Martial Saint through Reading

”Lord Zhong doesn’t trust me?”

”Sigh...” Zhong Yang’s face fell, ”Envoy Xiao, what Lord Liu really wants to investigate is the evidence of Commander Xiang Yue’s private armory in Xirong County’s Tiger Armor Army.”

”Commander Xiang making a private armory?!”

”...”

...

Returning to Baiyun Pier in Xirong County.

Liu Bingmu walked up to Xiao He: ”County Magistrate Xiao, news has just come back from the Qin Capital — no forbidden objects were found on Envoy Xiao Wen.”

”Good... good...”

Hearing this, Xiao He finally felt relieved, uttering several ’good’s in succession.

Nothing was found on Xiao Wen either?!

Deep within Baili Xinghua’s eyes, an imperceptible strange color flashed again.

Liu Bingmu caught it, and so did Chu Ming.

”County Magistrate Xiao, County Governor Baili,” Liu Bingmu spoke calmly, cupping his hands again, ”The Regent’s Mansion has another case that requires you two to oversee the investigation.”

”Are you referring to the second case?” Xiao He recalled that Liu Bingmu had mentioned two cases before.

”Indeed.”

”I wonder what it is...”

”County Magistrate Xiao, County Governor Baili, just follow me.” Liu Bingmu mounted his horse.

”Lord Liu, I request to accompany you.”

Chu Ming stepped forward.

The Regent’s Mansion was heading to inspect that batch of grain supplies, a matter concerning his master, and he wanted to see if he could uncover any clues.

Liu Bingmu paused, nodding slightly: ”If Commissioner of Canal Transport Mr. Chu is free, then come along.”

Remembering the recent wrongful accusation, he did not refuse.

Moreover, since the grain supplies were transported from Pingzhong County by this commissioner, if there were issues, this commissioner would be questioned again.

”I’ll go too,” Shen Yu added.

”Good, then I’ll trouble you all to make this trip.”

The group from the Regent’s Mansion mounted their horses, while Xiao He led Shen Yu and Chu Ming onto a carriage.

The entourage left the pier, heading straight for the city gate.

Once outside the city gate, they continued westward.

”Old Xiao, something seems off, this direction seems like it’s...” Shen Yu gazed out the window.

”The Tiger Armor Army’s base!” Xiao He furrowed his brow, ”It seems Liu Bingmu’s second case is related to the Tiger Armor Army.”

”Could it be about Commander Xiang?”

Xiang Yue had gone to the Qin Capital some time ago, and no news of accolades had returned yet.

”Commander Xiang?” Xiao He’s expression grew more somber.

Xiang Yue, of the Xirong County’s Tiger Armor Army, had defended against the Nine Hordes Kingdom’s invasion for decades, and now had expanded the Great Qin Dynasty’s territory, capturing Yangjia City of the Nine Hordes Kingdom.

Such good news hadn’t been seen in the Great Qin Dynasty for many years.

Awarding is inevitable, so why would the Regent’s Mansion investigate Commander Xiang?

Xiao He couldn’t understand.

Meanwhile, in another carriage.

Baili Xinghua sat alone, his face heavy like dark clouds before a summer storm.

With the failure of framing Chu Ming and Xiao Wen, he couldn’t believe that the private armory allegation against Xiang Yue could still change!

Removing Xiang Yue would render the thirty thousand Tiger Armor Army mere decoration, making Xirong County easily attainable!

With control over Xirong County, what can a sixteen-year-old boy possibly do?

”...”

”Has the poison in County Governor Baili’s body not been completely cleared?”

Just as Baili Xinghua was deep in thought, the carriage curtain was lifted from outside.

Liu Bingmu, the supervision office supervisor from the Regent’s Mansion, rode alongside the carriage, his eagle-sharp eyes glaring into the carriage.

Baili Xinghua stiffened instantly, cold sweat breaking out on his back.

”Liu... Lord Liu, when did you...”

Thankfully, he wasn’t talking to himself, otherwise...

”Oh, for a while now, seeing Lord Baili lost in thought, I did not disturb you.” Liu Bingmu withdrew his gaze, smiling, ”If County Governor Baili isn’t feeling well, you may leave first.”

”Thank you, Lord Liu, I’m indeed not fully recovered, but it’s nothing serious.”

Looking at Liu Bingmu’s insincere smile, Baili Xinghua thought to himself that something was wrong.

It seems the Regent’s Mansion suspects me!

”That’s good; County Governor Baili has worked tirelessly for Xirong County; you should rest more.”

”Thank you, Lord Liu, for the reminder.”

”Mm, there’s still a way to go; County Governor Baili, you should take a break first.”

Liu Bingmu let go of the curtain, his eyes flickering with uncertainty.

His horse quickened its pace, moving to join the other three inspectors from the Regent’s Mansion.

”Hu Han, you go and check out Baili Xinghua’s residence.” His voice was low, even a bit icy.

”Yes.”

Hu Han took the order, turned his horse, and passed by the carriages of Xiao He and Baili Xinghua.

Xiao He and Shen Yu lifted the curtain to watch.

”Old Xiao, what’s Liu Bingmu planning now?”

Xiao He shook his head.

Shen Yu looked at Chu Ming.

”Perhaps he’s going to check the residence,” Chu Ming said calmly.

Even seated in the carriage, the Sword Gourd Spirit observed the expressions during the conversation between Liu Bingmu and Baili Xinghua and heard what the supervisor instructed the inspector to do.

”The residence? Does Liu Bingmu intend to search the Chu Mansion?”

Shen Yu thought Chu Ming referred to the Chu Mansion as the residence.

Chu Ming shook his head: ”I don’t know, maybe he’s going to the Commandery Mansion.”

With Xiao He present, he couldn’t speak plainly.

”...”

...

At the Tiger Armor Army’s base.

Two individuals dressed in the Regent’s Mansion’s ink robes stood at the camp gate, alongside a person wearing general armor.

This person was Yu Sheng, one of the two generals transferred from the Qin Capital Imperial Forbidden Army, while the other, General Wei Bang, led the Tiger Armor Army south to fend off the invading Jingyue Kingdom.

Behind the three were Duan Chong of the Sixth Tiger Camp and several ten thousand soldiers commanders, including Meng Zhen.

At this moment, Duan Chong and Meng Zhen were full of anxiety, frequently looking beyond the camp gate.

Suddenly.

Rumble——

From the distance came the sound of wagon wheels, followed by flying dust.

Before long.

Jiang Zhan appeared in everyone’s sight, escorting grain supplies with the Tiger Armor Army.

”What’s happening?” Ten Thousand Soldiers Commander Fan Kui, riding on a Blazing Fire Tiger Horse, saw a crowd at the camp entrance from afar, ”Waiting for us?”

”Out of food?”

”Hahaha...” Several chiliarchs behind him laughed.