Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play
Chapter 129: On the Verge

Chapter 129: Chapter 129: On the Verge

Lin Xiao clenched his fists tightly. "Brother, if you have official business, please make it clear. Don’t be so cryptic. There are so many Kyoto Guards here at the horse farm. Who would lie? Or you could question them one by one."

Zhang Boxin was of the same mind. At the very least, they needed to know Lin Cheng’s purpose for coming. "Lin Xiao is right. At home, you are his elder brother, but outside, you are with the Forbidden Army, and we are with the Kyoto Guard. We each stay in our own lane. This is the Capital Suburb Horse Farm, not the Forbidden Army Training Ground. If you have official business, Commander Lin, make it clear so that we can cooperate."

The young marquis had left the Capital for several days, his fate uncertain, and ordered them to keep their movements concealed. If anything went wrong, he would resolve it. Zhang Boxin and Lin Xiao felt unsure, but having followed Xie Xun for this time, they understood one principle: military orders are absolute.

"Alright then, since all the deputy officers are present, it saves me the trouble. The Forbidden Army received intelligence that Beiman operatives infiltrated the Capital and have been hidden at the Capital Suburb Horse Farm by the young marquis. I’m here under orders to search!" Lin Cheng didn’t hold back. Although there was no solid evidence, his intuition told him that those people must have been hidden by Xie Xun.

The Forbidden Army could hardly be outmaneuvered. Other than Xie Xun, who else could hide people so silently?

Other than Marquis Zhenbei Mansion, who could possibly be hiding Beiman operatives?

As Lin Cheng finished speaking, Lin Xiao, Zhang Boxin, and Zhou Liyu all found it absurd. Zhang Boxin remarked, "Not even a foreign hawk can penetrate the Ningzhou Defense Line, so how could Beiman operatives end up in the Capital?"

"Exactly, the Ningzhou Defense Line was established by the Eldest Young Master. Why would Beiman operatives infiltrate the Capital? We’re curious as well." Lin Cheng’s expression darkened. "The Forbidden Army received confidential intelligence and must search the premises. Step aside!"

"Who dares!" Feiying shouted sharply, blocking the way. "This is the private horse farm of the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion. The Forbidden Army has no authority to search."

"The entire Imperial City falls under the jurisdiction of the Forbidden Army. Beiman, being Yanyang’s longstanding enemy, must be eradicated wherever they may be—whether at the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion’s horse farm or the Imperial Palace Inner Court. If you insist on blocking the way, you are clearly feeling guilty. This has nothing to do with the Kyoto Guard. I advise you to leave immediately." Lin Cheng gripped his spring-embroidered blade, ready for action. "Anyone who obstructs us defies the royal command!"

The Forbidden Army drew their blades in unison. The snowy light gleamed across the hill—daggers drawn in a tense standoff.

Feiying gestured sharply, and the iron cavalry near the horse farm raised their lances in defiance. Feiying, despite being just a close guard, was also registered as a general in the army. He stood firmly before the Forbidden Army, refusing to yield.

"Commander Lin, if you want to step into the horse farm, you’ll have to trample over my dead body first!"

Xie Xun had given his orders, and Feiying would never let Lin Cheng search the horse farm with the Forbidden Army. Lin Xiao and Zhang Boxin, caught between the iron cavalry and the Forbidden Army, were drenched in nervous sweat. If the young marquis didn’t return in time, there would surely be rivers of blood at the horse farm.

"Brother, calm down!" Lin Xiao yelled. "We come to the horse farm every day to ride. We’ve never seen any Beiman operatives. The intelligence may not be accurate. Why resort to such drastic measures?"

Lin Cheng’s eyes glinted with menace. After being disciplined by the Crown Prince, he needed a significant achievement to restore trust. Zhang Bolan’s ambition was threatening to overshadow him at any moment. He urgently required some credit to regain the Crown Prince’s favor. With the young marquis absent, if he could find Beiman operatives during this search, he could overturn his plight.

But of course... someone was always ready to oppose him.

Lin Cheng’s thumb pressed on the spring-embroidered blade, its cold gleam flashing. Lin Xiao could read Lin Cheng’s grim face all too well. Overwhelmed by anger and frustration, he tried to persuade Feiying, "Feiying, if necessary, just let my brother search alone as a formality. He can then report back."

"The master specifically ordered that, aside from household guards and the Kyoto Guard, no one is allowed to take a single step into the horse farm," Feiying firmly rejected. He pointed his longsword at Lin Cheng, his tone provocative. "Commander Lin, there are one thousand five hundred iron cavalry guarding this horse farm. If you want to break in, you’d better bring three thousand men—and a royal decree!"

"You!" Lin Cheng roared in fury, drawing his spring-embroidered blade. The moment was on the brink of chaos.

Lin Xiao shouted in panic, "Brother, I beg you to reconsider!"

Lin Cheng had always detested dealing with Marquis Zhenbei Mansion. From top to bottom, they all had the same stubborn streak. Even a minor close guard dared to wave authority in his face and block his path.

A murderous intent simmered beneath the surface. The firmer Feiying’s stance was, the more Lin Cheng suspected foul play. If there were no secret to hide, why would they be so defensive? If someone had indeed hidden Beiman operatives here, what were they afraid of?

"Commander Lin, surely you don’t intend to unleash slaughter at the horse farm? Feiying’s point stands. There are one thousand five hundred iron cavalry here—it’s anyone’s guess who would suffer more in a fight. If things escalate, you lack a royal decree and plan to force your way in—how will that hold up before the throne?" Zhang Boxin said with calm indifference.

The Marquis Zhenbei Mansion’s horse farm was truly a place no one dared to force their way into.

Lin Xiao stood awkwardly in the middle, torn between disappointment and helplessness. Doubts stirred in his heart as well. The young marquis was nowhere to be found, Feiying’s attitude was unwavering—could the horse farm truly be harboring Beiman operatives? Were they all just being used as distractions?

"Quite a scene here—what’s all the commotion about?"

Just when the situation seemed moments away from breaking into chaos, a lazy voice came from behind. The Forbidden Army hurriedly made way, retreating to the sides like tides parting. Xie Xun rode upon Zhuifeng, steadily pacing through the Forbidden Army. On his white horse, clad in black robes, his expression was frosty. Nuanyang followed closely behind, drenched in sweat, riding a black steed.

"Master!" Feiying exclaimed in delight. Behind him, the iron cavalry raised their lances in unison and knelt before Xie Xun. Their voices resonated through the forest, "Greetings to the young marquis!"

Lin Xiao, Zhang Boxin, Zhou Liyu, and the others all felt a rush of relief. None of them wanted a violent conflict. They all hoped for a peaceful resolution.

The Forbidden Army fell silent instantly. Lin Cheng frowned, sheathing his spring-embroidered blade. His previously arrogant expression shifted to one of ingratiating cordiality, "Young Marquis, it’s been days since we last met. You seem thinner."

Xie Xun flicked a hand, signaling the iron cavalry to rise as one in perfect unison. He rode past the Forbidden Army, dismounted gracefully, and said, "Commander Lin bringing the Forbidden Army to stand guard outside my family’s horse farm—is there something urgent you wish to discuss?"

Feiying had already sheathed his blade. "Reporting to the master: Commander Lin received intelligence that the mansion is hiding Beiman operatives at the horse farm. He insisted on searching the premises under orders."

"Feiying, this was your mistake. If the Forbidden Army comes under orders to investigate, why did you block them?" Xie Xun’s tone was nonchalant, yet there wasn’t a hint of humor in his eyes.

"It was an error in judgment on my part."

Lin Cheng’s now-diminished anger subsided. He acknowledged Xie Xun’s tactfulness; had things escalated further, he would’ve struggled to explain himself at the throne. Xie Xun turned with a smile, saying lightly, "Commander Lin, my subordinate was negligent. You are magnanimous; don’t take it to heart."

"You exaggerate, Young Marquis. It is only under royal orders that I must proceed, and I apologize for any offense caused." Lin Cheng wisely took the opportunity to step back, and his Forbidden Army withdrew their blades collectively.

"Beiman operatives and my Northern Iron Cavalry are bitter enemies. They must be eradicated without mercy; I would never hide them at my horse farm." Xie Xun spoke with an easygoing tone tinged with humor and charm. "Since there was an informant and you are here under royal orders, I naturally won’t block your investigation. However, if you search and find nothing, then what should happen?"

His final words, seemingly casual, carried an unmistakable edge of cold menace.

Lin Cheng froze, narrowing his eyes. "Young Marquis, what are you implying?"

"Make way!" Xie Xun shouted to the iron cavalry, who promptly opened a path. He gestured invitingly, exuding elegance. "Commander Lin, you are acting under orders, and we won’t stand in your way—go ahead, search."