TNIBFT -Chapter 142 No Reason—You Deserve to Die!

In Shangguan Ning’er’s eyes, the attack power of a group of low-level guards was nothing more than child’s play.

In less than half the time it takes for half a stick of incense to burn, they were all dealt with.

Looking at the corpses strewn across the ground and the bloodstains beneath them, Shangguan Ning’er lightly clapped her hands and straightened her cotton robe.

“Not good!”

She suddenly thought of something, her expression tightening as she hurried toward the alley entrance.

Since these guards knew she was here, they must also know where her group was temporarily staying. If the people of Great Liang decided to lie in wait, then not a single one of her subordinates would escape.

With that thought, Shangguan Ning’er grew anxious and sped toward the western part of the city.

The west side of the city was home to the lower strata of society—chaotic, crowded, and highly transient.

After passing through a long alley, Shangguan Ning’er remained on high alert, carefully observing her surroundings. Seeing no abnormalities and no one tailing her, she took several turns before arriving at the entrance of a residence.

Blue bricks and a wooden door—nothing out of the ordinary.

She stepped forward and knocked.

Before long, a low voice came from inside, “Who is it?”

“Shangguan!”

Creaaak… The wooden door opened slightly from within. A burly, bearded man saw Shangguan Ning’er return and respectfully said, “Boss, you’re back?”

To avoid drawing attention, their group had disguised themselves as a band of merchants doing tea business in Sifang City. They usually addressed Shangguan Ning’er as “Boss.”

Shangguan Ning’er’s expression was grave as she said urgently, “Notify everyone immediately—we leave the city at once!”

“Travel light. Leave signals for those who are out, so they can find us after they exit the city.”

“Yes!”

The bearded man’s expression darkened. Realizing their whereabouts had been exposed, he didn’t dare delay and turned to inform the others.

“Where is Shen Jie?”

Shangguan Ning’er suddenly asked.

The man paused mid-step, about to answer, when a cool voice sounded from behind:

“Brother Shangguan is back?”

“I just finished saying farewell to Brother Zhao and was about to leave. What a coincidence—you returned at this exact moment.”

Shen Jie wore a faint smile as he spoke, descending the steps and walking toward Shangguan Ning’er.

Her eyes darkened as she stared at him.

Farewell?

More likely, he realized his identity had been exposed. That rescue in the snowy plains—perhaps it had all been a trick by Great Liang. She could only blame herself for meddling and delaying His Majesty’s grand plans.

Yet Shen Jie appeared completely calm, not a trace of panic on his face.

Was he truly unafraid of death?

Or had she wronged him?

At that moment, Shangguan Ning’er stared at Shen Jie, her mind racing with analysis.

“Thank you, Brother Shangguan, for taking care of me these past few days. I think I shouldn’t drag you all down any longer…” Shen Jie’s sincere voice broke her thoughts. His gaze was clear, filled with genuine gratitude.

“It’s nothing…”

Zhao Mingyuan, the bearded man, immediately stepped forward and spoke kindly.

Shen Jie smiled lightly and turned to look at Shangguan Ning’er.

In the next instant—

Shangguan Ning’er suddenly struck.

The energy around her surged violently as she sent a palm strike straight toward Shen Jie’s chest. His face filled with shock; before he could react, he was sent flying several meters away.

Bang!

With a loud crash, his back slammed hard into a pile of firewood stacked in the corner.

Crash, crash, crash…

The wood scattered across the ground.

Shen Jie’s body went limp as he slid to the floor, blood gushing from his mouth in large amounts.

He lifted his head to look at Shangguan Ning’er.

“Why… why?”

Before he could finish, he coughed up a mass of shattered flesh and blood.

Cold sweat covered his forehead. His body trembled violently from the intense pain, his limbs weak—as if death could take him at any moment.

Shangguan Ning withdrew her palm and stood with her hands behind her back, looking down at Shen Jie from above. “For no reason—you deserve to die!”

She had followed the Empress into countless campaigns, killing more people than she could remember. She didn’t care if one more life was added to her tally. Better to kill three thousand by mistake than allow anyone to interfere with Her Majesty’s grand plans.

“My lord is back?”
“What happened?”
“What’s wrong with Shen Jie?”

The commotion in the courtyard quickly drew everyone’s attention. Those from Great Zhou who had remained behind rushed out of their rooms, all looking tense as they stared at Shen Jie lying on the ground.

Shangguan Ning’er said coldly, “Leave the city immediately!”

“Yes!”
“Yes!”

Everyone snapped to attention, instantly growing alert.

Seeing Shen Jie still struggling on the ground, Shangguan Ning’er stepped closer, one step at a time.

“Lady Shangguan!”

Zhao Ming stepped forward, blocking her path. He glanced at Shen Jie, a trace of reluctance flashing in his eyes.

Shen Jie had a pitiful background. Over the past few days traveling with them, he had taken good care of everyone—he even prepared and decocted medicine for Zhao Ming. Old hidden injuries that had plagued him for years had begun to ease.

Moreover, Shen Jie never acted alone. How could such a frail young man possibly be a spy for Great Liang?

Shangguan Ning sneered. “What, you want to save him?”

“This is not the time for mercy. Don’t forget your mission. If you delay Her Majesty’s plans, I’ll be the first to kill you!” Killing intent surged from her body. Zhao Ming lowered his head, not daring to speak further.

Just as Shangguan Ning’er raised her hand, preparing a full-force strike—

“Liu Ruyan… my mother… my mother is Liu Ruyan!”

Her pupils shrank, her palm freezing midair.

She stared at Shen Jie in disbelief. “You’re Sister Liu’s child? You…”

“It’s over here! The Great Zhou spies are inside—move!”
“Hurry, surround the place!”
“You—go around that side!”

Urgent, chaotic footsteps sounded from outside the gate.

Shangguan Ning’er looked at Shen Jie on the ground. She clenched her teeth, wanting to kill him first—but Liu Ruyan’s face surfaced in her mind. Just as she hesitated, Zhao Ming grabbed her arm.

“My lord!”

“We have to go now. If we don’t, it’ll be too late!”

“A full strike from a ninth-rank expert—he’s just an ordinary man, he won’t survive it anyway. Even if you don’t kill him, he won’t live through today.”

“For Lord Liu’s sake… let him fend for himself.”

“Hurry! Don’t let a single one escape!”

Bang! Bang! Bang!

With the noise outside growing louder and her companions watching her, Shangguan Ning’er withdrew her hand and said sternly, “Move!”

“Follow me. This way. If anyone blocks us—kill them all. Leave no survivors!”

“Yes!”

…

At this moment, inside the City Lord’s residence—

Heavy snow filled the sky. Ji Zhengping, clad in silver armor and gripping his saber, strode toward Xiao Haoyang’s study with a grave expression.

“General Ji!”
“General!”

Along the way, guards and maids bowed respectfully.

Ji Zhengping remained stern, not sparing them a glance as he hurried up the steps. Looking at the man in martial attire guarding the door, he said, “Announce me. I have urgent business with the City Lord.”

The man cupped his fists and turned—

Before he could move, Xiao Haoyang’s voice sounded from inside: “Enter.”

The guard pushed open the doors. Ji Zhengping nodded slightly in thanks before stepping in.

A wave of warmth hit him. Raising his head, he looked toward Xiao Haoyang seated above and cupped his fists respectfully.

“Not a single one was captured. It’s confirmed—they are indeed from Great Zhou.”