Messenger of Calamity

Chapter 96: Descent Upon Jiangnan

Yan Qing knew that Yue’er was the eldest young master of the Shang Family, Shang Yue, and Xin Hao was the already-married second young miss of the Shang Family, Shang Xin Hao.

“Childish words, why take them to heart? Once they grow familiar, the elder brother will naturally care for his younger sister. Even the Buddha or Bodhisattva cannot entirely avoid wicked thoughts. If one judges the heart and not the deeds, then the human world is hell in every corner.”

“Big Monk, do you think it’s Yue’er that I hate?” Shang Xuanwen turned his head to look at the Rat Monk. “What I hate is myself.”

“After that time, I once removed the Soul-Seeking Bell, trying to escape this hell. But what awaited me was not a paradise, but another hell. Whenever I interacted with anyone, I would believe they harbored ill intentions. Even when my son came running to hug me, I thought he would harm me.”

“When I put the Soul-Seeking Bell back on, it was like a carriage, allowing me to move faster and more comfortably than anyone else. But after sitting too long, I had forgotten how to walk. I could only keep sitting in the carriage, never interacting with those outside it.”

“Only in this way would I not be pricked by the hell of others.”

He gradually calmed down and returned to being that silent, tyrannical, and indifferent Prime Minister of Great Liang. He looked up at the paper in the Rat Monk’s hand and said, “Since then, I set a rule in my household: no merit, no reward. Conversely, if you receive a reward, it means you’ve contributed—there’s no need to thank anyone, only thank yourself.”

“The lack of a father’s love should be made up for with education and confidence.”

Watching Shang Xuanwen walk back into the room behind, Yan Qing couldn’t help but ask, “Even if your daughter resents you?”

“I’m already used to it.”

Yan Qing glanced at the system time—it was already 11:26. Soon the thieves would gather at the Thieves' House. He didn’t have much time left. Although the success rate was low, the only option was to rush in and snatch the Heaven-Reliant Sword once Shang Xuanwen went to bed.

Yan Qing stood at the door, itching to move, just waiting to hear the creak of the bedframe. But what reached his ears first was an explosion in the distance!

There was another expert!?

Yan Qing could only watch helplessly as Shang Xuanwen dressed neatly and dashed out at full speed. Not just him—this sudden explosion had roused everyone on duty in the Ministry of Appointments’ lodging. They looked northward and saw thick black smoke rising with a rumble.

“Judging by the direction, it seems to be the city’s armory.” Shang Xuanwen turned to the military officer on duty at the Ministry of Appointments: “Chen Zaiyuan, how many martial soldiers are stationed in the province hall?”

“Twenty-six.”

“Leave ten to guard, the rest follow me to the scene.” Shang Xuanwen looked at the Rat Monk. “Aren’t you going back?”

Why did an important facility in Jiangnan City explode right before the operation at the Thieves' House began? It was as if someone deliberately lured Shang Xuanwen away.

Yan Qing’s thoughts turned rapidly, but he lacked sufficient information and couldn’t guess what would happen next. Though Shang Xuanwen was right before his eyes and the Heaven-Reliant Sword was within reach, he no longer had any chance to steal it.

If the Rat Monk dared to make a move, he would be immediately arrested by everyone around.

What should he do? What could he do?

“Prime Minister.”

The Rat Monk said, “This humble monk suspects a conspiracy behind the explosion. As a guard, at such a critical moment, I must stay at your side.”

“However, this humble monk is unarmed. If we encounter enemies, I ask you to lend me the Heaven-Reliant.”

“Big Monk, you seem especially fond of the Heaven-Reliant,” Shang Xuanwen’s words made Yan Qing outside the screen tense up, but it was just his overthinking. “Once you change class to a Messenger, I’ll gift you a Long Blade Token.”

...

The Thieves' House, though the hall was empty, was filled with a suffocating atmosphere.

The thieves stared at the glowing points moving across the sand table. Even with their masks on, Yan Qing could tell their expressions were grim—at the very least, Medicine Master Wen and Ying Ru Shi certainly were.

“Why is he still running around the city so late at night?” Medicine Master Wen spoke like a mother who saw her child not return home for the night.

“There was an explosion at the armory in the northern part of the city, suspected to be caused by the Taohu Rebel,” Shang Xinlei pointed at the burning building to the north. “The Taohu Rebel causes several disturbances in Jiangnan City every year. Just a few days ago, they even attempted to assassinate Shang Xuanwen. It’s likely that because Shang Xuanwen captured many of their accomplices, they retaliated so quickly.”

“I’m not interested in the internal strife of Great Liang. The issue now is—what do we do!” Medicine Master Wen looked at Yan Qing. “Does your insider still have a way to steal the Heaven-Reliant Sword?”

“All I can say is, don’t get your hopes up,” Yan Qing replied. “No matter what, if we want to obtain the Heaven-Reliant Sword, we must first locate Shang Xuanwen.”

“The armory is on fire; surely many people will rush over there.” Ying Ru Shi said calmly, “Our advantage lies in operating from the shadows, planning with forethought. If we confront the military head-on, once they realize that the main city’s rules are temporarily lifted, we won’t just fail the mission—even surviving may be a luxury.”

Compared to this mission, the first mission in Chang'an felt as relaxing as a countryside outing. The treasure was hidden in a stationary treasure chest, the chest was placed in Anguo Temple, and from beginning to end, the thieves never directly confronted the court of Chang'an. The enemies they encountered were merely a few bald monks.

But this time, their target was the Prime Minister of Great Liang’s personal sword. No matter what, they were bound to go head-to-head with the court of Liang. Even though Medicine Master Wen and Ying Ru Shi usually considered Southern Liang weak and fragile, when individuals stood against a national machine, they still felt a pressure like a mountain roaring and a sea surging.

What’s more, they were in the capital of Liang, going against the most powerful Prime Minister of Liang!

The other side already held the advantage of favorable terrain and public sentiment, and now even the advantage of timing had vanished. How could the thieves not be anxious?

“Confirm all members are present. Mission begins in five-second countdown. Descent location: Jiangnan City, Junction Archway. Five…”

Just before the teleportation, everyone saw another explosion erupt in the central region of the sand table, with thick smoke billowing upward. That area was the heart of the Great Liang court, the most critical place in Jiangnan City: the Imperial Palace!

No one cared where the palace had been bombed. Everyone turned their heads to look at the moving Shang Xuanwen, only to find he had immediately halted and turned to gaze toward the palace.

As the countdown ended with five beeps, the thieves’ vision went black. Before they even opened their eyes, their bodies were already greeted by the embrace of Jiangnan’s night breeze.

The surrounding roads were pitch black, with only lanterns hanging at both ends of the archway, illuminating four large characters on the archway: “Jiangnan’s Finest.”

Besides the four large characters, there were also many names on both sides, all restaurant and shop names from Jiangnan City. Unlike the usual Loyalty and Filial Piety Archways or Chastity Archways, this Junction Archway was a Gourmet Archway. Only the winners of the culinary competition held once every five years had the qualification to engrave their shop names here. Out-of-town tourists simply had to glance up at the archway to know where to find the best food in Jiangnan.

It was a pity it was nighttime. Otherwise, Yan Qing would’ve really wanted to seize the chance to eat something.

“Look.” Medicine Master Wen pointed to the east.

They turned to look and saw thick black smoke rising from the majestic palace in the distance. Countless torches lit up in the residences outside the palace. After a brief moment of chaos, they gathered together like a swarm of fireflies trapped within four walls.

“Just now, Shang Xuanwen was also observing the situation at the palace,” said Ying Ru Shi. “Compared to the armory, the palace is undoubtedly more important. As Prime Minister, he has the duty and the authority to enter the palace to investigate.”

“Moreover, even if we can’t find Shang Xuanwen in the palace, we have another option.” Medicine Master Wen crouched atop the archway like a berserk girl, coldly uttering the most noble name in Jiangnan City: “The Emperor!”

“If we can’t catch Shang Xuanwen, then we’ll force him out with the Emperor! If we can’t complete the mission, let Liang experience what it feels like to have its Emperor kidnapped in the capital!”

“A mad idea,” said Ying Ru Shi calmly. “But we have no other choice.”

At that moment, Yan Qing looked toward Shang Xinlei.

From the very beginning, it was Shang Xinlei who had proposed the plan to invade the palace and kidnap the Emperor. After being rejected by everyone, she never brought it up again and remained silent, not even taking charge in meetings... Even with everything happening now, she still said nothing.

Did she not care, or… was she not surprised?