Chapter 241: Killing Zhou Yinzhi

Upon hearing reports of unusual movements from the Xinzhou army in Zhending Prefecture, the Heavenly Sect Army, which had barely rested in Baoding Prefecture for a few days, was nearly scared out of its wits!

Over the past few months, they had almost grown accustomed to the pursuers trailing them.

It seemed as though the enemy was deliberately calculating something. Each time, although they chased and fought, they left enough time for the Heavenly Sect Army to rest, preventing them from being overly exhausted and losing too much combat strength.

So when this news arrived, they could hardly believe it.

What followed was an overwhelming sense of crisis: Could it be that the Xinzhou army was finally getting serious? Now that the fight had reached the capital, did the enemy think they were no longer of use?

Ever since Wan Xiuzi was released by Xie Wei, his hands were practically ruined. No matter how many renowned doctors he consulted, they couldn’t be healed. At his age, being forced to fight alongside the army, even the best health practices couldn’t sustain him.

After months, where was the vigor he once had?

Yet, as he was relentlessly driven forward and saw the capital within reach again, he recalled the grandeur and glory of leading troops north years ago. A spark of defiance ignited in him. Even if he were to die, he would die on the dragon throne of supreme power!

Thus, he immediately ordered the camp to be struck and the army to march, heedless of whether wolves or tigers pursued them, charging madly toward the capital!

How could Baoding Prefecture’s city defenses compare to those of the capital?

If he could seize the capital first and hold it with a strong army, he might keep Xie Yan’s forces at bay outside the walls, securing the slimmest chance of survival!

The leader above was driven mad by obsession, while the followers below, spurred by the looming threat of the pursuing army, were gripped by a fierce will to survive. Knowing they had no other choice, they gritted their teeth and displayed astonishing combat prowess in their assault on the capital!

The capital had four main city gates.

The Heavenly Sect Army didn’t bother splitting its forces. Upon reaching the city, they launched a frenzied attack directly at the southern gate, clearly determined to take it down in the shortest time at any cost!

Wan Xiuzi had expected it would take considerable time, but to his surprise, the city defenses, which he thought impregnable, were as flimsy as paper, collapsing with a single push!

So fragile they couldn’t withstand a single blow!

The moment the gate was breached, everyone, including Wan Xiuzi, was overcome with wild joy. A wave of fervent excitement swept through them, and no one paused to consider whether this victory had come too easily.

If Xie Wei, who knew the capital intimately, were present, he would have immediately seen through the ruse: If the court had truly intended to defend, given the Heavenly Sect’s capabilities, even with their numerical advantage, it would have taken at least three days and nights to breach the gate. It would never have been this easy.

In warfare, deception is key.

The real trap likely lay not at the gate but within the city!

The rising sun broke through the darkness before dawn, its golden-red rays spilling over the palace’s golden glazed tiles. The frost that had settled on them quickly melted, leaving only a dazzling sheen.

Before the Taiji Hall, the plaza stood empty.

Shen Lang, dressed in a dragon robe, stood barefoot at the top of the steps, his hair unbound, his gaze fixed unblinkingly on the increasingly blinding sunrise, as if awaiting something.

*

Zhou Yinzhi didn’t know whether the emperor’s plan would succeed.

Or rather…

It no longer mattered to him.

As the newly appointed Commander of the Nine Gates, he wasn’t assigned to ambush the Heavenly Sect within the city but to defend the eastern gate. He led fewer than ten thousand troops, with few true elites among them. If someone chose to break through here with ruthless force, his entire force could be annihilated!

A young soldier beside him gripped his spear, hands trembling.

Zhou Yinzhi, however, picked up a waterskin filled with strong liquor, tilted his head back for a swig, as if trying to dispel the chill creeping over him with the autumn air.

No one knew he had secretly sent three letters of surrender to the Xinzhou army.

But they had all sunk like stones into the sea, with no response.

Ever since discovering Yao Niang’s disappearance, he knew misfortune would eventually find him.

He just hadn’t expected it to come so quickly.

A lifetime of scheming, always calculating, climbing upward to stand above others, yet one master after another, he had only bowed his head again and again.

Half a lifetime of plotting, and he had chosen wrongly!

News came that the southern gate had been breached.

A wave of dread swept through the ranks.

Yet Zhou Yinzhi’s gaze remained fixed ahead. Two quarters of an hour later, a scout’s horse galloped back from the front, shouting in panic, “They’re here, they’re here! The Xinzhou army is here too!”

The young soldier immediately stammered, “S-Sir, what do we do?”

Zhou Yinzhi snapped, “Why panic?”

He grabbed the embroidered spring saber resting on the gate tower, strapped it to his waist, and, without a flicker of emotion on his stern face, turned and descended toward the city below. “The forces led by Heir Yan and Master Xie are loyal troops here to protect the emperor and pursue the Heavenly Sect rebels. What’s there to fear?”

The soldiers around him exchanged bewildered glances.

As Zhou Yinzhi reached the base of the gate, he raised his arm and shouted, “Open the city gate!”

The defenders knew exactly how many troops they had.

Who in the world doesn’t fear death?

Had they not heard that the Heavenly Sect had already breached the southern gate, they might have hesitated, weighing whether to fight to the death. But now, with the southern gate fallen and their commander issuing such an order, that sliver of hesitation was forcibly swept away—

They were only following orders, free of blame.

Thus, the soldiers on either side finally heaved the gate open!

Dust clouds rolled in from the distance.

The Xinzhou army stood in disciplined formation before the city.

Zhou Yinzhi didn’t know if this gamble was right or wrong, but he had no other choice. When he saw the carriage approach the gate from afar, he briefly closed his eyes, planted his saber into the ground, and declared loudly, “I, Zhou Yinzhi, humbly welcome Master Xie and the Heir back to the capital to serve the emperor!”

Xie Wei gently lifted the carriage curtain, hearing his voice, a faint smile curling his lips. He stepped down from the carriage but didn’t acknowledge Zhou Yinzhi, instead extending a hand back into the carriage.

It had been a long time since Jiang Xuening heard that voice.

The image of You Fangyin lying in a pool of blood flashed through her mind. She took Xie Wei’s hand and stepped down from the carriage.

When Zhou Yinzhi saw Xie Wei emerge, it was as expected. But when Xie Wei ignored him and extended a hand into the carriage, his heart sank. Then, seeing his former master Jiang Xuening step out, supported by Xie Wei, the chill he had briefly dispelled with liquor surged back, plunging him into an icy abyss!

Dao Qin and Jian Shu stood by.

Xie Wei said nothing.

Jiang Xuening fixed her gaze on Zhou Yinzhi, stepping forward to face him. Glancing at the open gate behind him, she let out a sudden laugh. “As expected of Lord Zhou—adaptable, able to serve the emperor loyally or betray him for survival!”

Zhou Yinzhi had always believed that people unite for profit.

As long as he held value, he wouldn’t be discarded immediately.

By first submitting to Xie Wei and Yan Lin, he could endure some hardship. As long as he preserved his life, he could bide his time and scheme later. But he hadn’t calculated that, at this critical moment of clashing armies, Xie Wei would bring Jiang Xuening along!

He knew all too well what this meant.

His fingers clenched at his sides, gripped by fierce unwillingness. In that moment, countless thoughts raced through his mind.

Yet, the more desperate the situation, the more he wanted to struggle.

A glint of defiance flashed in his eyes. Raising his head to Jiang Xuening, he adopted a remorseful expression. “The Xinzhou matter—I harmed Miss You. But back then, my wife and children were in the capital, and I was constrained by the court’s interests, with no other choice! Today, seeing you and Master Xie return to the capital, I deeply regret my mistakes. Thus, I opened this gate, hoping to make amends. I only ask that you, for old times’ sake—”

His words turned sharp!

The saber, previously planted in the ground, was drawn in a flash. The remorse on Zhou Yinzhi’s face vanished. Seizing the moment when Jiang Xuening stood closest, he used his feigned repentance to lower her guard, lunging with his blade to take her hostage, hoping to secure a path to survival in this desperate moment!

But Dao Qin’s blade was faster!

*Clang!*

In a flash, Dao Qin, his face cold and devoid of any smile, though farther from Jiang Xuening, intercepted Zhou Yinzhi’s blade just before it reached her neck, deflecting it with force!

His wrist twisted, and his blade slashed downward.

The sharp edge carved a long, bloody gash across Zhou Yinzhi’s arm!

On the other side, Jian Shu struck Zhou Yinzhi’s leg with his scabbard, then delivered a brutal kick that shattered his kneecap, forcing him to collapse to his knees!

His saber flew from his hand!

Zhou Yinzhi could scarcely believe it. The two standing at the sides had reacted with such speed, as if they had anticipated his move and were already on guard!

Jiang Xuening had witnessed Zhou Yinzhi poison You Fangyin, watching helplessly as a vibrant young woman perished despite his exceptional martial skills.

Back then, You Fangyin had already been taken hostage by the time he arrived.

But now, face-to-face, Zhou Yinzhi’s meager skills were laughable if he thought he could harm Jiang Xuening in Dao Qin’s presence!

Seeing Zhou Yinzhi’s shocked and enraged expression, Dao Qin said coldly, “On the way here, Miss Ning warned us that your nature is unchangeable. If you knew death was inevitable, you wouldn’t surrender quietly but would take desperate risks. And now, it’s come true.”

Zhou Yinzhi hadn’t expected this.

Reflecting on his life, Jiang Xuening was indeed one of his former masters, but their interactions were limited to a few tasks. How could she know his actions so well?

And…

He clenched his teeth, glaring at her, his voice dripping with venom. “You promised! That letter! You swore that if I acted as your insider and helped, you’d forgive my past and spare my life, as well as Yao Niang and her unborn child!”

Jiang Xuening looked at him with pity. “And you believed it?”

In that instant, Zhou Yinzhi’s face turned ashen.

Jiang Xuening raised her head, gazing at the wide-open gate, and said slowly, as if the world were absurd, “Indeed, in your eyes, someone like me must seem kind and easily deceived. So when I turn deceitful, it’s hard to believe.”

She thought the hour was growing late and they shouldn’t delay the army’s entry.

So she extended her hand to Jian Shu beside her.

Jian Shu handed her his sword.

She had rarely held a blade. As the sharp sword was drawn from its scabbard, it seemed to carry the weight of a life, pressing heavily on her wrist. Under the sunlight, it gleamed with a chilling light!

Zhou Yinzhi struggled.

But soldiers on either side pinned him down firmly.

Jiang Xuening held the sword, finding it heavy.

Xie Wei stepped forward, placing his hand over hers, helping her grip the sword tightly. He guided it toward Zhou Yinzhi’s neck, smiling faintly. “Let me teach you.”

The blade pierced the skin instantly.

Zhou Yinzhi’s eyes blazed red.

As death loomed, his overwhelming unwillingness erupted. Like a trapped beast, he roared, “So what if I killed You Fangyin? It was the emperor’s order! You raise armies in rebellion, scheme with cunning, and have blood on your hands—how are you any better than me? What right do you have to kill me?!”

Jiang Xuening had never killed before.

Her hand, guided by Xie Wei’s, moved the sword forward.

But at his accusing words, a surge of fury flared within her!

Her trembling fingers tightened around the hilt, and she thrust the sword into his throat!

Blood spurted, even gushing from Zhou Yinzhi’s mouth.

He opened his mouth to speak, but his pierced windpipe could only produce a faint hiss, no words emerging!

He could only stare with wide, desperate eyes!

Jiang Xuening yanked the sword free, her eyes red, and said icily, word by word, “I once said, if you do evil, don’t let me know. The world is full of schemers, but you’re the lowest! Not one of your methods is respectable. You’re not even a villain, just a wretched rat! No one wanted to kill you—you brought this on yourself.”

Zhou Yinzhi finally recalled that, many years ago, she had indeed said such a thing…

But it was too late.

As blood pooled, the soldiers holding him released him, and he collapsed face-down, tears welling in his eyes. He reached toward Jiang Xuening, struggling to speak, “Yao… Yao…”

Jiang Xuening knew he was asking about Yao Niang.

But her heart held no pity, only cold cruelty. She glanced down at him, ignored him, dropped the sword, and walked past.

For a man, the most painful death is to die without knowing the fate of those he cares for!

The suffering You Fangyin endured that day, she would make him repay in full today!

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