The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 547 - 411, Lord, how about we join forces for the second time? (5k)

"I am justice itself..." When Duke Tang uttered these words, his tone was casual, but to Zhao Douan's ears, they distinctly showed the overbearing authority of an experienced border official and battle-hardened "nobleman."

So aggressive? Not giving any face to Cao Mao, who's also a duke?

Could the two have a grudge? Zhao Douan was stunned.

Of course, he wouldn't be so arrogant as to think that such a noble duke would offend another to please him, all due to a conflict involving his daughter...

So, it could only mean that the two must have had their problems in the past.

"Duke Tang..." Cao Kedi's face changed, but this time he dared not show his anger, his hand, which had been resting on the hilt of his sword, had long since dropped.

Zhao Douan's persona was naturally arrogant and overbearing, he did not care about verbally offending a duke; after all, he followed the "lone official" path.

But Cao Kedi did not have the courage to tear his face off with Duke Tang directly.

"Lord Zhao, haha, you go ahead and inspect the prison first. I'd like to see who dares to disregard the law and obstruct," said Duke Tang calmly, resembling a wealthy elder.

His tone carried a powerful confidence.

Zhao Douan hesitated for a moment, but nodded, picked up the food and drink, and stepped towards the inner part of the prison.

This time Cao Kedi was silent as a rock, no longer obstructing.

...

Zhao Douan was familiar with the Imprisonment, having been a frequent visitor several times.

Upon entry, he was immediately greeted by the jailer, who, smiling obsequiously, led the way.

"My lord, please."

As a serious offender, Lang Shiba was kept in solitary confinement deep within the prison. When Zhao Douan passed through the dim corridor and arrived at the entrance of a secluded cell,

He saw, by the pale light filtering through the ventilation hole of the cell, a shabby figure, sitting cross-legged on the cold ground, silently staring at the wall in a daze.

Only upon hearing the footsteps did Lang Shiba come back to his senses, awkwardly twisting his head. Underneath the messy black hair was a worn, expressionless face.

Upon recognizing the visitor, a glimmer of light appeared in his pupils, utterly surprised: "Mr. Zhao?"

"Open the cell; I want to speak with him alone," said Zhao Douan calmly.

The jailer responded immediately, not daring to refuse, quickly unlocking the cell, then bowing out.

Even if such an action already violated the regulations, he didn't care at all.

After the jailer left, Zhao Douan carrying a jug and a paper-wrapped package, entered the cell and surveyed the area. Finding no bed, he simply sat down on the ground.

The prison cell was very cold in the depths of winter, especially without light, the cold seeped dampness.

Fortunately, the physique from the Divine Chapter Realm was enough to withstand such bone-chilling cold.

"Ji Yue came to the government office to find me, she told me you were taken away."

Zhao Douan set down the jug and cracked open the clay seal. The mist from his breath turned into a wisp of white vapor:

"This godforsaken place really isn't fit for humans, it's too cold. Care to warm yourself a bit?"

The drinking Lang Shiba's eyes brightened, and without politeness, he grabbed the jug with his hands, shackled by special anti-magic chains, tilted it back, and took a large gulp. Only then did a pleasant grunt roll out of his throat:

"Good wine."

Zhao Douan unwrapped the paper package and said:

"I made inquiries and learned that you were imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice's prison, so I came to see you and find out what happened."

Lang Shiba, looking a decade older than his actual age due to his weathered appearance, sat with the jug in his lap, seemingly calm.

He grabbed a piece of half-cold meat and stuffed it into his mouth, chewing vigorously as if he laughed:

"I did some things in the past, now they've come to light. I never expected that you would come, and even bring wine and meat, I am deeply grateful."

He was very calm, brushing over what he had done, with no intention of providing a detailed explanation.

Nor was he in a state of desperation, trying to grab at straws and plead for rescue; appearing quite undignified.

He didn't even show the slightest hint of asking for help, as if he had known for many years that this day would come.

Or perhaps he had resigned himself, thinking that begging was futile.

But Zhao Douan felt strangely that, perhaps, the core reason was that the swordsman before him had long been resigned to death.

Zhao Douan was silent, watching Lang Shiba eat with one hand and occasionally sip his wine with the other.

After a while, he suddenly said:

"I heard it was Duke An, Cao Mao, who arrested you, charging you with the murder of many comrades in the military years ago. Do you have anything to say in your defense?"

Lang Shiba's hand, once again reaching for the meat, suddenly paused, and then resumed its natural movement:

"What he said is correct."

Zhao Douan frowned and said:

"If that's the case, with the crimes you've committed, there's no hope of escaping doom, only the certainty of an immediate execution."

Lang Shiba remained unruffled, even managing a smile:

"With this parting drink sent by you, my lord, I'd have no regrets in death."

Zhao Douan pursed his lips and said:

"I heard Duke Cao has been searching for you for many years, and this time, despite angering His Majesty, he is determined to kill you because when you caused chaos in the military, Duke Cao's son arrested you, and not only did you resist, you even killed him. The Duke, tasked with garrison duty, thus suffered the agony of losing his son..."

"Bang!" Lang Shiba's smile abruptly vanished, and he slammed the jug onto the ground.

At this moment, the air around this Northern swordsman seemed to grow heavier, veins on his neck bulged, his eyes reddened, and two streams of alcohol-laden breath jetted out: "He deserved to die!!"

Such a vehement reaction was unexpected.

"Why?" Zhao Douan stared at him, "The duke's son was enforcing the law impartially, what fault was there in that?"

At that moment, Lang Shiba appeared to recall a buried segment of his past, and spat out his words with emotional scorn:

"Impartially enforcing the law? Arresting me? Bullshit! I marched into his military tent and chopped off his dog head! It was that old dog Cao Mao who sent his troops to kill me, and now he's painted as pure as snow!"

Zhao Douan's heart stirred and he said: