Chapter 11: An Assassination Attempt—Surrounded!

At the same time.

Within a certain manor in Chang’an City.

A middle-aged man dressed in a dragon robe sat imposingly at the center of the main hall, radiating authority without raising his voice.

Beneath him, arranged like a court assembly, stood civil and military officials on either side.

If Shen Lang were here, he would immediately recognize these men as the high-ranking officials who had contributed 100 points of resentment against him in the court today.

Among them, Xing Wenlong stepped forward from the ranks with a grave expression and said, “Lord Zhao, that wretched child Shen Lang cannot be spared. Today, he even dared to demand from His Majesty the extermination of all those bearing the Zhao name!”

“If we let him live, who knows what vile schemes he might hatch next!”

Zhao Tianba, seated at the heart of the hall, glared with murderous intent upon hearing this.

“That little bastard—has he discovered that we’ve moved against the Shen family?”

Xing Wenlong nodded solemnly in response to Zhao Tianba’s question. “Most likely, yes.”

“Otherwise, he wouldn’t have boldly appeared before the Divine Emperor of Shenxiao, seeking his protection and proposing such a ruthless plan!”

“Damn it!” Zhao Tianba slammed his teacup to pieces in fury. “We were extremely secretive about our actions back then. How on earth did he find out?”

“Now is not the time to debate that, Lord Zhao!” the Confucian scholar He Xiufei stepped forward at the right moment.

“His Majesty kept him behind alone today, no doubt to discuss the destruction of the Zhao lineage.”

“If Shen Lang lives, the Zhao family’s fate will be utterly doomed!”

“You must make a decision now!”

Zhao Tianba’s killing intent surged fiercely.

“I never imagined that worthless trash from the Shen family would one day become my greatest nightmare!”

“What do you all suggest? Should we kill the little bastard the old way—wait until he ventures out alone and then strike?”

Seeing Zhao Tianba considering the advice, He Xiufei and Xing Wenlong exchanged glances.

Then He Xiufei spoke gravely, “We can’t wait that long.”

“We have no knowledge of what Shen Lang discussed with the Divine Emperor of Shenxiao today.”

“Before the Divine Emperor acts, we must kill Shen Lang.”

“Only then can we turn the tables, and restore the Qin empire to the Zhao family!”

Zhao Tianba nodded slowly. “You mean assassinate him outright?”

“Yes!” He Xiufei’s eyes burned with murderous intent. “Shen Lang hasn’t left the palace yet. We can strike when he does.”

Zhao Tianba frowned. “Shen Canghai is no weakling. Killing Shen Lang under his protection sounds like a fool’s errand.”

He Xiufei shook his head slowly. “Send more strong men to hold Shen Canghai off.”

“Shen Lang will be the lamb to the slaughter!”

“But…” Zhao Tianba’s worry lingered. “Chang’an is under that shameless witch Shenxiao’s control. The strong men we send probably won’t survive.”

“Lord Zhao, for the fate of the Qin empire, necessary sacrifices must be made. I believe it is worth it.”

Besides, Shen Lang wishes to see the Zhao family destroyed. If he does not die, the Zhao lineage will be lost forever...

He Xiufei left the rest unsaid, but everyone understood his meaning.

Zhao Tianba pondered for a few seconds, then resolutely declared, “Very well. Do as you say. Kill that little bastard as soon as possible!”

…

In Chang’an, the capital of the Qin kingdom.

Shen Lang sat quietly in Shen Canghai’s exclusive beast carriage, eyes closed as he adapted to the changes in his body.

Shen Canghai, noticing this, spoke softly, “Lang, can you tell me what you discussed today with His Majesty?”

“I feel something bad is coming.”

Seeing Shen Canghai’s worried face, Shen Lang thought for a moment and replied gravely, “It wasn’t much. I just plan to pick a crown prince within the Zhao family to stir internal conflict.”

“Then my grandson will use the pretext of tax collection at Guiyun City to plant a thorn deep within the Zhao lineage.”

“What? You’re going to Guiyun City?”

Shen Canghai suddenly stood up, shouting, “No, you can’t go!”

“Why?” Shen Lang looked at him in confusion.

“I’ve told you many times—the Zhao family will never let you live!”

“How dare you leave Chang’an? Are you seeking death?”

Seeing that Shen Canghai cared for him, Shen Lang was about to tell him that Nalan Yanran would also accompany him.

But before he could speak, a sudden chill ran down his spine, making every hair stand on end.

In the next moment—

Before he could react,

Shen Canghai grabbed him and abruptly leapt out of the beast carriage.

Immediately after, the carriage exploded.

The two mammoth beasts pulling it turned into clouds of blood mist in an instant.

“Damn it! They’re Nascent Soul cultivators!”

Seeing four formidable figures hovering in the air,

Shen Canghai shouted fiercely, “How dare you commit murder in Chang’an! Are you not afraid of death?”

The four Nascent Soul elders, whose aura was only slightly weaker than Shen Canghai’s, exchanged glances.

Without a word, they drew their weapons and charged at Shen Canghai.

Realizing they intended to kill Shen Lang amid the chaos,

Shen Canghai’s face darkened.

He immediately threw Shen Lang far away. “Run to the palace! Quickly!”

“Run!”

Upon hearing Shen Canghai’s command, Shen Lang did not immediately retreat toward the palace.

He knew all too well that those fighting Shen Canghai were merely distractions sent by the Zhao family.

The real assassins were hiding in the shadows.

If he foolishly ran toward the palace, he would fall right into their trap.

The best plan now was to lure out the hidden killers,

Gauge their strength,

And then decide what to do!

With this thought, Shen Lang swiftly left the main street and dashed into a dark alley.

Not far away, inside a tavern, Xing Wenlong and He Xiufei watched the assassination attempt through the magical artifact, the Xuanti Mirror, frowning deeply.

Xing Wenlong’s voice turned grim: “That little bastard is really clever... he isn’t running toward the palace. Old He, what now?”

“It has come to this—we must kill him by force!” He Xiufei waved his feather fan. “Order the assassins to stop disguising themselves and pursue directly!”

“Understood!”

Xing Wenlong nodded heavily.

He then took out a device resembling a firecracker, threw it into the air.

The next moment,

A dazzling firework blossomed in the sky.

Vendors shouting on the street, beggars along the roadside, and passersby all stopped in their tracks.

Almost at once, they each drew knives and swords from wherever was nearest,

Faces twisted in ferocity,

And gave chase in the direction Shen Lang fled.

Seeing this, a playful smirk curled on Shen Lang’s lips.

They are only Foundation Establishment cultivators.

This wave is in the bag!

With that, Shen Lang ran toward the dead-end alley as his predecessor’s memories guided him.

The assassins, guided by Xing Wenlong’s artifact, pursued him relentlessly.

After the incense burned halfway,

Shen Lang came to a halt after entering the dead-end alley.

Behind him, an assassin spoke with amusement, “You useless fool, you sure can run!”

“But can you escape?”

Turning his head slowly to face them,

A cold, sardonic smile spread across Shen Lang’s lips. “A bunch of idiots.”