Chapter 293: Chapter 260: Golden Hundred Knowledge Grand Competition! Red Flame Refining Technique!

"At the southern border between the Nine Hordes Kingdom and Xirong County, there is a town called Zhengxi Town, currently occupied by a small horde named the Ink Crow Horde from the Nine Hordes Kingdom, and has been renamed Zhengxi City."

Chu Ming spoke while taking out a black feather, "I have a task for you."

"Please give your orders, benefactor."

"Control the Ink Crow Horde and take Zhengxi Town."

"Afterwards, I will give you the antidote for the Life-locking Elixir."

Control the Ink Crow Horde and take Zhengxi Town?

The Medicine Maniac heard this, a flicker of strange light flashing in his downcast eyes.

He knew of the Ink Crow Horde, a defeated branch by Kuirong Zhi, having disappeared a long time ago.

But as the saying goes, a dead camel is still bigger than a horse. For them to occupy a city, their strength must not be weak.

Can he and Lix Yan achieve it?

In contrast to the Medicine Maniac’s worries, Lix Yan’s expression was firm, as he directly accepted the Ink Feather and cupped his hands, saying, "Lix Yan thanks the benefactor for showing the way."

Chu Ming looked at the two, picked up the Great Derivation Sword, his eyes deep, "The path is chosen by oneself."

"Benefactor, I, the old man, will definitely take Zhengxi Town."

The Medicine Maniac was startled by these words, hurriedly lowering his body in a salute to show loyalty.

Clang—

The Great Derivation Sword was plunged into the ground.

Chu Ming stood up, "Go tomorrow."

"Yes."

"..."

...

Late at night.

In the eastern city of Xirong County, a few figures stood in the shadows.

"Lord Liu." Inspector Hu Han of the Regent’s Mansion bowed.

"Did you find anything?" Liu Bingmu’s expression was indifferent.

"To report, my lord, nothing was found."

"Nothing at all?" Liu Bingmu frowned slightly.

During the day, he noticed Baili Xinghua acting strangely, hence he set Hu Han to investigate.

"My lord, Baili Xinghua collapsed at the Tiger Armor Army’s camp due to a cold?"

"A cold?" Liu Bingmu lightly shook his head, "He fainted from Qi Blood turmoil."

"Qi Blood turmoil? My lord, do you mean...?"

"Hmm, first using my Regent’s Mansion’s hand, he intended to frame Xiao Jieshi and the Little Grain Transport Office, then used the same trick to frame Commander Xiang Yue." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"Just don’t know why, both times failed, so it’s normal for the County Governor of Xirong County to accept it poorly and faint from Qi Blood turmoil."

At the Tiger Armor Army’s camp, when Baili Xinghua fainted, Liu Bingmu had inspected his body.

Someone afflicted with coldness would have Qi Blood deficiency, but Baili Xinghua’s Qi Blood was in disarray.

"My lord, if that’s the case, does it mean that during the Blood Evil Sect’s night raid on Xirong County Government, when he was severely poisoned, he was acting?"

"It’s possible," Liu Bingmu’s eyes were sharp, "but according to the Qin Capital’s orders, do not disturb the Blood Evil Sect for now, and don’t move against Baili Xinghua yet, just keep watch secretly."

"Yes."

"..."

...

Morning.

Xirong County Government.

"Ah..." County Magistrate Xiao He sat in the chair with a long sigh.

"What’s wrong, Old Xiao, sighing like that."

Shen Yu and Chu Ming walked into the hall.

"Lord Liu just sent news that the false accusations and framing about Xiao Wen and Commander Xiang have been cleared up," Xiao He said.

"Isn’t that good news?" Shen Yu asked in confusion.

"Good news?" Xiao He stood up, his back slightly hunched as if injured and unable to straighten, "Lord Liu said, Commander Xiang cannot return to the Tiger Armor Army for the time being."

Chu Ming’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"What do you mean? Commander Xiang has rendered great service, is His Majesty preparing to hold a banquet to reward Commander Xiang?"

"Reward?" Xiao He shook his head with a bitter smile, "No talk of reward; Commander Xiang may not even be able to clear his name."

"Clear his name? Old Xiao, what are you saying?"

"Didn’t you just say that the false accusations were cleared up? What else does Commander Xiang need to clear?" Shen Yu asked with increasing confusion.

"Ah...it’s not that simple..."

"The matter of private armor-making has been clarified, but another issue is totally unclarified."

"May I ask County Magistrate Xiao, what issue?" Chu Ming’s expression slightly changed.

"Liu Bingmu said someone reported to His Majesty, questioning how Commander Xiang captured Yangjia City of the Nine Hordes Kingdom, and how he captured the young Horde Lord of Kuirong Zhi?"

"What is there to report? Commander Xiang won because Commander Xiang led well," Shen Yu said.

Xiao He again shook his head, "Commander Xiang’s excellent leadership is unquestionable to us, but there are many doubters in Qin Capital."

"There are rumors that Commander Xiang defeated 300,000 troops of Kuirong Zhi with only 100,000 Tiger Armor Army, not due to leadership, but because..." Xiao He hesitated.

"Because of what? Old Xiao, just say it."

"Because it’s said that Commander Xiang colluded with the Xianyun Horde Branch of the Nine Hordes Kingdom to capture Yangjia City and detain the young Horde Lord of Kuirong Zhi, with the Xianyun Horde Branch playing a role."

"Nonsense!" Shen Yu was instantly furious.

He was not in the military, but he knew that Yangjia City was seized through the blood and flesh of the Tiger Armor Army soldiers.

No merits acknowledged, yet some with ulterior motives deliberately maligning!

"Ah...I initially thought it was nonsense too, but as Liu Bingmu said, Left Minister Zuo Yuan and other officials persistently question how Commander Xiang captured the young Horde Lord of Kuirong Zhi."

"It is said, at that time, the young Horde Lord of Kuirong Zhi was surrounded by many late-stage Meridian Unlocking Realm guards and was in the Kuirong Zhi Camp. With only Commander Xiang as a Meridian Unlocking Realm expert, how did he capture the young Horde Lord?"

Saying this, Xiao He looked at Chu Ming, "It is said in the military, it was a master arranged by Commander Fang Xiao who infiltrated the Kuirong Zhi Camp to abduct the young Lord, but where is such a master in the Tiger Armor Army?"

A master arranged by Fang Xiao?

Shen Yu’s expression changed at this, casting a sidelong glance at Chu Ming, unsure how to proceed.

He knew that this mysterious master was none other than Chu Ming.

"County Magistrate Xiao, how are Commander Xiang and Commander Fang doing now?" Chu Ming’s voice was calm, with a hidden chill in his calmness.

"Nothing for the time being, as they are only rumors without concrete evidence, but according to Liu Bingmu, Commander Xiang and Commander Fang will find it hard to return to the Tiger Armor Army any time soon."