Chapter 110: I Can No Longer Bear It

Jiang Chen’s gaze fixed intently on Han Yuyang’s grip on the knife. His blade, like that of Zhao Sili’s straight sword, had been casually picked up from the ground, essentially no different in nature. Yet, when the two clashed, Zhao Sili’s sword shattered like brittle bamboo, easily severed. This could only mean that Han Yuyang’s technique was quite extraordinary—capable of striking a precise point to shatter an otherwise solid object in an instant. Jiang Chen could not discern the exact application, but it was undeniably a highly skilled method.

Han Yuyang glanced down at Zhao Sili’s corpse and silently murmured, “He was a man of honor, but tragically chose to become a lackey.” In his final moments, Zhao Sili had shown courage enough to outshine many who appeared brave but were weak within. Even Han Yuyang acknowledged his valor.

“Let’s clean this up quickly. Killing so many officials in the capital is no small matter,” Jiang Chen said as he began to take action.

The position of Sili Captain held great authority in the military, commanding twelve hundred men and responsible for overseeing serious offenders such as deserters, traitors, and murderers. Now, with four such formidable figures eliminated by Jiang Chen and Han Yuyang, the court would surely launch a thorough investigation. The greater concern was that another Zhao Sili might relentlessly pursue them, leading to endless trouble.

Han Yuyang said, “Each must bear their own deeds. If things go awry, I am ready to sacrifice myself to uphold the honor of Qishan.”

“If it comes to that, you must take your wife Wu Yue and Duanmu Qing and escape Jinyang City,” Jiang Chen said, momentarily stunned. He hadn’t realized Han Yuyang’s resolve was so unwavering—this was essentially a final instruction.

“Don’t worry. There’s always a way to resolve things before it reaches that point. If fate is unkind and it does, I will ensure Duanmu Qing’s safety,” Jiang Chen reassured him. “Of course, I won’t let you die needlessly either.”

Before he finished speaking, hurried footsteps approached rapidly, soon followed by the arrival of more people.

“A sizeable force,” Jiang Chen observed first, spotting a nimble figure leap down from the eaves behind them. The woman wielded two fish-shaped double-edged blades, crossing them in a blur before lunging forward.

Only one person moved with such feline grace and lethal precision: Mao Wuying of the Night Execution Division. Sure enough, it was the elusive woman herself.

Mao Wuying feinted before Jiang Chen, then turned her assault toward Han Yuyang, aiming to delay Jiang Chen’s response and focus on the wanted criminal.

*Clang clang!* Her short blades struck Han Yuyang’s sword twice in rapid succession, but despite her speed, she could not break through his defense.

Seeing the surprise attack fail, Mao Wuying retreated decisively to create distance, waiting as dozens of reinforcements quickly formed a circle around Jiang Chen and Han Yuyang.

“It’s the Night Execution Division. Looks like they’ve been keeping a close watch on our courtyard,” Jiang Chen whispered to Han Yuyang, who noticed several cracks had appeared on his blade from Mao Wuying’s strikes.

“Doesn’t matter. It was bound to happen sooner or later,” Han Yuyang said calmly, having weathered many storms and unshaken by this sudden shift.

Shen Xueying stepped forward, greeting Jiang Chen. “Those eligible to join our Night Execution Division undergo thorough background checks and scrutiny of their associates.”

“I’m pleased to confirm that your history in Shanguan Town matches exactly what you told me. You have no remarkable background—your first twenty years were spent buried in study, even suffering hunger.”

“So, you can still join us, but you must sever ties with this wanted criminal beside you.”

Shen Xueying’s words carried a double meaning: on one hand, an attempt to win Jiang Chen over; on the other, a deliberate attempt to sow discord between him and Han Yuyang.

After all, Jiang Chen only needed to nod to betray Han Yuyang, joining the Night Execution Division comfortably with a bright future ahead.

But Jiang Chen was not fooled. Without hesitation, he replied, “Is this really the right time to bring this up? Hah, I didn’t expect you to move so fast—we’ve been caught. What now?”

“Maybe we should just run first?” Jiang Chen nonchalantly turned to Han Yuyang for his opinion.

His demeanor showed he wasn’t at all concerned about the Night Execution Division’s presence, as if their determination to escape guaranteed success.

This relaxed attitude infuriated Lü Santong, who had long disliked Jiang Chen.

“Kid, do you think you can do whatever you want here?” Lü Santong snarled. “I’ve hated you for a long time. Dare you come at me and fight ten rounds, see if you can walk away unscathed!”

Lü Santong brandished his square halberd, gleaming with menace. Jiang Chen raised his hands, shaking them playfully to suggest it wouldn’t be fair.

“Hmph! I don’t need weapons—fighting bare-handed is just fine!” Lü Santong growled, resembling the fiery-tempered vanguard commander Zhao Feihu from Qishan. Such loudmouthed types were something Jiang Chen found hard to tolerate.

When Lü Santong dropped his halberd, Shen Xueying seemed to tacitly approve his attack.

Han Yuyang said, “Forget what I said earlier—you can leave me behind. It won’t affect our friendship.”

“Forget it. I can’t do that. Besides, I’ve been itching to teach this guy a lesson,” Jiang Chen clenched his fists and charged at Lü Santong.

The onlookers were surprised by Jiang Chen’s boldness—he had always been patient with provocations before, but now he seemed unwilling to endure any longer.

“No more holding back! This scoundrel deserves a beating. I’ll feel worse if I don’t deal with him today!” Lü Santong roared.

Jiang Chen moved like a flash, his figure suddenly blurring into a black shadow. Even Mao Wuying, watching from afar, was taken aback—she realized she had underestimated this man.

*Bang!*

A punch struck directly into Lü Santong’s chest. Knowing he wore chainmail, Jiang Chen spared no mercy.

Seizing the momentum, Jiang Chen unleashed a dazzling combination of strikes and maneuvers, many never before seen or heard of, leaving his opponent reeling.