IDWBE -Chapter 187 Commander of the Southern State Secret Guards

“Seventh rank?”

A skinny, bare-chested man raised his cup, burped, and said, “Impressive, huh? Daring enough to kill someone in Baiyun City? Your courage is really something! I admire you, truly admire you!”

All the diners laughed heartily along with him.

“Anyone running around in Sanhe knows the rules,” A middle-aged man in a silk robe, dressed as a merchant, added, “Don’t talk about murder—even fighting in Sanhe lands you in forced labor. You’re unbelievably bold, reckless. Even in Ankang City, you might have gotten away. In Sanhe? Forget it!”

The crowd erupted in laughter again.

Suddenly, someone shouted, “Innkeeper, better tie him up quickly and notify the constables. Otherwise, when the time comes and his acupoints are released, he’ll really slaughter your whole family!”

The innkeeper slapped his forehead, hurriedly had two assistants fetch ropes, and bound the man.

Before he could send someone to Baiyun City to call the constables, a dozen men in black entered, led by Chen Xinluo.

He had followed Wang Dong closely.

“Master Chen!”

The innkeeper hurried over.

In Sanhe, you might not know the prince or the provincial administrator, but you certainly must know the chief constable of the Administration Office!

Chen Xinluo ignored him, glanced upstairs, and waved. “Take him away!”

A dozen constables swarmed upstairs and brought the man down.

Chen Xinluo sneered at the man. “So it’s you.”

The man laughed coldly. “Does Shan Qi have the guts to kill me? I advise you to release me quickly, or Master Shan will have trouble with this later.”

“Master Shan would indeed have trouble,” Chen Xinluo spoke truthfully. Jiao En, Commander of the Southern State Secret Guards, isn’t someone Shan Qi could kill at will.

Not that he didn’t dare—

But killing him would have serious consequences.

It would mean Sanhe and the Secret Guards breaking ties completely, with no chance of reconciliation.

The man smirked. “Master Chen, a wise man knows the times. If Lord Jiang Chong finds out, things won’t look good for you.”

At the mention of Jiang Chong!

Everyone present jumped in shock. Even the timid imagined the eighteen tortures—finger presses, sticks, skinning, tongue, broken spine, amputations, heart stabbing, pipa—utter terror seized them.

A name carries a weight; Jiang Chong’s name could silence a crying child.

They couldn’t comprehend why the Secret Guards had come to Sanhe!

And this man before them was seventh rank—a high position. In the Secret Guards, he was no mere foot soldier.

As for killing… that’s just their job.

By Sanhe’s laws, murder deserves death. Not one of the Secret Guards would survive here.

Chen Xinluo chuckled at Jiao En, then addressed the inn’s patrons. “Do you know who this man is?”

The inn fell utterly silent.

Not a pin could drop.

After a long pause, the innkeeper braced himself and said, “Master Chen, please instruct us. Who is this man?”

Had he just insulted this person?

Secret Guards?

His whole family could truly be slaughtered! He had even thought of dying on the spot.

“Jiao En,”

Chen Xinluo stared at him. “Lord Jiao, would you like to introduce yourself to everyone?”

Jiao En!

Commander of the Southern State Secret Guards!

Everyone was stunned.

What kind of person is worth traveling all the way to Baiyun City to personally hunt down?

“I don’t change my name or lineage,”

Jiao En laughed. “I am Jiao En, Commander of the Southern State Secret Guards. Chen Xinluo, you, a mere chief constable, would do well to untie me quickly and save your own future.”

Hearing Jiao En admit it personally, the people around gasped.

How dare the Sanhe Administration Office detain the Southern State Provincial Administrator?

From prime minister to commoner, who would dare disrespect him?

Indeed, as Jiao En said, a mere chief constable—how could he dare!

Seeing their reaction, Jiao En grew even more smug.

Earlier, facing the blind man downstairs, he had felt genuine fear. He knew that was a true master.

In front of a real expert, all titles and authority are useless.

The instinct is to flee.

Unfortunately, the blind man was too strong.

No chance to escape.

But now, facing Chen Xinluo and the others, these people were mere lackeys in his eyes!

He was used to intimidating with power.

Chen Xinluo paced the hall leisurely. “You probably don’t understand why Commander Jiao came all the way to this remote part of Sanhe, nor why he brought a dozen skilled men. It’s because our Lord Jiang Chong’s adopted daughter escaped to Sanhe. Knowing her sins, she didn’t wish to join the Secret Guards, so she fled here last year, changed her ways, and started anew. She met the man she loved, only to be cruelly attacked on her wedding night by Commander Jiao En. Truly unfortunate.”

The inn remained silent.

No one dared to respond.

Jiao En smirked, indifferent. “I, the Secret Guards, punish traitors. What does that have to do with your Administration Office?”

“Lord Jiao, I’ve said much, yet you don’t understand,”

Chen Xinluo stared at him. “Normally, what your Secret Guards do is beyond our jurisdiction. But you have no right to kill in Sanhe. Murder deserves death—that’s Sanhe’s law. However, one point you are correct about: if you are brought back, Master Shan would indeed be troubled.”

Most importantly, the prince would also be troubled.

The innkeeper’s face fell.

So… he would be released?

Hadn’t he just kicked him?

Was his whole family truly doomed?

Should he run now?

Others around him nodded in agreement.

No matter how arrogant the Sanhe Administration Office is, it wouldn’t dare offend the Secret Guards!

Jiao En laughed heartily. “Chen Xinluo, untie me and your future is safe!”

“Release you?”

Chen Xinluo smiled, genuinely pleased. “I only said I won’t take you back. If I cut your head off right here, Master Shan wouldn’t be troubled at all.”

Jiao En froze, shouting, “Chen Xinluo, you dare!”

For a moment, anger and fear mixed.

“Why wouldn’t I dare!”

Chen Xinluo drew his sword.

In one swift motion, a massive head rolled to the ground.

The still-standing body gushed blood, then collapsed with a thud.

All this happened in an instant.

No one present had time to react.

They were frozen in shock.

The Southern State Secret Guards’ Commander, seventh rank—gone just like that?

Clang! The sword returned to its sheath.

“Remember this: anyone committing crimes in Sanhe will not end well,”

Chen Xinluo said, satisfied with their expressions. Turning, he added, “Ah, let’s go. It’s hot, and there’s nothing to linger here for.”

The inn patrons looked at the body and blood on the floor, then at Chen Xinluo’s departing figure, feeling as if they were dreaming.