NOVEL NEXT Chapter 89: I Have the Upper Hand, What's There to Fear
```
"Sir, you were looking for me?" Tian Xiaohu, brought in by Chang Sui, said respectfully with clasped fists.
Shen Qing responded coldly, "Find a reliable person to keep an eye on Dong Jing. Inform me immediately of any suspicious movement."
Tian Xiaohu didn't ask further and agreed directly, "Alright."
"Remember to be discreet in your actions."
"Understood."
Tian Xiaohu cupped his hands and retreated.
Inside a house somewhere in the Inner City.
Dong Jing, who had just left the Guardian Martial Department Office, wore a heavy expression.
'I didn't expect Shen to be so vigilant. He discovered some clues and started to distrust me. It seems I can't wait for him to deal with Sun Ding and then make a move.'
'I must act in advance!'
'The corpses of Guan Yunjian's two people were handled by me that day. They're still buried in a mass grave outside the city. Killing his own subordinates, added to some recent rumors, these two things combined should be enough to ruin his reputation, leaving him utterly without authority in the Guardian Martial Department.'
'If so, I'll wait a while to see what expression he'll have when his past is uncovered.'
'Hmph, having leverage over him, yet he still dares to shout at me. Truly a fool. No matter how formidable he claims to be, it amounts to nothing.'
Dong Jing sneered inwardly, gradually coming to a decision.
However, before that, he must bring in the leader of the Huang Tian Sect rebels to bolster his prestige and ensure the plan goes smoothly.
He quickly found a servant of the Dong Family and said, "Go find the leader of the Iron Blood Alliance and tell him that the banquet is ready."
The servant nodded in agreement and hurried out, running toward the Iron Blood Alliance.
Just as this servant exited through the gate, in a certain dark corner, Tian Xiaohu, along with Liu Youdao and Liu Youde, witnessed everything.
"You two brothers follow him and see where he's heading. Report back to me immediately if there's any news."
"Alright, we understand."
Liu Youdao and Liu Youde quietly pursued him.
Tian Xiaohu glanced around, adjusted the dagger on his waist, and hurried back to the Guardian Martial Department, appearing calm yet tense.
Upon returning to the Guardian Martial Department, he went straight to the back hall without a moment's delay.
"Sir, there's movement from Dong Jing. He sent a household servant immediately after returning, sneakily up to something."
"Alright, I understand."
At this stage, from all the signs, there was no reason to hesitate.
Shen Qing didn't delay. He continued to order, "Gather Sun Chasi from Group Two, Dong Chasi from Group One, and several of their officers. Tell them we've discovered the traitor's whereabouts and to come with me out of the city to capture them."
"Do we need to call Dong Chasi?"
Tian Xiaohu questioned.
Wouldn't bringing Dong Jing along alert the enemy?
"Why not?" Shen Qing countered, "Isn't he an official of the Guardian Martial Department? Isn't capturing traitors part of his duty?"
Stunned, Tian Xiaohu had no response.
"Go inform them. I know what I'm doing," Shen Qing said confidently.
Immediately, Tian Xiaohu said no more and quickly went to notify the others.
Watching Tian Xiaohu leave, Shen Qing curled the corners of his mouth into a slight smile and said, "If he doesn't go, I can't get rid of him in the city."
When Tian Xiaohu found Sun Ding, he was holding a portrait of the "Yellow Heaven Sect traitor" and was searching for the culprit with his subordinates, completely at a loss.
Upon hearing about the mission to capture the traitor, Sun Ding was taken aback.
"The Vice Director only said to capture the traitor. You're to gather quickly, Sun Chasi. Don't miss the Shi Chen."
After delivering the message, Tian Xiaohu hurriedly rushed to the next location.
Sun Ding, his expression fluctuating, was uncertain about how things would develop.
He pondered for a moment before rolling up the portrait of the traitor and hurrying back to the Guardian Martial Department to assemble.
Similarly notified, Dong Jing was equally perplexed but, like Sun Ding, returned to the Guardian Martial Department one after another.
In the backyard of the Guardian Martial Department.
Shen Qing donned an off-white outfit, equipped with a treasure saber and an arrow quiver, and carried a longbow. His gaze swept across the faces of the assembled individuals. "Everyone's here. Let's set off. Chen Guang, lead the way."
Chen Guang, chosen by Shen Qing, couldn't help his eyelids from twitching. His heart pounded like a drum constantly echoing in his ears.
But knowing that after he secretly allied himself, there was no turning back.
He swallowed to moisten his dry throat and responded solemnly, "Yes!"
Without offering explanations to Sun Ding and the others, Shen Qing took the lead, following closely behind Chen Guang out of the Guardian Martial Department's main gate.
At this point, Tian Xiaohu approached Shen Qing and whispered, "The news just came in. The servant went to find the Iron Blood Alliance. Now, their leader is also preparing to leave the city."
Iron Blood Alliance?
Shen Qing had some knowledge about this gang. They mainly ran gambling businesses and had aligned with the Dong Family.
It seemed that after being temporarily deceived, Dong Jing was ready to act.
Time was of the essence.
Shen Qing called out ahead, "Quickly, pick up the pace."
Hearing the call, Chen Guang hurriedly started a brisk jog, a sense of urgency rising within him.
Having been entangled in this matter, any misstep before these prominent figures in the city could lead to his utter downfall.
With a vigorous push off the ground, his body gracefully leaped forward.
Reaching the city gate, he didn't pause, swiftly passing through the familiar archway and charging outside the city.
It was early summer, with a clear sky and lush greenery outside the city.
Chen Guang took a deep breath, his Qi-Blood surging as he performed the Qinggong he wasn't quite adept at.
His body curved slightly, his feet lightly tapping the ground, like an arrow released from its string, shooting forward instantly. Within moments, only fleeting shadows and receding scenery were left behind.
Shen Qing and the others, not to be outdone, applied their skills, closely following Chen Guang.
On the forest path, shadows swiftly passed by. The leaves swayed with the gusts from their rapid movement. Birds perching on treetops were startled by the sudden commotion, fluttering upwards, their calls echoing one after another.
Among the crowd, Dong Jing, seeing the increasingly familiar route, suddenly harbored a bad premonition.
'No way, I must be overthinking.'
Dong Jing blended in amidst the group, quietly falling to the rear.
After nearly a pot of tea's worth of time, Chen Guang pointed ahead to the courtyard and shouted, "There it is."
"Okay, follow me quickly and ensure no bandits escape."
Shen Qing commanded, leading the charge at the forefront.
The others dared not delay and followed closely.
Shen Qing made a series of dashes, his toes tapping lightly. Then, like a sparrow, he spread his arms and landed steadily in front of the manor's gate.
Closely after him, Sun Ding and the others arrived one after another.
Shen Qing turned his head and gestured to Ji Youwu, who immediately understood and stepped forward, kicking directly at the gate.
"Bang!"
A loud crash.
The gate shattered under Ji Youwu's kick, as fragile as paper, splintering into pieces, with dust rising.
"Guardian Martial Department at work, bystanders keep away!" Ji Youwu shouted.
```