Ming Dynasty.
On the streets of the capital.
Crowds of common folk lined both sides of the road.
A solemn and dignified procession was slowly making its way down the avenue.
"Is that our Ming Dynasty's Grand Secretary, Lord Zhang Juzheng?"
"That's right. Grand Secretary Zhang has led reform efforts for years. We commoners have benefited greatly from them."
"Indeed, even His Majesty places great trust in him."
"He has been rewarded generously many times."
"Of course! Most importantly, Grand Secretary Zhang made it into Rank 3 on the Renowned Minister Ranking. He's an unmatched talent, the likes of which are rarely seen in this world!"
"Our Ming Dynasty has not only an invincible Emperor but also the top minister of the Nine Provinces. How could our dynasty not thrive?"
"Those other dynasties like the Qin Dynasty and Tang Dynasty can't even compare to us!"
"Perhaps in the future, our Ming Dynasty might really conquer the other nations and become the only country in the Nine Provinces!"
"Heh, I'm really looking forward to that day!"
The common people largely held favorable opinions toward Zhang Juzheng.
After all, the reforms he led genuinely benefited them.
Especially now that he had made it onto the Renowned Minister Ranking, his fame was unmatched.
"Die, you corrupt dog official!"
Just then.
An angry shout rang out.
In the next moment.
A flash of light streaked through the air.
It shot straight toward the sedan chair at the center of the procession.
Boom!
A huge explosion erupted.
"Assassins! Protect Lord Zhang!"
The sudden attack instantly put all the guards on high alert.
They quickly moved to form a tight defense around the center.
At the same time.
A squad of several dozen black-clad figures charged in with deadly force.
Their objective was clearly the sedan chair at the center.
The earlier sneak attack had actually failed to kill Zhang Juzheng.
"Kill!"
"Kill Zhang Juzheng!"
These black-clad assassins fought with wild ferocity, exuding terrifying auras.
It was clear they wouldn't stop until Zhang Juzheng was dead.
From their movements and expressions, it was obvious they were deathsworn soldiers from some hidden force.
In an instant, both sides engaged in a fierce battle right there in the street.
==========
Ming Imperial Palace.
Xue Yuan Palace.
Wan Wan led a group of newly trained palace maids, performing a mysterious and never-before-seen dance.
Meanwhile, Shi Feixuan, Xue Yuan, and Huang Rong each held a musical instrument, accompanying the performance.
Zhu Houzhao sat comfortably in the main seat, his face full of enjoyment.
To be served by four of the Nine Provinces' top beauties, what bliss!
It was a pleasure for both body and soul.
As time passed.
Zhu Houzhao grew increasingly fond of these days spent with his women.
Free from the chaos of Imperial Court affairs.
Lying flat and enjoying life, how wonderful it was.
Not only was life pleasurable, but the more he relaxed like this, the greater the rewards from the Lying Flat System.
This was a kind of enjoyment most people could never understand.
"Hm?"
Just as he was fully immersed in the performance, Zhu Houzhao's brow furrowed slightly.
The assassination attempt in the capital could not escape his notice.
With his current cultivation and spiritual awareness.
Every movement in the capital was within his perception.
That's just how powerful he had become.
As for the conduct of Ming Dynasty officials, Zhu Houzhao knew it all too well.
But he always pretended not to know.
As long as no one crossed his bottom line, he wouldn't interfere.
But now.
Zhang Juzheng, his "tool", was not only capable and reliable, but also still useful to him.
He absolutely could not be lost.
Without Zhang Juzheng, how could his relaxed life continue?
With a casual wave of his right hand.
The shadow of Dark One, the Dark Guard Leader, appeared.
He stepped forward and asked in a low voice, "Your Majesty?"
"There's been an assassination attempt on Zhang Juzheng in the capital. Go deal with it."
"Find out who's behind it."
"You know what to do."
"They've crossed my bottom line."
"To dare cause such a vile incident in my capital, they must be seeking death!"
"Yes, Your Majesty. I understand. I'll act immediately."
After speaking, Dark One's figure vanished once more.
All these years, he had remained the Dark Guard Leader without being replaced.
And he had gained more and more of Zhu Houzhao's trust, to the point where they shared a deep mutual understanding.
Sometimes, even a single glance or gesture from Zhu Houzhao was enough for him to grasp the true meaning.
Such a person was incredibly useful.
As Dark One left, Zhu Houzhao returned to enjoying the performance as if nothing had happened.
However, the earlier interruption had dampened his mood somewhat.
He figured that today's system reward would likely drop by a level.
But the earlier incident simply could not be ignored.
Otherwise, it would be a major blow to his prestige.
And that was not something he was willing to tolerate.
==========
Capital city streets.
The battle was still ongoing.
At the same time, all the guards protecting Zhang Juzheng had been wounded, and their lives were hanging by a thread.
More black-clad assassins continued to arrive.
If no reinforcements come soon, Zhang Juzheng really might die here.
What was strange.
So much time had passed since the fighting began.
Reinforcements should have arrived by now.
Yet no one had come. They had clearly been intercepted.
Surrounded, Zhang Juzheng's expression turned complicated.
In the end, he let out a heavy sigh.
"For the nation and the people!"
Zhang Juzheng let out a loud shout.
In an instant.
A hundred-zhang radius centered on Zhang Juzheng was enveloped by an invisible force.
It transformed into a unique illusionary realm.
Everyone within the illusion was affected by a mysterious power.
The black-clad assassins began to move slower and slower.
Meanwhile, Zhang Juzheng's figure turned into countless afterimages among them.
One after another, powerful strikes landed on the assassins' bodies.
But in just a moment.
All of the assassins collapsed to the ground, completely paralyzed.
They had lost all ability to fight.
Immediately afterward, the illusionary realm vanished.
The scene returned to normal.
The surrounding guards and commoners stared at Zhang Juzheng at the center in disbelief.
Was this truly the Grand Secretary of the Ming Dynasty?
He had hidden himself so well!
No wonder he was ranked third among the Nine Provinces Renowned Ministers and deeply trusted by His Majesty.
At the same time, a chill spread in everyone's hearts.
Too terrifying.
Compared to this Grand Secretary, those assassins were nothing but chickens.
"My heavens, wasn't it said that the Grand Secretary doesn't know martial arts, that he's just a regular scholar?"
"Why is this happening?"
"Right? That kind of power is at least the Land Immortal Realm!"
"Doesn't that mean he's even stronger than the so-called Embroidered Uniform Guard, Six Doors, and Imperial Secret Agent?"
"Unbelievable. His Majesty and Her Highness already hid their strength so deeply."
"Now even the Grand Secretary turns out to be hiding his power this much!"
Everyone was shocked and speechless.
The waters of the Ming Imperial Court ran far too deep.
Without hidden cards like these, it was impossible to survive there.
"Men, take all these assassins back. Interrogate them thoroughly. I want to know who sent them."
Zhang Juzheng's expression was grim.
His trump card had been exposed just like that.
It felt like such a waste.
If not for the Half-Immortal-Tier Civil Minister Skill 'Nation and People' from Heaven Dao Reward, he might have really fallen here today.
Who was it that held such a grudge against him?
Who wanted him dead?
==========
Western district of the capital.
Inside an unassuming cloth shop.
At this moment, several mysterious figures were in contact.
"Lord, the assassination failed."
"All the deathsworn soldiers were wiped out, and Zhang Juzheng was completely unharmed."
"We underestimated him. No one could have imagined that Zhang Juzheng was this powerful."
"And that mysterious technique he used earlier was far too strong."
"Our deathsworn, trained for many years, couldn't even fight back. They were completely captured. At the very least, he must be at the Land Immortal Realm."
"This man has hidden himself too well. Such a cunning Grand Secretary!"
"No wonder the Ming Emperor values him so highly."
"From now on, killing him will be almost impossible."
"Forget it. This place isn't safe. If we continue, we might be discovered by Zhu Houzhao's secret guards."
"If that happens and it leads back to our master, we will be beyond redemption."
To think these were the very ones behind the attempt on Zhang Juzheng's life.
But who were they?
Which force did they belong to?
Why did they want Zhang Juzheng dead?
Was it someone from within the Ming Dynasty?
Or from another dynasty?
"Oh? So you have a master behind you? How delightful."
Just then, a sinister voice echoed in their ears.
All of them turned pale.
They had no idea when it happened.
But their location was now completely surrounded by powerful and mysterious cultivators.
The overwhelming aura was so strong they couldn't even muster the courage to resist.
"This is bad. We absolutely must not be captured alive!"
"Take poison immediately. We must not implicate our master!"
One of them quickly pulled out a black pill and tried to swallow it.
But in the next moment.
A flash of cold light swept past.
Instantly severing the hand holding the pill.
"Trying to commit suicide? Not a chance!"
The Dark One appeared.
His terrifying cultivation was fully displayed.
Before the group of assassins could react, he moved through them like lightning.
In the blink of an eye, he struck their acupoints.
Not only could they not move, but they were also prevented from killing themselves.
So there really was a mastermind behind these people?
For His Majesty to take this seriously, this was no trivial matter.
This force must be completely eradicated.
"Take all of them back. I will interrogate them myself!"
"Yes, sir!"
==========
Ming Imperial Palace.
Empress Chambers.
"Wan'er, have you found out what really happened?"
"Who did this? Which force was responsible?"
Empress Wu Zhao asked with a puzzled expression.
Though she didn't always see eye to eye with Zhang Juzheng.
She had to admit he was indeed a great talent.
He could accomplish many things she could not.
No wonder His Majesty had favored him for so many years.
Allowing him to hold the position of Grand Secretary without interruption.
In His Majesty's own words.
Zhang Juzheng was simply too useful.
For such a powerful figure in the Ming Imperial Court to be targeted by assassins.
Empress Wu Zhao's first suspects were his political rivals within the Imperial Court.
Zhang Juzheng had held the Grand Secretary's seat for many years.
If he did not step down, others would never have a chance to rise.
But His Majesty trusted and indulged Zhang Juzheng far too much.
The only way to replace him was if he died.
So they had plotted this assassination.
"Your Majesty, we just received word from the Netherworld City. This assassination wasn't carried out by anyone from within the Ming Dynasty."
"At the very least, the Imperial Court officials we've been monitoring show no signs of involvement."
"Any unusual actions would never escape the eyes of Netherworld City."
"That means it must have been a foreign dynasty?"
"The Yuan Dynasty? Qin Dynasty? Tang Dynasty? Or the Vast Sea Dynasty?"
"Could it even be one of those minor kingdoms? No, that's impossible."
"Wan'er, keep watching."
"I have a feeling this force will become a great threat to us in the future."
"We must treat this matter with the utmost caution."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Buzz!
Just then.
The Heavenly Ranking above the sky shook violently.
A brilliant light burst forth.
Immediately after, lines of text on the board began to refresh.
A new ranking was about to be revealed.