two days passed in a flash. Sui Yu handed over several letters. Gu Sui opened them one by one to read, his gaze fairly calm.

The young emperor ordered the Gu family army to temporarily station in Liangzhou to prevent the Western Regions and Winter State from taking advantage of the situation. He also sent three officials to reorganize Liangzhou, which somewhat relieved his busyness.

But one thing was strange: Mu Jiulu hadn’t ordered him to return?

Gu Sui turned the letters over and over, but none of them mentioned the Regent.

He rubbed his bone ring, feeling a bit odd.

“Sui Yu, is there…”

He started to ask, but stopped halfway through.

“What’s wrong, young master?”

Gu Sui’s voice was hesitant: “Recently, there haven’t been any orders for me to return to the capital?”

Sui Yu didn’t understand: “No, didn’t the emperor say to let you lead the Gu family army to temporarily station in Liangzhou? Why would there be another order for you to return…”

As Sui Yu spoke, he suddenly realized something: “Young master, are you asking about the Regent?”

Gu Sui: “I’m not, I’m asking about military orders. Why are you bringing up Mu Jiulu!”

Sui Yu: “……”

“Young general, you’re saying one thing but meaning another. I have some news, do you want to know?”

Zheng Wan knocked on the half-open door, her teasing voice coming in. Gu Sui coughed a few times, covering his mouth.

“What news? Hurry up and tell me!”

Zheng Wan had an ‘I knew it’ expression: “Young General, I heard the Regent is ill. She’s currently on leave resting in the royal mansion. Court affairs are being overseen by the two Grand Tutors, the Chancellor, and the Minister of Personnel.”

Gu Sui stood up abruptly, his voice raised: “Ill? What illness could she possibly have! It’s not the epidemic, is it?!”

His worry was understandable. How could he not know Mu Jiulu’s physical condition? Besides the epidemic, Gu Sui couldn’t think of anything else that could make her sick enough to take leave.

“Don’t worry, Young General. It’s not the epidemic. I heard it’s due to overwork. She’ll be fine after resting for a while.”

Gu Sui let out a heavy breath: “Just that?”

Sui Yu: “Young Master, you see, you do care about the Regent.”

Gu Sui’s face stiffened, but he quickly regained composure and sat down.

“I don’t. Don’t talk nonsense. I was worried I might have infected her with the epidemic. I couldn’t bear that!”

Sui Yu: “……”

Zheng Wan: “……”

“Alright, alright, as long as you’re happy, Young General.”

*

That night, Yingge personally came to Gu Sui’s courtyard, wearing a brilliant smile.

“Young General, do you have time?”

Gu Sui was absentmindedly flipping through the letters Sui Yu had brought during the day. Hearing this, he focused his attention.

“What is it?”

“Didn’t you want to see the City Lord? She’s here now.”

Gu Sui raised an eyebrow: “Let’s be clear, it’s your City Lord who wants to see me, using Mu Jingyao as a bargaining chip. It’s not that I want to see your City Lord.”

Yingge didn’t mind these details: “It doesn’t matter. Please come with me quickly.”

Gu Sui lazily got up and followed Yingge through the central axis towards the rear hall.

The path was brightly lit. He walked with his arms folded, pondering the City Lord’s intentions. His long fingers tapped his arms, his eyes deep in thought.

Sui Yu and Yun Mu only followed to the entrance of a hall before Yingge stopped them.

“The City Lord only wants to see the Young General alone. Please wait elsewhere with me, young gentlemen.”

Sui Yu’s face changed. This time, Yingge wasn’t so accommodating. Gu Sui didn’t want to waste time and quietly instructed them.

“I can protect myself. You go down first.”

Yingge pushed open the heavy doors of the great hall. After Gu Sui entered, she closed them tightly, then led Sui Yu and Yun Mu to a side hall, smiling playfully.

“What are you worried about? Our City Lord wouldn’t harm the Young General even if someone else might.”

Inside the fragrant great hall, the floor was paved with yellow rosewood, crystal jade walls served as lamps, and layers of red gauze hung down.

As soon as Gu Sui entered, his eyes were dazzled by the glaring red. He lifted the red gauze and walked forward. In the depths of the hall stood a six-foot-wide agarwood bed.

Thin, transparent curtains hung from the four corners of the bed, faintly revealing the graceful figure behind.

She rested on a white jade pillow, supporting her forehead at an angle. A cat-like shadow was projected on the curtain, sitting on her lap, her slender fingers gently stroking the cat’s back.

Gu Sui half-squinted his peach blossom eyes.

“City Lord Lu Yu?”

“Mmhm.”

A low, husky voice came out, lazy and seductive. Gu Sui suddenly felt it was extremely familiar.

He strode forward, tore away the obstructing red gauze, and lifted the sheer curtain in front of the bed. The person and cat behind suddenly entered his view.

The person wore a half silver mask, covering the upper half of her face, but the cat was completely uncovered. Gu Sui’s hand gripping the curtain unconsciously tightened.

“Suisui?!”

“Meow~”

Gu Sui’s gaze fell on the woman’s half mask. Although partially hidden, her beautiful lip shape was so familiar to him, how could he not recognize it.

“Mu Jiulu! How is it you?!”

The person reclining on the pillow curled her lips slightly, pulled him by his clothes into her arms. The familiar scent dispelled the fatigue of days of travel, and she let out a contented sigh.

“I missed you, Gu Sui.”