Chu Chen said with a cold tone.
"Imperial Envoy?" The guard was stunned, seemingly not understanding the meaning of the title "Imperial Envoy."
"Don't you understand? I will make these scoundrels pay dearly. The more people involved in this case, the harder it will be for them to clear their names. By then, even if the court investigates, they will hesitate to strike me down for the sake of face."
Chu Chen smiled mysteriously and then threw the documents to him: "Hurry up."
The guard was startled, quickly cupped the documents in his hands, and dashed away.
Not long after, he arrived at the study of the Commander of the Imperial Guard and reported what had happened.
"How dare he! Chu Chen actually wants me to send people to investigate Jinshan Village. Who does he think he is? I, the dignified Imperial Guard, reduced to his lackey?"
The Commander of the Imperial Guard was furious and slammed the table, "This Chu Chen is truly arrogant and presumptuous, daring to insult me, an Imperial Envoy, in public. He's practically asking for death!"
"My Lord, Lord Chu is an Imperial Envoy personally appointed by His Majesty, and he wields the power of the court. If we don't give him a satisfactory explanation, we might incur the wrath of the court. Even you, my Lord, might not be able to bear the consequences."
The Imperial Guard's attendant advised.
"Hmm? Are you saying I should yield to Chu Chen?" The Commander of the Imperial Guard frowned.
"My Lord, it's not about yielding, but about temporarily avoiding the sharp edge," the attendant said respectfully. "Since Lord Chu has already sent people to investigate Jinshan Village, if the evidence is conclusive, then we can naturally eliminate this hidden danger. If it's false..."
The Commander of the Imperial Guard nodded slightly, "You are right. Although Chu Chen has a lot of crucial evidence, he still lacks substantive proof. If this matter was indeed done by Jinshan Village, then we have nothing to fear. But if it wasn't, Chu Chen can't do anything. He can't possibly force me to submit."
"How about this, you immediately contact Li Zhongcheng and tell him that I agree to investigate Jinshan Village, but Jinshan Village must cooperate. Otherwise, there's nothing to discuss!"
"Yes!" The attendant immediately withdrew from the study. At the same time, Chu Chen was waiting for a reply from the Imperial Guard.
"My Lord, there's no news from the Imperial Guard yet," Chen Qingyuan said.
"Mm!" Chu Chen nodded, "Then we'll continue to wait. I believe he will definitely agree to my conditions."
Chen Qingyuan couldn't help but show a look of doubt and reminded, "My Lord, we've stirred up a hornet's nest this time. If the Imperial Guard refuses to investigate Jinshan Village, and Jinshan Village retaliates, our losses will be immense, and they might even escape."
"Escape?" Chu Chen shook his head and smiled, "I've anticipated this long ago, so I've made arrangements. If the people of Jinshan Village try to escape, they won't get out alive."
As he spoke, Chu Chen's expression gradually turned cold, "As for now, let's continue to keep an eye on Jinshan Village."
"Also, tell the brothers to spread this news at all costs, not just about Jinshan Village. Any bandits involved in rebellion and treason, don't let any of them go." Chu Chen pondered for a moment and then said.
These bandits, every single one of them, had blood on their hands. They had killed innocent civilians and merchant caravans, and their crimes were heinous. He wanted to use this opportunity to completely eradicate all the bandits in Jinshan Village.
Jinshan Village was located in a remote area, deep in the mountains and old forests, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. Normally, only twenty to thirty people were stationed there.
But at this very moment, Jinshan Village was brightly lit, with shouts and noises echoing everywhere. In the core hall of the stronghold, seven or eight burly men were gathered, drinking and chatting, full of merriment.
Suddenly, footsteps were heard approaching. Several burly men immediately became alert and shouted at the newcomer, "Who's there?"
The newcomer was a scholar in a green robe, in his early twenties, with a gentle demeanor, refined and elegant. He was none other than Li Zhongcheng, the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard.
"I am Li Zhongcheng, Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard, ordered to investigate the matter of Jinshan Village colluding with bandits," Li Zhongcheng announced loudly.
"Hmph! A mere Imperial Guard, what right do you have to interrogate us?" one of the burly men sneered and said impolitely.
"Oh?" Li Zhongcheng raised an eyebrow, "So, you intend to defy orders?"
After speaking, he gestured to the Imperial Guard attendant beside him, "Take them down."
"Wait." The burly man quickly stopped him, then cupped his fists and said, "My name is Fang Yong, one of the protectors of Jinshan Village. Greetings, sir."
Fang Yong then said to the other burly men around him, "Big brother is right. Although our Jinshan Village is just a bandit stronghold, we have never been subject to anyone's rule. Not to mention enduring your insults. You want to interrogate us? That's a pipe dream."
"Ignorant fool," Li Zhongcheng sneered. "Since you are unwilling to obey, then don't blame me for being impolite. Arrest them all and send them to the Ministry of Justice prison to await judgment."
"Haha, who do you think you are, daring to lecture us from Jinshan Village? I think you're clearly here to cause trouble. Guards! Get this bastard out of here!" Fang Yong grinned sinisterly and called out to his subordinates.
"Bang!" Li Zhongcheng reacted faster. He instantly drew his sword and swept it horizontally. A sharp sword energy erupted, directly severing two table legs. This scene startled everyone, and they scrambled to dodge. Only Fang Yong remained in place, a sneer of disdain on his lips, "A mere trick, daring to show off in front of an expert?"
"Clack." Fang Yong extended his right hand and flicked his fingers. He actually managed to catch Li Zhongcheng's long sword, preventing Li Zhongcheng from pulling it back no matter how hard he tried.
"Hmph, a mere trick, not worth looking at. Get lost!" Fang Yong sneered and flicked his left hand, throwing the sword away. At this moment, Li Zhongcheng felt a sharp pain in his tiger's mouth, and the sword almost slipped from his grasp. He knew something was wrong and quickly retreated, shouting, "Retreat!"
"Want to retreat? Not so easy." Fang Yong grinned and slammed his palm down. "Rumble~~~~" With a loud roar, the entire hall collapsed and cracked, sending dust and smoke everywhere. Li Zhongcheng's subordinates were buried under the rubble, their screams of agony indicating they were likely dead.
Just then, Fang Yong's figure suddenly appeared in front of Li Zhongcheng, his face showing a ferocious and cold expression.
"Who are you?" Li Zhongcheng's pupils contracted, and a strong sense of crisis surged in his heart, as if he were about to lose his life at any moment.
"Who am I? Heh heh, you don't need to know, because you're about to die by my hand."