Chapter 62

So much for the saying that a single hair can set the whole body in motion!

Lin Sha didn't expect that reporting the assassin's body and the assassination attempt to the high command of the Dian Army would cause such a huge stir, shaking the entire military and political circles of Kunming.

The old King of Pingxi, Wu Zhen, was furious and ordered a thorough investigation!

For a time, scouts were dispatched in all directions, and Dian Army units from various camps entered the city to conduct street-by-street searches. Anyone found suspicious was arrested on the spot, causing the people of Kunming to live in constant fear.

The government offices also increased their protective measures, with patrols by constables and soldiers becoming more frequent.

Lin Sha, the instigator of all this, was actually summoned by the King of Pingxi to inquire about the details of the assassination attempt. After being properly consoled, he was dismissed.

He didn't have much to say about it. Wu Zhen was already in his late fifties. Although he had been physically active and strong from years of warfare, old age was still evident. Lin Sha could clearly sense the decline in the old man's vigor.

What a pity. Wu Zhen was already in the position of the most powerful vassal, and even if he wanted to live out his days in peace and surrender to the court, his proud and fierce generals would not be pleased.

Lin Sha was no fool. How could he not notice the subtle changes in the Dian Army recently?

Wu Zhen's generals had been frequently inspecting the troops inside and outside Kunming, urging the Dian Army to remain vigilant and intensify their training. Otherwise, how could a mere supply camp commander like him so easily meet a high-ranking general like the Dian Army's commander?

Seeing the desolate streets, he couldn't help but sigh that Wu Zhen had done too many bad things. Now that he was old and afraid of death, even the slightest disturbance would terrify him. What kind of life was this?

...

At a secluded residence outside Kunming, a dozen or so well-dressed martial artists gathered, their faces serious and the atmosphere tense.

"That Ye Tianlong was too careless. He launched the assassination without any preparation, and now he's alerted the enemy!" A middle-aged man with a robust build and a full beard angrily broke the silence in the room.

"We can't blame him. That's just his character—impulsive, irritable, and impatient. We shouldn't have brought him in the first place!" Another well-dressed man spoke up, trying to be fair.

"Enough, enough. He's dead, and there's no point in talking about it. Let's discuss whether we should continue with the assassination plan," a young man with a tall, lean build and a slightly dark complexion, who exuded a commanding presence, spoke from the main seat. The room fell silent.

"I think the assassination plan can't continue. Look at the state of Kunming under martial law. It's already difficult to enter the city, let alone assassinate those Dian Army officials!"

"I agree. Prince, our forces are limited. Each loss is a significant one. If we could kill Wu SanGui and his officials, we would risk our lives, but we don't even have the chance to get close to them!"

"Indeed, the chances of our assassination plan succeeding are too low!"

"..."

The martial artists in the room spoke one after another, all expressing similar doubts about the feasibility of assassinating Wu SanGui and the Dian Army's high-ranking officials. They had limited manpower and needed to use it wisely.

"Since everyone agrees, then..."

Seeing that the majority of the martial artists were in agreement, Mu JianSheng, though reluctant, had no choice but to set the tone. He would find another opportunity to avenge their grievances later.

"Wait!"

Suddenly, a loud voice interrupted Mu JianSheng. A middle-aged man with a lean build and a cruel expression stepped forward, first bowing to the young leader and then to the other martial artists. He then spoke in a hoarse voice, "Brothers, you're right. Wu SanGui is now on guard, and it will be difficult to assassinate him."

He bowed again to Mu JianSheng, "But we can't just leave like this. That Lin Sha, who dared to kill our brother Ye Tianlong, must be punished. At the very least, he should pay with his life."

"Brother Fang is right. We can't deal with Wu SanGui for now, but we must take care of Lin Sha!"

"Exactly. The Mu Mansion is not to be trifled with. Since Lin Sha dared to kill our brother Ye, we can't let him off easily!"

"Right. He's a rising star in the Dian Army. We'll take his head to warn Wu SanGui and eliminate a potential fierce general!"

"..."

The rough and burly men in the room spoke with excitement, their faces twisted in fierce determination as if Lin Sha's fate was already sealed.

In a room adjacent to the main hall, two young women were listening intently, occasionally exchanging glances and signals.

One was a girl of about thirteen or fourteen, with long lashes, a small mouth, a straight nose, and a truly beautiful face. Her eyes were clear and innocent, and she was the young princess of the Mu Mansion, Mu JianPing.

The other was about twenty years old, with a face like a peach blossom and a very charming appearance. She was Fang Yi, a descendant of the Fang family, one of the four major families of the Mu Mansion.

"Yi Sister, what do you think?"

After listening for a while, the two women tiptoed to a small table and sat down. The young princess couldn't contain her curiosity and asked in a soft, sweet voice.

"What, Princess, do you want to see this rising star of the Dian Army?"

Fang Yi covered her mouth and laughed, her beauty like a blooming azalea.

"I'm just curious!"

The young princess pouted her cherry lips, her large, innocent eyes full of longing, which made Fang Yi's heart soften. She thought for a moment and whispered, "How about we secretly go and see how this rising star of the Dian Army meets his end?"

"Wouldn't that be too cruel?"

The young princess wrinkled her small, white nose, feeling a bit reluctant.

"Hmph, a lackey of the court and a dog of Wu SanGui. He deserves to die!"

Fang Yi's face was cold, her eyes filled with killing intent as she angrily said.

...

Lin Sha had been staying in the camp outside the city for the past few days. His right eyelid kept twitching, giving him a bad feeling.

He valued his life and, after the assassination attempt, though the assassin was incompetent and failed, he learned from the man's mouth that he was a target of the Mu Mansion. He didn't dare to be careless.

Through his connection with the young and chubby Hu Dashao, he had obtained a lot of useful intelligence about the Mu Mansion. He knew that although the Mu Mansion was in decline, it was still a significant force in the Dian Province's martial world, with several renowned experts among its ranks.