Chapter 221: The True Culprit

After Ye Rong was designated as Crown Prince, his influence over the Dragon Tooth Guard had surged dramatically. Many members who had previously leaned toward him were now given important positions.

Take Tian Shao, for example. He had risen from a Battalion Commander through a series of promotions and now held the position of full Commander overseeing an entire Major Corps.

Meanwhile, Xin Wudao and Lü Wuji, who had been closer to Ye Dai, saw no change in their ranks but had become noticeably low-key in recent days. The spotlight had been stolen by newly elevated Commanders like Tian Shao.

Even Grand Steward Shangguan Yi was compelled to acknowledge the shifting balance of power, subtly tilting the Dragon Tooth Guard's arrangements in favor of Tian Shao and his allies.

"Young Master Chen, here are thirty flight tokens. Once your Golden-Winged Sword Birds are fitted with these tokens, they'll be able to fly freely over the Royal Capital. Every area is unrestricted except for the palace grounds, which remain forbidden."

Tian Shao handed a stack of flight tokens to Jiang Chen.

"Lao Tian, you've worked hard this time."

Tian Shao waved his hand dismissively. "Young Master Chen, over the past few days, we've conducted a thorough investigation into every underground faction, gang, and organization in the Royal Capital. We can basically confirm that this incident has nothing to do with the city's underground forces."

Every nation had its share of underground factions — gangs, petty thugs, secret societies of one stripe or another.

Their existence, to a certain degree, served a purpose.

However, these forces were clever enough to avoid confronting official organizations. Picking a fight with a powerhouse like the Dragon Tooth Guard was simply out of the question.

"We can essentially rule out the Royal Capital's underground factions," Tian Shao analyzed. "In truth, these groups would never dare provoke you, Young Master Chen. Their intelligence networks are remarkably well-informed. They know exactly what price comes with crossing you."

Jiang Chen nodded faintly, his expression carrying a depth that was difficult to read.

"Young Master Chen, the Royal Capital is under full lockdown now. There's no way our target can slip out. The Dragon Tooth Guard has already launched a comprehensive search. I believe it won't be long before we have news."

Seeing the dark look on Jiang Chen's face, Tian Shao could only offer reassurance.

He had done everything in his power on this matter. But the whole affair was steeped in strangeness, and Tian Shao simply couldn't untangle all the threads at once.

Moreover, he was only a Commander of a single Major Corps. The Dragon Tooth Guard had a full ten Major Corps in total. He wasn't at the Grand Steward level, and there were limits to what he could oversee.

For instance, during the Dragon Tooth Guard's sweep, if the guards from other corps let their vigilance slip even slightly, gaps would inevitably appear.

At the end of the day, the Dragon Tooth Guard didn't answer to Tian Shao alone. He could command his own troops, but he couldn't interfere with the others.

Whether other units operated strictly or laxly was largely beyond his reach.

"Lao Tian, the lockdown shouldn't last too long. One day at most. After that, resume your normal searches and lift the curfew."

"Don't worry, Young Master Chen. His Highness the Crown Prince can handle the pressure." Tian Shao assumed Jiang Chen was concerned about Ye Rong buckling under the strain.

"Do as I say. One day!"

"Young Master Chen, you..."

Jiang Chen raised his hand to cut him off. "Lao Tian, if this matter involves someone within the Dragon Tooth Guard itself, I will not simply laugh it off like last time. Anyone who moves against me, Jiang Chen — I don't care if they have the Emperor of Heaven backing them — I will make them pay in blood!"

A frigid killing intent blazed from Jiang Chen's eyes, and even Tian Shao felt a chill run down his spine.

Jiang Chen rarely lost his temper, but that didn't mean he lacked fire. In truth, Tian Shao understood very well that once Jiang Chen truly flew into a rage, very few people in the entire Royal Capital could withstand the consequences.

Ye Dai had been arrogant enough, hadn't he? Powerful enough?

And what happened? He had died without even understanding how, with barely a blade drawn.

Of course, there were plenty of people in the Royal Capital whose influence exceeded Ye Dai's. If someone really was pulling strings from the shadows this time — if someone within the Dragon Tooth Guard was betraying them from within — it wasn't impossible.

But if such a thing had been done without leaving a shred of evidence, it would be extremely difficult to point the finger at anyone.

Although Prince Ye Rong had been named Crown Prince, the Crown Prince was still just the Crown Prince. His influence wasn't yet sufficient to sway the highest echelons of the Dragon Tooth Guard.

The Dragon Tooth Guard ultimately answered to only one person — the reigning King. Not the next King.

Still, now that the matter had been laid out, Tian Shao couldn't simply turn a blind eye.

"Young Master Chen, rest assured. If there is solid evidence, the Dragon Tooth Guard will never shield a traitor who betrays its own."

……

A secret location within the Royal Capital.

A figure dressed in black idly toyed with the wine cup in his hand.

"Xue San, you certainly know how to keep your composure. The entire Royal Capital is under lockdown, with a citywide manhunt underway. Doesn't that worry you in the slightest?"