Volume One, Chapter 18: Assassination at the Funeral Hall, Yang Yi Takes the Blow!

Opportunity slips away in an instant.

With countless chances laid before him, how could Li Yan possibly let them go to waste?

He gritted his teeth, stomped his foot, and resolutely declared, "Very well! We shall proceed as you say!"

Since this matter was proposed by Fei Guan, Li Yan showed no hesitation.

Before him, he called out, "Someone!"

At the sound of his voice, the servants of the residence stepped forward. A resolute gleam flashed in Li Yan’s eyes as he commanded, "Bring Xu Xin to me!"

Not long after, a lean man dressed in black quietly entered.

Now, as the Governor of Jiangzhou and a commanding minister standing shoulder to shoulder with Zhuge Liang, Li Yan had many assassins under his command. Xu Xin led a cadre of trusted killers.

His steps were light, his figure agile, and his gaze cold, brimming with murderous intent.

Li Yan fixed his eyes on him, lowering his voice with grim determination: "Right now, A'Dou is at the Chancellor’s residence."

"You will personally lead several skilled men, infiltrate the residence, and ensure his death!"

"When you act, be clean and swift. If escape becomes impossible, take your own life! I will care for your families."

"Should you manage to escape after the deed, generous rewards await!"

Xu Xin nodded slightly, a bloodthirsty gleam flickering in his eyes as he whispered, "Rest assured, my lord, I shall not fail you!"

There was no turmoil in his expression.

Even tasked with assassinating the current emperor, his face remained calm.

It was as if he were killing an ordinary man.

Such was the nature of a hired assassin.

With those words, Xu Xin turned and swiftly exited the main hall, vanishing from sight.

Within the residence, Xu Xin gathered a few capable men, all clad in black, and they stepped out of the Li estate.

As they headed toward the Chancellor’s residence, two seemingly ordinary passersby on the street silently stirred.

One quickly slipped away, taking a shortcut toward the Chancellor’s residence.

The other followed behind the group with an air of casual indifference, maintaining just the right distance.

Neither was detected.

Inside the Chancellor’s residence.

Zhao Li walked over to Yang Yi, lowered his voice, and whispered, "My lord, scouts report that Li Yan’s assassins have already set out for the residence, preparing to act against His Majesty according to their plan."

Hearing this, a faint, scarcely perceptible cold smile appeared on Yang Yi’s face.

He nodded slightly and said to Zhao Li, "Order the guards around the residence to release some men, but under no circumstances allow anyone to escape!"

At present, the residence was encircled by the Wudang Flying Army in three layers inside and three layers outside. For assassins to sneak in unnoticed? Nearly impossible.

Still, they had to create a gap in the defenses.

Worry etched across Zhao Li’s face as he whispered, "My lord, if we really let them in, might… something unexpected happen?"

Yang Yi shook his head, then patted his somewhat heavy chest.

"It’s all right. I have everything prepared."

"Follow previous instructions and act swiftly!"

"Yes!" Zhao Li’s gaze grew resolute as he nodded and left.

About fifteen minutes later.

The atmosphere in the mourning hall was solemn and heavy. Liu Chan, accompanied by a host of civil and military ministers, knelt in mourning before Zhuge Liang’s coffin.

Clad in mourning attire, all knelt before the casket.

Most faces bore expressions of profound grief.

Yang Yi knelt quietly beside Liu Chan, seemingly immersed in sorrow but secretly alert to the surrounding movements.

Suddenly.

Amidst the mourners' deep sorrow.

Crack… crack…

A faint noise came from the roof, sudden and sharp, accompanied by the sound of tiles breaking.

Immediately after.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Several black shadows leapt down from the rooftop like phantoms, their gleaming blades flashing coldly in the sunlight.

They charged straight toward the leading Liu Chan.

"Assassins!"

"Protect His Majesty!"

Chaos erupted instantly within the mourning hall.

The ministers shouted in panic; the once orderly scene descended into chaos as they scattered in all directions, trampling the neatly arranged hall into disarray.

Liu Chan gasped sharply, eyes wide with terror.

"Someone… help the emperor!"

The only bloodbath he had ever witnessed was when Zhao Yun had fiercely fought at Changban Slope, carrying him in his arms.

But Zhao Yun was the one who braved the danger seven times over; Liu Chan was still an infant.

He had never seen such a scene before.

In this life-or-death moment, his mind went blank, as if frozen by fear. His legs felt as heavy as if filled with lead, barely able to move!

As those blades drew ever closer…

"Villains! Do not harm His Majesty!"

Just as one assassin’s blade was about to pierce Liu Chan, Yang Yi sprang up like a bolt of lightning, stepping in front of him.

A sharp "thud" sounded.

The keen blade plunged straight into Yang Yi’s chest.

Blood gushed forth like a fountain.

Liu Chan watched in horror, his mind seemingly ceasing to function.

Moments later, a wave of intense shock and emotion surged within him.

He never imagined that in this critical moment, Yang Yi would unhesitatingly step forward, using his own body to shield him from a fatal blow.

"Chief Minister Yang…" Liu Chan’s lips trembled, his voice filled with disbelief and deep gratitude.

His heart was a tumult of emotions.

Recalling Yang Yi’s various deeds in court and now his actions today, Liu Chan had once doubted and suspected him.

But in this life-or-death instant, Yang Yi had proven his loyalty with his very life!

As for the assassins.

Their strike failed, and their companions moved to advance.

Bang!

A heavy iron ring-headed blade blocked their path. Zou Ping, along with several guards, immediately rushed forward to defend.

"Seize them all! Keep one alive—we need to find out who sent them!" Zou Ping shouted fiercely as the soldiers swarmed in.

The assassins were quickly surrounded.

The sudden attack left Liu Chan still reeling in shock.

But seeing Yang Yi’s pale face and faltering stance, a surge of guilt overwhelmed him.

He hated himself for not fully trusting Yang Yi before, for always harboring suspicion.

Now, Yang Yi’s blood had shown him the true meaning of loyalty and what it meant to be a devoted minister!

"Someone! Hurry and save Chief Minister Yang! Summon the imperial physician!"

Liu Chan screamed hoarsely, his voice echoing through the mourning hall, laden with boundless urgency and fear.

At this moment, only one thought occupied his heart.

No matter what, Yang Yi must not die!

He wanted Yang Yi to know that his loyalty was seen and forever engraved in his heart!

Though the assassins were highly skilled, they were vastly outnumbered and soon subdued.

Several soldiers rushed forward and firmly restrained them.

The possibility of them ending their own lives was gone.

Watching the captured assassins, Liu Chan’s face burned with rage.

His eyes seemed ready to shoot flames as his voice trembled with fury: "Take them away for strict interrogation!"

"I want to know who dares to be so bold as to attempt an assassination in the Chancellor’s mourning hall!"

Zou Ping clasped his fists and acknowledged the order.

"Yes!"