For Ji Ning, attending today’s banquet was risky, but it was not without benefits.
At the very least, it would show the Imperial City Camp soldiers that he, Ji Ning, genuinely wanted to unite against the enemy.
“Actually, General, you need not worry too much. With me and Feng Qingyan here, that Sikong Zun cannot play any tricks!”
Lyu Chenglong said.
“Then I leave it to you. Someone, go inform Ling Xiao to come with this commander to Northern Desert Pass for the banquet!”
Ji Ning stood and gave the order.
The moment Ling Xiao received the news, he guessed it was no good banquet. Yet as Ji Ning said, even knowing it was a Hongmen Feast, they still had to go.
Unless Ji Ning was determined to rebel and declare himself king, he could skip it.
But then the emperor could openly attack Northern Desert City.
In that case, Northern Desert City would be caught between two enemies. A mere tens of thousands of soldiers would not suffice for the slaughter.
So he agreed to go, but they had to be cautious everywhere, for no one could guarantee that old dog Sikong Zun would not pull some stunt.
That night, Ji Ning and Ling Xiao headed to Northern Desert Pass under Lyu Chenglong’s lead.
Ling Xiao brought no one, only instructing Ji Mingkong and Leng Mei to lead the Shadow Assassins to wait outside Northern Desert Pass, ready to respond at any time.
He sensed tonight would not be peaceful.
Sikong Zun had prepared the banquet long ago, his attitude quite sincere. He admitted it was his fault for not joining the battle to aid Ji Ning today.
Even on joint operations, Sikong Zun barely argued with Ji Ning. Whatever Ji Ning said, he accepted, as if he had become a different person.
Yet the better his attitude, the more uneasy Ling Xiao felt, the less secure.
He truly could not figure out what might happen in this situation.
The banquet actually ended in such harmonious circumstances.
Ling Xiao breathed a slight sigh of relief.
Ji Ning relaxed too. Many at the table sighed in relief at once, thinking all was well.
“General Sikong, it is late. I must hurry back to Northern Desert City. Who knows when the Black Crow Empire might strike. Better to be cautious.”
Ji Ning rose, cupped his hands, and said.
Though puzzled, since nothing had happened, that was best. No one wanted conflict now.
But at that moment, a furious shout suddenly came from outside Northern Desert Pass.
Ling Xiao recognised it as Li Ruguang and Zhang Yufei’s roars.
Something had happened!
He did not understand why the two had suddenly led troops here, but he knew something was afoot.
Before he could react to what it was, Sikong Zun suddenly let out a wretched scream. His body flew back, mouth full of blood, even his armour shattered.
“Why! Grand General Ji Ning, why do this?”
Sikong Zun looked at Ji Ning in shock, lying weakly on the ground, questioning loudly.
Ji Ning wore a bewildered expression.
He had just heard the commotion outside, then Sikong Zun approached him and suddenly attacked.
Of course, it was covert, for everyone’s attention was drawn to the noise outside, so no one noticed Sikong Zun’s move.
Ji Ning naturally defended himself.
He only countered, impossible to injure Sikong Zun gravely, yet Sikong Zun’s performance was completely unexpected.
Hence his confusion.
“Protect General Sikong! Surround Ji Ning. Do not let him escape!”
Someone shouted, and the Imperial City Camp soldiers grew agitated.
How dare he?
Sikong Zun kindly invited Ji Ning to banquet, to discuss united defence, yet Ji Ning not only showed no gratitude but injured General Sikong.
Worse, he had troops surround Northern Desert Pass.
Even if they respected Ji Ning before, they could not stay calm now.
With instigators fanning the flames, a crowd rushed to surround Ji Ning.
The most awkward were Feng Qingyan and Lyu Chenglong.
To act or not.
Acting would spark slaughter between Northern Desert Army and Imperial City Camp tonight, letting the Black Crow Empire reap the benefits.
Not acting meant watching Sikong Zun gravely wounded. Could they ignore it?
That made no sense.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, an arrow whistled through the air.
It targeted Ji Ning.
Yet Ji Ning refused to fight. He was not as adaptable as Ling Xiao. In this situation, he preferred to explain clearly.
Unfortunately, someone in the crowd clearly wanted him dead. Could explanations work?
The arrow was about to strike, but Ji Ning stood motionless.
He had a clear conscience, so he would not move.
But he never considered that if he died, his grievance would never be cleared.
Crack!
At the critical moment, sword light flashed. Ling Xiao acted.
Ling Xiao was no Ji Ning. His mind was most flexible. He knew words were useless now. The only option was to protect Ji Ning and escape Northern Desert Pass. Clear the grievance later.
If Ji Ning fell, Northern Desert City was truly doomed. The Black Crow Empire would sweep in unopposed.
“Inspector Ling, we respect you as a hero. Stop shielding this villain. He seems upright but is actually despicable and shameless!”
A man stepped from the crowd, an Imperial City Camp commander, Ten Directions Heaven cultivation.
“I believe Grand General Ji Ning would never do this. There must be a misunderstanding. Do not fall for the Black Crow plot. Northern Desert City cannot lose Ji Ning. Without him, the Black Crow army will charge straight in.”
Ling Xiao did not want to fight, so he hoped someone would listen.
“Why waste words on him? He is so close to Ji Ning. Perhaps they colluded all along!”
Jia Yun roared. “Avenge General Sikong! Kill Ji Ning and Ling Xiao!”
“Yes, kill Ji Ning and Ling Xiao!”
“Kill!”
Wan Qiufeng, Ji Changran, and other Divine Phoenix Academy martial artists joined the uproar. The scene grew chaotic.
“Silence!”
The earlier commander bellowed. Once quiet, he said, “Inspector Ling, I can trust your words for now and not act against Ji Ning. But you two must stay at Northern Desert Pass temporarily, go nowhere, until everything is investigated clearly.”
Logically, this was fair.
But Ling Xiao knew framing someone was too easy. If he and Ji Ning stayed today, the crime would be confirmed, perhaps ending in “suicide out of guilt”.
More importantly, he could stay, but Ji Ning could not.
Northern Desert City truly needed Ji Ning to command.
