Chapter 193 - 191: Prince’s Doom
Hengyang Prefecture, the most renowned place in the North for the production of treasure silk.
Even across the entire Da Han Dynasty, it has the reputation of being the home of top-quality fabrics.
As a result, merchants from various regions come here throughout the year to buy and stock up on fabrics.
In previous years, it was only close to the end of the year that these merchants would reduce in number.
However, this December, there are more merchant caravans than ever before.
"It’s truly strange, nearing the year’s end, why are there so many caravans coming to buy fabric...
"Who knows..."
Some local merchants looked at the incoming foreign caravans, puzzled.
These caravans conducted their affairs discreetly, seeking inns and places to stay in upon entering the city.
Besides, some Jianghu Guests entered the city in groups, and upon reaching Hengyang County City, they instinctively glanced at the Prince’s Mansion on the higher level, their eyes inexplicably shadowed with gloom.
It was as though an invisible net was slowly enveloping the entire Hengyang County City.
Until before nightfall, a man entered the city discreetly, looking at the Prince’s Mansion and slowly removed his mask, it was Xiao Yanli who had arrived.
His appearance in Hengyang County City marked the action of his many years of planning.
Success or failure hinges on this moment.
"The experts sent by Nanyang have arrived!" A subordinate approached Xiao Yanli and whispered.
"Hmm." Xiao Yanli nodded.
The subordinate hesitated for a moment, but still said: "Young master, do you really want to cooperate with Gu Wenhui? He is also a ruthless character, I’m afraid after so much effort, we might make wedding gowns for others..."
"Gu Wenhui is calculating in every way, this cooperation surely contains his own schemes, but it doesn’t matter; currently, our enemy and target are the same, as long as we can overthrow Chu Jing and avenge this ocean of blood.
Matters after that can be discussed later..." Xiao Yanli said expressionlessly, slowly.
"This..." The subordinate listened, still had concerns in his heart, but dared not ask further.
"By the way, has Song Changming arrived?" Xiao Yanli suddenly remembered and asked.
"No." The subordinate shook his head.
"Forget it." Xiao Yanli murmured.
Song Changming is an expert ranked on the Earth List, therefore worthy of his special inquiry.
Unfortunately, the letters sent to Song Changming have not received any response.
Not having Song Changming join this operation is somewhat regrettable, but even without Song Changming’s top-notch power, this operation is imperative!
The Second Prince must die tonight!
No one can save him!
As the sky darkened, in the cold of winter, night fell early.
On the icy streets, the pedestrians quickly vanished.
The biting wind, some shadows silently swept across, shuttling through narrow, hidden alleys.
Even passing Fire Patrolmen paid no attention to the masters swiftly passing by their sides.
In courtyards scattered across different parts of the city, many caravan personnel already donned armor and helmets, wielding blades, carrying crossbows, fully armed, quietly waiting.
A corner tea shop on the street.
Only one person remained, sipping hot tea, the streaks of warmth driving away the chill of the night.
"Guest, it’s getting late, we’re closing." The shop owner approached and said.
"Alright." Xiao Yanli nodded, placed a few Copper Coins down, picked up his straw hat and sword, and left the tea shop.
He glanced at the bright moon hanging in the sky, calculating the time was almost right.
He stepped forward, heading towards the most prominent Prince’s Mansion in the County City.
With a wave of his hand, a Black Crow landed on his palm.
"Let it all begin." Xiao Yanli murmured.
The Black Crow flapped its wings, swiftly flying across various parts of the city.
Inside the Prince’s Mansion at this time, the atmosphere was oppressive.
"Damn it! Damn it!" The Second Prince, Chu Jing, thundered in anger, overthrowing the cups and drinks from the table.
"With the year-end approaching, even the Imperial Court’s army has withdrawn, yet Gu Wenhui still advances, pressing on entirely, is he wanting a decisive battle with me!"
"Great King, as things stand, all the major generals have already led their troops to battle, please be sure to provide them with warm clothing, otherwise the soldiers will suffer frostbite and die, severely harming morale!" An old courtier advised.
"But the national treasury has been in deficit for years, this warm clothing cannot simply appear out of thin air..." Another person shook his head.
"Then take it from the populace, borrow it, the fate of the nation is at stake in the battle, do I have to say such trifles!" Chu Jing impatiently flicked his sleeve and reprimanded.
Several officials heard this, opened their mouths, but swallowed their words back.
In fact, because of such matters happening repeatedly, it led to great discontent among the populace in his territory.
The Second Prince had long lost the favor of the people...
This is not a trivial matter, but for now, it seems there is no other way. If not done, when truly defeated, the outcome would be even more dire.
At that time, the concern would not be whether the people were discontented, but a more severe situation.
Just when the Second Prince was in a rage, suddenly a burly man entered through the side door, walking with vigorous strides.
"Great King, suspicious people appeared outside the Prince’s Mansion, not weak in power, an Extreme Realm Martial Artist."
The Second Prince heard, frowned, instinctively became vigilant.
"Capture and interrogate clearly, also, assign more people to guard the mansion!"
The assassination attempts over the years, he had no idea how many there were.
Mostly sent by other forces entrenched in regions, of course, there were also impromptu public assassinations.
But all ended in failure.
Even though his troops were dispatched, the security around him remained paramount, without any mishaps or mistakes.
Any suspicious individuals near the Palace would be immediately identified and directly captured for questioning.
"Yes." Without any extra dialogue, the burly man turned and left.
Dong!
Not long after, just as the Second Prince was about to speak, a bell rang through the Prince’s Mansion, startling everyone.
The bell of the Prince’s Mansion once sounded, it must be encountering a major crisis.
The next moment, more than ten Imperial Guards surged in, initially safeguarding the Second Prince’s safety, including the burly man who had just left.
His name was Duan Fangshuo, the Second Prince’s top guard.
With power long entered the Qi Refining Realm, protecting the Second Prince for over a decade, repeatedly aiding the Second Prince to escape danger.
He is considered the Second Prince’s most trusted guard.
"Great King, please retreat to the Guard Palace for a while." Duan Fangshuo said in a deep voice.
Chu Jing nodded, not questioning the situation, and hurriedly led the group away.
The Guard Palace was specifically built as a place for the Second Prince’s refuge, only when the situation was severe would he retreat there.
Just after leaving the main hall, he turned, then saw the sky, densely packed with fire arrows shot over the Prince’s Mansion’s high walls, lighting up the night.
The fire arrows landed, the fire quickly spread.
The Prince’s Mansion was on fire.
Sounds of killing followed, making the civil servants accompanying panic.
"Who dares, such audacity, attacking the Prince’s Mansion at night!" Chu Jing became furious.
Duan Fangshuo said nothing, leading Chu Jing and others into the Guard Palace.
Then layers of guards protected them, even the rooftops were full of guards wielding crossbows.
Duan Fangshuo stood vigilantly in front of the Guard Palace gate, exuding a cold, fierce aura, quietly waiting, sensing every movement around.
This night, no matter who it is, they need to get past his corpse to kill Chu Jing!
"Kill!"
Meanwhile, on the tiered steps outside the Prince’s Mansion, two groups of armored warriors fought against each other.
One group was the elite troops of the Prince’s Mansion, the other was the night assault team.
"Get out of the way!" A wild and burly man, almost bare-chested, held a thick iron, pushing forward, none of the ordinary troops could block him.
He didn’t head to the Prince’s Mansion gate, facing the high walls of the Prince’s Mansion, directly swung the thick iron in his hand down.
A muffled sound was heard, a large pit was smashed into the high wall!
He rushed in head first, the other Martial Artists exchanged glances, and then all rushed into the Prince’s Mansion.
"Where is Chu Jing! I want to personally kill him!"
"Chu Jing, get out here!"
The rolling roar almost covered the entire place of the Prince’s Mansion.