Slender willows sway in the breeze

Chapter 128 Ready
Meanwhile, in the Crown Prince's residence, Bei Chenhan was secretly meeting with Du Xiuwei.

"Brother Du, it's wonderful that you managed to escape!"

Bei Chenhan's face was full of joy.

Du Xiuwei bowed slightly and said, "Your Highness is too kind. Our escape this time was entirely due to the Hall Master's meticulous arrangements."

A hint of doubt flashed in Bei Chenhan's eyes as he asked, "Does Lin Yan have any next steps in his plan?"

Du Wei smiled mysteriously and said, "The Hall Master already has a brilliant plan. We will deliberately reveal some flaws to lure Gu Changzhou and the others into the trap. When they think they have grasped the key clues and lower their guard, the Hall Master will lead the Xuanji Hall experts to launch a surprise attack and seize the 'Chaos Gathering Pill' in one fell swoop."

Bei Chenhan said with some concern, "This plan is ingenious, but Gu Changzhou is meticulous and I'm afraid he won't fall for it easily."

Du Xiuwei said confidently, "Your Highness, rest assured, we will do it flawlessly. Moreover, to ensure the success of the plan, the Hall Master has also arranged other means to keep Gu Changzhou and the others busy with their own affairs."

Bei Chenhan nodded slightly and said, "That's good. As long as the plan succeeds, I, the prince, will certainly not treat you unfairly."

Inside the palace, after some investigation, Nightshade finally discovered some important clues.

He hurriedly arrived at the Hall of Mental Cultivation to report to Gu Changzhou and Bei Chenyao.

"Your Majesty, Lord Gu, the Shadow Guards have discovered during their investigation that several suspicious individuals are frequently entering and leaving the First Prince's residence, and these individuals seem to be connected to the people who previously spread rumors."

Nightshade knelt on one knee and said.

Gu Changzhou and Bei Chenyao exchanged a glance. Bei Chenyao's face darkened, and he said, "It seems my guess was right. This matter is indeed related to Bei Chenhan. However, without solid evidence, we cannot easily take action against him."

Gu Changzhou pondered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, we can turn the tables on them. Since they want to lure us into a trap, we will pretend to be hooked, secretly prepare ourselves, and then catch them like turtles in a jar when they launch a surprise attack."

A fierce glint flashed in Bei Chenyao's eyes as he said, "Very well, we will do as Gu Qing says. We must make these conspirators pay the price and restore peace to Zhongzhou City."

Both sides are prepared to deliver a fatal blow to the other.

The feeling that Zhongzhou City was about to experience a storm seems to have suddenly disappeared.

The common people, unaware of the reason, were overjoyed.

They thought the crisis in Zhongzhou City was over.

As stated in the imperial edict, the traitor who sought to disrupt the peace of Zhongzhou City has been captured.

Time flew by and it was already mid-May.

The defensive structures and traps set up in several key locations in the central part of the imperial city have been completed quietly.

Elder Lang stroked his beard and said, "Lord Molin, this time we have incorporated more concealment and tracking spells into the formation. Once the evil cultivators step in, they will be like trapped beasts, unable to escape."

Elder Di nodded and said, "That's right. I also used spatial magic to set up multiple spatial barriers around the trap. Even if the evil cultivator escapes, it will take him a lot of trouble."

Gu Changzhou nodded: "Thank you for your trouble, elders."

However, heretical practitioners are cunning and treacherous, so we must not be careless.

In addition to strengthening defenses, it is also necessary to closely monitor the actions of the First Prince's residence and the Xuanji Hall to ensure that their actions are under their control.

Meanwhile, back at Xuanji Hall, Lin Yan was also making final adjustments to the surprise attack plan.

He gathered a group of powerful evil cultivators and gave them detailed instructions. "For this operation, we will split into three groups. One group, led by Du Wei, will disguise themselves as ordinary citizens, infiltrate the city, create chaos, and divert the attention of Gu Changzhou and the others."

"The second team is lying in ambush outside the palace, waiting for a signal, ready to break through the defensive array at any time."

"I will personally lead the third route to strike at the heart of the enemy and seize the 'Chaos Gathering Pill'. Do you all understand?" Lin Yan's cold gaze swept over the crowd.

"Understood, Master!" everyone responded in unison.

Du Xiuwei was somewhat uneasy. He had already experienced Gu Changzhou's prowess, but under Lin Yan's intimidation, he could only bite the bullet and agree.

A few days later, news came from the Crown Prince's residence that the Crown Prince had obtained a mysterious ancient book containing the key clues to unlocking the secret of the "Chaos Gathering Pill".

The news spread like wildfire throughout the city.

Upon learning of this, Gu Changzhou deliberately acted as if he took the news very seriously, and immediately arranged for people to conduct a thorough investigation of the First Prince's residence, creating the illusion that he was about to take the bait.

Meanwhile, in the shadows, Gu Changzhou, Liu Sijun, Ye Ying, and others reconfirmed the details of the plan.

"Night Shadow, you lead the Shadow Guards and be ready to deal with any emergencies. If the evil cultivators launch a surprise attack, you must cut off their retreat," Gu Changzhou said solemnly.

"Yes, my lord!" Nightshade acknowledged the order.

Liu Sijun then said, "I will set up some special formations in the palace to assist the defensive formations and enhance the restraint against evil cultivators."

Everything is ready; all that's left is for the heretical practitioners to enter the game.

Finally, on a dark and windy night, Lin Yan believed the time was right and gave the signal to take action.

Du Xiuwei led a group of evil cultivators disguised as ordinary people, creating chaos throughout the city, smashing shops, shouting and yelling. In a short time, Zhongzhou City was plunged into chaos.

Upon receiving the message, Gu Changzhou immediately ordered patrolling soldiers to maintain order, while secretly observing the movements around the Crown Prince's residence and the palace.

As expected, as the chaos in the city intensified, the evil cultivators lurking outside the palace began to stir. They attempted to break through the defensive array, unaware that they had stepped into a trap meticulously set by Gu Changzhou and his men.

The moment the evil cultivators activated the magic array, the surrounding light intensified, and various hidden spells and traps were activated. The evil cultivators were immediately trapped, bound by beams of light, unable to escape.

Seeing the situation was dire, Lin Yan decided to personally lead his elite troops to forcefully break through the defenses. He unleashed powerful magic, attempting to shatter the spatial barrier and rush into the palace.

However, Gu Changzhou was prepared. Holding the Star Sword, he, along with Elder Lang and Elder Di Sheng, went to meet Lin Yan.

"Lin Yan, you will not escape today!"

Gu Changzhou shouted, and the Star Sword shone brightly, its sword energy crisscrossing.

Lin Yan sneered and said contemptuously, "Gu Changzhou, do you think you can stop me with such simple tricks?"

After saying that, a surge of black demonic energy rose from his body, making him look like a ferocious demon, and he pounced on Gu Changzhou and the others.

This demonic energy carried a pungent, fishy smell, and wherever it passed, the air seemed to be corroded, making a "sizzling" sound.

Lin Yan quickly formed hand seals and chanted incantations. Instantly, dark clouds filled the sky, and streaks of black lightning flashed through the clouds, striking down towards Gu Changzhou and the others.

Elder Lang and Elder Di Sheng dared not be careless. They exchanged a glance and each cast their spells.

(End of this chapter)