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

Chapter 637: The King's Killer

The atmosphere in the palace was extremely tense.

The flickering candlelight cast leaping shadows on Wang Jin's face, which was contorted with extreme anger, making his already sinister features appear even more like those of a vengeful ghost from the depths of hell.

His aura was no longer just surging, but like a volcano about to go out of control.

Liang Jin stood still, his figure as straight as a pine tree. Under Wang Jin's terrifying aura, which was enough to crush an ordinary third-rank martial artist, he appeared unusually calm.

He shook his head slightly, the movement carrying an almost deliberate composure; his voice was not loud, yet it clearly pierced through the suffocating pressure.

"Father-in-law, please calm down."

He tried to explain, his words tinged with a hint of helplessness:
"If I were truly a spy sent by the Six Doors, why would I need to go through all this trouble? All I need to do is—"

However, before the trouble was over, a sudden change occurred!

Wang Jin's figure suddenly blurred on the spot, as if it had been wiped away by an invisible giant hand in an instant, leaving only a slightly distorted afterimage in the air.

At the same time, an even colder aura than the ten-thousand-year-old ice, carrying a bone-chilling killing intent, rushed straight towards Liang Jin's face without warning!
Where the chill swept by, the candlelight flickered violently, almost going out, and tiny, visible ice crystals even condensed in the air.

"You won't even let me finish speaking?!"

Liang Jin's pupils suddenly contracted to the size of needles, and alarm bells rang in his mind.

The instant Wang Jin disappeared, all the muscles in his body tensed up like a bowstring, his fighting instincts surpassing his thoughts.

He knew what Wang Jin was up to!
Wang Jin wanted to kill someone, and he wanted to kill them silently!

He was clearly wary of making too much of a commotion.

Having failed to achieve his goal from a distance, the ruthless eunuch completely lost his patience.

He was determined to strike with overwhelming force, using his demonic claws—claws that had torn through countless flesh and bones and were tempered to be comparable to divine weapons—to personally snap Liang Jin's neck!
A chilling wind swept over me, its deadly cold already locked onto my throat!
Liang Jin could even hear the faint, sharp whistling sound of the claws tearing through the air.

Without the slightest hesitation!

Liang Jin's entire body resonated with a creaking sound, like a fully drawn bow suddenly being released.

Instead of dodging, he twisted his waist, lowered his shoulders, and stepped forward, instantly concentrating all his strength into his right fist!

The fist was no longer flesh and blood, but transformed into a siege hammer, carrying an indomitable and resolute will to crush everything, facing the source of that chilling aura.

It was unleashed with overwhelming force!

"BOOM—!!!!!!!!!"

This collision is far more significant than any previous one!
It was as if two shooting stars had collided violently in the cramped palace!
The violent energy exploded instantly, transforming into a visible circular shockwave that swept in all directions with destructive power!

"Snap! Crash—!"

The sturdy nanmu pillars emitted a teeth-grinding groan, and their surfaces were instantly covered with spiderweb-like cracks.

The glazed tiles on the roof seemed to have been overturned by an invisible giant hand, falling like raindrops and crashing onto the polished gold brick floor, the sound of them shattering incessant.

The rosewood shelves, carved cabinets, and priceless antique porcelain displayed inside the hall collapsed and shattered like withered grass swept by a hurricane, making a dull, loud noise.

The bright yellow curtains were torn apart, the exquisite palace lanterns crashed to the ground, candle wax dripped, and a small flame was extinguished instantly by the shockwave.

The most shocking sight was the layers upon layers of gold-threaded gauze curtains on the dragon bed, which were suddenly lifted and torn apart by the violent airflow, flying wildly like startled white birds.

The entire palace was trembling and groaning violently!
Dust, wood chips, porcelain shards, and rubble poured down like a torrential rain, instantly turning this imperial bedchamber, a symbol of supreme imperial power, into a chaotic battlefield.

The epicenter of the impact.

The two figures were thrown back as if by a tremendous force, each staggering back several steps.

With each step, the gold bricks beneath his feet emitted a dull cracking sound, leaving clear footprints.

Wang Jin steadied himself, but his ghostly claws, which were powerful enough to pierce gold and split rocks and had been tempered with insidious internal energy for decades, were now trembling slightly uncontrollably.

He raised his hand, looking incredulously at the few faint red marks on his pale fingertips—marks left by the purest and most extreme recoil force!

"How could this happen?!"

His sinister gaze was fixed on Liang Jin, a mixture of shock, anger, and a barely perceptible sense of apprehension in his eyes.

His claws could easily tear even the finest steel as easily as tearing paper.

But that seemingly sure-fire strike just now felt like it had crashed into a high-speed moving mountain of black iron!

That overwhelming force traveled through his claws and straight into his arm, causing his blood and qi to surge and his arm meridians to ache faintly.

Liang Jin slowly raised his fist.

Three shallow white marks were clearly imprinted on the fist, with slightly reddish edges, indicating that they were caused by the sharp energy of Wang Jin's claws.

He shook his wrist, feeling a slight tingling and numbness in his joints, but a calm smile appeared on his face.

But beneath that smile lay a chilling coldness, like that of a deep, still pool.

"My lord, in terms of internal strength cultivation, I am ashamed to admit my inferiority."

"But if we only consider the muscles, bones, skin, and flesh, and the brute strength and blood in this body..."

He paused, his gaze sharp as lightning, staring directly at Wang Jin:

"I believe I am not afraid of anyone!"

He tried to communicate again, speaking more gently:

"Between you and me, there is no irreconcilable enmity."

“We can also have common interests, and we can sit down and talk.”

however.

What responded to Liang Jin was a terrifying aura emanating from Wang Jin that surged again, rising like a tsunami!
For Wang Jin, the clash just now was really just a test!

It was like a giant beast lazily waving its claws.

At this moment, this unfathomable eunuch truly revealed his fangs!

The aura surrounding him seemed to condense into swirling black mist.

He slowly raised his ghostly claws, his ten fingers spread wide, the tips of which were surrounded by a dark, deep black light that seemed to devour light.

A terrifying, destructive energy gathered and compressed wildly between his claws.

The air around the claws hummed under the strain, and the space itself seemed to distort slightly.

That concentrated power exuded a deathly aura that could annihilate any third-rank expert!

What's even more terrifying are his eyes!
Those eyes, which usually concealed endless scheming and calculation, now gleamed with an eerie light!
That was the powerful martial intent of a martial artist who had entered the Netherworld Realm!

This "intention" locked onto Liang Jin, making him feel a chill from the depths of his soul, as if the flow of his blood had frozen.

"Are they really going to get serious now?"

Liang Jin frowned.

Wang Jin's murderous intent was burning fiercely, leaving no room for maneuver!

Just as Wang Jin's killing move was about to be completed, the claw, which was imbued with destructive power, was about to tear through space.

The last trace of hesitation in Liang Jin's eyes vanished completely, replaced by a fierce and resolute determination born of being driven to the brink!

'Fine, fine! You can't understand human language, can you?'

A surge of anger welled up inside me.

"If you don't eat the toast, you will be punished with alcohol!"

With a sharp shout, Liang Jin stopped talking and moved swiftly!
"call--!!!"

A sudden gust of wind arose out of nowhere in the palace!

This wind is not a natural wind, but rather the effect of Liang Jin using the "Walking in the Wind and Shadows" technique!

Liang Jin himself was completely absorbed into this raging hurricane!

His speed was unbelievable, and his target was crystal clear.

They rushed straight to the emperor, who was fast asleep and on the verge of death, on his dragon bed!

His strategy was simple, brutal, yet deadly effective—attack where the enemy must defend!

"You little beast! How dare you!!!"

Wang Jin's piercing roar was like the cry of a night owl, filled with shock and rage!
His terrifying killing move, which he had prepared to the extreme and whose claw could have torn Liang Jin to pieces, was frozen in mid-air!

The concentrated power fluctuated violently between his claws, emitting a piercing shriek, but he ultimately did not unleash it.

Because...it's too late!
Liang Jin's speed after using "Walking in the Wind and Shadows" far exceeded his expectations!
The figure that blended into the wind was so fast that it was beyond the reach of his "Entering the Netherworld" martial intent!

Almost at the same time that Wang Jin roared.

Liang Jin's hand, like an iron clamp, firmly gripped the fragile neck of the emperor on the dragon bed!
The strong wind suddenly stopped.

The palace fell into a deathly silence.

The only sounds were the occasional rustling of falling rubble and Wang Jin's heavy, bellows-like breathing, born of extreme anger.

Liang Jin's violent aura vanished instantly, as if he had never been there.

He stood quietly beside the dragon bed, holding the emperor in one hand as if he were a chick.

That hand was frighteningly steady, not exerting any force, just loosely clasped.

The emperor, whom he was holding, was completely unaware of the earth-shattering changes that had occurred outside the palace because Wang Jin had previously put him to sleep. He was still breathing weakly and laboriously in his sleep.

It resembled a living corpse draped in a dragon robe.

Liang Jin shifted his gaze from the "hostage" in his hand, which symbolized supreme power, and calmly turned it to the eunuch with the palm print, who was trembling slightly with extreme anger and fear, a few feet away.

His voice wasn't loud, but it echoed clearly in the deathly silent palace, carrying a chilling indifference:

"If I can't deal with you, I can at least deal with him!"

These words, like the most vicious mockery, slapped Wang Jin hard across the face.

No matter how high his martial arts skills or how great his power, he was now being manipulated by Liang Jin, who was almost a rogue but whose actions were precise and deadly, and was driven into a desperate situation!
The emperor's body was already on its last legs; let alone Liang Jin using force, even the slightest shake could kill him instantly.

This is the real reason why Wang Jin has been so hesitant to act before!

And now, this biggest weakness is firmly in Liang Jin's grasp.

Wang Jin's teeth were clenched so tightly they were grinding together, his eyes were bloodshot, and he was staring intently at Liang Jin's hand that was gripping the emperor's throat, as if he wanted to burn it through with his gaze.

His chest heaved violently as he forcefully suppressed the raging killing intent that threatened to burst forth from his body, forcing out a chilling and piercing rebuke through clenched teeth:
"Liang! Advance!"

"How dare you hijack the imperial carriage and commit such a heinous act!"

"Put the Emperor down immediately!"

"Otherwise, we'll make you suffer all 360 tortures in the police station, so that you can neither live nor die!"

Faced with this threat that would terrify anyone, Liang Jin instead smiled.

The smile looked somewhat eerie in the dim light, carrying a worldly-wise scorn and a resolute, undeterred attitude:

“Father-in-law, I know you’re in a hurry, but please don’t rush.”

His tone even carried a hint of reassurance, yet it was all the more ironic as he waved the hostage in his hand:

"We can finally have a calm and peaceful talk, right?"

Wang Jin was so angry he laughed:

"talk?"

His voice was like the cry of an owl:

"If you dare to harm even a hair on His Majesty's head, you will be condemned to death!"

"The crime of regicide is intolerable to Heaven and Earth! You will have nowhere to go, no way to escape to the underworld, and even the extermination of your entire clan will not be enough to atone for your sins!"

"All your relatives, family members, and clansmen will be plunged into an abyss of no return because of your outrageous act!"

Liang Jin's smile deepened, carrying an almost manic composure:

"is it?"

He looked down at the emperor in his hand:
"To exchange my lowly life, that of a mere seventh-rank bannerman, for the burial of an emperor? This deal doesn't sound like a bad one."

"In the annals of history, regardless of loyalty, treachery, good or evil, the name 'Liang Jin murdered the emperor' will always be recorded, thus ensuring his name will be remembered for posterity."

He raised his head, meeting Wang Jin's murderous gaze, and spoke as casually as if discussing the weather:
"As for the nine generations of relatives? I'm afraid you're wasting your time."

“I am all alone and have long been an orphan. If you want to exterminate my entire family, I’m afraid you’ll have to trouble your men to search the Book of Life and Death in the underworld to find my relatives and ancestors.”

He abruptly changed the subject, his tone turning icy:

"Besides... does Your Excellency really think that only the emperor was buried with him?"

His gaze was like a knife, piercing straight into Wang Jin's heart:
"If the emperor were to die here tonight, even if you, my lord, possess extraordinary abilities and can pin all the blame on me, this 'madman'."

"I ask you, among the opinions of the people of the world, and among the high-ranking officials in the court, how many would actually believe this?"

Liang Jin's voice echoed in the deathly silent palace, each word like a cold awl, piercing Wang Jin's deepest fears:

"How could a mere banner commander be 'inexplicably' arranged to enter the heavily guarded imperial palace? And how could he 'suddenly lose his mind' and successfully assassinate the emperor right under the nose of you, the Grand Eunuch, the top expert in the palace?"

He let out a sneer:
"People in the world aren't fools!"

"They can only speculate that there must be a 'mastermind' behind all this!"

"Who could drive away all the Imperial Guards from the new residence? Who had the authority to order an unknown nobody like me to enter the palace in the dead of night? And who removed all the sentries and hidden guards around the palace, turning this place into an undefended ghost town?"

Liang Jin's gaze was fixed on Wang Jin's ever-changing face, and each word he uttered was like a verdict:

"All of this, no matter how you look at it, points to you, Eunuch Wang!"

"When everyone in the world believes that it was you, the Grand Eunuch and Director of the Bureau of Investigation, who betrayed your master, was disloyal and unjust, and committed the heinous crimes of plotting to usurp the throne, murdering the emperor, and destroying the country."

"Father-in-law, those who have long regarded you as a thorn in their side and wish they could tear you apart and sleep on your skin, those court officials who are suffocating under your oppression, those nobles who are vying for power with you, those enemies whose families you have wiped out... they will swarm in like sharks that smell blood!"

"By then, the number of people who want you dead will be countless, like fish crossing a river. Can you, the top expert in the palace, really handle it?"

Wang Jin's body jolted violently!
Liang Jin's words were like a cold key, precisely unlocking the Pandora's box of his deepest fears.

He stared intently at Liang Jin, then at the emperor in Liang Jin's hand. His sinister old face twitched uncontrollably, alternating between pale and flushed, as if a vat of dye had been overturned.

The surging, almost destructive killing intent around him rose and fell violently like the receding tide, but it could no longer erupt as recklessly as before.

Reason and anger clashed fiercely in his mind. The terrible future that Liang Jin described—a future of disgrace and condemnation by the world—weighed heavily on his heart like an invisible iceberg.

Liang Jin remained silent.

He leisurely carried the emperor and slowly sat down on the dragon bed, which symbolized supreme power.

His movements were as casual as if he were sitting on his own kang (heated brick bed).

He even adjusted his posture to make himself more comfortable before raising his eyes and calmly looking at Wang Jin, who was standing stiffly not far away.

He's gambling.

Gambling King Jin was a smart man, but also a man who valued his life and power.

He knew that others might not care about the emperor's life or death.

But Wang Jin is different!
Wang Jin's nominal power all came from the emperor.

In particular, Wang Jin was in charge of the emperor's secret seal, and there are probably some secret connections between him and the emperor.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so desperate to save the emperor.

This "care" is Liang Jin's biggest bargaining chip at this moment!

Time passed slowly in a suffocating silence.

Only the emperor's faint, almost inaudible breathing and Wang Jin's heavy, suppressed panting echoed in the hall.

suddenly!

The emperor in Liang Jin's hand trembled, and then slowly opened his eyes.

The series of dramatic events finally woke the emperor from his sleep.

His hands began to flailing about, and he made noises as he spoke:

"How dare you! Who has the audacity to... grab me by the neck?"

"Wang Jin...Wang Jin! Quickly...kill him for me!"

"Execute his entire clan! Quickly..."

The emperor is now extremely weak, and his struggles are feeble and futile.

These repeated struggles only made him cough and wheeze incessantly, almost to the point of suffocating himself.

At this moment, neither Liang Jin nor Wang Jin paid any attention to the emperor.

Their attention was completely focused on each other.

at last.

The terrifying aura emanating from Wang Jin, which seemed almost tangible, vanished without a trace, like a punctured balloon.

All the anger, contortion, and murderous intent on his face vanished in an instant, replaced by an extremely complex expression—shock, resentment, bitterness, scrutiny, and a hint of… indescribable dejection.

He suddenly let out a dry, hoarse laugh, like sandpaper rubbing against rotten wood:

"Hehe...hehehe...Liang Jin, Liang Jin..."

He slowly shook his head, his gaze complex as he re-examined the young flag commander before him, as if recognizing him for the first time:

"You... are the only person in our family in this lifetime... who has been misjudged time and time again!"

His voice carried a sense of weariness and disbelief:

"I truly never expected... I really never expected it! At such a young age, your martial arts skills have already become so refined and domineering! Far beyond what ordinary third-rank martial artists can achieve!"

“That kid Zhao Bao went to Burial Dragon Ridge and came back completely transformed, his martial arts improving by leaps and bounds… It seems you also benefited from that ‘fortuitous’ trip and were greatly influenced by that ‘Netherworld Bloodline’, right?”

At this point, Wang Jin's dry laugh carried a hint of coldness and warning:

"That thing does indeed have the miraculous effect of seizing the power of heaven and earth, and can make people's strength increase dramatically in a short period of time."

"But you're obsessed with this crooked path, forcibly elevating yourself with the help of external tools, neglecting self-cultivation, and failing to understand the true meaning of martial arts... Sooner or later, you'll regret it!"

"It will devour you, eventually turning you...unrecognizable!"

He left his words unfinished, clearly implying something, but did not elaborate further.

Liang Jin felt a chill run down his spine, instantly thinking of the inhuman and ghostly criminals in the Nine Abyss Rock Prison, and the emperor in his hand who had been corrupted by a curse and was no longer human!

However, he wasn't worried about himself.

The eunuch never dreamed that Liang Jin's martial arts skills improved so quickly because of the system.

Liang Jin, however, began to worry about Zhao Bao.

He knew very well that Zhao Baocai matched the description given by Wang Jin.

at this time.

Wang Jin's tone suddenly turned sharp, filled with deep fear and disgust:

"But the biggest mistake we made was your rebellious nature! You're a born thief!"

"The people of the capital, having received the Emperor's favor, are mostly gentle and kind, loyal to the Emperor and patriotic, and regard the Emperor and father as heaven."

"But you, you rascal..."

He pointed at Liang Jin, his fingers trembling slightly with excitement:
"They have no respect for the emperor, no reverence whatsoever! They act recklessly and are utterly audacious!"

“Our family has been in charge of the seal for decades and has arrested countless traitors. But a madman like you, whose very bones are engraved with the word ‘traitor,’ who dares to use the emperor as a bargaining chip… this is truly the first time in history that I have ever seen such a thing!”

Wang Jin's voice was filled with regret and a hint of barely perceptible frustration.

He had been a master strategist his entire life, yet tonight he suffered such a crushing defeat in his own most tightly controlled palace!

He originally thought Liang Jin was nothing more than a pawn with special bloodline that could be used.

He could suppress it with a flick of his hand and use its bloodline to prolong the emperor's life.

Unexpectedly, this chess piece not only possessed ridiculously high martial arts skills, but also had a ruthless and decisive nature, and an audacious spirit!

By kidnapping the emperor, he completely disrupted all of his plans, forcing the player into a dead end with no way out!
If he had known this would happen, he would have laid a trap and mobilized the best guards of the Imperial Guard, and would never have given Liang Jin the slightest chance!
Unfortunately, there's no going back. Upon hearing this, Liang Jin burst into laughter, the sound echoing wildly in the empty, dilapidated bedchamber.

"Haha! Father-in-law, you are mistaken!"

"Before accusing Liang of being audacious and reckless, he should first take a look at the path he himself is on!"

His smile vanished, his gaze sharp as a knife.

"I, Liang, have merely shown disrespect to the supreme imperial authority. But what about you, sir?"

He surveyed the chaotic palace, as if examining the overwhelming evidence of Wang Jin's crimes:
"The blood on your hands could probably form a river! The vengeful spirits haunting you are probably more numerous than all the palace maids and eunuchs in this new mansion!"

"Nowadays, people all over the world tremble at the mere mention of the name 'Criminal Investigation Bureau,' and even children stop crying!"

"Isn't this infamous reputation precisely earned by you and your henchmen, through the lives of countless innocent people and countless horrific wrongful imprisonments?"

Wang Jin's face was ashen, and he let out a cold snort:
"Hmph! Stop with your empty words! We don't have time to listen to your nonsense!"

He stared intently at Liang Jin's hand gripping the emperor's throat, his voice forced out through clenched teeth:

"Speak! What exactly do you want... to release the Emperor?"

This is his bottom line, and it's the only issue he cares about right now.

At this moment, the emperor in Liang Jin's hands began to struggle again.

He had overheard some of their conversation.

He called out again:
"Liang Jin...who is he? What official position does he hold..."

"If you don't relinquish me... your entire Liang clan will not live!"

"Wang Jin...Quickly! Kill this traitorous...rebel!"

The emperor was still roaring angrily, his face flushed, and he would gasp for breath after every two shouts.

Upon hearing this, a cold glint flashed in Liang Jin's eyes.

But then, a meaningful smile appeared on his lips, and he slowly shook his head.

He no longer glanced at the emperor in his hand, but continued to look at Wang Jin:

"Let go?"

“Father-in-law, you’re joking.”

He gently shook the emperor in his hand, a casual gesture that sent Wang Jin's heart leaping into his throat:

"Now that His Majesty is in my hands, he is my greatest protection and the only guarantee that I can leave this palace alive tonight."

"If I release him now..."

Liang Jin's gaze suddenly sharpened like a hawk's, piercing straight at Wang Jin:

"Wouldn't that be courting death?"

"At that time, with you, the top martial arts master of the Imperial Guard, plus the elite detectives of the Investigation Bureau whom you can mobilize at any time, all coming out in full force... wouldn't I be unable to escape and certain to die?"

Wang Jin's eyes instantly turned incredibly sharp.

The murderous aura he had just suppressed surged forth like dry tinder being ignited, causing the temperature inside the palace to plummet again, and even more ice crystals to condense in the air.

"You think you can mess with us?!"

If Liang Jin doesn't release them, he's touching a nerve, and there's absolutely no room for negotiation!

The only option is for both sides to fight to the death!

"Please calm down, Father-in-law!"

Liang Jin quickly raised his hand in a reassuring gesture, but there was no fear on his face:

"I had absolutely no such intention."

"On the contrary, I have a way that may resolve the current situation, which will benefit you, me, and even... the overall situation."

He deliberately emphasized the word "overall situation".

Wang Jin suppressed his surging killing intent and forced out a single word through gritted teeth:

"speak!"

Liang Jin's gaze returned to the emperor, who was now struggling to breathe, and his tone became unusually calm, almost cold:

"Moreover, Your Excellency knows better than anyone that His Majesty has been ill for a long time, and his condition is critical, with no medicine effective."

"The dragon's return to heaven... will probably only be a matter of three to five days."

His voice was crystal clear in the deathly silent palace:
"With the emperor's arrival, how can the throne remain vacant?"

"The ascension of a new emperor to the throne and the succession of the throne is the cycle of Heaven, which has been predetermined and cannot be changed by human power."

Wang Jin simply stared coldly at Liang Jin, a mocking sneer on her lips, without uttering a word.

To speak so openly about the emperor's impending death and the new emperor's ascension to the throne is truly treasonous.

As the head of the inner court and a confidant of the emperor, even if he agreed in his heart, he could never speak out in agreement.

Liang Jin didn't care about Wang Jin's reaction; he lowered his voice even further:

"Since the outcome was already predetermined, and fate is inescapable... then what essential difference does it make whether it's a few days earlier or a few days later?"

He paused, his gaze sharp as lightning, locking onto Wang Jin's eyes, each word striking like a heavy hammer:

"Since the situation is irreversible, then... what's wrong with bringing it forward?"

in advance?!
Wang Jin's heart skipped a beat.

An extremely ominous and chilling premonition instantly gripped him!

His eyes were wide open, staring intently at Liang Jin.

Liang Jin slowly lifted the emperor in his hands, his movements as gentle as if he were holding a fragile piece of porcelain, but his eyes were icy cold and devoid of any warmth.

His gaze swept past the emperor's flushed and pale face, landing directly on Wang Jin, whose expression had drastically changed. A subtle yet chilling smile curved his lips.
"So, this is what I mean by a win-win solution."

The moment the words fell!
Liang Jin's hand, which was loosely gripping the emperor's throat, suddenly moved!
A powerful, domineering, and destructive internal force, like a flood bursting its banks, poured into the emperor's already fragile meridians without reservation!
"You traitor! How dare you murder your king—!!!"

Wang Jin's shriek was heart-wrenching, filled with endless horror, anger, and despair!

His figure sprang up like a ghost, his withered claws tearing through space as they reached for Liang Jin!
The speed is extremely fast!
However, it was still too late!

"puff!"

A dull, heart-stopping soft sound rang out.

The emperor's emaciated body trembled violently in Liang Jin's hands, as if struck by an invisible giant hammer!

His already weak and difficult breathing stopped instantly!

His withered head and arms, like a puppet with its strings cut, hung down completely and limply.

This emperor, who once reigned supreme, didn't even have time to utter a groan before his soul departed into the void.

He died in front of the eunuch he trusted most.

He died at the hands of a minor commander whom he had never taken seriously!
Inside the palace, time seemed to stand still.

Wang Jin's suddenly leaping figure froze halfway through his journey.

The expression on his face changed from extreme anger to utter blankness in an instant.

A blank space mixed with bewilderment, disbelief, and... a huge sense of absurdity.

He, Wang Jin, the head of the Imperial Investigation Bureau who held sway over the inner court, wielded immense power, and was known for his flawless strategies, actually... miscalculated once again!

He had considered everything, including the possibility that Liang Jin might kidnap him, negotiate with him, or even fight to the death.

But no matter how much he thought about it, he never imagined that this little flag commander would actually dare to do it!

They actually dared to kill the emperor with their own hands right in front of him!

"Ho... ho ho..."

A wounded beast-like growl escaped Wang Jin's throat, and the blank alarm clock was quickly replaced by a fury capable of burning everything!

"You're looking for death!!!"

A roar that seemed to come from the deepest hell shook the entire palace!
Wang Jin was absolutely furious!

bristle!

His meticulously combed white hair was suddenly unbound by the surging true energy, and each strand stood up, blowing the jade-inlaid gauze hat on his head away!
His aura and killing intent were no longer just surging, but like a volcano that had been suppressed for thousands of years finally erupting!

The terrifying aura transformed into a visible, viscous, ink-black wave of energy, like a tangible tidal wave, sweeping outwards in all directions!

“Rumble——!!!”

The palace trembled violently, as if it had been struck by the most violent earthquake!
The cracks that had previously appeared on the wall spread and expanded wildly, emitting a tooth-grinding groan.

Large chunks of plaster, bricks, and rubble poured down like a torrential rain!

The beams creaked under the weight, and the entire palace seemed on the verge of collapsing at any moment!
Dust filled the air, obscuring the view.

The violent force even swept the scattered debris into the air, forming a destructive storm!

The brocade quilt and gauze curtains on the dragon bed were instantly torn to shreds!

Wang Jin's eyes were completely filled with an inhuman, burning, eerie green light!

He stared intently at Liang Jin, his gaze filled with a hatred that could melt steel!

Liang Jin murdered the emperor right in front of him, which was not only a trampling on his duties and an insult to his loyalty, but also the most thorough mockery of his lifelong desire for control!
At this moment, he had only one thought in his mind—to grind this madman before him to dust! To utterly destroy his soul!

When Wang Jin is in a rage, he is far more terrifying than he has ever been before!

Liang Jin gently placed the emperor's lifeless body back onto the disheveled dragon bed, his movements even carrying a strange "gentleness."

He turned around and faced Wang Jin, who seemed like a demon god descending to earth, exuding an aura of world-destroying power. Yet, his face showed no fear, only an almost cold calm.

Just as Wang Jin's claw, imbued with boundless resentment and killing intent, was about to tear through space and completely devour Liang Jin—

"You want to fight?!"

Liang Jin suddenly roared, his voice like thunder, which temporarily overwhelmed Wang Jin's imposing aura!

Instead of backing down, he took a step forward, his blood and qi surging and churning once more, adopting a desperate stance!
"Since you insist on fighting, Your Excellency, then I have no choice but to risk my life to accompany you!"

His voice suddenly rose, carrying a kind of mad, all-or-nothing madness:

"Then let's have a good fight! Let's smash this new house to smithereens!"

"Let's turn the world upside down! Let's make sure the sun and moon are darkened! Let the whole capital hear the commotion here!"

His gaze was intense, like a burning flame, fixed on Wang Jin's eyes, which were burning with an eerie green fire.
"When the time comes, let everyone rush in and see! See that their Emperor has already passed away!"

"Let them see for themselves what their emperor has become... a 'face' that's neither human nor ghost!"

These words were like a bucket of cold water mixed with ice, poured over the furious Wang Jin!

The consequences Liang Jin described—the news of the emperor's death spread instantly, and the strange changes in the emperor's body were exposed to the public eye…

Each word was like the sharpest poison needle, piercing Wang Jin's most feared nerves!
That was a consequence he absolutely, absolutely could not bear!

Wang Jin's terrifying killing move, which had been condensed to its peak and was about to erupt, was as if it were being forcibly choked by an invisible hand, fluctuating violently and emitting an unwilling scream.

But eventually... it slowly came to a stop.

Liang Jin made the right bet!
Wang Jin was confident that he could kill Liang Jin.

However, he was not confident that he could kill Liang Jin instantly with a single blow, given Liang Jin's desperate resistance and deliberate commotion!

Once they get into a close fight, the commotion will be earth-shattering!

Especially the First Guard Commander of the Imperial Guards, who is right outside the new residence at this moment!
Meanwhile, Wang Jin's arch-nemesis, the God of Catchers, was also stirring up trouble in the capital.

If they come upon hearing the news, they will find this scene disturbing...

The consequences could be disastrous!

The emperor's death at this time, and its becoming known to the world, would completely ruin all of Wang Jin's plans.

And he will inevitably become the target of public criticism!
The emperor's transformation into a dragon was both a royal secret and a scandal for the royal family.

Wang Jin was already tied to this scandal by holding the imperial seal on behalf of the emperor, and it was even more important to keep it a secret from the world!
This forced him... to stop fighting.

Wang Jin's gaze was like a poisoned knife, fixed on Liang Jin's face, as if she wanted to cut off every inch of his flesh.

Liang Jin felt the pressure lessen dramatically. He took a deep breath, softened his tone, and spoke with a calm, persuasive quality:

"For you, sir, His Majesty the Emperor is naturally important. But..."

He paused deliberately:
"Does it really matter who sits on that throne? Or, to you, is it more important to be the 'emperor' or 'who becomes emperor'?"

He observed the subtle changes in Wang Jin's expression and continued:

"No one wants a muddle-headed, incompetent, or wicked emperor who is at odds with you, Father-in-law, to ascend the throne."

"If a 'good' emperor who understands your good intentions, relies on you, and even... shares your goals, were to ascend the throne, wouldn't that be a good thing for you, for me, and for the world?"

Liang Jin's gaze shifted to the corpse on the dragon bed, which was beginning to emit a faint smell of decay:
"As for how to choose this 'good' emperor... that is the most urgent matter at hand, and it is also the key to your ability to exert your influence and control the overall situation!"

He withdrew his gaze, looked back at Wang Jin, and uttered the name clearly and slowly:

"The Prince of Huaiyang, Zhao Yu. If he can follow the will of Heaven and ascend the throne... Your Excellency, you will be the greatest contributor to establishing the dynasty!"

"This merit of following the emperor is enough to ensure that you retain your power, and may even... rise to a higher position!"

He pointed again at the emperor's corpse, his voice carrying an undeniable seductive quality:

"Now, the new house, both inside and out, is entirely under your control, Father-in-law!"

"As long as you say, sir, that His Majesty the Emperor is still alive and needs to rest, then he must still be 'alive'!"

"No one dares to question it, and no one can spy on it!"

Liang Jin bowed slightly, his posture humble, yet his expression conveyed a sense of certainty:
"Please, Your Excellency, show mercy and allow me to leave this place safely."

"What I saw and heard tonight will remain a closely guarded secret; I will not divulge a single word!"

He emphasized his tone:

"When the time is right, Your Excellency will announce His Majesty's 'death,' and then, with swift and decisive action, before anyone can react, install a new emperor and establish order in the world!"

"In this way, the eunuch can retain his position, the new emperor can ascend the throne, and I can save my life... Isn't that a win-win-win situation?"

Liang Jin knew very well that he had no choice but to kill the emperor.

As long as the emperor lives, one will never be safe.

Wang Jin is going to save the emperor. Even if he doesn't target Liang Jin, he will definitely target Zhao Bao, who also has the bloodline of Youhuan.

As long as the emperor is safe, Wang Jin can mobilize the entire capital to deal with Liang Jin.

Liang Jin would not allow such a thing to happen.

Only by completely severing Wang Jin's hopes, bringing him onto the same boat, and aligning their interests, can he leave this hellish palace alive tonight!

Furthermore, at least in the short term, Wang Jin will not harm him in order to maintain overall stability and smoothly install the new emperor.

Of course, this is only a temporary measure.

Liang Jin knew perfectly well that once Wang Jin recovered and found new ways to use or control him, a reckoning would inevitably come.

What he lacks most right now is time!

Given a chance to catch his breath, he is confident that with his mysterious and unpredictable Heaven-level martial art, "Sacred Heart Technique," he can defeat any enemy in the storm to come!

Liang Jin's gaze returned to Wang Jin's unpredictable, abyss-like face.

He looked at the powerful eunuch who was now cornered by him, his eyes calm and unwavering, showing not a trace of awe.

It's like looking at a... counterparty who you can trade with.

His last words, like a cold block of iron, struck Wang Jin's heart:

"If Your Excellency is determined to kill me at all costs to vent your anger..."

Liang Jin shrugged, revealing a helpless yet resolute smile:
"Then my worthless life is not worth cherishing."

"But what about you, Father-in-law?"

His gaze was piercing, fixed intently on Wang Jin:

"The emperor was murdered in his own bedchamber due to the failure to protect him! And the people of the world witnessed the emperor transform into a demon!"

"This heinous crime, this eternal infamy... how will you, Your Excellency, explain this to the court officials and to the people of the world?"

"Will those who have been sharpening their knives and waiting for your downfall let this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity slip by?"

Liang Jin is full of confidence.

He believed that Wang Jin was a person who could abandon personal feelings and dignity in the face of interests.

silence.

A deathly silence enveloped the ruins of the imperial palace.

Only dust drifted slowly down in the pale moonlight.

Wang Jin's facial muscles twitched violently, as if countless venomous snakes were crawling under his skin.

Let Liang Jin go?

This is nothing short of a disgrace, and it's like getting on Liang Jin's pirate ship!

But what if we don't let go?

The terrifying scene of mutual destruction and utter disgrace depicted by Liang Jin was like a cold shackle, firmly binding his murderous intent.

Time seemed to have passed as long as a century.

at last.

Wang Jin stared at Liang Jin, her lips slowly and stiffly twitching upwards to reveal a smile more painful than a grimace:
"Good! Good! Well done, General Liang!"

He said "good" three times in a row, each word sounding as if it had been pulled from an ice cellar:

"Who could have imagined it? Who could have imagined it! A mere banner commander, no bigger than a sesame seed, dared to plot the ascension of the new emperor, and even dared to personally assassinate the monarch!"

He shook his head, his tone complex and difficult to decipher, containing both deep-seated hatred and a hint of indescribable...admiration?
"Not only are you incredibly audacious and ruthless, but you're also incredibly cunning! Even my old eyes, which have seen countless people, have been deceived by you!"

"Our family... really has a lot to say about you!"

He let out a sigh that was difficult to decipher:

"You're wasting your talents. A mere banner commander position is certainly not worthy of your 'abilities,' much less your ambition!"

Liang Jin remained calm, though his slightly tense body relaxed a little.

He knew that the most crucial moment had arrived.

Wang Jin took a deep breath, as if trying to inhale all the resentment and malice in his heart.

His voice regained its unique soft, high-pitched quality, yet carried an undeniable decisiveness:

"Prince of Huaiyang, Zhao Yu..."

He slowly uttered the name, his gaze as deep and unfathomable as an abyss:

"Tomorrow... no! Tonight! Tonight I will personally go and meet this... 'Hidden Dragon'!"

These words are like a pardon!

The huge weight that had been hanging over Liang Jin's heart finally lifted!

He knew he had won his gamble!
Wang Jin chose that seemingly humiliating "pirate ship," which was actually in his best interest!
Without the slightest hesitation, Liang Jin immediately straightened up, concealing all his sharpness and arrogance.

He bowed deeply to Wang Jin, his posture extremely respectful, his voice steady and powerful:

"The factory director is wise!"

"This humble official thanks the Grand Eunuch for his kindness!"

(End of this chapter)