79: Kyoto's alarm alarms everyone! Xing Yusen breaks through the ninth rank!

Chapter 79: Kyoto's Alarm Shakes All Directions! Xing Yusen Breaks Through to Ninth Rank!

A thick arm burst from the wall, smashing through it and the carriage, grabbing Fan Xian by the neck.

Fan Xian was swept up by the immense force, his entire body crashing through the thick wall, then heavily slamming into the courtyard behind it.

He ached all over, watching a nine-foot, bald giant walk towards him!

Outside the wall Fan Xian had crashed through, Lao Zhao, with two arrows in his body, roared with bloodshot eyes!

"Cheng Jushu, come at me!"

He and Fan Xian finally understood that the four assassins' strong bows were meant to kill the two guards.

The siege crossbows and Cheng Jushu were for dealing with Fan Xian!

"Young Master, run!"

Lao Zhao bellowed, then swung his saber and charged at Cheng Jushu!

"Crack!"

Cheng Jushu grabbed Lao Zhao's throat, then four arrows simultaneously shot out, instantly turning Lao Zhao into a porcupine!

The four assassins landed on the ground, slung their strong bows over their backs, drew their steel sabers, and slowly walked towards Fan Xian!

A monster at the Peak of Eighth Rank, Cheng Jushu, and four assassins at the Ninth Rank Upper Level, were only ten feet away from the fallen Fan Xian!

Fan Xian felt despair at the sight of these five enemies!

He could at most deal with two of the Ninth Rank Upper Level assassins simultaneously; now there were four assassins, and an Eighth Rank Peak Cheng Jushu!

"Hehehe..."

Looking at Lao Zhao lying in a pool of blood, Fan Xian couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.

If he could survive, he would personally crush the mastermind behind the assassination!

The Crown Prince!

That was his first guess; wasn't the Danzhou assassination his doing?

However, at this moment, he couldn't even see any hope of survival.

This was Kyoto; assassins were rampant before, but they always struck at night.

In broad daylight, five masters were trying to kill him, with strong bows and siege crossbows!

Only someone of high status and power could orchestrate such a scheme!

Just as Fan Xian thought he was surely doomed, a loud shout suddenly came from outside the wall!

"This is outrageous!"

"Someone dares to assassinate in broad daylight!"

Cheng Jushu turned his head and saw a martial officer in black armor, with a not-so-serious face and a five-foot long saber in hand, had already entered the courtyard!

The area near Niulan Street was sparsely populated, a good place for a sneak attack, and also an excellent place for an assassination.

Xing Yusen's main focus of search was this area; with his high Cultivation, he was the first to arrive after hearing the commotion.

"Shadow Guard Deputy Director Xing Yusen is here! Bold assassins, surrender at once!"

Seeing the Eighth Rank Peak Cheng Jushu, Xing Yusen's heart also tensed; this was a troublesome fellow!

Xing Yusen shouted while pulling out a signal arrow; a red signal arrow instantly shot into the sky!

"So it's the Northern Qi fiend, Cheng Jushu! Today, you've finally fallen into this Director's hands!"

Seeing Xing Yusen, Fan Xian immediately saw hope of survival!

Shadow Guard Deputy Director, Great Qing's Divine Constable Xing Yusen, an Eighth Rank Peak master!

The four Ninth Rank Upper Level assassins frowned, "Cheng Jushu, quickly kill Fan Xian, we'll stop Xing Yusen!"

The four assassins moved like the wind, immediately beginning a combined assault to siege Xing Yusen.

"Single Saber to the Gathering!"

Xing Yusen roared, leaped up with a saber, and split a Ninth Rank Upper Level assassin in half from head to toe!

Cheng Jushu took three strides in front of Fan Xian, grabbed Fan Xian, and then punched him in the face!

Fan Xian's Overbearing True Qi erupted, and he swung a wine jar, smashing it against Cheng Jushu's head.

With that single blow, Fan Xian displayed his poison skills, honed for over a decade, to their fullest!

Several types of poison powder simultaneously flew into Cheng Jushu's mouth and nose.

Only a Ninth Rank Martial Artist could be immune to all poisons; Cheng Jushu shouldn't be able to withstand this!

Cheng Jushu swayed back a few steps, even shaking his head exaggeratedly!

However, Fan Xian had clearly underestimated Cheng Jushu; Cheng Jushu, who could Breakthrough to Ninth Rank at any time, was completely immune to these poisons!

Cheng Jushu retreated a few steps, his mind cleared, and then he charged towards Fan Xian.

"Die... hahaha!"

Xing Yusen's sky-piercing signal arrow alarmed many people.

Wang Qinian, who was tracking another wave of assassins in the West Market, turned into a blur without a word after seeing the red signal arrow.

The blur circled on the ground a few times and was already on a rooftop several feet away.

"The highest level red alert! You all continue the investigation, I'm going to provide support!"

Since the establishment of the Shadow Guard, the highest level alert had never been activated; the situation was serious this time!

Prince Yong's Residence.

Li Chang'an also walked out of his room, looking in the direction of the signal arrow in the sky.

Jing Ni said in surprise, "Your Highness, it's the Shadow Guard's red alert, and it seems to be in the direction of Niulan Street! Should we send people to support?"

Li Chang'an knew that this was likely the Niulan Street assassination.

Cheng Jushu, an Eighth Rank Peak master, whose Cultivation was even higher than Gong Dian's, was worthy of a red signal arrow.

"Jing Ni, did the little alpaca recently invite Fan Xian for a meal?"

Jing Ni was stunned for a moment, then realized that the one with an alpaca-like hairstyle must be Li Chengze.

"Your Highness's foresight is divine. Li Chengze invited Fan Xian to eat at Drunken Immortal Tavern today."

"Does Your Highness mean that Fan Xian encountered an assassination? But the signal arrow was fired by our people, should we send support?"

Li Chang'an said in a deep voice, "No need. Lao Wang will rush over. Lao Wang and Lao Xing together are enough to deal with a strong master among the Ninth Rank.

The Shadow Guard, Garrison Division, and Supervisory Council have exchanged signals; Ye Zhong, a Ninth Rank Upper Level master, will also rush over at the first opportunity."

These masters would have no problem dealing with Cheng Jushu; it just depended on whether Fan Xian could hold on.

"Let Lao Wang and Lao Xing handle it themselves; we don't need to intervene."

After Li Chang'an finished speaking, he returned to his room to continue Cultivating.

His Blue Level Futu was advancing by leaps and bounds, progressing at an astonishing speed; he couldn't stop for a moment.

Supervisory Council.

Zhu Ge, holding his sword, rushed out of the courtyard gate with a dozen people, when suddenly a gust of wind blew past him.

"Lord Zhu, Deputy Director Zong Zhui will go ahead first, you all take your time!"

Although Zong Zhui was an Eighth Rank Lower Level master, his light footwork was comparable to a Ninth Rank Upper Level master.

Most importantly, he was close to the Director; Chen Pingping wanted him to protect Fan Xian's safety.

He knew Fan Xian's whereabouts; this Young Master was a focal point of conflict in the capital.

The direction of Niulan Street was the only way for Fan Xian to attend the banquet. Zong Zhui dared not be careless, so he rushed over immediately.

Imperial Palace.

Emperor Qing opened his eight-panel floor-to-ceiling doors and walked onto the spacious balcony.

Within a dozen breaths, Hong Sixiang appeared behind him.

"Your Majesty, it's the Shadow Guard's highest alert; the enemy is at least an Eighth Rank Upper Level!"

Emperor Qing angrily said, "An Eighth Rank Upper Level enemy entering Kyoto, how audacious!"

Previous assassins were all at the Seventh Rank; no Eighth Rank assassins had appeared before.

"Si Xiang, send ten Inner Court masters to rush to Niulan Street immediately!"

Prime Minister's Residence.

Lin Gong looked at the distant signal arrow's trail, and his heart tightened.

Niulan Street! Cheng Jushu was discovered by the Shadow Guard!

"Prince Yong's Shadow Guard is truly troublesome!"

"However, Cheng Jushu's Cultivation Technique is Overbearing True Qi; he should have enough time to kill Fan Xian!"

Then, a ruthless expression appeared on Lin Gong's face, "And I have a backup plan, Fan Xian, you must die!"

Niulan Street.

Xing Yusen fought one against four, not falling behind in the slightest, and with another horizontal slash, he cut an assassin into two halves.

"Young Master Fan, can you still hold on?"

Fan Xian was covered in blood, already entangled in a fierce battle with Cheng Jushu.

"Boom!"

Fan Xian, who had just been thrown against the wall by Cheng Jushu, could no longer answer Xing Yusen.

Xing Yusen killed two assassins, making it much easier to deal with the remaining two.

His saber technique was fierce, and his speed and strength were much greater than those of the Northern Qi assassins.

In about ten breaths, the remaining two assassins were all slain by him!

Fan Xian's consciousness was already somewhat blurry. He couldn't remember how many punches he had thrown at Cheng Jushu, only that Cheng Jushu had hit him many more times.

"Roar!"

Cheng Jushu had a body hardened by Cultivation; although he was injured in many places, his bones and muscles were not severely damaged.

When he stood up, he was suddenly stopped by Xing Yusen's shout.

"Monster, your opponent... is me!"

Xing Yusen kicked away the Northern Qi assassin's corpse, then, holding his bloody steel saber, charged at Cheng Jushu.

"Clang!"

Xing Yusen struck with his saber, and Cheng Jushu clasped his hands together, firmly gripping the back of the blade!

If he were facing a Seventh Rank saberman, Cheng Jushu would even dare to use his body to withstand the opponent's blade.

But now, both were Eighth Rank Peak, and their True Qi power wasn't too different. If Cheng Jushu took a saber blow, he would likely be dead or crippled.

Xing Yusen's first attack missed, so he immediately withdrew his saber, and with a whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, he delivered three more slashes!

Cheng Jushu's body moved slowly, so he could only rely on the hardness of his fists to deflect the steel saber.

The two fought from inside the room to the courtyard, smashing all the floor tiles and door panels along the way.

After more than ten moves, Xing Yusen felt his True Qi surge within him, and his arms felt as if they were filled with a thousand pounds of immense strength!

Cheng Jushu only felt the opponent's True Qi growing stronger and stronger, and his speed becoming faster and faster!

Xing Yusen's True Qi within his body surged several times, Breaking Through to Ninth Rank at that very moment!

The Realm that countless Martial Artists dreamed of was finally reached by Xing Yusen.

This was all thanks to the 《Spring Autumn Saber Technique》 gifted by Li Chang'an, which instantly made him one of the top masters in the capital.

"Clang!"

With a soft clang, Xing Yusen's steel saber directly severed one of Cheng Jushu's arms!

"Ow!"

Accompanied by a scream, Cheng Jushu cried out in pain and was kicked to the ground by Xing Yusen.

Under the intense pain, even Cheng Jushu, with his hardened body, couldn't endure and fainted.

Xing Yusen searched Cheng Jushu's body and found only a Northern Qi spy token.

As the former Chief Constable of the Ministry of Justice, he recognized various levels of Northern Qi spy tokens.

Even without this token, people in the Jianghu knew Cheng Jushu.

"So this fellow was actually a Northern Qi spy."

At this moment, Fan Xian, clutching an arm that was completely dislocated, walked over with faltering steps.

He glanced at Lao Zhao and Lao Zhang, who had been shot into porcupines, and tears welled up in his eyes.

These two old soldiers had a deep friendship with him and trusted each other greatly, so he always took them with him wherever he went.

But he never expected that his trust would cost them their lives.

"Such a large mobilization, just to kill me alone!"

"Director Xing, since you already know Cheng Jushu is a Northern Qi spy, why don't you kill him!"

Xing Yusen said, "Don't you want to know the mastermind, who exactly wants to assassinate you?"

"Dragon Guard Manor is only responsible for apprehension; the matter of trials is the responsibility of the Supervisory Council. I will hand Cheng Jushu over to the Supervisory Council."

Although Fan Xian was seething with anger at this moment, he was even more eager to know the mastermind!

He was the Deputy Director of the Supervisory Council; once Cheng Jushu entered the Supervisory Council, he should have the right to inquire.

Just then, several of Xing Yusen's subordinates arrived, panting.

It hadn't been long since Xing Yusen killed the assassins, so these people hadn't arrived slowly.

Xing Yusen ordered, "Don't disturb the scene; leave it for the Supervisory Council to investigate.

Search the vicinity to see if there are any other assassins who slipped through!"

Several Shadow Guards began searching the courtyard, and Xing Yusen also started examining the bodies.

Seeing the strong bows on the assassins' bodies, Xing Yusen's heart sank, "These are military armaments!"

Fan Xian sneered, "Director Xing, there's also a siege crossbow outside; that's even more of a military armament, isn't it!"

Xing Yusen glanced outside, then nodded gravely.

"Indeed, and it's the kind specifically used by the Patrol Division."

Xing Yusen had been in Kyoto for many years and had many friends in the military, so he was very familiar with these military armaments.

However, the Shadow Guard had no authority to conduct trials, so he wouldn't speak carelessly about these matters.

Fan Xian glared hatefully at the fallen Cheng Jushu, "I'll go to the Supervisory Council tomorrow to inquire about the interrogation results."

After speaking, he walked deeper into Niulan Street.

Xing Yusen quickly called out, "Young Master Fan, you've just been assassinated. Please don't act alone.

You are severely wounded; I'm afraid you can't even muster your True Qi.

Stay with us until the surrounding danger is completely cleared before returning to your residence."

Because of the death of the two guards, Fan Xian was now seething with anger, and a surge of indignation instantly burst out from his heart.

He walked calmly onto the empty Niulan Street and shouted angrily, "No matter who wants to kill me!"

"I'll give him a chance to kill me again!"

He dared to say this, of course, out of anger; if assassins truly appeared, he would be powerless to resist.

However, no sooner had Fan Xian's words fallen than the sound of tearing through the air resonated again!

"Whoosh! Whoosh!"

From the second-floor lofts on both sides of Niulan Street, two masked women in white, with graceful figures, suddenly leaped out!

Both women also held strong bows, and two arrows shot through the air!

These two were precisely the sister-flower assassins from Eastern Yi City's Si Gu Jian sect!

Because of the presence of the Shadow Guard in the capital, Lin Gong had dispatched a total of seven people to assassinate Fan Xian.

In addition to the four just killed and the captured Cheng Jushu, there were also these two female swordswomen from Eastern Yi City.

In the original plot, only Cheng Jushu and these two female swordswomen assassinated Fan Xian.

Xing Yusen was greatly shocked, but it was already too late to rescue him.

A look of mockery appeared on Fan Xian's face, 'Heaven, you really know how to play with people.'

I told them to kill me again, and indeed, new assassins appeared!

The most dangerous moments are often not when one is fully focused on the enemy, because at that time everyone is on high alert.

After defeating the enemy, however, is when one is most relaxed and lowers their guard.

Lin Gong had arranged more than enough manpower; these two female swordswomen were a contingency for a situation where a master suddenly appeared and defeated Cheng Jushu.

If Cheng Jushu was defeated, then Fan Xian would surely have a moment of lowered guard.

Lin Gong himself never expected that Fan Xian would actually give him a second chance!

Fan Xian, dragging his heavy body, could not possibly dodge the arrows flying towards him.

Seeing the two arrows already flying before his eyes, Fan Xian could only curse in his heart, 'Damn my big mouth!'

Just then, Fan Xian felt as if his eyes were playing tricks on him, seeing several black blurs approaching him.

Fast as lightning!

Swift as thunder!