Chapter 1585: Breaking into the Camp

"Prince Yan's Mansion?" Zu An was surprised. How did this become connected to Prince Yan's Mansion?

Unlike some idle princes from historical accounts of his previous life, this world was plagued by constant warfare. For the empire's stability, these princes commanded their own armies and held vast stores of provisions, essentially operating as self-sufficient states. Naturally, given Zhao Hao's immense power and the abundance of talented officials in the imperial court, these regional princes dared not defy central commands.

However, the death of Gold Badge Number Seven now implicated Prince Yan. If it were truly their doing, it would constitute open rebellion, with unimaginable consequences.

Zu An quickly understood, remembering how troubled Gold Badge Number Seven had seemed when they spoke. What kind of matter could cause such caution in a Gold Badge Embroidered Envoy stationed in a region, making him afraid to even publicize it without solid evidence? What else could it be, if not something related to a local vassal prince? Moreover, it was certainly no ordinary matter; it would most likely involve sedition or rebellion.

Realizing this, Zu An's expression instantly grew somber. It seemed his journey to Purple Mountain would be far more perilous than he had anticipated.

He looked at Zhang Zicong. "Do you have any information about that sorcerer?"

Zhang Zicong shook her head, frowning. "I only know that the sorcerer's surname is Huo, and everyone calls him Mr. Huo. He usually lives a reclusive life, rarely showing himself. Very little other information is known about him; if I weren't an Embroidered Envoy, I might not even be aware of his existence."

"Mr. Huo..." Zu An quietly committed the name to memory.

At this point, Zhang Zicong volunteered, "Why don't I go and apprehend this Mr. Huo for interrogation?"

Xiao Jianren, standing nearby, was greatly alarmed. "That's absolutely out of the question! After all, Mr. Huo's connection to Lord Seven's death is mere speculation. We have no evidence. What if he denies everything and turns against us? Furthermore, he's a favored guest of Prince Yan. If Prince Yan were to casually submit a memorial against us, we'd all be in serious trouble."

Zhang Zicong's expression shifted, acknowledging the truth in his words. Prince Yan wouldn't even need to submit a formal impeachment; given his influence in Yi Commandery, it would be simple for him to make a Silver Badge Embroidered Envoy disappear. Even if the matter became public, Prince Yan would still hold the upper hand. Emotionally, however, she found it unbearable to know the suspect was right there yet be unable to interrogate him.

Zu An stated gravely, "This matter cannot be rushed. Anything involving a vassal prince is serious. In the coming days, try other methods to gather intelligence on Mr. Huo. It would be even better if you could ascertain his daily routine. Remember not to alert him. Additionally, continue investigating the lead regarding the women Lord Seven contacted before his death. Inform me of any results according to our usual procedure; I will return in a few days."

All necessary investigations had been made. The remaining clues would require time, and he saw no need to travel thousands of miles every night. Truth be told, even with his iron constitution, he was beginning to feel the strain.

Xiao Jianren was already accustomed to Zu An's solitary movements. Coupled with the fact that each of Zu An's previous appearances had yielded new clues, Xiao Jianren greatly admired him, assuming he was departing to pursue other leads elsewhere.

After bidding the two farewell, Zu An rode his Wind-Fire Wheels all the way back. Less time was wasted today, so he reached the camp perimeter earlier than usual. It was the deepest part of the night, just before dawn, when people are most weary. Zu An had been traveling relentlessly for days, barely sleeping, and longed for a good rest.

He landed near the camp, about to stealthily slip inside, when he suddenly noticed several figures acting suspiciously. Zu An focused his gaze, his expression turning odd. Weren't these the same rebels from Twin Dragon Mountain he had encountered before? These people must have had incredible audacity to dare return and attack the main camp! The crucial question was, what could such a small group possibly achieve? Although it was the dead of night, an elite force like the Imperial Forest Army wouldn't be unprepared. Even if all the rebels from last time had shown up, it would be astounding if they could successfully raid the camp.

His doubts were quickly resolved. These individuals clearly didn't dare attack the main camp directly. Their movements suggested an attempt to set fire to the army's supplies. They produced crossbows and doused them with flammable oil, clearly intending to fire flaming arrows into the camp from a distance, rather than entering themselves.

"Keep your voices down. If we're discovered, we're all finished.""Do you need to tell me that? Where's the fire? Quickly, get out the tinderbox.""Hmm, why can't I find it? Did I drop it somewhere just now?"...The men frantically patted themselves down, but to no avail.

"Are you looking for this?" a voice asked from behind them. A hand extended, revealing a collection of tinderboxes.

The men were scared witless. When had this person pilfered their belongings? If he had simply struck them down then, they would have been dead long ago.

"Run!" The men instinctively scattered in different directions, each hoping a less fortunate companion would draw the attention, leaving them unscathed. Unfortunately, their imagination was limited; they hadn't anticipated their assailant could apprehend everyone simultaneously. Zu An activated the Gluttonous Sky-Swallowing Art, and a powerful suction force pulled the scattered men back towards him.

"Have mercy, Your Excellency!" The men, having never witnessed such a display, were terrified, their faces turning ashen. They prostrated themselves, begging for their lives.

Zu An frowned. "Why did you come here to commit arson?" Although these individuals had relatively good cultivation among the rebels, attacking the main camp was akin to ants trying to shake a tree. By their reactions, they certainly weren't the type to embrace death.

"We were just following orders, creating a diversion here to cover our leader's actions," they confessed, overwhelmed by fear under Zu An's Grandmaster's aura.

Zu An's heart pounded. "Where is your leader?"

"He should have already snuck into the main camp," the men replied.

Zu An was both shocked and enraged. He had witnessed the cultivation of the scar-faced Yang Shen before; a Grandmaster-level expert, who, while unable to confront an army directly, would find infiltrating a military camp far from difficult. Did he still harbor malicious intentions toward Xie Daoyun? Or perhaps he sought revenge. If he were to kill some military officers, the Imperial Forest Army would suffer significant losses.

He subdued the men and handed them over to the patrolling soldiers who had rushed to the scene. Then, he transformed into a blur, soaring into the main camp.

Just then, a blue light flashed in the center of the camp. It was the glow of formation runes, specifically Xie Daoyun's unique array patterns. His figure became a series of afterimages as he rushed to the scene at an incredible speed. He arrived just in time to see Xie Daoyun forming hand seals, which were then shattered by scar-faced Yang Shen's palm strike, who then directly seized her by the shoulder.

"Nobody come any closer!"

Wang Bolin, Zhang Zijiang, and others arrived with soldiers upon hearing the commotion. Realizing he had been exposed, Yang Shen swiftly placed his blade against Xie Daoyun's neck. However, Zu An was his greatest concern, so he deliberately positioned Xie Daoyun's body between them as a shield.

"Let her go!" Zu An said gravely, while internally bewildered. What was Yang Shen thinking? Why would he risk so much to come to a military camp and abduct Xie Daoyun?

Upon seeing Zu An, Xie Daoyun's initial panic subsided. She then spoke, "You cannot escape. It might be better to surrender quickly; you might still find a way out."

A glint of cruelty flickered in Yang Shen's eyes, making the scar on his face appear even more sinister. "If I can't escape, then so be it. It won't be lonely on the road to the underworld with a lady like you accompanying me. But as for this lord opposite, I'm afraid he couldn't bear to see you die."

At his words, Xie Daoyun's face instantly flushed crimson. Everyone present turned their gazes to Zu An, their expressions ambiguous as they scrutinized the pair.

Zu An frowned. "Release Miss Xie, and I will spare your life today."

Yang Shen spat. "I trust officials like you the least. Make your men retreat. Once I've safely departed, I will naturally release her."

Zu An, naturally, did not trust him. He calmly stated, "Do you think this means I'm powerless against you?"

"I admit your cultivation is unfathomable, but at this close range, you cannot be faster than my blade." Yang Shen spoke with strong confidence.