Starting from the imperial palace guards, his clones spread all over the world.

Chapter 622 Execute them all!

Inside the elegant room, the incense smoke curled upwards, but it couldn't dispel the deathly silence that followed the fading of voices.

Only Wang Jin and Zhao Bao were present, one sitting and one standing.

Wang Jin, seated on the rosewood chair, resembled a silent iceberg, radiating an invisible chill capable of freezing the air.

He slowly sipped the warm tea, then got up and walked to the window, his movements carrying a weary heaviness.

"Squeak-"

The carved wooden window was pushed open, and a warm afternoon breeze, mixed with dust and... a faint smell of blood, rushed in.

Zhao Bao dared not delay, and quickly stepped forward, bowing and standing less than half a step behind Wang Jin, his posture as humble as the most obedient slave.

The instant he looked up and gazed out the window.

Zhao Bao's pupils contracted sharply, and his heart sank!
"This……"

The spacious training ground of the new residence was not empty as expected.

Hundreds of people were tightly bound with rough hemp ropes and knelt on the ground like livestock waiting to be slaughtered!

There were eunuchs and palace maids with pale faces and trembling; palace maids with disheveled hair and pale faces; and imperial guards who had been disarmed but were still wearing their armor and blood-stained robes!
Cries, curses, and desperate pleas for mercy merged into a devastating sea of ​​horror:

"Factory Master, please forgive me! I'm innocent!"

"I know nothing! I beg the eunuch to investigate!"

"A terrible injustice! Your humble servant has been loyal to the end... Ah!"

……

Everyone was covered in glaring scars: whip marks, stick marks, and skin charred by branding irons.

All of this demonstrates the cruel punishment they had just endured.

There were nearly three hundred people!
Zhao Bao watched all of this, not knowing what had happened.

Wang Jin's gaze fell upon this scene of despair, and she spoke calmly, each word like an icicle piercing Zhao Bao's eardrums:

"His Majesty's poor health is a secret that threatens the very foundation of the nation! It has already been decreed that the inner palace be sealed off and that this matter be kept secret from the outside world!"

He paused briefly; in the deathly silent chamber, only the increasingly loud wails outside the window could be heard:
"Alas... some people have long tongues and clever minds. They exposed this enormous disaster!"

"The one who leaked the secret is among the people below."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Bao's heart skipped a beat.

He couldn't help but recall what Liang Jin had once told him: the emperor's lifespan was coming to an end.

Now it seems... it's probably true!

At this moment, Wang Jin slowly turned his gaunt, sinister face, his gaze like a poisoned needle, fixing precisely on Zhao Bao's face, which was struggling to maintain its composure:
"We've tried the tough guys in the torture chamber, broken several bones, but we still can't pry open that bastard's mouth. Nobody is willing to admit that they leaked the secret."

“Zhao Bao…”

Wang Jin's voice suddenly rose a notch, carrying an undeniable questioning and probing tone:

"Tell me... how should our family handle this?"

The dull thud of the knee hitting the floor was exceptionally clear!
Zhao Bao suddenly knelt down and prostrated himself, his forehead almost touching the cold floor tiles, his voice trembling with just the right amount of fear:
"Major national affairs shall naturally be decided by the Grand Eunuch!"

"This humble servant... this humble servant would never dare to presume to speak of the Emperor's majesty! Absolutely not!"

Cold sweat instantly soaked through his inner lining.

Wang Jin snorted coldly:
"You smooth talker! Stand up!"

"Just say it, I'm telling you to."

Zhao Bao dared not refuse any longer, and forced himself to stand up, his legs feeling weak.

Thoughts raced through my mind as I pondered an answer:

"This...this humble official's opinion is in vain!"

His throat was dry, and every word felt like sandpaper grinding against him.

"Now that the 'rumors' have leaked out, investigating the leaker at this point will likely be futile. It might even add complications and disrupt the peace of the imperial workshops..."

He took a deep breath, suppressing his turbulent emotions, and the cowardice in his eyes was instantly replaced by an almost cruel "loyalty and courage":
"It would be better to... exterminate them all!"

His voice was resolute, without the slightest hesitation!
"Kill them all! This will ensure that the leaker is also killed, and at the same time, it will punish the others for their dereliction of duty."

"Secondly, it will establish the authority of the factory director to the highest heavens! By making an example of him, we can instill fear and tremble in those who follow, thus creating a system of mutual supervision... This is far better than having a steel knife to one's throat! It will eliminate such future troubles forever!"

After hearing this, Wang Jin suddenly burst into a hoarse laugh, like the cry of an owl!
Laughter echoed through the empty, elegant room, sending chills down one's spine.

Zhao Bao could only offer an awkward smile, but inwardly he was extremely uneasy, unsure whether his answer would satisfy Wang Jin.

The laughter stopped suddenly!

Wang Jin suddenly turned around, his deep, abyss-like eyes staring intently at Zhao Bao, as if trying to pierce his soul!

half an hour.

He gently raised his withered, branch-like hand and, unusually, with a kind of intimacy that was hard to discern as genuine, patted Zhao Bao's tense shoulder.

"It's rumored that you, Zhao Bao, are young and impetuous, and unfit for a position of great responsibility..."

Wang Jin's voice carried a strange, playful tone:

"But from our perspective..."

He nodded slightly, a faint yet chilling smile playing on his lips:
"Your ruthlessness reminds me of myself back then!"

Zhao Bao felt a sense of relief; the immense "honor" made his voice tremble with excitement:

"It was the Grand Eunuch who cultivated me! I could never repay his kindness, even if it meant my death!"

Wang Jin said nothing more, and his thin face returned to its indifferent expression.

He simply raised his hand casually towards the carnage outside the window.

The moment the arm slid down!
Outside the window—

hum!
A powerful gust of wind, strong enough to make your teeth ache, suddenly swept up!

Hundreds of gleaming steel knives were drawn from their sheaths in unison!
The cold, merciless light burst forth with a blinding, deathly aura under the blazing afternoon sun!

Puff puff puff——!
Chop the meat with a sharp knife!

Neck fracture!

A jet of blood shot into the sky!
Neat! Concise! Without any hesitation!

More than three hundred heads, like cut pumpkins, rolled all over the wide field!
More than three hundred headless corpses lay scattered in pools of thick blood, the blood gushing from their severed necks forming streams that meandered and stained the blue bricks red.

The strong stench of blood, mixed with the smell of earth and death, seemed to penetrate the nostrils even through the tall buildings, making one feel nauseous.

The guards, like indifferent butchers, methodically gathered together heads whose expressions were frozen in terror and despair, preparing to carry them away in baskets.

The cries of the palace maids, eunuchs, and imperial guards before their deaths seemed to still faintly echo in the air.

On the rolling heads, expressions varied: frozen fear, sudden shock, twisted resentment, blank despair...

It's practically a series of images depicting hell!

Zhao Bao's eyes widened suddenly!
My stomach churned violently!
Although he tried his best to control himself, the strong smell of blood that he inhaled still made his vision go slightly black.

The heads of the eunuchs, palace maids, and imperial guards that rolled off the walls... the flowing blood... at that moment seemed to transform into... Xiao Lian's innocent, tearful face! Liang Jin's silent, resolute figure! And his own terrified, distorted face!

weak!
This is the original sin!
The weak can only be crushed silently like weeds!

They don't even have the right to struggle!
Zhao Bao's fingernails were almost digging into his flesh!

An unprecedented ruthlessness, like a poisonous vine, climbed and grew from the depths of my heart!
Only by becoming stronger!

The only way is to climb upwards!
Climb until no one dares to bully you, no one dares to look at you!
Climb to the top where you can decide the life and death of others at will!

Only then can we break free from this shackle of being at the mercy of others!

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing all discomfort, and slowly swept his gaze across that hellish landscape.

Fortunately, Zhao Bao no longer needs to stand with such weaklings.

He has already aligned himself with the most powerful person in the dynasty.

Such a powerful figure could cut off hundreds of heads with just a wave of his hand.

Zhao Bao aspires to become such a strong person!
"Once the storm has started, it will not subside."

With his back to the slaughterhouse, Wang Jin seemed to be merely admiring the distant palace eaves, his voice as calm as if he were having a casual conversation:

"After the news of His Majesty's poor health spread, those dormant insects, smelling the fishy scent, began to stir."

His deep-set eyes, reflecting the light filtering through the window, appeared even more somber.
“Prince Jian’an, Zhao Xiu, has been causing the most trouble lately!”

"He's secretly hiding assassins in his private residence, recruiting outlaws from the martial world, and making friends with petty thieves. He's probably planning to take advantage of this storm... to cause a huge upheaval!"

Wang Jin slightly turned her head, her peripheral vision flashing like a sharp blade as she swept her gaze once more towards Zhao Bao:
"Keeping such a potential threat around would only cause His Majesty distress."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Bao was startled.

Prince Jian'an, Zhao Xiu!
Of course he knew this person.

Last year, the Emperor set up a trap and captured three of the most powerful princes, who were then insultingly given the titles of "Pig King," "Killer King," and "Thief King."

Liang Jin even became involved with Zhao Yu, the "Pig King".

The one who "killed the king" was Zhao Xiu.

Zhao Xiu's fate was far more tragic than Zhao Yu's.

He not only suffered numerous humiliations from the emperor, but even his mother, Consort Yang, was implicated and was repeatedly defiled by the emperor's orders to the guards in front of Zhao Xiu.

However, Zhao Xiu was skilled at forbearance and had a silver tongue. The emperor wanted to kill him several times, but he always managed to use his wit to flatter and please the emperor, causing the emperor to temporarily put aside his murderous intent.

He even gained the emperor's trust and was temporarily released, allowing him to live in the capital, though he was not allowed to leave.

Now Zhao Xiu actually wants to rebel?
Could it be... that he has already gained the support of an important figure?

Zhao Bao seemed to be deep in thought.

Zhao Xiu had always enjoyed a good reputation in the court, and his plight garnered sympathy from many ministers, with some even secretly helping him.

Even the police station suspected that the Six Doors had secretly provided some assistance to Zhao Xiu.

If he really does rebel while the emperor is seriously ill, then I'm afraid... the chances of success are very high!
But that's where the problem lies.

Zhao Xiu is not on the same side as Eunuch Wang Jin!

Zhao Bao's mind raced with thoughts!

Suddenly!

A cold, tangible gaze jolted him awake!
Wang Jin was staring straight at him!
Zhao Bao was so frightened that his heart almost stopped, and he hurriedly bowed his head.
"Factory Manager..."

Wang Jin's lips curled back into a smile, her weary and indifferent expression returning.

"I'm tired. Let's go rest."

He gently brushed his sleeves, as if dusting off a speck of dust:

"You can stay here by yourself. If you need to leave, then leave."

After saying that, he ignored Zhao Bao and turned to leave the pavilion.

Since Wang Jin had told him to stay for a while, he dared not disobey the order.

But in his heart, he kept thinking about what Wang Jin had told him.

The matter of Prince Jian'an, Zhao Xiu...

Why did he tell me all this?

"I get it, he's... hinting at me!"

"Without formal orders, I have to take all the initiative myself!"

A surge of anger welled up in Zhao Bao's heart.

He certainly understood what Wang Jin meant!
Now that the Emperor is seriously ill, if he were to pass away one day, Zhao Xiu would have a very high chance of ascending to the throne.

If Zhao Xiu were to take power, Wang Jin's situation would be dire.

and so……

Wang Jin wanted Zhao Xiu dead!
However, Wang Jin was unwilling to openly and completely break ties with all the ministers. Therefore, he did not give Zhao Bao a formal order, but only gave him a hint, asking Zhao Bao to do this for him.

Leaders are afraid of taking responsibility and hope their subordinates will take the blame.

Whether things are done well or not.

Everything was Zhao Bao's personal action.

Wang Jin can absolve himself of all responsibility.

If something really happens, he will be the culprit, condemned by all the court officials and the target of everyone's scorn!

They could be thrown out like rags at any time to appease public anger and maintain the "face" of the factory owner!
The immense humiliation and anger were like venomous snakes, gnawing at Zhao Bao's heart and lungs!
do?
Should we not do it?
Does he still have a choice?

Without Wang Jin's promotion and protection, Zhao Bao, this newly appointed third-rank official, would be nothing more than a candle flickering in the wind!
If you want to stay put and reach the top, you must be completely tied to this ship and become the sharpest and most ruthless knife in Wang Jin's hand!

Especially during this process, he also has to protect himself so that he doesn't become a pawn that can be discarded at any time.

If you don't want to be discarded, you must become more valuable!
Its irreplaceable value is enough to save lives!
At this thought, a cold glint flashed in Zhao Bao's eyes!

He remembered Liang Jin's invitation to him.

One cannot... hang oneself on one tree.

Even Zhao Bao cannot be completely controlled by Wang Jin!

He lingered, disappearing silently from this magnificent yet bloody prison like a ghost.

…………

royal palace.

The setting sun casts a golden glow on the cold palace walls, casting long, lonely shadows of the palace guards.

Liang Jin stood beside the iron cage, his hand on his sword, his armor reflecting the cold gleam of the metal in the afterglow of the setting sun.

He'll be changing shifts in a little while.

Liang Jin also knew that the intelligence would be updated today.

really.

A string of information quickly popped up on the intelligence panel:
[Complete sect missions today: 3]

[Amount of information available: 3]

[Intelligence 1: Zhao Bao, the third-in-command of the Criminal Investigation Bureau, plans to infiltrate the Jian'an Prince's residence tonight to assassinate Zhao Xiu. However, he is unaware that Zhao Xiu is not in the residence. If you can warn Zhao Bao, you will earn his gratitude.]

[Intelligence 2: Prince Jian'an, Zhao Xiu, will ascend the Thousand-Foot Pagoda tonight at Hai hour (9-11 PM) to secretly meet with Shen Wujiu, the Six Doors' chief constable, intending to offer him substantial benefits to gain his assistance. However, Zhao Xiu's wishful thinking is destined to fail.]

[Intelligence 3: Shen Wujiu, the Six Doors' chief constable, has been unusually irritable lately. He has received news of Qin Feng's murder, and Zhen Lei has mysteriously disappeared. This leaves him with no one to rely on, making him increasingly unprepared for the impending upheaval in the capital. If you can help him resolve his troubles, you will surely earn his gratitude and be given an important position.]

Since Liang Jinsheng took over as the flag commander, he has been able to complete one more sect task every day, which means he can get one more piece of intelligence.

Looking at the intelligence before him, Liang Jin was slightly surprised.

It's quite rare for three related pieces of information to appear simultaneously like this.

What Liang Jin didn't expect was that Zhao Bao actually wanted to assassinate Prince Jian'an, Zhao Xiu!
Zhao Xiu was a member of the imperial family and a prince. If he were to die, it would surely cause a huge uproar in the capital.

Especially now that the emperor is about to die.

Liang Jin didn't care about a prince dying; in fact, the more princes in the capital died, the more advantageous it would be for him.

He just didn't expect that Zhao Bao would get involved in this matter.

If the matter is exposed, Zhao Bao will lose the position of Third Rank Officer that he worked so hard to obtain.

They might even face nationwide arrest warrants, leaving them no choice but to live as fugitives.

"It seems Zhao Bao has no choice in the matter."

Liang Jin sighed inwardly.

He knew very well that Zhao Bao was so smart that he would not have done such a high-risk thing unless someone forced him to.

The earlobe twitched slightly, and a very subtle fluctuation of internal energy, carrying a unique aura, had arrived!
"The intelligence arrived, and the people came right afterward..."

Liang Jin raised the corners of his mouth slightly, and without making a sound, turned to the side, heading towards a part of the old cypress forest that was out of the sight of the patrol.

Zhao Bao had already quietly taken up position behind an old, gnarled cypress tree, his eyes sharp:

"Brother Jin... talk to me over here!"

Liang Jin slipped closer, and the dappled shadows of the trees enveloped the two of them.

"I've made up my mind! I want to get involved too!"

Zhao Bao's voice was extremely low, yet it carried an unwavering resolve:
"If we brothers join forces, we will surely carve out a foothold in this turbulent capital!"

Liang Jin extended his hand.

Zhao Bao responded in kind.

Two hands, stained with blood and scheming, yet equally powerful, clasped tightly in the dim light!
A tacit understanding and trust that needs no words flows between them!
The addition of Zhao Bao as a hidden figure has significantly increased his importance to Zhao Yu and the entire scheme!
"You're going to kill Prince Jian'an, Zhao Xiu?"

Liang Jin got straight to the point, his voice like shattered jade striking ice.

Zhao Bao was startled!
An incredulous look of horror flashed in his eyes!

A chill instantly shot from the soles of my feet straight to the top of my head!
This top-secret plot... only took root in Wang Jin's elegant room, which was filled with the stench of blood!
How did Liang Jin find out?

unless……

"The Prince of Huaiyang's intelligence network... has actually infiltrated the inner circle of the Grand Eunuch?"

Zhao Bao suddenly realized, and his heart pounded wildly!
To be able to plant such deep spies in the very heart of the Criminal Investigation Bureau... the hidden strength of Zhao Yu and his son probably far exceeds his expectations!
This gave Zhao Bao more confidence in his choice!
Liang Jin did not explain the source of the intelligence, but only pointed out the key point:

"Zhao Xiuren is not at the Prince's residence tonight."

At the hour of Hai (9-11 PM), Zhao Xiu climbed the Thousand-Foot Pagoda and secretly met with the God of Arrest, Shen Wujiu.

A sharp glint flashed in Zhao Bao's eyes!

He became increasingly certain of his deduction.

Only a powerful intelligence network can uncover these secrets.

"Thanks for the reminder, Brother Xie!"

Zhao Bao sincerely thanked him.

Without this intelligence, his attempt to assassinate the prince by recklessly breaking into the palace would surely have failed.

Even if he manages to extricate himself in the end, he will still have to find another opportunity to assassinate.

The more assassinations he attempts, the greater the probability of failure and exposure.

Zhao Bao was gambling with his life on this matter, and he couldn't afford to make a mistake.

He scanned his surroundings warily:

"This is not the place to talk..."

Liang Jin lowered his voice accordingly:

“Yesterday, in that eerily replicated capital city ruins… I saw a figure whose movements bore an uncanny resemblance to yours.”

"Zhao Bao, you've also entered that strange place?"

Jingxu!

Upon hearing this, Zhao Bao was startled once again.

He was deeply shocked yesterday, ever since he first entered that fake capital city.

After Zhao Bao died and left, he went to the police station to review intelligence and learned that the fake capital city in this strange time and space appeared shortly after he left the capital.

Meanwhile, many martial artists in the capital were summoned to join them.

This fake capital city even attracted the attention of the eunuch, who once ordered a thorough investigation.

It wasn't just factory workers.

Even many important figures in the capital are investigating, as are many other forces such as the Six Doors, the Imperial Guards, and the Imperial Bodyguards.

Even now, no one has been able to find out the truth about that place.

They simply gave that place a name—Jingxu!
Judging from Liang Jin's words, it was clear that Liang Jin was also a martial artist who had been summoned to the capital ruins.

"Yesterday was the first time I got dragged into this... Brother Jin, how long have you been in there?"

"Is it safe to communicate with each other in there?"

He was equally interested in the capital city ruins and had long wanted to find someone to learn more about the inside story.

Intelligence from the intelligence bureau is, after all, just cold, hard text. Having an old man to guide you would undoubtedly make things much easier.

Now that Liang Jin is actually an old man in the capital, that's naturally the best thing.

Liang Jin shook his head and said:
"Given your current status, your frequent approach to the cage is simply too conspicuous."

"The Jingxu Market is open every day."

"But inside, it's a great place for communication, and it's absolutely safe."

"Let's talk about some things when we get there."

Zhao Bao had no objection to this.

As for safety... even the various factions in the capital city haven't been able to investigate this place thoroughly, so communicating there won't be known to those factions.

Liang Jin then continued:

"Tomorrow, same place."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Bao immediately knew what place it was.

He and Liang Jin had secretly plotted something at the Zuifenglou in the capital.

In that fake capital city, there must also be a fake Drunken Wind Pavilion.

That place was where the two met.

Zhao Bao agreed without hesitation:

"Alright, after tonight's business is settled... regardless of success or failure, we'll talk again tomorrow!"

Just before turning around.

Zhao Bao's gaze fell on the huge iron cage in the distance, where a bloated and filthy figure was curled up.

His voice suddenly became deep and clear:
"Brother Jin... I only trust you."

"I'm getting involved in this mess to get back at Brother Jin, not Zhao Yu!"

Liang Jin understood that Zhao Bao did not intend to contact Zhao Yu directly, but only wanted to connect with him.

This way, even if something happens, Zhao Bao will be much safer.

Liang Jin understood that this was Zhao Bao's bottom line for self-preservation.

Liang Jin agreed to this.
"Don't worry! Until everything settles down, neither Zhao Yu nor anyone else will know you were involved!"

If things go wrong, it will be easy for Liang Jin to extricate himself.

If Zhao Bao is not directly involved, but only indirectly involved in ensuring safety, then Liang Jin will not have so many concerns.

Immediately, Zhao Bao's figure disappeared like a ghost into the deepening twilight.

Liang Jin returned to the vicinity of the iron cage.

As the sun begins to set in the west, it's time for the changing of the guard.

Liang Jin spoke clearly into the iron cage:

"Your Highness, I'm taking a day off tomorrow and will be changing shifts soon. Is there anything you need to tell me?"

Deep within the iron cage, beneath his unkempt, greasy hair, Zhao Yu raised his swollen face.

He looked at Liang Jin, his voice hoarse like a broken bellows:

"I've just remembered something that I need you to take with me."

"Don't let Xue Feng get involved, only bring it to... the Crown Prince."

(End of this chapter)