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

Chapter 657 Poisoning
Beijing.

It was the deepest darkness before dawn.

The night was so thick it seemed impossible to penetrate.

The capital of this empire has completely descended into chaos and madness.

On the beacon tower in the east of the city, the smoke signaling the highest level of alert soared into the sky. The thick, black smoke column, like a nightmare ladder connecting heaven and earth, twisted and rose in the howling night wind.

The soldiers guarding the city sounded their piercing bugle calls incessantly, desperately tearing through the heavy night and delivering a heart-stopping alarm.

"It's the Divine Martial Army! The Divine Martial Army has moved!"

"Without orders from the Ministry of War, they abandoned their garrison posts and sped through the night, heading straight for the capital!"

"All troops on high alert! Highest alert! Bows and crossbows cocked! Logs and boulders ready!"

……

Frantic cries echoed throughout the city walls.

Countless soldiers, like ants whose nests have been destroyed, surged onto the city wall in a chaotic yet orderly manner, the sound of cold armor plates clashing together mingling with the heavy footsteps.

One after another, powerful bows were drawn to their full extent, arrows gleaming with cold light were aimed at the darkness below, and the massive crossbows were slowly opened, emitting a teeth-grinding click.

Looking into the distance, at the deepest, thickest darkness before dawn, an endless, silent shadow is creeping and approaching.

That was a torrent of tens of thousands of people!

Until one after another, ignited rockets were vigorously launched into the sky, piercing the darkness.

With the help of that brief glimmer of light, the defenders on the city wall could barely make out the words "Divine Martial" on the long banners raised by the troops!
Within the capital city, a similar apocalyptic scene unfolded.

Under the command of Tong Shan, the main force of the Northern Imperial Guard was engaged in fierce fighting with the experts of the Xuanyuan Sect on the main roads of the city. Sword energy and blade light crisscrossed, and the booming sounds of internal force colliding rose and fell, destroying streets and houses.

Now, with a large army of unknown intent pressing in from outside the city, the already stretched Northern Imperial Guards, which were maintaining order within the city, have had to be largely redeployed to the city walls for defense.

This resulted in an unprecedented lack of defenses within the city.

The villains who had been lying in wait finally got their chance!
A large number of martial arts practitioners, thugs, and even gang members who took advantage of the chaos emerged like poisonous mushrooms sprouting from a rotten swamp after the rain, continuing the "carnival" that had not ended the previous night!
The burning, killing, and looting became even more rampant under the cover of darkness.

"Bang!" The shop door was violently smashed open.

"Ah—! Help!" The woman's scream came to an abrupt halt.

"Hahaha! It's all mine!" The laughing thug rushed out of the fire clutching the stolen gold, silver and silk.

"My child! My child! Please give him back to me!" The old man's desperate cries were drowned out by the maniacal laughter and shouts of killing.

Last night's bloody turmoil has given them a taste of the sweetness of lawlessness.

Tonight, in the chaos of this power transition, in the last darkness before dawn, how could they possibly let this rare opportunity slip by?
In an instant, flames rose everywhere and thick smoke billowed throughout the capital.

Cries, screams, maniacal laughter, the dull thud of weapons piercing flesh and bone, the roar of collapsing buildings... all these sounds intertwined, sending chills down one's spine.

All the darkness and evil of human nature are amplified and unleashed infinitely in this chaotic and dark breeding ground.

Now, the imperial court has no time to spare for anything else.

The Northern Imperial Guards are fighting a fierce battle, while the Six Doors and the Criminal Investigation Bureau are also engaged in fierce fighting.

The only government office still attempting to fulfill its duties, the Shuntian Prefecture, sent out a pitiful number of yamen runners and constables, who were utterly ineffective against the bloodthirsty and powerful martial artists.

On the street corner, several constables who were trying to stop a robbery had just brandished their iron rulers and chains when they were cleaved to the ground by a sharp flash of a blade, their blood instantly staining the bluestone pavement red.

The remaining constables were terrified and scrambled back to the yamen, where they held the gate shut and dared not show their faces again.

The area where wealthy and powerful people lived remained brightly lit, and the sounds of music and banquets could even be faintly heard from within the high walls.

They hired a large number of martial arts masters to guard the mansion, their cold gazes sweeping over every rioter who tried to approach. Their powerful aura made this area a strange "safe haven" in a sea of ​​turmoil.

In the hell where ordinary people struggle to survive, chaos and despair are spreading and festering.

At the very pinnacle of this chaos, above this endless darkness and fire.

At the top of a tall building, a figure stands alone.

The night wind howled, blowing his wide yellow robe, the sleeves fluttering as if he wanted to ride the wind and return home.

His face was covered by a strange mask.

On the center of the mask's forehead is a strange, blood-red eyeball the size of a pigeon's egg!

The eyeballs seemed to possess an independent life, pulsating and rotating slightly and rhythmically, radiating an eerie aura that sent chills down one's spine.

This person is none other than Liang Jin's alter ego, the Great Master of the Way of Peace!
His fiery eyes were already open, and combined with the precise lock-on of the [Thousand-Mile Tracking] characteristic, he was scrutinizing the target of this hunt.

In his vision, the majestic and imposing Changshan Prince's Mansion in the distance appeared transparent and illusory, with all its walls, trees, and artificial hills becoming visible.

Its internal structure, the movement of people, and the flow of energy are all clearly presented in that eerie red eyeball.

"She's really good at hiding... she knows how to find a place for herself."

Liang Jin's voice came through the mask, carrying a hint of cold mockery.

His gaze was like an invisible scalpel, dissecting the defenses of the palace layer by layer, finally piercing through the thick walls and looking into an extremely hidden dark room deep within the palace.

In the dark room, a middle-aged man dressed in a robe with four claws and a python pattern was pouring himself a drink in frustration.

Two scantily clad and beautiful songstresses forced smiles, trying to amuse him with their soft gestures and flattering words.

"Is he Zhao Xun?"

According to the image comparison provided by [Thousand Mile Tracking], the appearance of this man in the python robe is exactly the same as that of Zhao Xun, the Prince of Changshan, in the intelligence.

"Then...who is he?"

Liang Jin's gaze continued unabated, penetrating downwards and deep into the earth!

Who would have thought that the underground of the Changshan Prince's Mansion had long been secretly hollowed out, and several intricate and interconnected hidden tunnels had been built.

These tunnels, like a spider web, spread out and led to many unexpected directions in the capital.

Deep within the network of tunnels lies another, even more secretive and fortified chamber!

Inside the secret chamber, there was also a man dressed in a python robe!

His appearance was exactly the same as "Zhao Xun" on the ground!
In this world, there is only one true King Zhao Xun of Changshan.

The extra one is either a highly skilled disguise double or a double who happens to look extremely similar.

But this meant nothing to Liang Jin.

Clean it all up, and that's it.

"The one hiding underground... is probably the real culprit."

"That's quite cunning. Leaving a decoy on the ground to draw fire, so that if something goes wrong, the real body can quickly escape through the underground passage."

"If it weren't for me, anyone else would have had to go through a lot of trouble to assassinate him in one go, and might even have failed."

The fiery eyes on Liang Jin's mask slowly rotated, meticulously scanning every corner inside and outside the Prince's Mansion.

Then, his gaze began to shift, sweeping across the entire city.

He saw several battlefields in the city where energy collided violently and light soared into the sky—those were second-rank martial artists fighting to the death.

He also saw the Divine Martial Army slowly surging in from outside the city like a black tide.

"It seems that all the second-rank martial artists have been drawn into their respective battles and are unable to extricate themselves."

"There are no longer any second-rank martial artists guarding the Changshan Prince's Mansion."

In Liang Jin's eyes, a chilling killing intent began to condense and surge as if it were a tangible substance.

Second-rank martial artists are extremely rare, and each one is a strategic force capable of influencing the course of history.

In tonight's gamble that will decide the fate of the empire, no second-rank martial artist can remain uninvolved.

This resulted in the strongest guarding force in Zhao Xun's palace consisting of only two third-rank martial artists and a considerable number of martial artists of other realms.

Logically speaking, such a protective force in the heart of Beijing should be sufficient to handle the vast majority of emergencies.

However, who could have predicted that tonight would bring the biggest variable: Liang Jin's clone, a Great Teacher with bizarre abilities!

However, even after confirming that there were no second-rank martial artists, new problems arose.

"With my current strength, defeating or even killing these guards is not difficult."

"But once a fight breaks out, the collision will be intense and the noise will be considerable."

"At that time, it will probably immediately alert the second-rank martial artists who are currently engaged in fierce fighting in the city..."

Liang Jin frowned slightly, turned his head, and looked as if his gaze pierced through the void, toward the core areas in the capital where the fighting atmosphere was boiling.

Although those second-rank martial artists were engaged in fierce combat, how sharp were their spiritual senses?

If a huge commotion suddenly breaks out in the Prince's mansion, it's hard to say whether someone will immediately forcibly leave the battlefield to come and check or even intervene.

With the terrifying speed of a second-grade martial artist, reinforcements will arrive very quickly.

If Liang Jin fails to eliminate Zhao Xun swiftly and decisively and escape in a very short time, the situation will become increasingly unpredictable.

It's even possible that... all our efforts will be in vain!
After all, Liang Jin's clone was a completely unfamiliar and suddenly appearing force to all the various factions in the capital.

At such a delicate moment, if he were exposed, he would likely be seen as a common threat and enemy by all forces and be besieged.

Therefore, to successfully assassinate Zhao Xun, the action must be swift, accurate, and ruthless; most importantly—

Make sure to keep things quiet!
It's best to do it quietly!
"Although on the surface, Zhao Xun does not have any top-level experts protecting him closely."

"But in reality, the capital city itself is the most concentrated center of a vortex of top experts. As soon as there is any unusual movement here, it will immediately attract the attention of powerful figures."

"To succeed... it seems the only way is to carry out the assassination without causing a major disturbance."

Liang Jin frowned slightly.

He has many ways to kill a third-rank martial artist.

However, killing two third-rank martial artists, along with a bunch of other martial artists, silently and without arousing any energy alertness is as difficult as ascending to heaven.

If he were facing the same opponent, with his clone's bizarre abilities and overwhelming strength, he might have a chance to instantly kill them, leaving them no time to react.

However, there are now two third-rank martial artists stationed in the Zhao Xun Prince's mansion, and they are located in different positions, supporting each other.

The difficulty increases sharply.

unless……

Drugged!

Liang Jin had a number of unusual medicines brought from the Star Demon Sea. These medicines were potent, and some could even affect fourth-rank martial artists.

However, among the medicines in the Star Demon Sea, those that can produce significant effects on third-grade martial artists are extremely rare.

There is no way to weaken a third-rank martial artist to the point where they can be instantly and silently killed.

"It seems I have no choice but to try the item that the system rewarded me with."

Liang Jin's consciousness sank into the [Item Inventory].

His gaze focused on an item that emitted a faint, hazy glow—[Ten Fragrant Tendon-Softening Powder].

Ten Fragrances Softening Muscle Powder: A rare poison in the martial arts world. This poison is colorless and odorless. Once ingested or ingested, it can cause poisoning. Once the poison takes effect, the entire body's muscles and bones become sore and weak. After several days, although movement can resume, the body's internal energy cannot be fully utilized. The poison and the antidote appear identical, but if a poisoned person consumes the poison again, they will die.

This extraordinary poison was a reward that Liang Jin had received long ago.

However, he has never found a suitable opportunity to use it.

On the one hand, this item was too precious, and the system only rewarded three of them, and no one has received it since.

On the other hand, in the past, Star Demon Sea's many medicines and its own strength were sufficient to handle the missions.

Now is the time to put it to good use!
"Anything produced by the system must be of high quality."

"Hopefully, it won't let me down."

Liang Jin had already made up his mind.

If the Ten Fragrant Tendon-Softening Powder doesn't work as expected, he'll have no choice but to force his way through.

Although it will be infinitely more troublesome, with the power of the clone, I should be able to protect myself.

"call--!"

A strange gust of wind suddenly arose, swirling around the figure atop the building.

In the next instant, Liang Jin's figure had already merged into the wind, as if transforming into a wisp of shadow without substance, silently drifting towards the Changshan Prince's Mansion. In an instant, he disappeared into the vast night and the chaotic firelight.

……

Changshan Prince's Mansion.

Underground chamber.

The light from the oil lamp cast flickering, uneasy shadows on the walls, making the limited space dim and oppressive.

Prince Zhao Xun of Changshan, dressed in a robe with four claws and a python pattern, sat alone on a stone bed covered with brocade cushions.

He has been in this dark and sunless underground chamber for five whole days.

They eat, drink, and relieve themselves all here, in a place devoid of sunlight, breathing in murky air that smells of earth.

The long period of confinement had given him an unhealthy pallor, sunken eyes, and made him look much thinner. His once-fitting python robe now appeared rather loose.

But he still tried his best to maintain the demeanor of a prince, and even had the composure to add precious calming incense to the bronze incense burner beside him with trembling hands.

Only his slightly trembling fingertips betrayed that his inner peace was far from what appeared to be.

Because he had just received news that made his heart race.

His biggest rival, Prince Zhao You of Shanyang, is dead!
And he, Zhao Xun, is now the only remaining and most legitimate heir to the throne!
At least... that's what he thought until the old man who had just returned revealed the latest information.

The old man opposite him was dressed in a black outfit suitable for nighttime travel, looking travel-worn. He had clearly just returned from a mission and hadn't even had time to change his clothes before coming to report.

This old man was none other than Lian Muyu, the chief retainer of the Prince's Palace and a third-rank expert.

Lian Muyu's expression was solemn, his voice extremely low, carrying a hint of barely perceptible worry:

"Your Highness, something unexpected has happened in the palace."

"That Prince Zhao Yu of Huaiyang, whom we've been overlooking... he's been feigning madness all along!"

"He actually managed to hold out until the Emperor returned to the palace, and even accompanied the Emperor into the inner chambers to meet him..."

"I'm afraid... the situation may still change."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xun's hand holding the teacup suddenly froze, and his pupils contracted sharply.

He originally thought that Zhao You should have gotten rid of that crazy Zhao Yu long ago!

But who could have imagined that Zhao Yu would not only survive, but also live to see the crucial moment when the "Imperial Carriage" returned to the palace!
Lian Muyu seemed to sense Zhao Xun's shock and confusion, and further explained:

"This old servant suspects that Zhao Yu may have secretly obtained the support of some mysterious force that we were completely unaware of before."

"That unassuming Imperial Guard commander Liang Jin, who had been guarding him all along, was actually a highly skilled master! It is said that Deputy Commander Hong Wei was defeated by him."

"In fact... this old servant dares to speculate that the mysterious expert who successfully assassinated Zhao You tonight was probably also from this mysterious force."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xun slowly put down his teacup, his fingers unconsciously tapping the edge of the bed.

Zhao Youzhi's death was indeed unrelated to him.

He was also puzzled for a time, wondering who had the ability and motive to kill Zhao You at this time.

Now, all the clues seem to be pointing to Zhao Yu, who has been pretending to be crazy all along!
"A mysterious force..."

Zhao Xun muttered to himself, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.

In these times of global turmoil, all sorts of monsters and demons dare to emerge!
Back then, Emperor Taizu was a peerless warrior who swept across the land, forcing these demons and monsters to either submit, be annihilated, or hide in the deep mountains and forests, afraid to show their faces.

Only a few decades have passed, and they dare to stir up trouble again!

If he ever comes to power, he will definitely uproot these cowardly and trouble-making fellows!

Lian Muyu continued his report, his tone growing increasingly somber:

"What's particularly troublesome is that Zhao Yu seems to have already received the explicit support of the eunuch Wang Jin."

"Moreover, the Shenwu Army that is approaching outside the city was also brought by his son, Zhao Hongyi."

"This old servant originally thought that among the many princes, Prince Zhao You of Shanyang was our greatest rival."

"But who would have thought...we were all mistaken!"

"Then Zhao Yu is probably the one who has been hiding the deepest and planning the longest!"

After listening, Zhao Xun couldn't help but let out a long sigh, his face showing exhaustion and a hint of defeat.

He also knew that he had miscalculated as well.

Hunting geese all day long, only to be pecked by geese.

Who would have thought that Zhao Yu, the seemingly crazy, foolish, and easily bullied "Pig King," was actually the one who had been lying low the most and had the best acting skills!
Seeing this, Lian Muyu quickly comforted him:
"But Your Highness need not worry too much."

"Those court officials and forces that originally supported Zhao You have mostly relented after this old servant's negotiations, expressing their willingness to switch sides and fully support Your Highness."

"Currently in the capital, the experts who support us are engaged in fierce battles with those who support Zhao Yu."

"As long as our top combat forces can ultimately win, then the overall situation... can still be decided!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xun felt somewhat relieved.

Indeed, nowadays, only he and Zhao Yu remain as princes in the capital who are qualified to vie for the throne.

Those who were on the fence and Zhao You's old subordinates had no better choice than to support him.

But soon, a new worry surfaced in my mind:

"Elder Lian, do you think... that mysterious force supporting Zhao Yu will continue to make moves tonight?"

Lian Muyu paused for a moment, then slowly shook his head, his expression grave:
"Forgive my bluntness... but I cannot judge either."

"This old servant even suspects that the mysterious forces stirring up trouble in the capital are probably... more than one."

"The group that impersonated the empress and the group that secretly supported Zhao Yu and assassinated Zhao You seem to have completely different styles, purposes and methods. They are probably not from the same source."

"The situation in the capital is currently in a state of utter chaos and confusion. It is likely that only when those few in the heavens truly determine the victor and play their role as the anchor of stability can the situation be completely stabilized and the world brought order."

Zhao Xun nodded, accepting the reality with resignation.

Those who hide their true colors are ultimately just lowly rats in the gutter, and in the end, what determines everything is the absolute power of the top martial artists and the prevailing trend of the court.

Lian Muyu immediately bowed and said:

"Your Highness, please wait here for a moment and be extremely careful."

"This old servant will go out and investigate again, and make sure to find out the specific battle situation of the top experts!"

Zhao Xun immediately reached out and grabbed Lian Muyu's arm, his tone unusually sincere and concerned:
"Mr. Lian! Be careful! Make sure you stay safe!"

"I may not care about that dragon throne! But you are my old minister, my trusted advisor, and I cannot allow you to be lost!"

At this critical juncture when he needs manpower, Zhao Xun naturally doesn't mind saying a few words to win people's hearts, especially since Lian Muyu is indeed his most important high-end combat force at present.

Upon hearing this, Lian Muyu's aged face immediately showed a look of gratitude. Although he knew that there was an element of flattery involved, he still appreciated it.

He joined Zhao Xun's tutelage seeking nothing more than fame and fortune, and now was the perfect opportunity to demonstrate his loyalty.

He immediately took a step back and solemnly knelt down to pay his respects:
"Your Highness's kindness is deeply appreciated by this old servant!"

"Your Highness, rest assured, this old servant will not fail in his mission and will certainly find out the truth for you!"

After saying that, he stood up and turned to walk towards a hidden door in the corner of the secret room.

Beyond the hidden door lies an even more intricate and secluded network of tunnels, riddled with traps and numerous hidden sentries.

However, as the prince's confidant, Lian Muyu was naturally familiar with all the mechanisms and passwords, allowing him to move freely without hindrance.

Finally, he emerged from behind a fireplace in a bedroom through an extremely well-hidden exit and returned to the surface.

However, the moment his feet touched the soft carpet in the bedroom, his heart sank!
"Um?!"

With his keen senses as a third-rank martial artist, he immediately noticed that something was wrong!
It's so quiet inside the Prince's mansion!
It wasn't the tranquility of the night, but rather a... deathly weakness!
The sounds of patrolling footsteps and hushed conversations that should have filled the air have almost disappeared.

Instead, there were faint, intermittent groans of pain!
problem occurs!
Lian Muyu's expression changed drastically. He instantly gathered his inner strength and rushed out of the bedroom in a flash!

The sight before him sent chills down his spine!

In the corridors and courtyards, the guards and expert retainers of the royal palace, who should have been spirited and on high alert, were now sprawled out on the ground in disarray!
Their faces were ashen, their foreheads were covered in cold sweat, and they collapsed to the ground as if they had no bones, only able to let out weak, painful gasps!
"what happened?!"

"What happened?!"

Lian Muyu rushed to a guard who had collapsed in the corridor and grabbed his collar urgently, demanding an explanation.

The guard's eyes were unfocused, his lips trembled, and he managed to utter a weak sound with all his might:
"Lian, Lian Gongfeng...we...we don't know either..."

"Suddenly...suddenly I felt weak all over...I couldn't muster any strength at all..."

“Especially… the internal energy in my dantian… it seems, it seems to have disappeared… I can’t muster even a little bit of it…”

Upon hearing this, Lian Muyu was immediately filled with shock and disbelief!
These symptoms... indicate large-scale poisoning!
Moreover, it is an extremely potent poison that can target even the most skilled internal martial arts practitioners!
He abruptly released the guard, as if the guard were covered in plague.

At the same time, he swiftly pulled a handkerchief from his waist and covered his mouth and nose. His pure internal energy surged and formed an invisible protective aura around his body, attempting to isolate any possible poisons.

Then, he grabbed a torch stuck in the corridor and, using the flickering light, cautiously looked around at the air.

This sight terrified him!

Countless tiny powder particles, almost invisible to the naked eye, were floating in the air!
The powder reflected a faint glow under the torchlight.

When they drift close to the torch flame, they even make a very slight "crackling" sound, and are instantly ignited, turning into even finer wisps of blue smoke!
"Oh no! It's poison powder!!"

Lian Muyu roared inwardly.

Although he didn't know what kind of poison it was, he already knew how everyone had been poisoned.

however.

Just as he was utterly horrified...

A flat, cold voice suddenly rang out from very close behind him:

"You just discovered it now?"

"Unfortunately, it's too late."

"From the moment you stepped back onto the ground, you have been actively breathing in this Ten Fragrant Softening Powder."

Upon hearing this voice so close to him, Lian Muyu felt as if his blood had instantly frozen!
A bone-chilling cold shot straight up from the tailbone to the top of the head!

To be able to silently approach him so closely from behind, even when he was fully on guard...

The newcomer's strength far surpasses his!

He's a top-tier expert!

In that very instant when his mind went blank!

The tingling, weak feeling that he had been forcibly suppressing finally broke through the dam, sweeping over his limbs and bones like a flood bursting its banks!
"Uh……"

Lian Muyu only managed to let out a short groan before everything went black. All the strength in his body seemed to have been drained, and he collapsed limply to the ground, unable to move even a finger!
That pure and profound internal energy seemed to have turned into solidified cement, lying dormant deep in the dantian, and could no longer be mobilized even a fraction of it!

And that mysterious voice continued to ring out unhurriedly, as if stating an established fact:

“Just lie here quietly and don’t try to struggle in vain.”

"As long as you don't interfere with what I'm doing..."

"Perhaps I can consider sparing your lives."

As the words fell, a slight whooshing sound rang out.

The people who collapsed to the ground felt a series of subtle yet incredibly precise bursts of energy attacking them from afar, sealing off their vital acupoints with a few "poof" sounds.

Now, everyone was completely at their mercy, like fish on a chopping board, unable to even blink, and could only lie there in despair.

Lian Muyu never managed to see the face of the person who spoke.

But he clearly heard a slight turning of a mechanism.

That was the sound of a hidden door in the floor leading to an underground chamber being opened!
Immediately afterwards, a light footstep was heard, and without hesitation, someone stepped into the tunnel leading to Zhao Xun's hiding place!
At this moment, Lian Muyu's heart sank into an abyss.

He learned that the terrifying, mysterious expert's target was...

Your Majesty!

He and the entire guard force of the palace were completely ineffective against this mysterious expert, unable to hold him off for even a moment!

Despair and chilling fear instantly engulfed him.

(End of this chapter)