Stealing the Pen: Kirin's Primordial Lotus

Chapter 542

The next morning, the sun shone on the streets of Lixi Town. Gong Shangjiao, leading Jin Fu and a team of guards who often followed him on his travels, appeared in this quiet town as usual.

However, the seemingly peaceful Lixi Town actually hides a mystery. Those invisible assassins lurking in the shadows, although they still stroll through the streets as if nothing happened, their bodies have already betrayed them.

Gong Shangjiao seemed not to notice and continued to ride his horse proudly and leisurely through the streets.

His eyes were as sharp as a hawk's, and every person passing by on either side of the road could not escape his scrutiny. Gong Shangjiao could easily distinguish whether these people were innocent civilians or assassins with ulterior motives.

When the assassins saw the heavily guarded carriage behind Gong Shangjiao, they were suddenly filled with excitement. They arrogantly believed that the person sitting in the carriage must be Gong Yuanzheng.

So, these assassins were like chickens with their blood pumped up, rubbing their hands and eager to try, wanting to take down this target who was surrounded by layers of enemies in one fell swoop.

They hated Gong Yuanzheng to the core, not only because he was Gong Shangjiao's younger brother, but also because he held many precious poison formulas and secret hidden weapons. These Wufeng assassins were eager to capture Gong Yuanzheng and bring him back to Wufeng, where they could torture him to force him to reveal all his secrets.

"Are you saying that Gong Shangjiao might have brought Gong Yuanzheng to Lixi Town?" A hoarse voice suddenly came from a dark corner, asking slowly.

"Yes, Lord Jackdaw! I saw it clearly on the street. The carriage was well protected, and Gong Shangjiao was always next to the carriage. His trusted guard Jin Fu was even driving the carriage himself!" The subordinate replied hurriedly.

Jackdaw II frowned slightly and muttered to himself, "Why would Gong Shangjiao think of taking Gong Yuanzheng out of the palace? It's not time for Gong Yuanzheng to leave for Tiandu yet."

"Lord Jackdaw, don't they all say that Gong Yuanzheng has always been the apple of Gong Shangjiao's eye? Then no matter what request Gong Yuanzheng makes, Gong Shangjiao will definitely satisfy him, right?" The subordinate speculated.

"That's what people say outside, but what kind of person do you think Gong Shangjiao is?" Jackdaw II turned around, walked to the window, and looked at the outside world thoughtfully through the hazy window paper.

The Bladeless Assassin was silent for a moment, then began to recall their past encounters with Gong Shangjiao. After a moment, he slowly spoke, "Gong Shangjiao is a meticulous and ruthless individual, and once he strikes, he shows no mercy!"

"If you were Gong Shangjiao, would you bring out the brother you raised since childhood and expose him to danger?" There was a hint of questioning in Jackdaw II's voice. He stared at the assassin without a blade, as if he wanted to see a clue from the other's face.

The Bladeless Assassin was silent for a moment, then shook his head. "I don't think I would do that. Gong Shangjiao has always loved his brother Gong Yuanzheng very much. He would definitely not let Gong Yuanzheng fall into danger."

"So, what will he do?" Jackdaw Two continued to ask.

The Bladeless Assassin thought for a moment and replied, "He might be hiding Gong Yuanzheng in his lair, protecting him and preventing anything that could harm him."

Jackdaw No. 2 nodded. "Indeed, this is the most likely approach Gong Shangjiao would take. Therefore, the person in that carriage definitely couldn't be Gong Yuanzheng."

The Edgeless Assassin's eyes suddenly lit up. He seemed to understand Jackdaw II's meaning. "Master Jackdaw II, are you saying that the person in that carriage is a double?"

"It's not a substitute, it's the bride we sent in, but we don't know which one it is!"

Jackdaw II, as the assassin had mentioned, slowly emerged from the darkness like a ghost. His figure was shrouded in shadow, making his features unclear. Only the hideous scar running through his face stood out in the dim light.

Jackdaw II's face revealed a sinister aura, his eyes cold and sharp, as if he could see through everything. He looked at the Bladeless Assassin, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, revealing a chilling smile.

"Gong Shangjiao is now the de facto ruler of the palace," Jackdaw II's voice was low and hoarse, as if it came from hell. "Those palace rules are nothing but empty words to him. Besides the palace, the only people he truly cares about are Gong Yuanzheng. Anyone else can become a pawn in his hands, discarded at any moment. And who else could he keep by his side, guarding so closely, and making us mistakenly believe they were Gong Yuanzheng, other than the two brides we sent in?"

The Bladeless Assassin seemed puzzled by Jackdaw II's words. He hesitantly asked, "But, Master Jackdaw II, I still don't understand. Gong Ziyu and Gong Shangjiao have always been at odds with each other. Furthermore, I heard that Gong Shangjiao somehow found out about the incident ten years ago. Our spies in the palace said that Gong Shangjiao dug Gong Hongyu's coffin out of the ground and burned it that day. He then drove Gong Ziyu mad and quickly took control of the entire palace."

The Bladeless Assassin raised his head and glanced at Jackdaw II. Seeing that he had no intention of interrupting, he continued, "So how could he possibly bring Gong Ziyu's woman out with him?"

Jackdaw sneered, his laughter echoing in the silent darkness, chilling everyone's blood. "You idiot," he scolded, "Gong Shangjiao has been out for so many years, how could he not know our Wufeng methods? Every time he leaves the palace, we ambush him halfway. It's an open secret. If he brings Gong Ziyu's woman with him, not only will people suspect he wants to wipe out Gong Ziyu. So, for the sake of his reputation, he has no choice but to bring Shangguan Qian with him."

The Bladeless Assassin suddenly understood and nodded repeatedly, agreeing with Jackdaw II's analysis.

"Gong Shangjiao is a suspicious and cautious person. Shangguan Qian has only been in the palace for a few months. How could he gain Gong Shangjiao's trust so quickly?" Jackdaw II was playing with an exquisite knife in his hand, which frightened the edgeless assassin standing behind him. He had no doubt that if he said something wrong, the knife would instantly cut his throat, and then Jackdaw II would watch him die in pain and despair!

"Gong Shangjiao still doubts Shangguan Qian?"

"That's right! So, he brought Shangguan Qian out in the hope of using her to lure out our dark spots hidden in various places!" Jackdaw II has been fighting with Gong Shangjiao for so many years, and he has a certain understanding of him. Naturally, he can guess what the purpose of Gong Shangjiao's move is.

The assassin without a blade instantly became excited. "Sir, why don't we take advantage of Gong Shangjiao's trick and have Shangguan Qian lure the other person over here? If Gong Shangjiao falls into the trap, then his life or death will be decided by us. Who knows, we might even be able to lure that bastard Gong Yuanzheng over here!"

Jackdaw II turned around and slapped the man. "Idiot! Do you think Gong Shangjiao is stupid? Will he really believe what Shangguan Qian said?"

The assassin fell to his knees in an instant, clutching his slapped cheek. "Master Jackdaw II, please forgive me! Master Jackdaw II, please forgive me!"

Jackdaw II closed his eyes and said, "Shangguan Qian has been in the palace for so long, it's impossible that she doesn't know anything about it. No matter what, I must get any information about the palace from her!"

After the Bladeless Assassin withdrew, Jackdaw II held his forehead with his hand and smiled bitterly, "How long will I have to live like this?"