The Blade-Wielding Legend-Chapter 1405 - 724: Nightfall Killing Intent

At midnight, the moonlight is like water.

Near the pavilion three miles outside the city, Luo Mingzi stood silently and solemnly in the darkness of a towering, abandoned watchtower.

The moonlight trickled down through the cracks in the tiles, outlining his sharply defined profile.

His cold eyes pierced the darkness, locking onto the silent area below, swallowed by the locust tree forest.

Behind him, it was deathly silent.

The elite soldiers of the Captain Bureau were hidden in the shadows, crossbows drawn and firearms loaded, suppressing their murderous intent.

And scattered among the bushes, next to mounds, and in haystacks were the experts from the Law Enforcement Hall.

They restrained their auras, some wielding magic swords, others clutching talismans between their fingers, holding their breath and focusing their energy.

The group had already waited here for two hours, but Luo Mingzi was in no rush.

The hustle and bustle of the Capital's grand academy opening ceremony had not completely faded, but the undercurrents stirred by the "Divine Artifact" steam engine were already surging in the darkness. Forces from the South Seas, Wala, Persia, and some hidden in the shadows all coveted this object.

The court had naturally been prepared for this.

The steam engine could be promoted, but the blueprints and key technologies must not be leaked.

At least the Great Xuan Dynasty must always maintain its advantage.

Originally, this matter was not under Luo Mingzi's jurisdiction, nor did he have the time.

However, this morning, someone inexplicably delivered a letter, indicating that Japan pirates, colluding with the Jianmu Demon, had infiltrated the city, plotting to acquire the steam engine technology and were also involved with a group from the South Seas.

Thus, Luo Mingzi became the commander of this joint operation.

Not far away, an expert from the Law Enforcement Hall lay on the ground, his ear pressed tightly against the earth, his left hand making a mantra, eyes closed, carefully listening with his ear divine power.

"They're here!"

Suddenly he raised his head, whispered low, and everyone immediately became alert.

Soon, several figures appeared on the distant wilderness path.

They looked around nervously, their steps chaotic and hurried under the moonlight, not daring even to light a lantern.

The leader was short and plump, his brocade gown creased into a ball as he ran, his forehead beaded with sweat.

"It's East City Wu Anfu."

A man from the Captain Bureau stepped forward and whispered, "This man is a grain merchant from East City and has opened many restaurants. Originally, he followed the steward of Prince Ying Mansion to make a living, but after the mansion was confiscated, he lost his backing, and his business is being devoured by peers."

Luo Mingzi frowned slightly, "Where did he get the blueprints?"

Qiankun Academy had opened to promote the steam engine, but this opportunity in the first batch was not available to everyone.

All forces have to pay a price to gain a head start.

Prince Ying Mansion, because of involvement in the Jinmen cannon incident and the Pantao Conference, had its people sent to exile in the army, and the remaining were scattered like apes from a fallen tree.

A destitute pauper doesn't have such capability.

The Captain Bureau man hurriedly whispered, "I am incompetent, I do not know this matter."

"No problem."

Luo Mingzi said in a deep voice, "Capture them and interrogate them later!"

He inexplicably had a premonition that there would definitely be gains this time.

As they were speaking, those people had also approached.

The fat merchant Wu Anfu at the front clutched a bundle tightly as if it were a lifeline, cautiously entering the pavilion beside the locust tree forest with a few guards, looking around nervously, clearly waiting for something.

Soon, a few more figures appeared on the official road, and the sound of hooves came from the other side of the forest.

Two groups arrived, almost simultaneously, yet distinctly separated.

One group had short, robust figures with dark skin, some with peculiar scalelike tattoos on their faces, covered in slightly strange silk robes over short brown clothes, their eyes sharp like night owls, evidently envoys from a powerful South Seas nation.

The other group was tall and muscular, wearing felt hats, with curved blades at their waists, each face weathered and worn.

They were the grassland knights of the Wala Golden Tent Khanate!

The people from the South Seas carried a heavy wooden box, while the Wala people led a strong horse laden with bulging leather bags.

The two foreign groups seemed somewhat surprised.

The Wala leader looked at Wu Anfu, his gaze cold, and spoke in broken official language:

"Boss Wu, what do you mean by this?"

Wu Anfu quickly bowed to the two with a flattering smile, his voice trembling, "Two… two great masters, bringing this thing... countless obstacles were overcome, but it's a deadly business, I can't let myself lose."

"Looking for death!"

The Wala leader immediately filled with rage, his hand moved to grasp the blade hilt.

Clang clang clang!

Wu Anfu's several guards also quickly drew their weapons.

"Don't fight!"

Wu Anfu suddenly shouted angrily, his left hand pulled out a fire thorn from his arms, while his right hand held a flint, glaring at the crowd with gritted teeth: "I risked my life for this, not intending to sell just one."

"To tell you the truth, after tonight's transaction, I will leave the Capital!"

"Moreover, I have arranged subordinates in the city waiting for the signal. If anything happens to me, they will go directly to the Captain Bureau to report, and even if you kill me and get the blueprints, you won't be able to leave the Divine State!"

His eyes were bloodshot, his voice hoarse and frantic.

Often, falling down is more painful than climbing up.

He had worked hard for decades, serving the steward of Prince Ying Mansion like a grandson, finally amassing this large business. Now, seeing it about to turn to ashes, he was unwilling to return to the hard days of his youth, forcing him to take desperate chances.

The tension was palpable, the atmosphere so heavy it seemed like it might condense into water.

"Let's not do this, let's discuss it properly."

The South Seas envoy leader's official language was heavily accented, his face smiling as he mediated, "Boss Wu is seeking wealth, no need to risk his life."

Then he looked at the Wala leader, "Lord Chuoluo, this item is nothing much, but the Divine State people are hiding it from us, it's fine to sell one to each of us. Besides, our nations are separated by the south and north, let's not kill each other and let the Great Xuan gain the advantage."