"Let's go, it's time to meet this Lord."
The secretary swiftly followed behind, shaking open a fur cloak and draping it over Zhao Douan.
The long cloak dragged on the ground, leaving clear traces on the white snow.
Zhao Douan stepped over the threshold and walked straight inside, clearing all obstacles in his path. Upon entering the courtyard, he finally saw the two confronting parties.
Hou Renmeng and the Jinyi held steel knives, forming a large semicircle, resembling a pack of wolves encircling their prey.
Enclosed within were a few elite guards and the steward, whose teeth were knocked out by a blow from some Jinyi, holding his swollen face and wailing on the ground.
And, Duke An Cao Mao, his face resembling a volcano about to erupt.
Cao kedid stood just a step behind him, without any trace of fear.
"Tsk tsk, how did things turn out ? Hou, what did I tell you? Handle cases with elegance, but if I don't keep an eye on you, you go and mess everything up. What kind of behavior is this!"
Zhao Douan walked over with a tone of displeasure.
The Jinyi Captains, who sealed off Duke Cao and his group like an iron barrel, parted like a tide in coordination, making way.
Zhao Douan, draped in a fox fur cloak, wearing an official hat, and dressed in an official robe, walked leisurely, followed by the round-faced secretary.
He glanced around, frowned, and waved his hand:
"Put away all the knives, what a spectacle! Let's see how I'll discipline you when we get back!"
"Swish, swish, swish—"
All the Jinyi simultaneously sheathed their knives, their actions remarkably synchronized, exuding an indescribable aura.
"Godfather, this is Zhao Douan," Cao kedid softly reminded.
Cao Mao was still dressed in the dignified Duke's Robe he wore during court, with his golden belt shining brilliantly at his waist.
Yet now, this Commander, who held military power, stood trembling slightly in the snow.
Cao Mao stared at Zhao Douan intently and squeezed out the words: "Are you planning to rebel?"
Zhao Douan smiled broadly, calmly meeting the gaze of the Northern Tiger:
"Duke Cao jests, this is the Emperor's domain; we are the Emperor's Guard, how could we be linked to rebellion?"
Cao Mao's chest heaved violently, his eyes deeply locked onto Zhao Douan:
"Wielding weapons, forcefully breaking into the Duke Mansion, Zhao, do you think I dare not kill you?"
As soon as these words fell, without warning, Cao Mao suddenly reached out and unsheathed the Longsword he had grabbed when rushing out from the house.
The sword left the scabbard, and under everyone's gaze, the old Duke raised his hand and hurled it.
From this distance, the Longsword flew like a fierce bolt, whistling towards Zhao Douan's chest.
Zhao Douan squinted his eyes, his right hand darted out like lightning, his thumb and index finger suddenly pinched the tip of the sword.
His right hand was covered in a faint glow, as his fingers rubbed against the sword tip, emitting a "squeeeeak" piercing sound.
The kinetic energy of this sword passed along his arm, shoulder, spine, and lower body... transmitting down to his feet, scattering a circle of snow around his black boots.
With one hand pinching the sword tip, Zhao Douan's smile remained on his face.
He slowly raised the suspended sword horizontally, lowered his head, and admired the nearly reflective snow-bright sword blade, praising:
Zhao Douan lifted his head and casually inserted this Longsword into the bluestone tile beneath his feet, with a soft thud, the stone surface was sliced like tofu, the sword buried one inch into the snow.
The hilt still gently quivered.
He stared at Cao Mao, his smile slowly restrained: "A truly contemptible Duke."
Thank you: Five thousand currency reward from a place called Penglai