Not surprisingly, with Lu Yaner's cultivation, hiding was effortless.
"Is Mr. Zhao satisfied now? If you still have doubts, how about taking this Prince and his son away for questioning?" Prince Jing said with a smile.
Zhao Douan looked regretful:
"Prince, your words are too kind. I was just montarily flustered and spoke inappropriately. Please forgive and do not take it seriously, my Lord. I adhere to the law, and under Great Yu Law, I have no right to arrest and interrogate the Imperial Family. Please do not compel to make a mistake."
Prince Jing was almost amused by his hypocrisy: "Very well, very well."
Zhao Douan then changed the subject:
"I am unfamiliar with Hu Ting, and speaking of which, you know this place better, Your Highness. These corpses would also trouble you to hang at the city gates to deter any rebels in the city."
Before waiting for a response, a group of Jinyi Captains from Lihua Hall had already co forward with grins, each grabbing one or two corpses and carelessly throwing them into the courtyard of the mansion.
Each corpse that was thrown in made a 'thump' sound and splashed blood, eliciting a series of startled exclamations from the servants inside.
The expressions of the father and son outside the gate beca uglier by the minute.
Finally, Xu Jinglong couldn't hold back anymore. He abruptly stepped forward, pointing at Zhao Douan about to curse.
However, Zhao Douan unexpectedly lashed out with his riding whip, striking Xu Jinglong across the face with the speed of lightning.
"Snap!"
A loud whip sound rang out, silencing the surroundings for a mont.
Xu Jinglong, incredulously covering his swollen, blood-seeping face, seed stunned, not expecting Zhao Douan to actually strike him.
"My apologies," Zhao Douan retracted his whip, looking remorseful:
"Having just been attacked, I was still shaken. When soone approached suddenly, my instinct was to strike back. I did not an to accidentally injure the Princely Heir. After returning to the Capital, I will surely beg for His Majesty's forgiveness. What do you think, Princely Heir?"
Xu Jinglong was gasping for breath, unable to maintain the deanor of a refined gentleman.
Nearby, Prince Jing, equally stunned by the whip, could barely maintain his smile and muttered curtly:
"Leave!"
"Ha ha, off we go then." Zhao Douan laughed heartily, waved his hand grandly, and led his n away down the long street.
Leaving behind the chaotic scene at Prince Jing's mansion and the hidden, watchful eyes from nearby and afar.
One could imagine that soon, word of these events would spread throughout the city.
...
...
On the other side,
Wu Ling, dressed as a Jianghu person, swiftly returned through the bustling streets and quietly slipped into a quiet alley.
Knocked on a door and entered the temporary residence of a small team from the Kuangfu Society.
"How does it look? Is the Zhao thief dead?!"
As soon as Wu Ling entered, the impassioned youths surrounded him.
The particularly intense and restless young man, Kou Qichi, looked especially eager.
Removing his hat, Wu Ling shook his head somberly:
"Failed. The Zhao thief has led his generals back to the city, seemingly only lightly injured. Our operation failed!"
The light in the young people's eyes dimd, and the atmosphere turned gloomy.
"Bang!" Kou Qichi punched the wall furiously, ignoring the blood oozing from his hand, "Why do good n not live long, yet this vile thief thrives? Can he not be killed?"
The others also cursed constantly, greatly disappointed.
Wu Ling glanced around the room, frowning, "Isn't Lin Yuebai back?"
Soone said, "Senior Sister Lin went outside the city to rendezvous with Qi Yuchun and General Qi. They haven't returned yet."
Just then, systematic knocking ca from outside the courtyard, followed by Lin Yuebai's voice:
"It's ."
Everyone hurried to greet her. When the door opened, the female sorcerer Lin Yuebai, dressed as a man, entered with a grave expression. She glanced at Wu Ling and sighed:
"It seems you already know."
Wu Ling said gravely, "The Zhao thief is not dead. How is General Qi?"
Lin Yuebai shook her head:
"Commander Qi is quite injured but managed to escape. Fearing a major governnt manhunt in Hu Ting City, he left first, asking to lead everyone to evacuate as quickly as possible according to the planned route!"
The mood in the room was heavy.
Seeing everyone downcast, Lin Yuebai adjusted her emotions and encouraged:
"The Zhao thief is not immortal; his ti has not yet co. Though we failed this ti, there will be other chances. Besides, there's still so good news."
Seeing Wu Ling and the others look up,
Lin Yuebai smiled:
"Commander Qi ntioned that during the assassination attempt, a Bodhisattva from the Buddhist faith was also nearby but did not reveal themselves. Moreover, people from the Buddhist Zu Ting in the Western Regions have gone to the Capital. In short, the situation is going to be very complicated. The Fake Emperor will soon face challenging difficulties, and if the Buddhist handling is poor, the situation might shift in our favor."
A Bodhisattva also involved in this assassination?
And why didn't they show up?
Wu Ling was puzzled.
Regarding the arrival of the Western Regions' monks in Great Yu, he was inford ahead of ti, knowing also that the Long Shu Bodhisattva and Da Jing Master had left their temples...
"Was it Long Shu or Da Jing who ca to Hu Ting this ti? Surely it wasn't the female Bodhisattva Prajna?" he curiously inquired.
Lin Yuebai shook her head, indicating she was not sure.
Then she urged everyone to get up and leave imdiately.
...
...
Zhuozheng Garden.
Zhao Douan swaggered back to the garden and found Feng Ju already anxiously waiting along with a large group of officials.
"Mr. Zhao!"
"Lord!"
"We heard about the assassination..."
A swarm of officials rushed up to him, and only after confirming he was unhard did they all breathe a sigh of relief.
Then began a cascade of self-criticisms, almost as if they were pleading guilty.
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