Chapter 198: First Volume, Chapter 198: Assassin Siege

First Volume, Chapter 198: Assassin Siege

Xie Bi raised an eyebrow: "Why?"

The assassin bowed his head, dazed and hollow-eyed: "That fool had no sense—he offended someone he shouldn't have."

As the words ended, Xie Bi seized the assassin's hair and coldly said: "Qin Feng has angered countless people, yet not one has dared send an assassin to kill him. This is the imperial capital's sacred ground—even the Heavenly Ranking Jin Sha Shou wouldn't dare cross the line. You've eaten bear's heart and leopard's gall to break into this forbidden zone. The one giving you courage must have balls too."

"When you reach Yin, remember—even as a ghost, don't dare dream of entering Jingdu again!"

As the words faded, Xie Bi's Iron Fist smashed into the assassin's face, spraying blood two or three zhang away!

At the instant the assassin collapsed, the Garrison Army colonel arrived with his men.

Seeing Xie Bi, the colonel hurriedly bowed: "Thanks to the Marquis of Ning, these scoundrels…"

Before the colonel finished, the Marquis of Ning punched him straight in the face, sending him spitting blood and nearly fainting on the spot.

The soldiers around dared not even breathe.

Xie Bi's eyes flashed with coldness: "You Garrison Army arrived just in time. Go tell your Commander-in-Chief: this Jingdu bears the Li surname, not the Lin surname! Choosing the wrong side is forgivable—but mistaking the family name? That's a death sentence."

At the same moment, only Xie Yun'er remained atop the Talou, her eyelids twitching.

This night was destined to be turbulent!

The bustling Mingyue Lake appeared to host a small lantern riddle contest, yet it seemed to stir the nerves of many.

On the city wall in the Zhengxi direction, the Liang Emperor stood with his hands behind his back, watching the assassins slaughtered by the Longhu Army below—his gaze unnervingly calm.

The Black-Clothed Man stood beside him, whispering: "Your Majesty, three waves of assassins have been detected tonight—all targeting Qin Feng. The Lin family… cough, the mastermind behind this—sent so many killers just to vent anger. This is overkill."

The Liang Emperor remained unperturbed: "The Imperial Consort is my beloved concubine, burdened for years by the death of the First Prince. I owe her guilt. The Grand Protector is the backbone of Shedynasty, the pillar of the state. You speak recklessly—you deserve execution on the spot. But since you've been my loyal servant for years, give yourself ten slaps."

The Black-Clothed Man didn't hesitate—he slapped his own mouth ten times hard, blood seeping from his lips, yet his eyes showed no grievance, only unwavering loyalty: "The assassins from the Northwest have been eliminated by the Marquis of Ning and Director Li. The assassins here are handled by the Longhu Army. The ones from Zhengxi have been dealt with by my men. Also, among the western assassins, we found a Heavenly Ranking Jin Sha Shou."

Hearing "Heavenly Ranking," the Liang Emperor finally showed interest, glancing sideways: "What rank?"

The Black-Clothed Man didn't pause: "A badge was found—he's ranked outside the top fifty."

At this, the Liang Emperor lost all interest, dismissing it lightly: "Within the top ten, he could match Li Zhan evenly. Within the top three, they're supreme experts—all long gone into seclusion. Outside the top ten? Bottom-tier trash, not worth mentioning. But clearly, someone wants to seize this chance to stir up chaos—even if exposed, they'll have someone else take the blame."

The Black-Clothed Man frowned, a flicker of killing intent in his eyes: "Your Majesty means these assassins aren't from one group? I'll send men to investigate immediately."

The Liang Emperor waved him off, sighing deeply: "Don't waste time. I know exactly who these people are. In the end, Shedynasty's true enemies aren't outside—it's too many inside who don't want war with the North. As long as the Di keep causing trouble, I'm trapped in the Imperial Study, unable to turn my attention to them—and they get to live comfortably one more day."

"From the start, Shedynasty's enemies have never been beyond its borders."

The Black-Clothed Man understood at last, no longer dwelling on the assassins' origins, and said gravely: "Shall I send men to protect Qin Feng?"

The Liang Emperor laughed: "Protect him? You must be bored out of your mind. Within Jingdu, besides me, he's the safest man alive! Jing Qianying's swordplay reigns supreme in Heaven, and his father-in-law Xie Bi's Iron Fist is peerless. With these two guarding him, even the TianBangJinziAssassinRank10 would leave empty-handed."

Saying this, the Liang Emperor turned toward the Imperial Palace, hands behind his back, smiling faintly: "Those who don't want Qin Feng dead may curse him bitterly—but the ones who truly want him dead? They're the dogs that don't bark."

"Watch. They'll surely find a way to drive Qin Feng out of Jingdu—so they can strike. How far he runs, how long he lives—that's up to Qin Feng's own ability…"

Under the Black-Clothed Man's protection, the Liang Emperor, having finished his stroll, headed toward the Imperial Palace.

Meanwhile, the soldiers guarding the Jingdu City Gate noticed nothing as a shadow followed them, casually heading to the latrine as usual. As the yellow stream splashed, his body shuddered in relief.

When he turned around, the shadow had silently moved behind him—and didn't leave. Once sure no one was watching, the shadow flipped over the latrine's rear wall and slipped down the street toward Mingyue Lake.

At this moment, Lin Feimo was drenched in sweat, utterly lost his former status as Jiangnan's First Young Master.

For the third riddle, Qin Feng solved it effortlessly again.

Just one more correct answer, and he'd win decisively.

By rule, the final riddle was to be decided by the Qiyang Commandery Princess and the two Princes.

Soon, the Qiyang Commandery Princess handed the riddle to the old man in charge.

Under the lantern light, the banner rose.

Lin Feimo instinctively wiped his forehead sweat, muttering to himself: "Wind comes and goes, geese slant before the peak? This is too hard! But hard is good—Qin Feng, let's see how you guess this!"

Lin Feimo quickly glanced at Qin Feng—and found him holding Xiao Xiangxiang in one arm, devouring an apple with the other, beauty and food combined, as carefree as a celestial.

He didn't even glance at the final riddle.

Lin Feimo's lips twitched—if Qin Feng couldn't answer, he still had a chance!

He shouted loudly: "Qin Feng, can you solve it?"

All eyes had already fixed on Qin Feng.

Qin Feng had long lost interest in this riddle contest—it offered zero challenge.

Had it not been for the thirty thousand li of silver wager, he'd have slipped away long ago.

As victory was about to be revealed,

Qin Feng, eager to go home and sleep, didn't hesitate—he set down Xiao Xiangxiang, whose cheeks were flushed, shoved half the apple into Lin Quqi's hand, clapped his palms, and strode confidently to the boat's prow.

Then, under the complex gazes of all present, Qin Feng suddenly changed expression without warning, wailing loudly: "Oh my god, this riddle is too hard!"

"No wonder it was set by three noble persons!"

The words sent several young nobles stumbling backward, nearly falling off the boat.

Qin Feng was still Qin Feng.

Shameless, without a shred of dignity.

To flatter, he'd sacrifice his face.

This pathetic acting was disgusting!