NOVEL WEB Chapter 758: Alliance and Resistance
"We must find a way to make them expose themselves," Luo Chen whispered to Qing Shuang.
Qing Shuang nodded; she knew Luo Chen already had a plan.
The two began searching the study for clues they could use, and eventually found a secret letter in the drawer of the desk.
The letter detailed the conspiracy within the City Lord's Mansion and evidence of collusion with external enemies.
Luo Chen and Qing Shuang knew this letter would be key to uncovering the conspiracy.
They hid the letter and planned to reveal it to the public at the appropriate time.
Then, the two silently left the study and returned to the inn.
Back at the inn, Luo Chen and Qing Shuang began discussing their next move.
They knew that just having this letter wouldn't be enough to completely destroy the conspiracy; they needed more evidence and support from other forces in the city.
"We need to find the forces loyal to the City Lord and unite them to act together," Luo Chen pondered aloud.
Qing Shuang nodded in agreement, "We can first seek out that guard; he should know some people loyal to the City Lord."
Thus, Luo Chen and Qing Shuang found the injured guard again.
With their help, the guard contacted some loyal officials and soldiers in the City Lord's Mansion.
In a dimly lit guest room, Luo Chen, Qing Shuang, and the guard sat around a worn-out wooden table.
The guard's wounds had been simply treated, but his complexion remained pale.
"Are you really willing to help me?" The guard's voice trembled slightly, clearly incredulous about Luo Chen and Qing Shuang's decision.
"We said we would help you as long as you tell the truth," Luo Chen calmly replied, his gaze steady.
The guard nodded and started to describe in detail the officials and soldiers loyal to the City Lord within the mansion.
He mentioned a few names and their possible hiding places.
"These people are close allies of the City Lord; they are devoted to him. But since the City Lord fell ill, they've been forced to hide to avoid persecution by the conspirators," the guard explained.
Luo Chen and Qing Shuang meticulously noted down this information, understanding the significance of these people's help to successfully expose the conspiracy.
"We'll find them tomorrow," Qing Shuang said, with a flash of determination in her eyes.
Following the guard's clues, Luo Chen and Qing Shuang started searching the city for those loyal to the City Lord.
They moved through narrow alleys, carefully avoiding possible surveillance.
After some effort, they finally found one of the officials' hiding places.
It was an old residence, unremarkable on the outside but housing a group of loyal soldiers inside.
"Who are you?" A middle-aged man asked warily, a hint of suspicion in his eyes.
Luo Chen and Qing Shuang stated their purpose and shared the guard's situation with him.
Upon hearing this, surprise flickered in the man's eyes, but he soon regained his composure.
"I'm one of the City Lord's close allies, named Zhao Tie. You coming to help us—I represent all those loyal to the City Lord in thanking you," Zhao Tie said.
Luo Chen and Qing Shuang discussed the next plan with Zhao Tie.
They decided to unite all forces loyal to the City Lord and prepare to launch a surprise attack within the mansion to crush the conspirators' plans.
"We need more evidence and insiders within the City Lord's Mansion," Luo Chen shared his perspective.
Zhao Tie nodded, stating that he would try his best to contact other loyalists within the mansion and find insiders.
In the following days, Luo Chen, Qing Shuang, and Zhao Tie collaborated closely, secretly contacting other loyalists in the mansion and gathering more evidence.
Meanwhile, the conspirators in the City Lord's Mansion were also busy preparing their own plans.
They were unaware that a storm targeting them was quietly brewing.
With Zhao Tie's help, Luo Chen and Qing Shuang successfully contacted an insider in the City Lord's Mansion.
This insider was a young guard who, dissatisfied with the conspirators' actions, decided to secretly help Luo Chen and his team.
"I will open the side door of the City Lord's Mansion at the right time to let your people in," the guard whispered.
Luo Chen and Qing Shuang thanked him for his assistance and devised a detailed surprise attack plan.
As night deepened, Luo Chen and Qing Shuang, led by Zhao Tie, arrived at the side door of the City Lord's Mansion.
Behind them was a group of meticulously selected soldiers loyal to the City Lord, each with a serious expression and eyes shining with determination.
"Is everything ready?" Luo Chen quietly asked Zhao Tie.
Zhao Tie nodded, a flash of resolve in his eyes, "We are ready, just waiting for your signal."
Luo Chen turned to look at Qing Shuang, their eyes meeting without words; they understood each other's determination.
Qing Shuang gently nodded, indicating everything was ready.
Luo Chen took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled, retrieving the secret letter from his pocket and confirming the content once again.
This letter would be key to their operation and irrefutable evidence of the conspirators' crimes.
"Let's begin," Luo Chen said softly.
Zhao Tie nodded and then turned to walk toward the side door.
He carefully opened the latch, allowing a thin line of light to seep through.
Luo Chen and Qing Shuang followed closely behind, leading the soldiers as they silently entered the City Lord's Mansion.
Following their advance plan, they quickly dispersed; some were responsible for controlling the guards, while others followed Luo Chen and Qing Shuang directly to the study.