Chapter 187: Failed Assassination

The black shadow flicked his hand, the sword in his hand tore through the air, emitting a sharp whistling sound.

Jiang Xiaomu swayed his body, barely dodging the incoming hidden weapons; his sword stuck into the artificial hill, humming.

"Sure enough, it's a ninja!"

In Great Qian, such an Eastern Ocean ninja assassination method is extremely rare; this further confirmed his suspicion—someone was targeting him, and the opponent's background was not small.

He no longer hesitated, his body darted out like a leopard, straight toward that black shadow.

The black shadow obviously realized his identity was exposed, no longer hiding, he brandished his samurai sword and came forward.

Blade and sword clashed, sparks flew in all directions.

Jiang Xiaomu's swordplay was wide-open and close, extremely fierce, while the black shadow's sword technique was sinister and lethal, each move deadly.

The two went back and forth in the cramped space, blade light and sword shadow, dazzling to the eye.

The black shadow's speed was extremely fast, his figure drifting unpredictably like a ghost.

Although Jiang Xiaomu's martial arts were strong, he could not subdue him for a while.

"Interesting," Jiang Xiaomu snorted coldly, a flash of excitement in his eyes.

"Looks like I can stretch my muscles tonight."

Jiang Xiaomu seized the opportunity, with one sword he forced the black shadow back, then closed in, his sword moves pouring down like a storm.

The black shadow struggled to parry, nearly being cut by Jiang Xiaomu's sword edge.

"Your swordsmanship……is very strange……" the black shadow said intermittently while blocking Jiang Xiaomu's attacks:

"Not like the martial arts of Great Qian……"

"What's it to you?"

Jiang Xiaomu retorted bluntly, his sword intent becoming even fiercer.

The black shadow gradually found himself outmatched, being forced back repeatedly by Jiang Xiaomu.

Seeing he was outmatched, he suddenly pulled out several black spheres from his bosom and threw them to the ground.

"Boom boom boom!" Several muffled bangs, a thick white smoke instantly spread, covering the entire artificial hill area.

Jiang Xiaomu silently cursed, quickly held his breath, and at the same time swung his sword wildly in all directions, hoping to force out the black shadow hidden in the smoke.

However, after the smoke cleared, the black shadow had already vanished without a trace.

"Damn it!"

Jiang Xiaomu muttered a curse, knowing he had missed the best chance to capture the black shadow.

He looked around and found some black powder left on the ground, extremely similar to the powder he had discovered on the medicine spoon.

"It seems there must be some connection between these two poisons……"

Jiang Xiaomu thought to himself, he collected the powder from the ground, preparing to take it back for careful study.

Returning to his room, Jiang Xiaomu lit the oil lamp and carefully examined the two black powders in his hand.

Suddenly, he felt a wave of dizziness and vertigo, everything before his eyes becoming blurry.

"Oh no! This powder is poisonous!"

Jiang Xiaomu's heart startled, he quickly sat cross-legged, circulating his internal energy to expel the toxin from his body.

However, this poison's potency was fiercer than he imagined; his internal energy could not completely suppress it.

Just as Jiang Xiaomu was about to be unable to hold on, a cold mechanical voice suddenly sounded in his mind:

【Host poison detected, recommend taking antidote immediately.】

Jiang Xiaomu's vision went dark in waves, the toxin's corrosion making it nearly impossible for him to stay conscious.

He gritted his teeth, a thought moved, and he entered the system space.

The system space remained that cold metallic feel, countless goods displayed dazzlingly, like a huge futuristic supermarket.

The antidote area was a riot of colors, various small bottles flashing with strange light, dazzling to behold.

"Holy shit, this price is too black!"

Jiang Xiaomu couldn't help but blurt out a curse.

A tiny bottle of antidote actually cost him thousands of points.

But he couldn't afford to worry about the points now; preserving his life was urgent.

He gritted his teeth, selected the most expensive antidote, clicked purchase, and a cold glass vial instantly appeared in his hand.

He pulled the stopper, a faint fresh fragrance wafted out; Jiang Xiaomu didn't think, just gulped down the potion.

Upon entry it was mildly sweet, a warm current flowed down his throat into his abdomen.

The originally rampant toxin, as if meeting its nemesis, rapidly dissipated.

"Hah……"

Jiang Xiaomu let out a long breath; this damned system, although pricey, really came in handy at critical moments.

At the Prime Minister's Residence, the atmosphere in Wang Shouren's study was solemn.

He held a letter in his hand, brows furrowed, it contained information about Jiang Xiaomu.

Wang Shouren kneaded the note into a ball, walked to the bookshelf, and lightly pressed on an ancient book.

Only a soft "click" sounded, the bookshelf slowly moved aside, revealing a deep secret passage.

Inside the passage, dim oil lamps were lit, the air filled with a damp musty smell.

Wang Shouren hurried inside; at the end of the passage stood a heavy iron door.

He pushed the door open and entered.

In the room, a thin-built man was shirtless, treating his wound in front of a mirror.

He had his back to Wang Shouren, his back covered with intersecting sword wounds that were shocking to behold.

"Tsk tsk tsk, Beiye, looks like you've suffered quite a bit this time."

Wang Shouren spoke while walking to the table and poured two cups of wine.

Bei Ye turned around, revealing a stern face, exactly the black-clad ninja who had previously tried to assassinate Jiang Xiaomu.

He took the cup and drank it all in one gulp.

"I didn't expect that kid to look so young, yet his swordsmanship is actually superb."

"Hmph, I told you earlier, Great Qian hides tigers and dragons; you were careless this time."

Wang Shouren let out a cold snort.

"But this also confirms our suspicion—Jiang Xiaomu is definitely not an ordinary person."

"Having failed this time, he will surely be more cautious; what should we do next?"

Bei Ye asked.

"In my opinion, we might as well look for a chance to kill the Empress!"

"Kill her outright? Bei Ye, you're being too rash."

Wang Shouren swirled his cup; the crimson wine looked especially eerie in the dim light.

"Now Jiang Xiaomu has grown suspicious; that medicine spoon was taken by him—if he discovers the secret of the poison..."

Bei Ye snorted contemptuously, revealing a mouth of gloomy black teeth.

"Based on him? A mere wet-behind-the-ears brat—what could he possibly see? My poison, however..."

"But what? Even the Imperial Physician can't detect it?"

Wang Shouren cut him off, his tone laced with mockery.

"Don't forget, Jiang Xiaomu is no ordinary rustic; I've already looked into his background."

"He's killed traffickers, challenged the Bosi army, repulsed the barbarian iron cavalry, and wiped out the Five Absolutes Sect assassins..."

Bei Ye touched the aching wound on his back, his face turning somewhat grim.

He couldn't help but admit that Jiang Xiaomu's swordsmanship truly exceeded his expectations.

"Fast, accurate, ruthless—every move lethal; if he hadn't reacted quickly, he would likely have become a soul beneath the sword."

"Then, according to the Chancellor's opinion, what should we do?"

Bei Ye suppressed his inner resentment and asked in a low voice.

Wang Shouren narrowed his eyes, a sinister glint flashing in them.

"The urgent priority is to first stabilize Jiang Xiaomu, not let him ruin our plans. As for the Empress..."

He paused, the corner of his mouth curling into a cruel smile.

"Keeping her is still useful—at least for now."