Chapter 157: Regicide
Midnight had passed, but the clamor in the Zhao Wang Manor had not subsided.
Servants continuously loaded boxes filled with gold, silver, and valuables into the horse carriages.
“Greetings, Little Prince.”
“We pay our respects to the Little Prince.”
Amidst the endless stream of greetings, Yang Kang passed through corridors and buildings, arriving at a study built by the lake.
“Senior Ouyang, have you rested?”
“Little Prince, please come in.”
In the eyes of outsiders, Yang Kang was still the noble Wanyan Kang. But to Ouyang Feng, he was merely a young man seeking his favor, possessing ambition and talent.
Yang Kang did not find Ouyang Feng’s attitude towards him inappropriate.
The martial arts of the Jianghu were the power of the imperial court.
He tidied his collar slightly and pushed open the door to enter.
As light spread into Yang Kang’s vision, Ouyang Feng retracted his “Toad Stance.”
Yang Kang got straight to the point, “There is something I need Senior Ouyang’s help with.”
“Speak freely.”
“Is this something only you can do?”
“Let me hear it.”
Yang Kang stepped forward.
A sharp wind swept across the lake, swirling under the eaves of the study, like a murmur, like a sigh.
Yang Kang’s voice was barely audible in the wind.
When the wind stopped, Ouyang Feng inside let out a laugh like the friction of broken cymbals.
“The world changes color at the mere mention of Western Venom’s name, yet you, Little Prince, are so young and yet no less formidable.”
“Senior Ouyang flatters me.”
“Haha, I appreciate it. I will teach you the ‘Instant Thousand Li’ agility technique, so you can save your life when in danger.”
Yang Kang was overjoyed, an unexpected gain.
…
Day and night alternated, the wind swept across the sky.
Zhou Yan walked through the streets and entered the Fu’an Escort Agency.
He did not go to the martial field but directly to the meeting hall.
“Brother Zhou, have some tea.”
“Thank you, Old Brother.”
He thanked him and sat on a chair with his teacup.
“How was your visit to the Prince’s Manor last night?” Zhang Wangyue asked.
“Wanyan Honglie is leaving the capital today. If Taoist Qiu and the others make a move, it will likely be within the city.”
“It’s difficult to deploy troops on the streets, making assassination easy. Without skilled guards, it could happen in mere moments,” Zhang Wangyue said.
“Precisely.”
“What about Ouyang Feng?”
“I’m not sure if he’s accompanying Wanyan Honglie. I’ll go to the Prince’s Manor and follow them to see what happens.”
“I’ll go with you, Brother,” Zhang Wangyue said.
“Alright.”
“Brother Huyan is staying to guard the escort agency.”
Huyan Lei understood the priorities. The Chief Escort and Brother Zhou were skilled in all eighteen martial arts, unlike himself who only excelled in spear techniques. If an emergency arose, there would be room to maneuver.
The three of them agreed. Zhang Wangyue changed into casual clothes and left Fu’an with Zhou Yan. As they approached the Zhao Wang Manor, they entered a teahouse to wait.
The morning weather had already changed, and by noon, it had become overcast and ashen.
Fine snowflakes began to fall from the boundless firmament.
The long street became restless.
The Mongol Army was about to arrive in Zhongdu. The Jin Emperor was relocating the capital, and the procession moved grandly along the street. Leading the way were members of the imperial clan, such as Princes like Wanyan Honglie, with members of the imperial family in the center.
As the procession passed, Zhou Yan saw Yang Kang on horseback. Ouyang Feng and his nephew were nowhere to be seen, but Sha Tongtian, Hou Tonghai, Monk Lingzhi, and Ni Mo Xing followed Yang Kang.
Zhou Yan could understand why Ouyang Feng and his nephew were not in the procession.
If the famous Western Venom, Ouyang Feng, were to travel with the Jin forces, how would that be spoken of? What would become of his reputation?
Yang Kang, Monk Lingzhi, and Ni Mo Xing flanked a horse carriage, with Zhou Yan guessing that Wanyan Honglie was inside.
As the imperial and royal procession, surrounded by guards, passed by, Zhou Yan and Zhang Wangyue followed, observing the rows of houses on both sides.
White walls and blue tiles, with overhanging eaves, the “Songhe Tower,” appearing like a dancing crane from afar, caught Zhou Yan’s eye. He looked at Zhang Wangyue and asked, “Chief Escort, do you think trouble will arise from the direction of Songhe Tower?”
As soon as he finished speaking, Guo Jing, a black-clothed, masked young man, appeared from the top floor of “Songhe Tower” holding a long saber and swooped down towards the Zhao Wang Manor’s procession.
In an instant, Ke Zhen’e, Zhu Cong, Han Xiaoying, Han Baoju, and the Quanzhen Three Masters, all similarly disguised, appeared. Guo Jing landed like a fierce tiger about to devour its prey.
“Assassin!” A Royal Residence Guard lunged forward like a falcon. Guo Jing’s steel saber chopped at the guard’s head, and a chilling sound filled the air as blood, teeth, and flesh flew towards the sky.
“Protect the Prince.”
Monk Lingzhi’s bronze cymbals clashed with a “whoosh,” deflecting the bone-piercing nails and iron caltrops that flew towards him. His red kasaya, along with his burly physique, unleashed a thunderous roar as he charged towards Qiu Chuji.
Hou Tonghai, Sha Tongtian, and Ni Mo Xing drew their weapons, fiercely defending the horse carriage.
…
From the rear of the Zhao Wang Manor’s procession, a stern voice rang out, “What has happened?”
“Reporting to the Emperor, someone is attempting to assassinate the Zhao Wang.”
“These scoundrels!” the Jin Emperor cursed, recalling the assassination attempt on Wanyan Honglie during the Lantern Festival.
“Take men and capture them alive.”
The leader of the palace guards acknowledged the order and led dozens of experts forward to reinforce the Zhao Wang Manor’s personnel.
A scream suddenly pierced the Jin Emperor’s ears and was also heard by Zhou Yan and Zhang Wangyue in the rear.
Zhou Yan followed the sound and saw a black-clothed, masked man enter the Jin Emperor’s retinue. The steel saber in his hand unleashed a monstrous sharpness with a flick of his wrist.
Blood light exploded in the overcast sky like a detonation.
The man’s attack began from the side of the street, and with unstoppable momentum, he reached the carved carriage, which lacked guards, in moments.
Two long sabers intercepted the black-clothed man. Amidst the ferocious slashes of three figures, the sound of metal clashing rippled outwards. Blood splattered into the snowy sky along with screams, and a head flew upwards.
As the man advanced, he ducked his shoulder to avoid the slash from the last guard blocking the carriage. His ferocious Iron Mountain Lean slammed into the guard, sending him flying like a stone thrown towards the carved carriage.
Within Zhou Yan’s line of sight, the black, luxurious carriage tilted and overturned, its wheels spinning rapidly in the air.
The black-clothed man leaped towards the carriage.
“Capture the assassin, protect the Emperor!”
The cavalry from the rear of the procession desperately pushed forward to reinforce. A flying dart struck the man’s shoulder, drawing a streak of blood, but he ignored it. With his left hand, he swiftly pulled the Jin Emperor from the carriage, and with his right hand, he drew his saber sharply and decisively.
“Pfft!” Even from dozens of yards away, Zhou Yan seemed to hear the sound of blood spraying into the air.
Zhang Wangyue’s first thought was that a hero of the Jianghu was assassinating the Jin Emperor, coincidentally clashing with the Quanzhen Three Masters and others.
Zhou Yan’s pupils contracted.
Yang Kang was killing the Emperor to support Wanyan Honglie as Emperor.
He clearly remembered that in the Legend of the Condor Heroes world, Wanyan Honglie, while pursuing Tolay and others, was killed by Guo Jing and Huang Rong. Yang Kang saved Wanyan Honglie, and the Great Jin King told Yang Kang that he would be Li Yuan, and Yang Kang would be Li Shimin, and that father and son would share riches and power in the world. The passionate Yang Kang had also agreed to assist with all his might.
Yang Kang is truly cunning, Zhou Yan thought with a sigh, and said to Zhang Wangyue, “I’ll follow that person.”
“Alright!” Zhou Yan put on a square cloth to cover his face and disappeared into the nearby houses.
The black-clothed man carrying the Jin Emperor’s head leaped onto the rooftops and, with swift movements, reached Guo Jing and the others. He then darted towards the courtyard behind “Songhe Tower.”
“Bang!” A window of Songhe Tower flashed open.
Huang Rong, dressed as a man, said, “You fools, why aren’t you running?”
As Huang Rong finished speaking, she flashed away, passing through the second floor and leaping out from another window, chasing after the black-clothed man.
