Chapter 9

"Killing the Jin Emperor, such a major event, why didn’t you plan it in advance, Senior Brother?" Yin Zhiping said, somewhat angrily.

Li Zhichang replied, "In matters like this, the more sudden it is, the greater the chance of success. Emperor Wanyan Jing of the Jin Dynasty, after his initial ascension, 'worked hard to govern the state,' although in recent years he has increasingly favored relatives and become more and more incompetent. However, he still enjoys supreme prestige in the Jin Empire. If he were to suddenly die, there would be no one in the Jin imperial family with enough prestige to control the situation. At that time, the northern situation would surely deteriorate to the point of being uncontrollable. The most likely scenario would be a replay of the Sixteen Kingdoms of the Southern and Northern Dynasties. In such a case, our Han dynasty could survive for another hundred years or so. Just wait for a hero to emerge, and perhaps the rivers and mountains could be restored."

Yin Zhiping, unconvinced, said, "But the situation could also get worse, and if war breaks out again, it will be the common people who suffer."

Li Zhichang put on a compassionate look, "‘When the state prospers, the people suffer; when the state declines, the people suffer.’ This is an inevitable matter. Anyway, things can’t get any worse."

Li Zhichang couldn’t say that the Mongols would rise and destroy the Jin and Song dynasties. The unification of the Mongol tribes was an inevitable trend, but if there was a chance, Li Zhichang would kill Genghis Khan to delay the unification of the Mongol tribes. Killing two emperors with one person, such a feat, if not unmatched in the future, was at least unprecedented. Li Zhichang, knowing the course of history, couldn’t bear to see the tragedy of 'no China after the Yaishan.' He was just an ordinary man, lacking the ability of Zhu Chongba to eliminate all rivals. He could only use the most primitive method of violence. But how effective it would be, he himself didn’t know. In fact, even if Qiu Chuji hadn’t sent him out this time, he would have found an opportunity to leave the mountain and accomplish this task.

Unfortunately, time was not on his side. If he had waited another three or four years, Li Zhichang’s martial arts would have been much more accomplished, and he would have had a better chance of success. Moreover, after this, Li Zhichang didn’t expect to return to the Quanzhen Sect. There are no secrets in the world that can be kept forever. If he succeeded in the assassination and returned to Chongyang Palace, it would be a provocation, and no ruler would tolerate such a thing.

Yin Zhiping said, "Alright, then the problem is, we don’t know where the Jin Emperor is?"

Li Zhichang said, "It’s hot in the summer, let’s just wait here."

Yin Zhiping said, "Wait?"

Li Zhichang said, "Just wait."

The two waited for about an hour. At this time, figures began to move in the distance. Both of them had already reached a high level in their qi cultivation, and although they couldn’t see in the dark as clearly as in the day, it wasn’t much different. They clearly saw one person wearing a dragon robe, who must be the Jin Emperor.

Li Zhichang said, "Little Brother, bring the sword."

With the Wu Chang sword in hand, Li Zhichang entered a state of no joy and no sorrow, like the moon in a well, reflecting everything around him in his heart. His spiritual senses were heightened to the extreme, and not even the sound of fish bubbles in the pond could escape him. Suddenly, Li Zhichang and the sword became one, transforming into a white light, like a thunderbolt from the sky. The guards in front shouted, "Protect the Emperor!"

Before the words were even out, Li Zhichang seemed to vanish into thin air, and then the sound of metal clashing cut through the air.

Yin Zhiping saw a white light flash by, followed by the sound of a sword, and inwardly praised Li Zhichang’s swordsmanship as truly unparalleled. He thought, "I don’t usually see Senior Brother practice swordsmanship, how can his sword skills be so good?"

However, Li Zhichang’s sword strike did not succeed; it was blocked, though by the body. Li Zhichang was even more surprised. His sword strike was not only extremely fast but also carried the supreme Daoist power to captivate the mind. An ordinary person would absolutely not be able to react. Who knew that this little eunuch could remain unaffected and block it in the blink of an eye.

The little eunuch was wearing inner armor. Although the Wu Chang sword was invincible, it was still hindered for a moment. Then three ghostly figures darted out, drawing thin swords and stabbing at him with incredible speed and vicious angles.

In such a dangerous situation, Li Zhichang remained calm and collected. He retracted his sword and struck again, even faster than before. The most terrifying thing was that this sword strike seemed to split into three beams of light, each intercepting one of the three incoming sword shadows. This was the supreme Daoist sword technique 'One Qi Transforms into Three Purities.' This move required little internal power but placed a great burden on the body. Even Li Zhichang found it difficult to use. Li Zhichang repelled the three, not daring to linger, and shouted, "Separate and go."

At this time, the 'Rain Flower Pond' area was illuminated by lanterns and torches, as bright as daylight. The guards from other palaces also rushed over upon receiving the news. Although the two were fast, they couldn’t escape the many eyes. Several people had already spotted them and were shouting and chasing after them. Yin Zhiping inwardly cursed, "You bunch of cowards, not chasing the villains but chasing the good guys."

For a moment, he harbored deep resentment towards Li Zhichang. Fortunately, he had been trained in lightness skills by Li Zhichang for a long time. He gritted his teeth and ran as fast as he could. When a few guards with higher martial arts skills got close, Yin Zhiping wasn’t foolish. He still had some fruit pits in his hand, which he hadn’t thrown away. Now they came in handy. He heard a series of "Ouch" sounds, and several people fell. The rest didn’t dare to get closer and watched helplessly as he leaped over the palace wall and disappeared.

Yin Zhiping escaped the palace gate, in the dark, and fled in a panic, heading in one direction.

At this moment, someone suddenly said behind him, "Hey, kid, stop."

Yin Zhiping was startled. How could someone approach him from behind without him noticing? Like a frightened bird, he turned around and immediately used the move 'Purple Lightning Pierces the Clouds.' But he saw that the speaker was a middle-aged beggar. However, he couldn’t retract his move, and fortunately, the person’s martial arts were extremely high, grabbing his wrist and immobilizing him. The man had a long face, a slight beard under his chin, rough hands and feet, and his clothes were patched in various places but were very clean. He held a green bamboo staff, as clear and green as jade. Yin Zhiping, seeing his unusual actions, knew something was different and didn’t dare to be disrespectful. He smiled and said, "I don’t know what you, Senior, want from me."

The middle-aged beggar laughed, "You two kids are really bold, daring to assassinate the dog emperor in the Jin Empire’s palace."

Yin Zhiping felt more confident and asked uncertainly, "Are you Senior Hong, the leader of the Beggars’ Sect?"

The middle-aged beggar was none other than Northern Beggar Hong Qigong. He released his hand and was surprised, "I didn’t expect you to have such insight?"

Yin Zhiping felt relieved, took off his mask, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and said cautiously, "My Senior Brother often mentions that after the death of our Ancestor Chongyang, the strongest martial artist at the time was you, Senior."

Hong Qigong laughed, "Don’t flatter the old beggar. So, you two kids are from the Quanzhen Sect. I didn’t expect the Quanzhen Sect to produce another talent besides Old Fool. In comparison, the disciples of the old beggar are far behind."

Yin Zhiping smiled foolishly, "Not at all, not at all. My meager skills can’t even catch your eye, Senior Hong. Do you know where my Senior Brother is now?"

Hong Qigong said somewhat strangely, "That kid has really good martial arts, but your Senior Brother is being watched by an old monster in the palace. He might not be able to get away for a while."

Yin Zhiping was somewhat anxious, "There are still experts in the palace?"

Hong Qigong waved his hand, "Don’t worry. Although that old monster is powerful, he was injured by the old beggar in the lungs and can’t fight for long. Your Senior Brother will find it easy to escape."