The Empress's No.1 Lackey

The long-planned assassination finally arrived abruptly when Lu Zhengchun's wailing attracted everyone's attention.

Among the crowd near the execution site, a group of civilians first saw soil-colored ripples disperse beneath their feet, soil churned like a swamp, then burst forth like a soil fountain, spraying mud, earth, and dust.

A soil-colored, ethereal, and majestic "giant" emerged from the ground. It had sturdy arms, a waist that required dozens to embrace, clad in strange armor, its face hollow.

This was manifestly the image of the "Earth God" worshipped by the common folk.

And within the chest of the "Earth God," surprisingly wrapped like silk cocoons, were two human figures.

One was Ren Kun, wearing a soil-colored daoist robe, a square face with a flat nose, yellowish eyebrows, forming hand gestures with his left, and gripping a four-sided bronze spike with his right hand.

The other was Qi Yuchun, dressed as a martial artist and bearing a refined iron spear, previously the head of the Imperial Guards in the palace.

"Yield your life!"

The two had been lurking nearby for a long time. During the previous rescue attempt at the execution site, they did not reveal themselves. Only after splitting forces did they silently approach using "Earth Escape."

At this moment, they appeared, giving no time for others to react, jointly attacking Zhao Douan on the execution platform!

"Assassins—"

Magistrate Luan's mind buzzed as soon as he opened his mouth, seeing the short, stout magician sitting next to Zhao Douan suddenly rise.

Gongshu Tianyuan's fat face was full of solemnity, seemingly anticipating this, as he flew into the air, drawing a golden tambourine from his wide robe with his left hand.

"Boom boom boom boom—"

The Golden Drum shook crazily, enveloping the front in its familiar sluggishness, attempting to block the assassins.

He did not draw the peach arrow from his right hand, as the distance was too close, rendering it unsuitable. Instead, he retrieved a Bamboo Joint Sword from the storage bag inside his robe, which was pieced together in six colors, entirely green like a "whip" rather than a sword.

"A Heavenly Master's adept, Ren would like to test!"

Ren Kun's mouth curled up, his eyes filled with excitement.

This magician, known throughout the Martial World and having previously rejected recruitment by the Heavenly Master Mansion, floated in the air. He cradled the four-sided bronze spike with both hands and stabbed towards Gongshu Tianyuan through space!

"Fix!"

Behind him, the massive, fearsome shadow of the Divine stepped on the earth, spreading soil-colored ripples, the Earth God raising its arms in an embracing gesture.

"Ssss..."

Suddenly, waves of yellow sand swept over, causing the entire execution site to be engulfed in sand and rocks, with the civilians shouting in terror and falling to the ground.

Magistrate Luan was knocked down by the wind, overturning his chair and witnessing streams of flowing sand coalesce mid-air into a giant "ball," encasing Gongshu Tianyuan within.

A Heavenly Master's adept, as if struck by lightning, newly surpassed the Worldly Realm. Even with profound foundation, he ultimately could not match Ren Kun's level of mastery.

At full exertion, Gongshu Tianyuan was trapped like amber, immobilized by the Divine-controlled sand.

As the cost, Ren Kun remained in a fixed posture.

And this was the established plan: he would control the scene, while Qi Yuchun intended to single-handedly kill Zhao Douan.

"Zhao thief! Take this!"

With a face full of green stubble and bearing deep-seated hatred, Qi Yuchun darted across the execution site like lightning, his spear aimed at Zhao Douan unimpeded.

Seated on the execution platform, Zhao Douan appeared scared stiff, surprisingly not reacting, remaining seated.

The spear pierced through his head with a loud "thud," but without the anticipated splattering of brains and blood.

Qi Yuchun's triumphant smile froze, his pupils suddenly constricting.

Only to see the decapitated Zhao Douan's half-body slowly fade, turning into a clay figure, which then slowly collapsed.

"Hahaha..."

Mid-air, Gongshu Tianyuan, imprisoned by sand, suddenly laughed triumphantly, casting a mocking glance at the two.

"You fell for it. Brother Zhao guessed correctly; he knew you had ill intentions."

Magistrate Luan lay stunned on the ground.

Ren Kun felt as if a cold bucket of water had been poured over him, a chilling sensation flooded his chest, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Fake... Zhao Douan was fake... All along the fat priest manipulated it... When did he leave? Or perhaps, has Zhao Douan on stage always been fake?

Where did the real court lackey go? A strong sense of unease welled up inside.

"Not good! Retreat!"

Qi Yuchun's complexion changed drastically, his body acting instinctively, rapidly retreating, appearing alongside Ren Kun like a bolt of lightning.

The latter reacted equally quickly, commanding the colossal Earth God to squat, intending to envelop them within its form, retreat into the earth, and swiftly evade using Earth Escape!

Unaware of the unfolding events, they instinctively executed a failed escape plan.

"Lu Zhengchun!" Qi Yuchun shouted loudly.

Ren Kun jolted awake, casting a cold glance towards the execution site, forming a hand gesture with one hand.

"Pfft!"

The soil in the execution site suddenly surged upward as a sharp spike pierced into Lu Zhengchun's buttocks and emerged from his chest.

Blood gushed like a fountain, and Lu Zhengchun slowly lowered his head in a daze, gazing at the sharp earth thorn protruding from his chest. His throat emitted a "hoarse" sound as he struggled to speak but failed, the light in his eyes gradually dimming, life extinguished.

"Oh crap—"

Gongshu Tianyuan, just breaking free from the Divine's gaze, froze upon witnessing this scene, realizing it when the two assassins had already fled.

"Mr. Zhao, he... What on earth is going on?" Magistrate Luan Cheng emerged from under the table, shock mingling with distress:

"Where is Mr. Zhao?"

Gongshu Tianyuan smacked his lips: "Him..."

...

...

Golden Fortune Inn.

The entire inn was closed for business, with only two people in the courtyard.

Zhao Douan sat in a rattan chair, a chessboard placed before him, holding a chess piece in his hand, lightly tapping it on the table.