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To the west of the palace lies a secluded imperial deer park, a flat and open area covered with tender green grass. Two mountain springs converge to form a shallow stream, with pine trees, magnolias, and maples planted along its banks, offering scenic views in all four seasons.

Scattered among the trees are several small pavilions with upturned eaves, vermilion pillars and gilded tiles, and clean, dust-free stone tables and benches, which were places where emperors and empresses would stroll and enjoy themselves in their leisure time.

A hundred or so sika deer roamed the lawn, leisurely grazing on the tender grass, or slowly strolling to the fence and rubbing against the railing for beans.

A startled shout rang out, and the fawns all looked up, gazing at the gladiatorial arena in the center of the palace garden.

On the gladiatorial arena, Muktaiji, shirtless and muscular, is wrestling with a royal guard.

The match was in full swing, and Namuktaiji became more and more courageous. Even though he was covered in sweat, he still held tightly to his opponent's shoulder and used his feet to trip him up, trying to throw his opponent off balance.

Upon entering the Deer Garden, Xiao Jinghan immediately spotted Muketaiji, his arms bulging with muscles and his face radiating murderous intent. He calmly walked up to the stands, sat down next to Yan Ji and Feng Liangcai, and asked, "Where is the Emperor?"

"His Majesty probably couldn't stand it anymore and made an excuse to leave," Feng Liangcai said, stroking his pointed chin. "We keep losing!"

Yan Ji fiddled with the coins in his palm and said, "This isn't good. I think we're going to lose again."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Muktaiji suddenly lifted the guard up and threw him off the arena.

The wedge warriors standing in the stands cheered and raised their arms, while Muktaiji raised his hands in a gesture of victory, signaling to his people.

Feng Liangcai took out a handkerchief and wiped his face, then said disdainfully to Yan Ji, who was still fiddling with the tortoise shell, "Is this fortune telling or a curse? Shut up!"

Xiao Jinghan tossed a grape into his mouth with a half-smile. "This Muktaiji is indeed worthy of being the heir to the throne of the Wedge Clan. He's got some skills."

"The next round might not be good either." Yan Ji cast another divination and analyzed in a deep voice, "If we don't send our top experts to suppress the opponent's kingly luck, his fortune will only become stronger, and then no one will be able to restrain him."

"I never imagined that Lord Yan could also read fortunes."

As soon as Yan Ji finished speaking, Jin Gongzheng, dressed in a dark red official robe, walked up to the stands and said.

"Lord Jin has arrived."

Yan Ji and Feng Liangcai stood up and greeted Jin Gongzheng. Xiao Jinghan also turned around, smiled at Jin Gongzheng, and said, "Lord Jin."

"Lord Xiao." Jin Gongzheng sat down in an empty seat not far away, staring at Muktaiji on the arena, and said, "The Wedge Tribe is indeed brave and warlike. Muktaiji has won three consecutive matches, and his momentum is unstoppable."

Jin Gongzheng's voice, like his personality, carried a gloomy tone. Yan Ji and Feng Liangcai remained silent, while Xiao Jinghan continued stuffing grapes into his mouth. "Then why doesn't Lord Jin go up and fight Muktaiji?"

He slowly spat out the grape seeds. "Lord Jin is highly skilled in martial arts, much stronger than these imperial guards."

"I think Lord Xiao is just as capable," Jin Gongzheng said. "Why doesn't Lord Xiao go on stage and give it a try, and win back our face?"

"Me?" Xiao Jinghan shook his head with a smile. "How can I compare to Lord Jin? I'd better just stick to eating grapes."

After saying that, he popped another grape into his mouth.

Jin Gongzheng glanced at the grapes in Xiao Jinghan's hand and smiled, then turned his head back to stare at the arena.

On the gladiatorial arena, Muktaiji was still waving his arms and shouting, constantly provoking the guards who wanted to come up and compete.

Another guard climbed onto the stage, but Muktaiji waved his hand repeatedly, said a word in the Wu tribe, and sent the guard off the stage. He then looked up and surveyed the crowd in the stands.

"What does 'Muktaiji' mean?" Feng Liangcai asked in surprise.

"Is he trying to pick his opponent from the stands?" Yan Ji clutched his chest in horror. "He won't pick me, will he? He'll smash me to pieces!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Muktaiji suddenly raised his hand and pointed towards the stands.

Everyone held their breath and looked toward where Xiao Jinghan and the others were. They saw Muktaiji's fingers slide across Yan Ji and the others' faces, pause on Jin Gongzheng's face, and finally lock onto Xiao Jinghan.

He pointed forcefully at Xiao Jinghan, letting out a provocative shout, signaling for Xiao Jinghan to come up on stage and accept the challenge.

Several warriors of the Wedge Tribe recognized Xiao Jinghan as the one who had clashed with Muktaiji at the Stork Tower that day. They instantly became excited, pounding on the railings and beating their drums, urging Xiao Jinghan to go on stage. Seeing this, Feng Liangcai snatched the grapes from Xiao Jinghan's hand, saying, "Don't eat them! They're urging you to go on stage and fight!"

Yan Ji frantically performed a divination for Xiao Jinghan, "It's over! Brother Xiao's journey is fraught with peril!"

Feng Liangcai kicked him, "Shut your mouth!"

"Does Lord Xiao wish to accept the challenge?" Amidst the rising and falling clamor, Jin Gongzheng calmly asked.

Xiao Jinghan slowly finished the last grape, then gracefully stood up and said, "I cannot refuse your kind invitation. If I lose, I would appreciate it if Lord Jin could help me save face."

Having said that, he lightly touched the railing of the stands with his toes, leaped into the air, his clothes fluttering in the wind, and landed steadily in the center of the arena like a startled swan.

Seeing Xiao Jinghan accept the challenge, the Wedge Tribe warriors became even more excited. Muktaiji patted his arms, lowered his waist to steady his stance, and assumed an attacking posture.

Xiao Jinghan stepped aside and gestured to Muktaiji, "Muktaiji, please."

Muktaiji let out a deep nasal sound and pounced on Xiao Jinghan like a hungry wolf.

The crowd in the stands erupted in cheers.

Jin Gongzheng watched the two figures on the arena with great interest and asked, "Lord Jiang, who do you think will win this round?"

Jiang Zhihuan, who had somehow appeared on the stands, slowly walked to Jin Gongzheng's side and said, "That depends on whether Lord Xiao is willing to use his full strength."

He paused, then said, "Actually, there's no need to go all out. As long as we leave a slight clue, Lord Jin can follow the trail and investigate thoroughly."

Jin Gongzheng smiled upon hearing this, picked up the tea on the table, and took a sip.

Why do you suspect that Xiao Jinghan is one of the four great assassins?

"It's just a gut feeling," Jiang Zhihuan said. "Lord Xiao roamed the martial world in his youth, and perhaps he became a disciple of the Changfeng Sect. Furthermore, Lord Xiao was present on the night Lu Wei was kidnapped, so it's hard for me not to suspect that Lord Xiao is the three's inside man."

Jin Gongzheng listened silently to Jiang Zhihuan's analysis and said, "I think the same as Lord Jiang." He put down his teacup and said, "If Prince Xiao is really Jiang Feng, the leader of the Four Great Assassins, then this matter is going to be interesting."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a loud crash came from the direction of the arena, and the massive Muktaiji was seen thrown off the arena, crashing heavily onto the grass...

Then look at Xiao Jinghan...

He actually did it!