Film and Television: The Villain's Life Begins with Joy of Life

It was Zhou Cheng who made the move.

He even kept the motion of throwing the cup in his hand.

From the broken flowerpot to the appearance of the assassin, everything happened in the blink of an eye.

Everything, as seen by Zhou Cheng, was like a movie playing in slow motion, every frame crystal clear.

He saw an assassin disguised as a guard use his inner energy to knock down flowerpots, saw a boulder fall and smash through the roof, sending splinters of wood flying, and saw a seemingly harmless eunuch pull a dagger from under a wine table and stealthily approach Emperor Qing.

He also saw the Crown Prince rushing towards Emperor Qing with a tragic expression, his eyes filled with a kind of determination, as if he wanted to shield Emperor Qing from the sword.

Unfortunately, he stepped on the wine glass that the fourth brother, Li Chengping, had dropped in fright. This dignified seventh-rank master was like an ordinary person, unable to gain any leverage, his hands flailing wildly in the air, and he was about to fall to the ground in a comical manner.

That's too over-the-top!

It's so over-the-top it's almost unbearable to look at!

Emperor Qing, who had previously boasted that he would never retire in his life, also made a gesture of covering his face and retreating.

Emperor Qing is acting, the Crown Prince is acting, so naturally he has to act too.

Fan Xian knew that he was not weak in martial arts, and Emperor Qing naturally knew that he also had some martial arts skills.

So he made his move!

It seemed that the whip was too far away to reach the emperor in time, and in haste, the only option was to throw down a cup as a last resort.

He didn't use much force, probably only at the seventh rank, just right. The wine cup flew through the air, striking the little eunuch's hand holding the dagger precisely.

The wine glass shattered, and the little eunuch staggered back, clutching his bloodied hand.

This one step seemed to have given Emperor Qing time to react.

Like any ordinary person, he instinctively reached for anything around him that could be used as a weapon.

Then, he grabbed the wooden tray of wine from the table and slammed it down on the little eunuch's head.

As half of the wooden tray flew off, the little eunuch fell to the ground.

He died as a matter of course.

Zhou Cheng really wanted to laugh.

Seeing Emperor Qing clutching half a wooden tray, half-bent over, looking like a thug who had just finished swinging a brick in a fight, he almost couldn't suppress the urge to smile.

If he hadn't suddenly intervened, Emperor Qing could have easily and quietly dealt with the little eunuch.

But with that cup, he had no choice but to keep acting. He wasn't exactly embarrassed, but he was still a bit unseemly.

Moreover, in the eyes of others, this scene would be considered a meritorious act of saving the emperor.

The contrast between this and the Crown Prince's "heroic protection" that resulted in him falling flat on his face is stark.

Zhou Cheng withdrew his hand, but the chaos was not over.

Fan Xian was locked in a fierce battle with the white-clad assassins, using every means at his disposal, including poison smoke and crossbow bolts. He seemed to be even more of an assassin than the assassins themselves!

A considerable number of assassins fell through the hole in the roof, and they were all highly skilled.

They all rushed towards Emperor Qing, their blades flashing like snow, their killing intent palpable.

The imperial guards also risked their lives to protect the emperor. The two groups fought each other almost head-on, with the sounds of clashing swords, screams, and roars mingling together. Blood splattered and quickly stained the ground red.

Fan Jian and Lin Ruofu also rushed towards Emperor Qing to protect him.

Fan Jian was, after all, Yuan Xun, who trained the Tiger Guards and fought alongside Emperor Qing to conquer the world. His martial arts level was not low. Although he had no weapon, he could barely hold off an assassin, and his fists and feet moved with great force.

Lin Ruofu was far from that level; he was truly ignorant of martial arts.

He originally followed Fan Jian only to make a show of himself to Emperor Qing, so as not to be caught red-handed later. However, there were too many assassins, and he was also targeted.

The assassin slashed at him, and he had no time to react.

Fan Jian reacted quickly, kicking over the table, which flew out and hit the assassin, saving Lin Ruofu.

The assassin's first strike failed, so he threw a flying knife with his other hand. The knife was fast and sharp, drawing a cold light in the air.

Lin Ruofu was unable to dodge in time and was hit in the shoulder by the flying knife. He groaned and staggered backward.

Fortunately, it wasn't a vital wound, and the injury wasn't too deep.

This time, he stopped trying to be brave, clutched his shoulder, gritted his teeth, and retreated from the battle in a disheveled state.

Despite his injury, Lin Ruofu breathed a sigh of relief.

The situation grew increasingly chaotic, with screams and collapses echoing continuously. Even the mountain breeze blowing through the hall carried a sweet, metallic warmth.

Since Zhou Cheng had taken action, we naturally couldn't remain indifferent.

He stepped forward and blocked an assassin dressed in hemp clothing.

This assassin was at the eighth rank. Zhou Cheng exchanged two blows with him and found himself in grave danger. He pretended to be outmatched and retreated step by step.

As he retreated, he ended up beside the crown prince.

The assassin pressed his advantage relentlessly, his sharp blade flashing like water, carrying an awe-inspiring momentum as he charged forward!

His appearance showed that he was using all his strength and holding nothing back, clearly intending to kill Zhou Cheng, this obstacle, in one fell swoop!

Zhou Cheng retreated rapidly, and behind him was the Crown Prince, who was lying on the ground watching the battle furtively.

At the critical moment, he flipped backward in mid-air, barely dodging a blade of light.

Meanwhile, the enemy's blade continued its relentless advance, its light like a bolt of lightning, poised to strike the prince.

Zhou Cheng flipped himself onto the ground, reached out and grabbed the Crown Prince, pulling him aside.

The prince's pupils contracted sharply, and at this moment he finally displayed the reaction and speed expected of a seventh-rank official.

He and Zhou Cheng sprang to their feet almost simultaneously, their toes barely touching the ground as they rose abruptly.

But the opponent's blade shifted its stance, and the blade flashed again, tearing through the air with a sharp whistling sound!

"Your Highness, be careful!"

Zhou Cheng shouted and pulled the Crown Prince to his side.

A powerful blade of energy tore through the air and came rushing towards him. The prince was pulled and staggered slightly, interrupting his movements. In an instant, his eyes widened in fury!

He never expected that Zhou Cheng, that bastard, would use him as a shield at a time like this!

He was only a seventh-rank expert and had no experience fighting others. At this moment, his old strength had been exhausted and his new strength had not yet been generated. How could he withstand the full force of this eighth-rank expert's attack?

In that life-or-death moment, he couldn't care less about Zhou Cheng behind him; all the potential within him seemed to be forced out at once!

"I can't die!"

He screamed wildly in his heart, squeezing out every last bit of true energy from his body.

A domineering burst of true energy erupted from the swelling spring, shattering the floorboards and sending debris flying everywhere.

He pushed his hands forward with a do-or-die spirit, his palms surging with true energy, and faintly heard the sound of wind and thunder!

Both the assassin and he were giving it their all. When they clashed, he knew he might die, but his opponent was definitely not going to fare any better.

Although he desperately wanted to deliver a powerful blow to Zhou Cheng's head, he had no chance!

The dazzling light of the blade almost blinded the prince, revealing his狰狞 (zhengning - ferocious/hideous) face.

Not far behind the Crown Prince, Emperor Qing raised his hand.

His movements were light and slow, with a nonchalant air about them.

Just as Emperor Qing was about to make a rescue, his seemingly slow but actually swift hand reached out halfway, then abruptly stopped in mid-air.

Because he saw that the assassin in hemp clothing had actually stopped using his strength!

The assassin in hemp clothing made a barely perceptible change in expression the moment he heard Zhou Cheng shout "Your Highness, be careful!"

The change was so fast that ordinary people couldn't even catch it, but Emperor Qing saw it clearly.

The unstoppable momentum of the sword suddenly froze.

The assassin in hemp clothing deflected the trajectory of the blade, hastily withdrawing his strength, and the blade slid past the prince's side.

The prince, however, did not have the speed to react. He continued to push forward with both palms without holding back, and finally, his palms landed solidly on the assassin's chest.

A dull cracking sound rang out suddenly, like a bundle of dry firewood snapping. Half of the prince's hands were embedded in the assassin's chest.

The assassin in hemp clothing was sent flying backward, spitting out a mouthful of blood that turned into a cloud of blood mist in the air.

With a complex expression on his face, he smashed a row of tables, then landed heavily on the ground, twitched twice, and then died.

The prince withdrew his hand.

For a moment, he was completely dumbfounded.

He couldn't understand why the other party suddenly stopped exerting force.

That slash could have killed him, but the blade deflected at the last moment.

Although he didn't understand it, he knew he had survived.

He gasped for breath, still shaken. The backlash from his internal energy caused him sharp, needle-like pain all over his body, leaving him no time to think.

"Your Highness, are you alright?"

Zhou Cheng's concerned voice rang out from behind him, causing Li Chengqian's expression to change immediately.

Damn it!

He almost forgot about the instigator!

[Li Chengqian's negative emotions +999!]

Li Chengqian's hands trembled violently; he clenched his fists, and then his whole body began to shake.

From an outsider's perspective, Zhou Cheng nodded with relief upon seeing that the Crown Prince was unharmed.

The crown prince opened his mouth, but before he could utter a single dirty word, Zhou Cheng flashed to Emperor Qing's side.

His face turned pale, then red, then pale again, and in the end, he could only stand in front of Emperor Qing, just like Zhou Cheng, and pretend to be a loyal protector.

"Protect His Majesty!"

More and more Imperial Guards poured in from downstairs, their armor clanging and their swords flashing like a forest.

They quickly occupied all the entrances and exits, completely surrounding the main hall.

Soon the situation upstairs was completely reversed. The assassins were either captured or killed. Only the white-clad assassin, seeing that the situation was not good, did not entangle with Fan Xian for long. With a flash of sword light, he forced Fan Xian back, smashed through the window, and flew out of the high building. His white clothes fluttered in the wind.

At this moment, Gong Dian finally appeared on the top floor.

He glanced at the devastated hall, his face turning deathly pale, cold sweat streaming down his forehead.

"Your Majesty, I am too late to save you; I deserve to die ten thousand times!"

Gong Dian knelt heavily before Emperor Qing, ignoring the bloodstains on the floor, his forehead pounding the ground with a dull thud.

At this moment, Emperor Qing had already discarded the half of the wooden plate, stood with his hands at his sides, and once again transformed into the calm and majestic emperor he once was.

He ignored Gong Dian, staring only at the broken window, then turned to Fan Xian:

"Legend has it that Si Gu Jian had a younger brother who left home at a young age, and no one knows where he is."

His voice was icy: "Fan Xian, capture him for me. I want to see if those two brothers are both idiots!"

The white-clad assassin's swordsmanship prioritizes offense over defense, abandoning all defensive stances and focusing solely on ultimate attack.

This sword technique is so distinctive that it is undoubtedly the Four-Look Sword Technique of the Grandmaster Four-Look Sword of Dongyi City.

The man in white was not a Grandmaster, but merely a Rank 9 Upper.

A master of the ninth rank, proficient in the Four Directions Sword Technique, and of this age, the only one who fits these characteristics is the legendary brother of the Four Directions Sword Technique.

The man in white was not a Grandmaster, but merely a Rank 9 Upper.

A master of the ninth rank, proficient in the Four Directions Sword Technique, and of this age, the only one who fits these characteristics is the legendary brother of the Four Directions Sword Technique.

Upon hearing Emperor Qing's order, Fan Xian cursed inwardly.

At this moment, he had exhausted all his poisons and hidden weapons, and his true energy was also greatly depleted. Asking a ninth-rank official to chase after an assassin of the ninth rank or higher was something he seriously doubted Emperor Qing had lost his mind.

However, he dared not speak out, nor dared to disobey the imperial decree, and could only grit his teeth and clasp his hands in a fist salute.

"yes!"

After saying that, Fan Xian leaped out of the window that the white-clad assassin had broken open, and like a black bird, he flew out to chase after them.

Inside the hanging temple, Emperor Qing's anger had subsided, replaced by a calm expression.

He looked at Gong Dian: "Go, send men to interrogate those survivors thoroughly. We need to know their background, how they got here, and who's behind them!"

Gong Dian wiped away a cold sweat, repeatedly replied "Yes," got up and took a few steps back before turning to give orders to his subordinates.

Li Chengping huddled in the crowd, trembling with fear and still shaken. His face was deathly pale, and his lips were quivering.

Emperor Qing beckoned to him, and Li Chengping immediately ran over, threw himself at Emperor Qing's knees, hugged his legs, and wiped away his tears.

Emperor Qing gently embraced his youngest son and patted him on the back to comfort him.

However, when he saw Li Chengping's wet trouser legs, he couldn't help but twitch his lips.

He originally intended to have someone take Li Chengping to change his clothes, but then he realized that once he spoke up, this embarrassing incident would probably follow Li Chengping for the rest of his life.

He hesitated for a moment, then decided to pretend he didn't know.

"Your Majesty, I am incompetent and have caused you distress!"

The Crown Prince finally calmed down. He suppressed his murderous intent towards Zhou Cheng, forced a look of regret and self-reproach on his face, and ran to Emperor Qing's feet, kneeling down on the ground.

Emperor Qing glanced at him, recalling the assassin's strange behavior at the time, and his gaze inadvertently swept over the wine cup that the Crown Prince had stepped on and broken.

He said calmly:

"You are my son. Although you have learned some martial arts on your own, you have not been tempered. It is only natural that you are caught off guard by these desperados."

His tone didn't seem to imply any blame for the Crown Prince, which made the Crown Prince feel a sudden sense of relief.

The Crown Prince, recalling the scene of Zhou Cheng using him as a shield, gritted his teeth in hatred. He wondered if Emperor Qing had noticed, and was just about to test the waters...

Emperor Qing turned slightly to the side and said:

"Chengcheng did well! Your reaction was timely, and your loyalty and courage are commendable. I didn't have you learn martial arts in the first place because I was worried that you would develop a reckless personality. Now it seems that I have somewhat held you back."

He had seen the strength that Zhou Cheng had demonstrated.

He knew that Zhou Cheng had only ever collected martial arts manuals before, and had only started to truly practice martial arts in the last few years.

Even if he had only studied martial arts principles before, and progressed naturally, his martial arts skills had advanced far too quickly.

Zhou Cheng's martial arts talent may be no less than that of the Northern Qi saintess, Haitang Duoduo.

If he had taught her from a young age, the Qing Kingdom might have produced another Grandmaster in the future.

But the thought of a Grandmaster immediately extinguished the idea.

This world should not have grandmasters.

Even if there is a Grandmaster, it can only be him.

Even if it's his own flesh and blood, he won't allow it!

Thinking about it this way, he realized that his initial decision was still correct, and the slight regret in his heart completely disappeared.

"Your Majesty flatters me; I do not think so."

Zhou Cheng bowed respectfully, his expression sincere.

Emperor Qing looked into his eyes and saw that his gaze was frank and genuine. He nodded slightly and said, "Good!"

The Crown Prince was furious that Emperor Qing had only praised Zhou Cheng. He felt a sharp pain in his heart. He wondered if Emperor Qing was also getting senile and had gone blind!

This bastard has tried to harm him, the crown prince, time and time again, but he seems to have ignored it all and even praised him instead!

Emperor Qing patted Li Chengping on the shoulder, and Li Chengping understood and let go, stepping aside.

Emperor Qing didn't look at anyone else, and walked slowly towards the viewing platform.

Just like the sawdust underfoot, the blood in the building, the corpses of guards and assassins, the wounded and unconscious people, and the sweet, fishy smell in the surrounding air, none of these things existed.

He stood behind the railing of the observation deck, holding onto it with both hands, looking down.

Two figures, one in black and one in white, could be seen chasing each other relentlessly in the distance amidst the mountains and fields.

"Your Majesty, that assassin is too dangerous! Let Fan Xian return and have the Imperial Guards surround and eliminate him!"

Fan Jian stepped out of the crowd, disregarding his decorum, took a few steps forward, and knelt down in front of Emperor Qing with a thud, his voice filled with pleading.

Emperor Qing frowned, turned to look at him, and initially wanted to rebuke him, but remembering his heroic protection of the emperor just now, he changed his expression and forced a word of comfort:

"Don't worry, the Imperial Guards have sealed off the mountain, Fan Xian will be fine."

"But, but what if?"

Emperor Qing frowned again.

"What ifs? You need to understand, Fan Xian is more than just your son!"

Emperor Qing's words made Fan Jian clench his fists so tightly that he couldn't utter a single word.

Just then, Lin Ruofu, who was behind Fan Jian, suddenly knelt down.

Emperor Qing's expression was somewhat impatient.

"What's wrong? Prime Minister Lin is injured, yet you're not in a hurry to treat his wounds, nor do you seem to care about Fan Xian?"

He knelt there, his body trembling, as if he might collapse at any moment.

"Lin Xiang?"

Fan Jian turned around and immediately cried out in surprise.

Emperor Qing's expression also changed at this moment.

He wanted Lin Ruofu dead, but not at this particular time! He still needed Lin Ruofu for many things!

"Oh no! That assassin's throwing knife was poisoned!"

Fan Jian couldn't care less about Fan Xian at this moment. He checked Lin Ruofu's body and found that the blood on his shoulder wound had turned black and emitted a faint fishy smell.

"Quickly! Find someone to administer the antidote! Summon the imperial physician!"

Emperor Qing immediately issued an edict and at the same time bent down to examine the situation.

Fan Jian seemed to have thought of something and quickly pleaded:

"Fan Xian is skilled in detoxification! Your Majesty, quickly summon Fan Xian back to treat Prime Minister Lin!"

Emperor Qing's movements stiffened slightly.

He straightened up, his expression somewhat hesitant.

He was certain that the white-clad assassin was Si Gu Jian's younger brother.

However, he couldn't be sure who had sent them.

He sent Fan Xian after him, not expecting Fan Xian to capture the white-clad assassin.

He only wanted to use Fan Xian to determine which side the white-clad assassin belonged to.

If Fan Xian ultimately emerges unharmed, then the one who orchestrated the assassination must be someone close to him—either Fan Jian in front of him or Chen Pingping in the capital.

If Fan Xian were to encounter danger, get injured, or get into trouble, then Fan Jian and Chen Pingping could be temporarily ruled out as suspects.

If someone is sent to recall Fan Xian now, his probing purpose will be ruined.

They could not recall Fan Xian.

Lin Ruofu is now poisoned and his life is in imminent danger.

Fan Xian is well-known for his expertise in medicine and poisons; if he were to refuse, it would seem too heartless, too cruel, and ungrateful.

Emperor Qing remained silent for a moment, then loosened his grip on the railing and turned to Gong Dian.

"Send word to the Imperial Guards to continue the encirclement and suppression of the assassins. If they see Fan Xian, summon him back and treat Prime Minister Lin first!"

Before the palace official could say "yes," Fan Jian excitedly kowtowed.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Soon, Lin Ruofu fell into a coma.

The two guards, who hadn't even had time to wipe the blood off their bodies, hurriedly carried Lin Ruofu into the main hall and placed him on a makeshift soft couch.

Some people started bleeding to provide first aid, some washed the wound with clean water, and some tightly bound the area above the wound with strips of cloth to prevent the toxic blood from rising.

Emperor Qing was still on the viewing platform, waiting for Fan Xian to return with Fan Jian.

This wait lasted for half an hour.

Lin Ruofu had medically knowledgeable guards bustling around him, but his complexion continued to worsen, his lips turned from bluish-purple to purple, and his breathing became increasingly weak.

Just as Emperor Qing was also starting to get impatient and was almost losing his patience,

Fan Xian is back.

However, they were carried back by the Imperial Guards.

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