One must admit how prescient Shen Xihe was to send Shen Ershi to Bu Shulin's side back then.
Not to mention Xiao Changyan, who had little contact with Bu Shulin and only knew of him through written investigations—even Jinshan, who grew up with Bu Shulin since childhood, felt momentarily bewildered by the sight of the frivolous and blame-shifting Shen Ershi before him.
If he didn't know the truth, he would have suspected the person in front of him was the real Worldly Son Bu arriving in haste!
Xiao Changyan's eyes grew increasingly frigid with anger, yet at this moment, he truly couldn't do anything to the "Worldly Son Bu" before him. After all, the big fish Shen Yungan had yet to take the bait!
With a cold sneer, Xiao Changyan ordered, "Guards, search Worldly Son Bu's quarters thoroughly."
The men behind Xiao Changyan immediately moved to act but were blocked by Zha Pu and others. Shen Ershi glanced at the two sides, their weapons drawn and tensions high, and asked, "On what grounds does Your Highness order this search?"
"Isn't it precisely because Shen Yungan dares to act so brazenly, relying on my inability to produce evidence and my powerlessness against him?" Xiao Changyan didn't even bother with an excuse. "At this moment, I need no reason to search Worldly Son Bu's quarters!"
The ship was filled with Xiao Changyan's men. However he treated these people, without evidence, even if they escaped and reported to Your Majesty, nothing could be done to Xiao Changyan.
After speaking, Xiao Changyan coldly scanned Zha Pu and the others. "If anyone obstructs, kill them without mercy!"
Subordinates on both sides abruptly drew their weapons. Shen Ershi raised his hand. "A true man knows when to yield and when to stand firm. Since the moment is not in our favor, we have no choice but to submit. Let His Highness conduct the search."
Zha Pu and the others wore grim expressions but still stepped aside. Xiao Changyan's men nearly emptied the room, leaving only the bedding they had already searched.
Just as Xiao Changyan was warning Shen Ershi, Mo Yao led his men in infiltrating the ship. He and Shen Liu split up to act separately. Mo Yao and his team stealthily made their way to the ship's kitchen, subdued all the guards there, and then poured out all the oil in the kitchen.
One person used a wooden basin to carry a bucket of oil, while another splashed oil around the kitchen. The person carrying the bucket covered it with a damp cloth they had changed into earlier. Even when passing patrolling guards who glanced at what he held, they paid no mind. The oil was largely brushed onto inconspicuous spots throughout the ship.
After completing this task, Shen Liu hid in a location where the wind blew toward Shen Ershi's room. He used a firestarter to light a small piece of incense, and soon a faint, unsuspicious scent drifted to Shen Ershi's nostrils.
He sniffed and said to Xiao Changyan, "Your Highness, quite a few people fell into the water earlier."
This seemingly random remark left everyone bewildered. Only Xiao Changyan, turning the words over in his mind, changed expression, turned abruptly, and strode away. At the doorway, he instructed his trusted aide, "Guard Worldly Son Bu closely!"
Leaving a considerable number of men to watch Shen Ershi and his two subordinates, Xiao Changyan quickly disappeared around the corner.
Emerging from the cabin, he ordered the guard commander to assemble all guards who had fallen into the water. The command had just been issued when thick smoke billowed in, accompanied by a sharp cry: "Fire! The kitchen is on fire!"
Instantly, many guards near the kitchen instinctively rushed toward it. Shen Liu and his men took advantage of the chaos to strike from the shadows. They pushed those they could into the river and, when isolated without others watching, swiftly cut them down with their blades.At the same time, fires broke out all around the ship. Mo Yao led his men to intercept Xiao Changyan. When Xiao Changyan's advisor saw Mo Yao, he was about to activate the bamboo slip hidden in his sleeve, but Xiao Changyan stopped him.
Xiao Changyan quickly scanned the surroundings. With so many people present, if they couldn't eliminate everyone and even one person escaped after seeing Mo Yao's true face, Mo Yao would lose his value as a strategic pawn!
Xiao Changyan drew his sword and personally engaged Mo Yao.
Meanwhile, in Shen Ershi's cabin, he had been sitting by the window. Below the window was the ship itself, making it impossible to jump directly into the river - this was precisely the room Xiao Changyan had carefully selected for him.
But after the kitchen shouted "fire!", Shen Ershi climbed out through the window and landed on the ship's side. The guards stationed below, under strict orders never to leave their posts, immediately drew their swords. At that moment, two figures emerged from both sides, and the four instantly clashed.
The men left behind by Xiao Changyan were intercepted by Zha Pu and others when they gave chase, creating another scene of violent confrontation.
Shen Ershi avoided these people. Xiao Changyan must have done something to his legs - though his limbs weren't weak, he lacked substantial strength and couldn't handle even an ordinary guard.
Fortunately, although Xiao Changyan had separated most of the people who brought him here, Shen Yungan had sent numerous operatives. Those who hadn't had time to switch identities with the drowning people lurking in the river, upon hearing the "fire" signal, emerged and charged upward!
This led to many people jumping into the river to fight, leaving the combat-inept Shen Ershi unable to find a suitable spot to jump down.
If he encountered enemies, he would be completely defenseless.
The clashing of weapons here and the billowing smoke from the ship alerted Xiao Changyan's Shadow Guards ambushed in the distant flatlands. Seeing the situation turning unfavorable, they immediately rushed to provide reinforcement.
Due to the considerable distance, they had only covered half the ground when a group of black-clad figures emerged to block their path. The two sides engaged in intense combat on the spot, with fists and feet flying - both groups consisted of specially trained individuals.
With comparable martial skills, and the opposing side not intent on fighting to the death but merely entangled, Xiao Changyan's men couldn't break through the defense line to provide rescue.
The fire grew increasingly fierce. The wooden ship soon showed signs of collapsing. However, with both sides evenly matched, Shen Ershi couldn't find an opportunity to escape, nor could Xiao Changyan's men find an opening to capture him.
Seeing that further delay would cause the ship to collapse on the spot, and knowing that reinforcements would soon arrive for Xiao Changyan, Shen Ershi had to quickly choose a relatively less risky spot and jump down.
Both Xiao Changyan's men and Shen Yungan's operatives closely monitored Shen Ershi's every move.
His jump attracted both rescuers and attackers toward him.
In the blink of an eye, people from all directions converged on him, forming concentric circles of encirclement around him.
With some desperately trying to fight their way to him and others desperately protecting him, he found himself unable to escape and had to hold his breath and plunge into the river.
Although they were from the Shen family, and the northwest was mostly desert, a small portion of them actually trained away from the northwest, specializing in underwater combat. In the water, with its natural barriers, Xiao Changyan's guards were significantly hampered. Even when two managed to approach Shen Ershi, he skillfully evaded them.At this moment, the official vessel sailing in this direction was also attacked by a large ship of unknown origin. The large ship steered directly toward them, intending to ram them. They were originally Xiao Changyan's backup forces.
Dear reader, this chapter is complete. Wishing you a pleasant reading experience! ^0^
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