Chapter 166: Total City Lockdown

Shen Yinglong is no fool; naturally, he knows that a mere single squad of men is far from enough to completely eradicate Jiang Chen.

Especially after that fellow's bloodbath at the prison, if this news were to spread, wouldn't it push Jiang Chen's reputation and status to yet another height?

For the people of the Northern Frontier, they have suffered deeply from the ravages of war brought by the Northern Yan people. Therefore, anyone who can help them avenge their grievances immediately commands immense protection and reverence. Jiang Chen's execution of the Northern Yan general has already made his momentum in the Northern Frontier soar like the midday sun.

Although the Shen family practically controls the Northern Frontier, such a terrifying momentum cannot help but make Shen Yinglong feel deeply wary.

As for Jiang Chen's assassination of the Governor of Jizhou, to the common people, it was instead a righteous act of purging a traitor. After all, that Governor of Jizhou had no troops and no authority, spending all his days indulging in pleasure, pride, and luxury.

Regardless of whether he was a high-ranking imperial official, such a apathetic person deserved to die—in fact, he died too late.

Consequently, Shen Yinglong's attempt to frame Jiang Chen failed miserably, only serving to tie Jiang Chen and the people of the Northern Frontier even closer together. Rumors are already spreading through the streets that Jiang Chen was imprisoned precisely because he was persecuted by the Shen family.

Such populist waves in the common folk will stir up undercurrents, prompting various forces resisting the Northern Frontier's aristocratic clans to take action. In their eyes, these powerful families controlling the lifeblood of the Northern Frontier are the very targets that ought to be eradicated first.

"Young Master, I have already notified the guards at the four city gates, ordering them to immediately lock down the city walls and forbid anyone or any carriages from leaving the city. I am certain that thief cannot sprout wings and fly away!"

His loyal confidant came to report. How to trap Jiang Chen within Wangchuan City was merely Shen Yinglong's first move in this game.

Next, he would force Jiang Chen to voluntarily expose his own whereabouts. That way, he could effortlessly manipulate this thorn in his side at will and re-prove that his own intellect far surpassed his opponent's.

At the same time, continuing to match wits and courage with Jiang Chen in a contest of supremacy was a thoroughly amusing endeavor, and this time Shen Yinglong swore not to give Jiang Chen any chance of a comeback.

"Report!"

"Young Master, we rushed into the cells for a rigorous search and found no trace of anyone, but there is some fresh blood on the ground, which should be from Jiang Chen being wounded by an arrow."

Shen Yinglong nodded, his gloomy face without a single ripple.

He instructed the subordinate who came to bring the news, "There should still be an assassin by Jiang Chen's side, though that person doesn't seem to be in league with Jiang Chen."

"You must remember that Jiang Chen is no ordinary opponent. This person is extremely cunning and resourceful, so the moment you see him show his face, attack with full force until he is killed."

"Understood!"

Just as the subordinate was about to withdraw, Shen Yinglong thought of something else, called him back, and said, "Also, anyone who helps Jiang Chen must die. They are all rebellious traitors, and there is no need to show them any mercy."

"Yes."

Upon learning that Jiang Chen might be injured, a smile appeared on Shen Yinglong's face. He finally knew how to play his next move.

Inside a medicine shop in the city, Jiang Chen bought the hemostatic medicine he needed, walked out to find a small alley, and evenly applied the medicinal powder to his wound.

A burning, stinging pain flared up instantly, but Jiang Chen's expression remained unchanged.

In his past life, the injuries he had suffered, big and small, probably totaled over five hundred; compared to those, today's wound seemed utterly insignificant.

However, his act of going to the medicine shop to buy medicine had drawn some tails. He had not expected the Shen family's influence in Wangchuan City to be even more exaggerated than he imagined, having originally thought they wouldn't trace him this quickly.

Jiang Chen had visited three medicine shops consecutively and only chose the fourth after making sure it was sufficiently safe. Even with such caution, he still failed to shake off Shen Yinglong's informants.

This demonstrated the Shen family's terrifying control. When nearly two-thirds of the people in the city could be mobilized by the Shen family at any time and place, they could easily accomplish many things that seemed utterly exaggerated.

Trapped in this narrow alley, Jiang Chen's front and back were blocked by enemies. It looked like a bitter battle was about to ensue, and the opponents were entirely bent on killing him.

"Dogs will be dogs, your noses are certainly sharp."

Jiang Chen let out a long breath and casually remarked, "I'm in a rush, you might as well all come at once."

Instantly, at least twenty-odd men closed in on Jiang Chen from the front and rear, rushing forward murderously with all manner of weapons.

Being cornered in such a ghost place added insult to injury for Jiang Chen. Having held no advantage to begin with, he now had to prepare himself for a desperate, life-or-death struggle.

In the unobservant little alley, a fierce slaughter was underway.

Screams rose one after another. Jiang Chen's left arm was temporarily unable to exert force, but using only his right arm, he still forcefully repelled several waves of attacks from the enemy. Yet, despite holding a massive advantage, he could not achieve a decisive breakthrough.

"Stop struggling! The entire city is in the palm of the Shen family's young master. Dreaming of fighting him—isn't that courting death?"

The man spat a mouthful of phlegm. He had failed to dodge in time and taken a punch to the cheek from Jiang Chen, but this only incited his fierce and combative nature. He immediately swung his iron rod and charged forward again.

Jiang Chen could not help but admire this fellow's vanguard momentum, yet he did not last three moves before Jiang Chen.

Opponents fell one after another, but due to his continuous exertion, the wound on Jiang Chen's left arm, which had not yet had time to stop bleeding, worsened once more.

"He's just one person, what's there to be afraid of? Everyone charge together! Even if we tear his corpse to pieces, the Young Master will definitely reward us handsomely!"

These men surged like a tide. No sooner had they been beaten back for a moment than they swarmed right back again.

Just as Jiang Chen was once again in danger of being overwhelmed and killed, the sound of urgent hooves suddenly echoed from behind the enemy vanguard.

Immediately following that, the enemies were knocked left and right like scarecrows by a suddenly appearing carriage, falling into complete chaos. No one had expected a carriage to charge in here.

Just as the carriage was about to crash into Jiang Chen, the driver pulled hard on the reins and shouted at Jiang Chen, "Get in the carriage quickly, we'll take you out!"

Though he didn't know who this person was or why they had come to help him, Jiang Chen had no better choice now. Without hesitation, he decisively leapt into the carriage.

The chaotic clamor outside continued unabated, and before Jiang Chen sat a pretty young woman with wide, bright eyes, sizing him up with keen interest.

"You saved my life earlier, and I couldn't just watch you die here. We're even now."

Jiang Chen frowned. "It's you..."