Chapter 89: Unraveling the Threads

Although there were still some knots in his heart, the resistance had already become much lighter.

"Li Xiaocheng... It's not necessarily his real name, right?" Chu Yang sneered. "A dead loyalist, once exposed and committing suicide on the spot, would never leave his real name as a clue for us to investigate. Investigate all you want, and you'll likely end up with a bunch of powerful enemies! We must be cautious about this."

"Your Excellency is right," Cheng Ziang was startled and said seriously. He couldn't help but feel increasingly admiring of this young Emperor.

Deputy Pavilion Master Chen Yutong also had a thoughtful look on his face.

"What we need to investigate is this person's appearance, martial arts style, and physical characteristics to confirm his identity. Confessions are not reliable! This is the first step," Chu Yang said. "The second step is that although the name 'Li Xiaocheng' is not credible, there is one person who is definitely trustworthy. That is the wandering knight Ping Wuying from Qingquan County. He must be taken down!"

"At the time of investigating this spy, Ping Wuying was certainly investigated! And Ping Wuying must have given a definite answer. This means that Ping Wuying was definitely involved in this scheme, even if he was not the planner, he is definitely an enemy! Ping Wuying and his family cannot be let off!"

"Yes," Chen Yutong said. "I will immediately arrange for people to capture Ping Wuying and interrogate him under severe torture."

"No need; just kill him with one strike. Interrogation will definitely yield no results," Chu Yang said firmly. "In such a conspiracy between two countries, someone like Ping Wuying is not qualified to be involved in the secrets. By the time we catch him, the connection will likely be severed. Don't have such illusions."

"We must try; perhaps we can catch a big fish from it," Cheng Ziang insisted. Such a major mistake could only be compensated by making up for it. And Ping Wuying was the most direct opportunity, so Cheng Ziang would not let it go.

"As you wish," Chu Yang said indifferently. "Also, the Sun family of southern Wan has also provided a family certificate for this person. This means that the Sun family is also a participant in this conspiracy."

Chu Yang's eyes turned cold, slowly scanning the faces of those present, and he said softly, "...the Sun family of southern Wan must be eradicated!"

His gaze made whoever he looked at feel as if they were being stared at by a cold and venomous snake, causing them to shiver uncontrollably. When the words "must be eradicated" came out of Chu Yang's mouth, they were filled with killing intent, making everyone feel a chill down their spines.

"This matter will require your attention, Minister Cheng," Chu Yang nodded to Cheng Ziang politely.

Although his tone was polite, it was an order. This was Chu Yang's first test after his first move. To fully control the Heaven Mending Pavilion, Cheng Ziang's attitude was crucial.

Cheng Ziang's face showed a struggle, his expression changing several times before he slowly lowered his head and said, "Leave it to me!"

Chu Yang smiled in satisfaction and said, "Regarding the line of the spy we found, from today on, it will be completely abandoned and not used again."

"Can we use that line to turn the tables on the enemy and gain something from it?" Chen Yutong pondered and asked.

"No; we cannot guarantee that there are no more spies among the remaining people. But if there are, the news of today's purge will spread, and the enemy will also use that line to turn the tables on us. This is a dead end," Chu Yang's eyes changed. It seemed that Chen Yutong still had some brains, but his vision was a bit short-sighted.

"Yes, Your Excellency is right," Chen Yutong broke out in a cold sweat. He hadn't thought of that.

Chu Yang casually picked up the second file, his gloomy gaze scanning it, and he slowly asked, "Meng Youde, who is it?"

In the third row, a bearded man's face turned ashen.

People around him turned to look at him, their eyes filled with intense suspicion.

Chu Yang's clear gaze fell on the face of the man named "Meng Youde" and he asked calmly, "Meng Youde, do you want to commit suicide now, or wait until I expose you and then commit suicide?"

Meng Youde's beard trembled, and he suddenly stepped forward, shouting fiercely, "Pretty boy, don't think that just because you've flattered the Crown Prince and been elevated by His Highness, you are really an Emperor. I have nothing to reproach myself with in my life! In the dozens of operations of the Heaven Mending Pavilion, the only one who successfully assassinated the target and returned unscathed is me! I have given my all, risking my life for Iron Cloud, and you, a pretty boy, dare to call me a spy?"

As he spoke, everyone immediately remembered. In the first seven assassinations, only Meng Youde's team completed the mission successfully, while the other six teams were completely wiped out. Moreover, Cheng Ziang and Chen Yutong had even held a celebration banquet for Meng Youde, promoting him from team leader to squad leader.

How could he possibly be a spy?

Even Cheng Ziang frowned, looking at Chu Yang. This Meng Youde was a capable hand he wanted to cultivate. If this person was really a spy, he would be utterly humiliated.

Chu Yang looked at him calmly, "In the several assassinations, the four teams in the southeast all failed, but you, Meng Youde, also went to the southeast and succeeded. That area is precisely where the so-called 'Li Xiaocheng' frequently passed messages. It is also the sphere of influence of the Sun family of southern Wan. Not only did you complete the mission, but you also returned safely without any losses. I ask you, why did the others have problems, but you returned alive?"

"The other four teams were not inferior to you in martial arts, had more people, and their targets were weaker than yours. Yet, they all failed, while you returned victorious! Could it be that 'Li Xiaocheng' only knew the plans of those four teams and not yours? Is that possible? If I remember correctly, he and you were both in the second battalion, and these plans were made after your second battalion received the mission. This means that 'Li Xiaocheng' was clearly aware of this plan."

Before confirming the real identity of the person, Chu Yang could only still use the name "Li Xiaocheng."

Chu Yang looked at him coldly, "Is your luck that good?"

Cheng Ziang sighed heavily, his face turning ashen. If viewed from this perspective, Meng Youde was indeed very suspicious.

"Is it not allowed for me to be exceptionally capable?" Meng Youde put on a look of righteous indignation, but a hint of panic flashed in his eyes.

"No!" Chu Yang shook his head slowly and said firmly, "You are a spy!"

"If you say I am a spy, show me the evidence!" Meng Youde shouted.

"Although we are part of the Iron Cloud regime, I am not a criminal investigator," Chu Yang said indifferently. "I only need suspicion to kill, no need for evidence. Take him down!"

As soon as the order was given, two people leaped towards Meng Youde. One of them was Cheng Ziang.

Cheng Ziang was already furious. He hadn't realized that when Chu Yang gave the order and he responded by rushing out in front of so many subordinates, he had already acknowledged himself as Chu Yang's subordinate. This无形中 completely established Chu Yang's status!

Cheng Ziang's face had turned a deep purple, his anger making his skin almost burst!

If Meng Youde was a spy! Then there were spies right under his nose, and not just one. And he had promoted and trusted a spy!

What a bitter irony!