The rain was still falling, and the vast Shen 'du was shrouded in a storm. The pedestrians on the streets looked hurried.
The soldiers of the Imperial City Department were patrolling everywhere. In the past few days, there had been several battles in Shendu City.
The tragic deaths of the princes and the extermination of their families and mansions cast a bloody shadow over the Imperial City of Wuzhou.
From the officials of the six ministries to the commoners, everyone was in danger. They were in panic. The Supreme Court, the Ministry of Justice, and the Imperial City Department sent out their men, but it was still useless.
The entire Shendu City had been stirred into a mess. In order to fight for the supreme throne, they would not even let go of the person in Daxing Palace if they had the ability and the opportunity, let alone their brothers.
The rain was heavy, the mist was hazy, the clouds were dense, and lightning flashed. The sky darkened very quickly.
Wu Yue 'er brought the old woman back to the Askheart Pavilion. Before she left, she went to see the old imperial physician.
Su Xuan's guess was right. Her father's death was in two days. This meant that the successor to the throne had to be chosen within two days.
Natural selection makes survival of the fittest.
She didn't sleep, but sat upright in the pavilion. The tea in the cup on the table was changed one after another.
The old woman brought a stove to dispel the cold air of the rainy night and said softly,"Miss, why don't you go and rest first?
You didn't sleep much last night. If you continue like this, I'm afraid your body will be damaged.”
"Granny, I'm not that weak.”
She shook her head, picked up the teacup, and took a sip. Although her eyes were focused on the book in front of her, her mind had long drifted away.
"Rumble! Rumble!"
"Rumble! Rumble!"
Deafening thunder exploded in the sky above the Imperial City. Dense bolts of lightning intertwined, and pale white light tore through the night.
The light shone into the hall and slashed out a line between light and darkness. It was like a sword light. The lightning flashed and disappeared. In the next moment, one's eyes fell into darkness again.
The sound of wind, rain, thunder, frogs, and bamboo mixed together for half a night.
latter half of the night
The rain continued to fall, and the lights in the hall flickered, emitting a faint light. Wu Yue 'er stood at the door and looked outside. The majestic rain blocked her view, and she could not see twenty to thirty feet out.
The thunder gradually died down, the wind and rain were soothing, the bamboo swayed, and the lotus leaves in the pond stretched their bodies and rushed towards the sky.
Inside Shendu City.
On the Divine Dragon Avenue
The First Prince's Residence
exceptionally quiet
The plants, bamboo, and stones were bathed in the wind and rain. After the assassination attempt, the First Prince's Residence had increased its security.
There were hundreds of elites from the Imperial City Bureau guarding the outside of the mansion, and many experts were guarding the interior of the mansion.
The First Prince Wu Wen's backer was the Hedong clan, which was as famous as the aristocratic families of the three counties. In the imperial court, the Hedong clan's prestige was even greater than the aristocratic families of the three counties.
The Xie family of the east of the river was a thousand-year-old family. It stood tall in the martial arts world of the three states. The current head of the family, Jie Yuan, had served as the Minister of Revenue for more than twenty years and had countless students and old officials.
However, he was still buried in the rain of blood in Shendu City, but the First Prince Wu Wen was still alive.
The Hedong Family had not collapsed. They were still powerful and had a deep foundation. Although the death of a family head would have an impact on the Xie Family, it was definitely not to the point of damaging their bones.
Unless they were uprooted, these aristocratic families that had stood for thousands of years would rise again sooner or later like bamboo shoots after the rain as long as they were given a chance to breathe.
on the long Street
A thin figure was walking in the wind and rain. He was wearing a bamboo hat and a straw raincoat. His face could not be seen clearly, and he was holding a sheathed steel sword.
Before they could approach the Grand Prince's residence, they were met by a group of patrolling soldiers from the Imperial City Bureau.
"Surround them."
The leader of the soldiers said. For the next few days, Shen 'du had a curfew at night. Anyone who was still outside at night, no matter who it was, had to be arrested and sent to prison for interrogation.
Seven or eight soldiers wielded their long sabers and spears as they charged at the man in the bamboo hat.
"If you dare to resist, kill on the spot."
The soldier opened his mouth, wanting to suppress the man in the bamboo hat. Judging from his attire, he was most likely a Jianghu person. He was the most unruly and unruly. Official documents were nothing to him, and he was used to doing things his own way.
During the few nights of curfew alone, the Imperial City Bureau had arrested thousands of martial artists. The originally empty prison cells were almost unable to hold them.
"Tsk!"
The long sword was unsheathed, and a cold sword light bloomed in the rainy night. A moment later, the man in the bamboo hat sheathed his sword and continued to walk forward.
Behind him, the soldiers of the Imperial City Bureau were lying in the rain, their throats all slit by a sword.
The heavy rain washed over the area, and hot blood spilled out, dyeing the surrounding water red. The air was filled with a faint smell of blood.
There were no other manors around the prince's manor, and it occupied a vast area. At the gate, two teams of soldiers in armor, holding spears and carrying long sabers were on duty. There was a soldier every three meters.
The security was extremely tight. In the rain, a man wearing a bamboo hat walked unhurriedly toward the First Prince, stepping on the puddles of water. Each step was more than ten feet, like a ghost.
"Who is it?"
Under the cover of the heavy rain at night, the soldiers guarding the gate only realized when this person walked within fifty feet of them. As soon as he finished speaking, they dispersed.
A cold light flashed as the man in the bamboo hat walked past the soldiers and appeared in front of the gate. The sword in his hand was dripping with blood.
He pushed open the door and entered the First Prince's estate. The silent slaughter began, and after the time it took to brew a cup of tea, the man in the bamboo hat walked out of the estate.
His body was not stained with blood, and in the blink of an eye, he disappeared into the wind and rain.
The night was dark, and thunder tore through the rain. With the help of the pale moonlight, it illuminated a picture of hell on earth.
Corpses were scattered in the corridors, courtyards, rooms, and other places. Everyone's wounds were either on their throats or their foreheads.
Even the experts of the Hedong clan only had one fatal wound on their bodies, which meant that the killer had not used his sword a second time.
Blood gathered from all over the courtyard and flowed into the rain, watering the plants in the courtyard. Even the autumn water in the pond was dyed red.
By the time the guards outside the palace sensed that something was wrong, blood had already seeped out of the First Prince's residence.
"Clang!"
Hundreds of elite soldiers pushed open the door and entered the courtyard. They were all shocked by the scene before them, and they were all stunned on the spot.
Perhaps tonight would become an unforgettable nightmare for them.
"Who did it?"
The commander in charge of guarding the prince's mansion muttered to himself. His body trembled non-stop, and his eyes were filled with fear.
There was both fear of the murderer and the impending punishment.
Under their watch, the First Prince's residence had been quietly slaughtered. Such a crime would probably not be able to escape a single execution.
"Immediately report to the Imperial City Department.”
"Go to the Ministry of Justice!" he shouted.”
"Go to the Supreme Court."
"Leave dozens of brothers to guard the scene. The rest of you follow me. If we don't catch the murderer tonight, we won't be able to keep our heads.”
The rainy night was long, and the long street was quiet. The wind howled, and the dark clouds covered the moon. The man in the bamboo hat carried a long sword and walked on the street.
Suddenly, he stopped. Rainwater dripped down the edge of his bamboo hat and onto his straw raincoat, a hundred feet away.
A middle-aged man with his hands behind his back stood still. He was wearing a long black robe. The rain that filled the sky automatically avoided him when it was about to fall on the man.
I won't let Shanshan let me
Beneath the bamboo hat was a face that seemed to have gone through the vicissitudes of life. His temples were graying, and his eyes were sharp. It was Su Xuan, who had disguised himself.
"Move aside."
He spoke in a low voice with a hint of killing intent. His sharp gaze looked at the middle-aged man in the distance.
Prime Minister of Wu Zhou
Three religions united Xin Jianqing
"The current Shen Du is too chaotic. Even a small fry like you dares to be impudent.”
"You killed a prince. Your entire family should be executed." Xin Jianqing shook his head.”
"Is that so?"
Su Xuan grinned." I've long heard of the prestige of Xin Jianqing, the prime minister of Wuzhou. The three religions have merged into one and formed a school of their own. However, I don't believe it. There are many rumors in the martial arts world, and the people in the martial arts world like to exaggerate.”
"Tsk!"
The fine steel longsword was unsheathed. The blood on it was slightly dry. After being washed by the rain, it dripped down the blade.
"Who sent you?"
Xin Jianqing wasn't angered and only spoke indifferently. He took out his right hand from behind his back and stretched out his arm with his five fingers spread out.
In an instant, the pressure of Celestial Phenomenon erupted forth, sweeping across the entire area, causing the rain to dissipate.
An immeasurable amount of rain fell from the sky and gathered in Xin Jianqing's hand, turning into a rain pillar that connected the sky and the earth.
"Rumble! Rumble!"
"Rumble! Rumble!"
Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled. The world shook, and the houses on both sides of the long street trembled.
Xin Jianqing lifted the rain pillar with his right hand, and his aura surged toward Su Xuan.
"Weng weng weng"
The longsword hummed as the pressure from the Celestial Phenomenon Ascendants dissipated. The fine steel sword trembled as a cold sword light radiated from it.
Xin Jianqing narrowed his eyes. He felt threatened from this bearded swordsman.
"Suppress."
His palm pressed down, and in an instant, the pillar of rain roared and blasted toward Su Xuan. The ground shook, the bricks on the street shattered, and sand and stones flew. The houses on both sides were torn apart and swept into the pillar of rain.
"Break!"
Su Xuan's words carried weight as he slashed his sword horizontally. A sharp sword light shot out, and in an instant, an extreme sharpness erupted.
The surging sword Qi roared and swept across the long street. The sword light was like a dragon, and the sword Qi was like a long river. The swords clanged.
The sword radiance fell and collided with the rain pillar. The two surges of Genuine Qi shook the entire Shendu City.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The rain and sword Qi dispersed at the same time. Su Xuan raised his sword and appeared before Xin Jianqing. The latter's expression changed slightly.
The two of them brushed past each other, and Su Xuan appeared at the other end of the street in a flash.
"Tsk!"
He sheathed his sword and walked into the distance without looking back. In the blink of an eye, he disappeared into the wind and rain.
On the long street that had already turned into ruins, Xin Jianqing stood quietly and did not chase after him. He raised his right hand and half of his sleeve was cut off. The cut was flat.
"What a sharp swordsmanship."
He muttered to himself, his expression extremely solemn."Who is it?"
Shaking his head, he suppressed this doubt in his heart and turned to leave.
Although the two of them had only exchanged one move, they had a rough estimate of the strength of both sides.
Unless it was a life-and-death battle, otherwise, Xin Jianqing would not be able to keep this person, so there was naturally no need to chase after him.
In any case, the First Prince's death was not a bad thing for him.
One less competitor meant that his disciple had a higher chance of sitting on that supreme position.
An even more violent storm was brewing and was about to engulf Shen 'du.
The rain continued to fall. Inside the Heart Examining Pavilion, the lights were still on. Wu Yue 'er was reading a book, and the tea on the table had turned cold.
The old woman went to brew another cup. The fire in the copper furnace was burning brightly, and the steam was rolling, blocking the cold air brought by the early autumn wind and rain outside the hall.
It was a long night, and he had worries in his heart, so he naturally didn't have the mood to sleep.
"Miss, it's time to sleep."
"It's fine as long as I'm there to guard it," the old woman advised.”
"Granny, go prepare some supper. I'm a little hungry.”
Wu Yue 'er's white lips parted slightly.
"Prepare more. I'm hungry too."
A familiar voice rang in her ears. She smiled and looked outside the hall. A man wearing a bamboo hat and a straw raincoat walked in.
The appearance of the bearded man disappeared and returned to his original appearance. He took off his straw cape and bamboo hat and threw them to the old woman along with his sword."Destroy it."
"Manager Su has fought with someone before?"
The old woman pulled out the sword and noticed that there was an inconspicuous fingerprint on it.
"Yes."
He nodded, grabbed the teapot, and gulped down the tea. He only stopped when he finished the entire pot of tea.
"I met Xin Jianqing on my way back."”
"Xin Zai?"
Wu Yue 'er and the old woman's expressions changed.
"That's right, I exchanged a move with him."
Su Xuan pursed his lips." This person has some strength. No wonder he dares to claim to be one of the three religions."”
"Who won?"
the old woman asked hurriedly.
Xin Jianqing had been the prime minister of Wuzhou for more than ten years. His cultivation was unfathomable and he was Wu Yue 'er's archenemy.
"It's just one move.”
Su Xuan said," If we fight, I'll kill him in less than 100 moves. If we trade injuries for lives, I'll kill him in less than 10 moves.”
This was his confidence. So what if he was a Celestial Phenomenon Grandmaster? So what if the three religions were one?
Can you withstand my sword?
"Make more meat and remember to make it taste better.”
The old woman turned around and left with her sword, straw cape, and bamboo hat.
"Are you hurt?"
Wu Yue 'er's eyes were filled with concern.
"How can all these useless chickens and pottery dogs hurt me?”
He chuckled.
"I've prepared hot water in the room. After taking a shower, change your clothes.”
She frowned.
"Tsk tsk, you're a fickle woman.”
Su Xuan teased her and went to his room. After taking a shower and changing his clothes, the old woman had already prepared a table full of food.
He didn't stand on ceremony and started eating in big mouthfuls. After he was full, he went to rest.
He only woke up at noon the next day. The entire courtyard was empty.
"Manager Su, have some tea."
The old woman brought tea over. The rain outside did not seem to have any intention of stopping. The dark clouds gathered and became thicker.
"Tonight, there will be another storm."
Su Xuan sipped his tea leisurely as he looked at the gloomy sky outside and could not help but sigh.
Out of the nine princes of Wu Zhou, only the Second Prince Wu Lie, the Third Prince Wu Dan, and the Seventh Prince Wu Zhou were left.
Soon, the final victor would be decided.
"Granny, is there a ten-thousand-strong armored army outside Shendu City?”
he said.
"Yes."
"The Divine Might Battalion has a total of 12,000 people, and they are located at the Pingtian Camp, which is 80 miles away from Luoyang. Without His Majesty's Tiger Tally decree, no one can mobilize the Divine Might Battalion."”
"There are always exceptions to everything."
Su Xuan shook his head." Right now, the power in Shen 'du is insufficient to determine the victor.
The five thousand Imperial Army soldiers are in the hands of your Young Miss. Although the Minister of War is dead, the Assistant Minister of War is still a disciple of the An family.
If Wu Lie had been more ruthless, he might have been able to get the 10,000 soldiers to move to Luoyang through the Ministry of War.
Wu Dan controlled the Tongwen Hall and the Imperial Guards, and Xin Jianqing, the Prime Minister, had the authority to mobilize the three divisions in front of the palace.”
"If Wu Lie wants to turn the tables, he will need the help of these ten thousand soldiers.”
"I've already gotten someone to keep an eye on it."
the old woman replied.
At this time, Wu Yue 'er came out of her room. After sleeping for half the morning, her complexion had recovered quite well.
The long chiffon dress wrapped around her voluptuous body. Even with light makeup, it was difficult to hide the charming elegance on her pretty face.
"Manager Su, Miss, lunch is ready.”
the old woman said.
After lunch, he accompanied Wu Yue 'er to Daxing Palace. The old emperor looked good. In the main hall, there was even a song and dance performance. The zither was harmonious, and the song and dance were elegant.
It was as if the person who had died last night was not his eldest prince, but a completely unrelated stranger.
At the entrance of Daxing Palace, Su Xuan leaned against the railing and looked down at Luoyang. Liang Jiao, the commander of the Imperial Army, was standing beside him with his saber slung over his shoulder.
"Where was Mr. Ye last night?"
Liang Jiao said casually.
"Where am I?"
Su Xuan was stunned for a moment before raising his brows.""As the princess 'personal guard, I am naturally in the Askheart Pavilion.”
"I wonder if Mr. Ye knows that another shocking case broke out in Shendu City last night.”
"The First Prince's residence was slaughtered overnight." Liang Jiao rubbed his aching brows.
Even the First Prince had his throat slit.”
"What does this have to do with Commander Liang?”
Su Xuan retorted.
His meaning was self-evident. This was an internal strife within the Imperial Family. As a mere Imperial Army Marshal, he just had to do his job and guard the Imperial Palace.
As for other things, he should not be a busybody.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。