Capítulo 58: The Emperor is Still in Danger!

A few minutes after Wen Ping had disappeared to trail after Han Jing, Officer Zhou Ming stayed around the riverbank to look at the dead body. The frown on his face deepened as he saw the blood pooling around the body.

At this time, a few men from the Investigation Bureau arrived to investigate the murder.

Officer Zhou Ming was someone who had been working with the bureau a few years before he was transferred to the Department of City Security. Because of it, he was pretty familiar with the men and the few of them started to exchange a few words.

After the men had written down every detail on the dead body, a few men stepped up with a stretcher to carry the man back to the bureau for further investigation.

Seeing that there were a few more men around the place, Officer Zhou Ming left the area and decided to walk around the place to investigate. Wen Ping's words about what Yu Feng had told him ran through his mind.

According to Wen Ping, Xiao Feng had overheard the plan to blast the area when the Emperor passed by the area. He did not know what had happened at the watchtower and can only hope that the boy's words were nothing but speculation.

His heart was not at ease. After a brief hesitation, Officer Zhou Ming turned around and headed in another direction.

He walked around the quiet residential area alone and search for the drainage system that Wen Ping had mentioned earlier. His steps halted when he heard loud footsteps heading over in his direction.

Officer Zhou Ming hid behind a wall and his hand rested at the hilt of his sword.

The moment he saw the captain leading the troop, Officer Zhou Ming's expression gradually relaxed. He stepped away from his hiding and stopped just in front of that man.

"Captain Lin." Officer Zhou Ming cupped his hand and the captain returned his gesture. "Captain Lin, why are you here?"

"General Li Mu send me here," Captain Lin spoke and explained the General's command to let him lead the troop and help everyone evacuate this place.

Officer Zhou Ming exchanged a few words with the captain to find out the situation in the city square. Although Captain Lin did not know anything about what had happened inside the watchtower, Officer Zhou Ming knew that there was something wrong the moment General Mu Li had sent the soldiers to evacuate everyone who was living in the area.

It was at this moment that there was a loud explosion not far away from him.

The explosion was too big that his body flew into the air and was dragged a few meters away. Captain Lin, who was at his side experienced the same thing.

When he looked up again, there was a blazing fire right in front of him. Everything around him was red and orange. The houses at the sides of the streets were destroyed. The debris flew around everywhere and the fire burnt out everything.

Officer Zhou Ming shook his head to stay sober, but the ringing in his ear made it hard for him to stay focus.

The soldiers in front of him seemed to move in slow motion as they tried to save themselves from the fire.

He had wanted to help, but at this time, Officer Zhou Ming could not move a muscle. He was thrown away from the big impact and his body was sore all over. Breathing became hard for him.

Just as he had thought that he might die consumed by the raging fire, Officer Zhou Ming found that someone had lifted his body away from the scene.

It took him a while to recognize that man as his guard, Wen Ping.

"Master." Wen Ping lowered his head. He waited for Officer Zhou Ming to recover before he explained how Han Jing had chosen to set the place on fire when he noticed that he was being followed. The moment the soldiers walked past the area, the explosive went off, setting the place on fire.

Officer Zhou Ming's expression turned dark when he heard that Han Jing had managed to lit up a flare to the air a few seconds he blew up everything to pieces.

Han Jing was too cunning.

If Officer Zhou Ming's prediction was not wrong, Han Jing had managed to warn his people that the Emperor did not use the route in the western district to return to the palace. Then, before he and the others could find any evidence, Han Jing had destroyed everything in the area into pieces.

"Wen Ping!" Officer Zhou Ming held on his guard's arms tightly. His expression could not hide his panic. "The Emperor is still in danger!"

…

Meanwhile…

The street was quiet as most of everyone had left their house to join the festivity atmosphere in the city square. However, the road was brightly lit by the lantern on both sides of the road.

The Emperor's carriage continued to move forward to the palace hastily. The explosion on the Western District had frightened everyone and they were all concerned for the Emperor's safety.

At the side of the Emperor's carriage, Qin Zhi Hao was on his horse as he scanned around the area warily.

No one knew of the path they took to bring the Emperor back to the palace, however, this was not an excuse for him to lower his guard from their enemy.

There was a faint pop in the sky.

Qin Zhi Hao looked up and saw the disintegrating white smoke in the sky. The hand on his sword tightened. It was only after he was assured that there was no danger around them that he dared to be at ease.

"My lord, I think some kids just lit up the firework to join in the festivity," one of the guards who was closer to the prince spoke.

Qin Zhi Hao did not make any comment but continued to urge the others to move faster.

Suddenly, Qin Zhi Hao detected a movement coming from his right. He pulled out his sword and swung it around. He turned his head and his expression darkened when he saw the broken arrow on the ground.

"Protect the Emperor!" Qin Zhi Hao managed to warn the guards.

Just as the words came out, there were shouts all around them. Suddenly, a group of men in black appeared out of nowhere with their swords in their hands.