The inn within the small town was full of the Imperial Guard, and King Liang and Liu Yao were surprisingly on the list. They had already made contact with the reinforcements sent from the capital.

King Liang and Liu Yao were normally confident and arrogant, because they were usually the most powerful individuals present, and were also relatives of the emperor and empress. 

Now, however, the two of them were uncomfortably restless. They snuck looks at the man off to the side from time to time, as if trying to determine his present mood.

No one could blame them for being so cautious. Even though the rank of the man in front of them was beneath theirs, his strength was absolutely unquestioned. His rank was being deliberately suppressed only because he was the emperor’s confidante, and the emperor wanted him to serve as the leader of his secret service.

Many nobles and officials in the capital had been crushed by him over the years, which was why the two of them did not dare to be negligent.

They had been given the huge task of capturing Zu An, and...