Chapter 746: The Betrayer

Sheng Li got down from the carriage and read the letters carved on the large wooden board at the entrance.

"Peng Residence," Sheng Li read and walked in, followed by Zhe Yan. As he reached the main courtyard, he found a middle-aged man on the pavilion, enjoying the dance. One of the men went to the pavilion and informed his master about Sheng Li's presence.

The middle-aged man looked in Sheng Li's direction and after a while, he was called to the pavilion.

Sheng Li ascended the few stairs to reach the pavilion.

"Are you from Changying?" The middle-aged man asked.

Sheng Li noticed the expensive silk clothes that he had worn and the silver wine glass in his hand. It was evident to him that such a huge wealth was accumulated in illegal ways.

"No. I am a traveler from the North. I am Hushu," Sheng Li lied to him, introducing his alias name to him.

"I am Peng Daoshui, a first-rank official in the law department. Why is a traveler bothered by a random man in the wine shop? You appear to be a philanthropist," Peng Daoshui deduced and sipped the wine from the glass. He put it down and the snacks that had been put on the platter.

"If I had been a philanthropist, you would have been rich by now," Sheng Li stated.

"Why are you informal to me?" Peng Daoshui did not like the way Sheng Li spoke to him. He glanced at his man, who went to Sheng Li and told him to get on his knees.

Zhe Yan, who was still outside the pavilion wondered how Sheng Li would handle that situation, without disclosing his true identity. He gradually moved ahead to reach where Sheng Li was standing.

"I won't get on my knees. I was in Luoyang a few days back when I heard the Emperor's decision. No one is allowed to treat women badly in the Empire. I am afraid that being an official you should have acknowledged His Majesty's orders. Yet, you asked your men to fetch the young daughter of your debtor. Is the way you are maintaining the law in the town?" Sheng Li questioned him. He could not tolerate such behavior from an official and was ready to punish him.

Peng Daoshui stood up and walked to Sheng Li. He threw the wine from his glass at Sheng Li's face. But Zhe Yan prevented the Emperor's face by coming in between them.

"Who are you?" Peng Daoshui asked Zhe Yan, who had lowered his head.

"I am a worker at the wine shop where Lord Peng's men created havoc," Zhe Yan answered calmly.

Peng Daoshui threw the silver glass in anger. Sheng Li chuckled upon seeing the way this petty official was acting in front of him. He put his hand on Zhe Yan's shoulder, who tilted his head to glance at him.

"You should not have come in the middle," Sheng Li told him and stepped forward.

"Peng Daoshui," Sheng Li pronounced his name and placed his hand on his shoulder. Sheng Li pressed it tightly, making Peng Daoshui cry in pain. His men came forward to rescue their master when they heard Sheng Li.

"If you don't want to lose your lives, stay where you are!" Sheng Li said with a menacing expression.

Peng Daoshui put his hands on Sheng Li's arm as he tried to get released from his grip, but it was in vain.

"What are you looking at? Attack him." This time Peng Daoshui barked at his men, who marched towards Sheng Li, who swiftly pulled out the dagger and put it on Peng Daoshui's neck. The sharp blade pierced the skin and blood oozed out from it.

"Your beloved master will die if any of you step closer," Sheng Li warned them. The dancers who were standing at one side of the pavilion ran out while screaming in fear.

"Don't come close," Peng Daoshui told his men as he felt the sharp blade on his skin.

Zhe Yan wondered why Sheng Li did that. He was not supposed to reveal his disguise.

"Let's go to my place," Sheng Li told Peng Daoshui, who tilted his head. "Tell your men that words should not spread out; otherwise tomorrow morning your courtyard will be a mourning house. The blade has poison on it and your skin

is already pierced with it. The antidote is with me, so if you want to live, then tell your men to step back," Sheng Li whispered in his ear.

Peng Daoshui told his men to remain quiet. He requested Sheng Li not to do anything to him and asked him for the antidote.

"Follow me," Sheng Li said as he slowly moved the dagger from his neck. Peng Daoshui put his hand on his left neck and walked behind Sheng Li.

Zhe Yan also ran after them. Sheng Li got into the carriage and they left for the resthouse, where Sheng Li was staying.

"I am feeling strange. Can you not give me an antidote now?" Peng Daoshui requested Sheng Li, who shook his head.

"Bear it for a few more minutes," Sheng Li said coldly and gestured to Zhe Yan, who tied a handkerchief around Peng Daoshui's neck. The carriage stopped and they stepped out of it.

Sheng Li grasped Peng Daoshui's arm and threw him into the room. Xiao Zhan and Jian Guozhi were startled to see this. Zhe Yan swiftly closed the door behind him.

Sheng Li put his right foot on Peng Daoshui's neck and pressed it tightly. He begged for mercy, but Sheng Li did not pay heed to it.

"Your Majesty, what happened?" Xiao Zhan queried Sheng Li, who seemed infuriated.

Peng Daoshui was shocked to hear that the person who introduced himself as a traveler was the Emperor.

"How dare you throw the wine towards me? Is this the way an official treats the people in Changying?" Sheng Li inquired and gritted his teeth.

"Fo-Forgive me, Yo-your Majesty," Peng Daoshui managed to say.

Sheng Li moved his foot away from his neck and got on his knee. He slapped Peng Daoshui's cheek and told him to apologize to Zhe Yan.

He quickly sat up and got on his knees. Bowing his head, he apologized for his mistake. Sheng Li stood up and turned to look at Zhe Yan.

"Do you forgive him?" Sheng Li queried Zhe Yan, who nodded his head.

Sheng Li kicked Peng Daoshui, who fell to the floor.

"Calm down, Brother Sheng," Jian Guozhi said humbly and put his hand on Sheng Li's shoulder.

"How could the officials act this way? First Brother, this man was enjoying the dance, troubling the people and it is ridiculous that he's in the Law Department," Sheng Li said in anger.

"I beg your pardon, Your Majesty," Peng Daoshui kept begging him to spare his life.

"Keep your mouth shut," Sheng Li told him and he pressed his lips tightly.

"Tell me about your involvement with Lian Zoumu," Sheng Li's question bewildered everyone in the room.

Peng Daoshui widened them wondering how Sheng Li found out about it. Sheng Li again withdrew the dagger from the sheath and walked to him.

He knelt on his left knee while his left knee rested straight on the wooden floor. The dagger in his hand was now on Peng Daoshui's chin as he lifted it to make him gaze into his eyes.

"Do you think you can fool Sheng Li's eyes?"

"Speak," Jian Guozhi told Peng Daoshui.

"I do not kn-know what His Majesty is saying," Peng Daoshui replied with a stutter.

"Lying from Sheng Li is not a wise choice," Sheng Li asserted while the blade pierced the first layer of his skin. The blood dripped on the blade of the dagger.

"What were his men doing in your residence?" Sheng Li questioned him. "How dare you go against your Emperor?" Sheng Li muttered, keeping a menacing expression on his face.

"Speak the truth. It will be considered treason if you keep your mouth shut. Your entire family will be killed and the death will not be an easy one," Jian Guozhi reminded Peng Daoshui of some of the severe consequences that he had to bear for lying and betraying the Emperor.

"Your Majesty, I did what I was told to do. I beg you to spare my family," Peng Daoshui stated.

"Who told you to employ them and why?" Sheng Li asked as he moved the dagger

away and then stood straight.

"I was given a huge amount of money, jewels, and precious goods to give shelter to Lian Zoumu's men. I could not see the face of the person because it was covered with a piece of black fabric," Peng Daoshui stated.

"He's lying. Take him to the dungeon and beat him until every inch of his body bleeds," Sheng Li said and turned to walk away when Peng Daoshui grasped his foot.

"It's Governor Mingze, Your Majesty," Peng Daoshui finally revealed the truth which was shocking for everyone in the room except Sheng Li. His suspicions were right.

"So, he is the betrayer," Sheng Li murmured and snickered.