The Empress's No.1 Lackey

Then he smiled at the anxious Magistrate Luan and said, "Lord Prefect, please sit tight first."

Then, he turned to the executioners and said, "Continue with the execution."

Luan Cheng was taken aback, surprised that Junior Guardian Zhao could remain so calm and composed in such a tricky situation, his demeanor so high and admirable.

He felt ashamed: "I, Luan, am much older than Junior Guardian by many years, but when it comes to important matters, I am far less calm and immovable than Junior Guardian. I am ashamed and inferior, truly unsure how Junior Guardian achieves such a Heart Realm?"

Zhao Douan "oh"ed naturally and said:

"Feng City is Lord Prefect's territory, even if something goes wrong, it is Lord Prefect who would bear the guilt, it's not related to me, naturally my Heart Realm is calm."

??

Luan Cheng stared blankly at the young man beside him, his expression dazed, almost unable to believe what he had heard.

...

...

Forbidden Mountain Villa.

In the highest pavilion on the edge of the cliff.

Zhuang Xiaocheng, in wide-sleeved garments, had changed today into his favorite set of Confucian robe from his days as the Grand Tutor, sitting upright in the pavilion, playing chess alone.

Suddenly, a man from afar, named Mr. Wu, a core member of the Kuangfu Society, came over and stood respectfully with his head bowed:

"Grand Tutor, according to your instructions, the captives from the grape vineyard have been scattered and mixed into various teams, heading to attack key places in Feng City. Those specifically listed by you to remain have also been brought."

Zhuang Xiaocheng "hummed" a response, without lifting his head, he said: "Bring them here."

"Yes."

Mr. Wu walked away, and after a short while, returned with four or five people, among whom Yun Xi was notable.

They all saluted: "Greetings to the Grand Tutor."

Zhuang Xiaocheng smiled gently and kindly invited them to sit around the pavilion, summoning Yun Xi to his side: "Yun Xi, help your teacher with the moves."

The Grand Tutor had a habit of playing chess with himself whenever there were big matters requiring thought.

Yun Xi, as a disciple, was very familiar with this, and immediately walked over obediently, kneeling opposite the chessboard.

For every point position Zhuang Xiaocheng mentioned, she picked up the chess piece and placed it at the corresponding spot.

"Do you know why I called you here today?" Zhuang Xiaocheng smiled as he looked around at the youthful faces.

Everyone was puzzled.

A young man spoke excitedly:

"Mr. Wu said today within our Society, we are to deal with the court's lapdogs, that we each have been assigned tasks, we were all waiting, but didn't expect to see you, is it possible you want to give us orders in person? Grand Tutor, just tell us, we have an irreconcilable enmity with the court's hounds, better to die than to not take down two ounces of Zhao Douan's flesh!"

"Me too!"

"All of us!"

"Grand Tutor, whatever you want us to do, just say it!"

Several people echoed.

Zhuang Xiaocheng smiled warmly, looking at the few pure youthful faces with a sigh.

These few people, carefully selected by him, not only had enough potential and talent, but also had firm beliefs, were reliable enough, and personally suffered torture from the court, harboring a deep-seated grudge in their hearts.

"Very well, but there are no orders for you today, instead, I want you to join me in witnessing the Zhao thief's death."

Zhuang Xiaocheng spoke calmly and then, amidst the surprised gazes of the young men and women, explained his plans for the day.

Yun Xi couldn't hide her shock: "Teacher, so the people you sent to rescue Alliance Leader Lu today, were just a feint? The real aim was for other brothers and sisters to attack the core places of the court?"

Zhuang Xiaocheng, however, shook his head and said: "No. The execution ground is the main assault, the attacks on various parts of Feng City are just a feint."

Yun Xi was stunned, her delicate and thin face full of confusion: "Disciple... does not understand."

Zhuang Xiaocheng, facing the pair of clear eyes, smiled and said:

"Zhao Douan uses Lu Zhengchun to force us to rescue, but if we storm the execution ground, not only will the rescue fail, but will sacrifice many valiant comrades. Therefore, I deliberately staged a play, making them think the execution ground is a feint... in this way, Zhao Douan, to protect the major points in the city, must hurriedly split his troops to reinforce, and no matter how he splits, as long as he does, it means that the strong ones around him are reduced, which gives our Commander Qi and Ren Kun the chance to act."

"Ah," Yun Xi's eyes lit up with excitement: "So, teacher, your real purpose today is to assassinate that lapdog!?"

After she finished speaking, she frowned again: "But in this way, those brothers and sisters responsible for making scattered feints around the city, won't they be in danger? Facing the siege of court troops? And those virtuous and noble who previously went for the feint at the execution ground..."

Zhuang Xiaocheng's eyes revealed a look of pity and sorrow: "They know the dangers of this trip, but for the sake of Kuangfu Society and eradicating treachery... you must remember, in this World, no victory can be achieved without shedding blood, the Fake Emperor is strong, Zhao thief is malicious; to eradicate this thief, apart from Wu Ling, Moon White, even I the old man, how could we shrink from danger?"

However, the truth is:

From the beginning, Zhuang Xiaocheng had prepared to abandon all Kuangfu Society Members in the city as "Abandoned Child."

How cunning is Zhao Douan?

How could he be easily deceived? Only by sacrificing heavily, placing so many society members on the chessboard, can Zhao Douan's guard be lowered, making him believe this play is real, prompting him to adopt the strategy of splitting his troops.

After finishing his words, the young men and women around were moved to tears, Yun Xi's eyes turned red, her face full of sadness, yet inside, her heart was as calm as an ancient well, even a little wanting to laugh.

Also somewhat desolate.

Once upon a time, she was deceived by the Old Dog in front of her like this, and now, she has awakened, but in the society, so many brothers and sisters are still being deceived.

Yun Xi held back the impulse to take down the Old Dog with her own hands, sniffing her nose fiercely, she said: "I only want to tear that Zhao thief into pieces to vent the hatred in my heart!"

Zhuang Xiaocheng contentedly observed the undisguised, heart-wrenching intense hatred in the girl's eyes, the corners of his mouth slightly raised: "Three-five."

Yun Xi picked up a chess piece and placed it on the corresponding position on the chessboard.

This drop of the chess piece meant that a large area of the chessboard, belonging to Zhuang Xiaocheng's pieces, had "died."

It could be said that it was a move of "suicide."

But what if more sacrifices are made? As long as it results in a guaranteed kill, sealing all "breath" opportunities of Zhao Douan, everything is worth it.

...

...

Autumn execution ground.

Execution continued, and with a command, the executioner dropped the blade.

"Puff, puff, puff..."

Over thirty Taoists, heads rolled one after another.

Lu Zhengchun was placed last, and when he saw the shadow of the blade reflected on the ground, the last string in his heart finally snapped, and he shouted loudly: "I know where Zhuang Xiaocheng's lair is! Don't kill..."

Before he finished, amidst the crowd, the ground suddenly rose.

In the earthen yellow glow.

Two figures burst out of the ground:

"Zhao thief, offer your life!"

The real assassination had appeared.