Die Wu shook her head, but then said, "Chen Mo has quite a fondness for the women in his rear courtyard, showing concern..."

Upon hearing this, Hu Mei’er’s eyes flashed, and she suddenly became hesitant.

This was something Hu Mei’er had noticed before.

These women of his are not just his weakness, they are his reverse scales.

Back then, she had just mentioned Luo Zhen a few times, without even having a chance to threaten, killing intent had already appeared on Chen Mo’s face, and he pinched her neck, saying he’d make her look good.

And if she really did that, he would ensure she would never gather the Red Sun Bell.

But now people had already bullied their way to the doorstep; naturally, Hu Mei’er couldn’t seem to be intimidated by him, and said: "Send out the order, have our people infiltrate Nanyang, and once there’s a chance, capture all those women of his for me."

"Yes."

...

On the other side.

Chen Mo called in Quan Qiyang, asking if he knew about the Black Shadow Killer Organization.

Quan Qiyang, having previously served as the director of the Imperial City Department, had naturally heard of the Black Shadow Killer Organization.

Seeing Quan Qiyang nod, Chen Mo said, "I need all the information you have on the Black Shadow Killer Organization."

Chen Mo knew that his interference in the Personal Guard Department would not go unanswered by Hu Mei’er; though she might not do anything openly, in secret she would definitely dispatch Black Shadow to make some moves.

Chen Mo had to understand the movements of the Black Shadow Killer Organization.

"I will get on it right away."

The Black Shadow Killer Organization had committed quite a few crimes over the years, and the Imperial City Department had numerous case files concerning this organization.

Chen Mo nodded: "As soon as possible."

"Yes."

...

In the inner chamber of the Xiao Mansion, Xiao Teng lay half-reclined on a couch, heavily bundled, with a head bandage, and wearing a wind cap, appearing extremely frail.

The drastic shock from heaven to hell had provoked internal injury, making Xiao Teng collapse in illness.

The wives and maids that used to surround him had all been driven out by this time.

Looking at the Huangfu Hao in front of him, Xiao Teng spoke gloomily: "Why are you here? The Xiao Mansion doesn’t welcome you."

"It was Brother Mo who asked me to come see Commander Xiao," said Huangfu Hao softly, expressing concern: "Are you alright, Commander Xiao? You’re an Innate Martial Artist after all, how did it come to this?"

"No need for your false pity. My current state is all thanks to you all. Where is Chen Mo? Let him come see me." Xiao Teng said darkly.

"Brother Mo has already returned home, perhaps he hasn’t had the time yet." Huangfu Hao replied.

But Xiao Teng heard a bit of disdain in his words, sneering: "I think he is busy planning how to deal with us. Success for the ruler, failure for the bandits, we were blind to promote an ingrate. If he wants to kill or cut, let him do it quickly."

The Xiao Mansion was still surrounded, and Xiao Teng knew that for such important matters, one should either not do them or do them thoroughly.

Just like how after the army mutinied back then, his father nearly wiped out the Gao Qiu and Cai Si factions.

Now that Chen Mo’s forces encircle the Xiao Mansion, he likely had similar intentions.

Huangfu Hao shook his head and smiled: "The morning court has ended, and Your Majesty decreed not to take the life of anyone from the Xiao Mansion."

Hearing this, Xiao Teng was stunned for a moment, then scoffed: "Humph, a sanctimonious move. I think he just doesn’t want to act himself, worried that the world would see him as a person of little compassion, so he’d rather have someone else do it."

Xiao Teng couldn’t believe that Chen Mo would spare them.

"The ministers have said that the death penalty can be avoided but living punishment is inevitable. The title of Duke of Anyang will be abolished, and the cultivation will be stripped, demoted to a commoner. As for Commander Xiao, your cultivation will also be restricted." Huangfu Hao slowly said.

Upon hearing these words, Xiao Teng suddenly coughed violently. Huangfu Hao handed him a cup of tea, and after he calmed down a bit, he continued: "Brother Mo tried his best; this is the best plan possible.

Moreover, for your safety, Brother Mo said that you should just stay in Bianliang; things outside the capital are too chaotic."

"He wants to imprison us?!" Xiao Teng’s face twisted with anger.

"Absolutely not." Huangfu Hao quickly adjusted his pillow, saying: "Brother Mo has no such intention; it’s just for the sake of Commander Xiao’s safety."

"Hehe." Xiao Teng sneered twice, then after a moment of silence, asked: "What exactly does he intend to do?"

"The Desolate Kingdom has already moved south; Brother Mo just doesn’t want more people of Great Song to suffer from the Desolate Kingdom’s invasion, aiming to drive them out of Great Song, nothing more." Huangfu Hao replied.

"Do you think my father didn’t want that? But if we don’t solve the internal rebellion and hastily lead troops to attack the Desolate Kingdom when their morale is high, aren’t you afraid someone might make trouble behind your back?"

"But we shouldn’t negotiate peace with the Desolate Kingdom either, especially not giving them everything north of the Yao River—what’s the difference between that and treason? The Desolate Kingdom has wolfish ambitions; now they want the north of Yao River, can you guarantee they won’t want Jincheng, or Cold Water Pass? Won’t they want the entire Great Song..." As Huangfu Hao spoke, his anger also rose.

"If you don’t secure the internal, how can you defend against the external." Xiao Teng maintained a firm attitude.

...

Celestial Prison.

Those imprisoned here are all major criminals, and most have long abandoned hope of leaving, causing many to have significant changes in their mental state.

"Creak..."

The gate of the prison opened, sunlight shone in, and two jailers escorted Xiao Yunqi inside.

Inside the Celestial Prison were some officials who had not yet been executed, and upon seeing Xiao Yunqi enter, each stared wide-eyed, thinking they were hallucinating.

Great Song’s most powerful minister—Xiao Yunqi, was actually being escorted into the Celestial Prison.

Several inmates pinched themselves hard, felt the pain, rubbed their eyes, and confirmed they weren’t seeing things, their expressions changed dramatically.

Some ministers who had been imprisoned here for offending Xiao Yunqi immediately sneered: "Never thought the grand Duke of Anyang would also have a day of falling from power.

What happened outside? How could someone as invincible as the Duke of Anyang end up like this, hahaha."

Hearing the jeers from both sides of the cells, Xiao Yunqi shook all over, his body trembling violently.

Being in such a high position, how could he have ever faced such humiliation.

"Noisy." A jailer struck the head of the sneering inmate with a baton; orders were that Xiao Yunqi was only temporarily detained here, and not to be mistreated.

...

...

Weiyang Palace.

Chen Mo walked slowly into the palace, though Yunxi had again asked her to stop Xiao Yunqi, but since it happened suddenly and he hadn’t consulted her ahead of time, and now plans to abolish Xiao Yunqi’s cultivation, Chen Mo found it hard to explain to her.

But as it’s done, it must be faced.

Xiao Qing’Er saw Chen Mo coming, and hurried into the bedchamber to report.

"Empress Dowager, he... he is here."

"I... don’t want to... see him..."

"I’ve already come in." Chen Mo entered the inner hall directly, not waiting for Xiao Qing’Er to announce.

Seeing Xiao Yunxi, who hadn’t slept all night and looked a bit haggard, Chen Mo felt some heartache, saying: "Looks like you already know."