“General, something’s wrong with the commotion outside.” Chen Guang finished off a black-clad figure with a backhanded slash and jumped to Shao Mingyuan’s side.

Shao Mingyuan had already sensed something amiss, but his expression remained unchanged as he calmly instructed: “Go outside and take a look.”

“Yes, sir!” Chen Guang passed through the chaotic crowd of fighters, climbed up the wall, and saw a mass of bailiffs and prefecture soldiers holding torches that stretched endlessly into the darkness. His expression changed drastically, and after jumping down, he rushed urgently toward Shao Mingyuan.

“General, we’re surrounded by many government troops.”

“How many?” Shao Mingyuan asked calmly.

These men, who had fought in wars for years, were far more accurate than ordinary people at estimating numbers. Chen Guang answered without hesitation: “This subordinate estimates there are at least seven to eight hundred!”

“Seven to eight hundred?” Shao Mingyuan sneered coldly. “Governor Li has truly burned his bridges!”

“General, what should we do?”

“You go protect Miss Li and the others well. She cannot come to any harm.”

“Yes, this subordinate will protect the General’s wife!” Chen Guang puffed out his chest.

Shao Mingyuan raised his sword-like eyebrows.

Chen Guang covered his mouth and ran off.

Damn, he had accidentally let it slip due to the tense battle situation.

Shao Mingyuan watched Chen Guang’s retreating figure and chuckled softly.

That Chen Guang knew how to talk.

The main gate of Tofu Beauty’s house had long been broken, and the people outside began shouting from the entrance.

“Bandits inside, listen! The Governor has arrived. Surrender immediately, or we’ll charge in and leave none alive, eliminating you for the people’s sake!”

The fighting sounds in the courtyard stopped.

Shao Mingyuan lifted his foot and walked outside.

Yang Houcheng couldn’t help but shout: “Tingquan, the ones Governor Li wants to leave none alive aren’t the bandits – it’s us!”

Shao Mingyuan nodded slightly: “I know.”

After saying this, he walked to the main gate.

The mass of government soldiers outside stretched endlessly, more numerous than all the people in Baiyun Village. Because they held torches, everything outside was brightly lit. Governor Li stood at the forefront with his hands behind his back, and in the firelight, looking at the young man walking out, he revealed a sinister, cold smile.

Facing the legendary war god, Governor Li was obviously extremely cautious, with two government soldiers holding shields protecting him completely.

“So it’s Governor Li.” Shao Mingyuan said without a ripple of emotion.

His calm composure made Governor Li feel displeased, and he sneered: “The Marquis indeed has peerless martial arts. So many bandits couldn’t harm you in the slightest.”

The young general smiled slightly: “So Governor Li has come to lend the bandits a hand?”

Governor Li’s color changed abruptly.

He had thought that in this situation, the young man would yield, or at least show a panicked expression, even if he didn’t yield.

But none of that happened. Not only did none of it happen, but the other party had been the first to tear off the pretense.

This discovery made Governor Li even more displeased, and he laughed grimly: “The Marquis truly makes this humble official admire you – to remain so composed at such a time.”

Shao Mingyuan’s gaze was calm as he met Governor Li’s eyes, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly: “That’s because Governor Li doesn’t understand this Marquis. Being afraid is one way, not being afraid is another. Since the situation cannot be changed, why act cowardly? What do you think, Governor Li?”

Governor Li laughed loudly: “The Marquis is truly forthright! What a pity – if you hadn’t pressed step by step, this humble official would have admired someone like the Marquis.”

Shao Mingyuan’s sword-like eyebrows rose slightly: “This Marquis doesn’t understand Governor Li’s words. These past days, this Marquis has been visiting relatives and friends daily – where is this step-by-step pressure against Governor Li?”

Governor Li sneered: “Whether there was step-by-step pressure, the Marquis knows clearly in his heart!”

“Eh?” The young general’s eyes flashed. “Where does this Marquis understand? This Marquis merely wanted to find the mastermind who killed my father-in-law’s family, but somehow touched Governor Li’s taboos. Since things have come to this, may this Marquis ask Governor Li to clarify – could the deaths of the Qiao family be related to Governor Li?”

Governor Li couldn’t be stupid enough to personally admit this in front of so many people, and laughed sinisterly: “If the Marquis has doubts, why not go ask your father-in-law personally!”

He raised his hand, about to give the order to attack, when suddenly a voice called out: “Wait!”

Governor Li’s hand paused, and he couldn’t help but turn his head.

Dressed in brocade with a phoenix belt, dignified in bearing, Jiang Wu led a team of Jinlin Guards striding over.

Governor Li’s expression changed slightly.

At such a time, he didn’t understand why the Jinlin Guards would interfere. He thought they should have already reached a tacit understanding.

“Lord Jiang Wu.” Governor Li cupped his hands.

Jiang Wu positioned himself between Governor Li and Shao Mingyuan, first greeting Shao Mingyuan, then smiling as he asked Governor Li: “What is Governor Li doing?”

“This humble official received word that bandits appeared in Baiyun Village, so I specially led government troops to suppress them.” Governor Li smiled.

Jiang Wu frowned: “What a big commotion.”

“This humble official told Lord Jiang Wu a few days ago that Jia Feng has been somewhat chaotic lately. Sure enough, trouble broke out tonight. I didn’t expect to disturb Lord Jiang Wu – truly sorry.” Governor Li said meaningfully.

Jiang Wu tugged at the corner of his mouth.

His foster father had once said that this Governor Li was First Minister Lan’s man. Jianan’s geographical position was special, and as Governor of Jianan, he became a bridge between the capital and the South Sea. Many unsavory matters were handled and resolved through the Governor of Jianan.

Though this man was merely a small governor, he was not someone to offend lightly.

“Lord Jiang Wu, though the bandits are fierce and cunning, this humble official brought nearly a thousand men to suppress them. There’s no need to trouble you here. When the matter is resolved, this humble official will treat you to a good drink at Yanyang Tower.”

Jiang Wu glanced at Shao Mingyuan, pondered briefly, then made up his mind and smiled faintly at Governor Li: “Governor Li, suppressing bandits has never been the Jinlin Guards’ responsibility. I have no interest in interfering here. However, I want one person.”

“What person does Lord Jiang Wu want?” Governor Li was somewhat surprised.

Surely Jiang Wu wouldn’t want Marquis Guanjun? Things had reached this point – Marquis Guanjun absolutely could not live to see tomorrow’s sun. If Jiang Wu truly stood on Marquis Guanjun’s side, would he have to break ties with the Jinlin Guards?

“I want the Miss Li who’s by Marquis Guanjun’s side.” Jiang Wu said unhurriedly.

Before Governor Li could react, Shao Mingyuan was already furious: “Say that again?”

Jiang Wu’s eyes flickered slightly as he smiled: “The Marquis misunderstands. I only want to protect Miss Li – no other meaning.”

Though he didn’t understand his foster father’s instructions, he would never disobey them.

The muddy waters between Governor Li and Marquis Guanjun were too deep – he was too lazy to wade in. He only needed to give his foster father an explanation.

A young woman’s figure appeared beside Shao Mingyuan.

“Why did you come out?” Shao Mingyuan turned his head to ask her, his stern expression instantly becoming gentle.

“I heard someone wanted to take me away.”

Jiang Wu smiled slightly: “So would Miss Li be willing to come with me?”

Marquis Guanjun’s group was surrounded by nearly a thousand men with no chance of survival. Surely this little girl would seize such an opportunity to live?

Qiao Zhao looked at Jiang Wu with a calm expression, then suddenly smiled radiantly: “I’m unwilling to go with Lord Jiang. I want Lord Jiang to stay.”