In the beginning, he was ranked alongside An Shigeng as a spoiled brat.

Page 312

Cai Jing cannot escape blame this time, and it can be said that in their eyes, Cai Jing's family deserved to die.

Their laws were not like those of later generations; they did not adhere to the principle of collective punishment.

In ancient times, the punishment of relatives was common. For example, if an official was arrested for corruption, his family members would be sent to the Jiaofangsi (a brothel for entertaining and selling women), which meant they would be forced to drink and be prostitutes.

Therefore, it is by no means Cai Jing's fault alone, and his family members are all innocent.

····

"Oh!"

Emperor Huizong's face flushed red with joy at having just found the gold, and he became slightly out of breath.

He wasn't angry that the Zhang family had tricked him, but rather that Cai Jing was utterly depraved, committing the heinous act of slaughtering an entire family for the sake of wealth.

It should be noted that during this period, the entire Lin'an Prefecture was in a state of high alert.

He had only heard of those 'Flying Guillotine' agents who stirred up trouble.

Now, after the Six Doors' on-site investigation, it has been confirmed that those "Flying Guillotines" were assassins trained by Cai Jing's household, and that the Zhang family was later framed.

·········Requesting flowers·· 0

Add to the twelve assassins who were wiped out in Cai Jing's mansion?

If the Zhang family hadn't acted swiftly, these twelve assassins might have been the beginning of Cai Jing's purge of dissidents.

"Is Cai Jing the only one alive in the Prime Minister's residence now?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Emperor Huizong closed his eyes, knowing that this matter could not be allowed to escalate, especially at such a critical time.

"Fang La's army is about to arrive, so the constables are silenced and it is announced that the Zhang family's Blood Droplets have struck again and massacred the Prime Minister's residence."

Cai Xiang, with the help of his loyal followers, barely escaped death!

"His Majesty!"

Hengdao looked at Emperor Huizong in disbelief, never expecting that even the emperor would start distorting the truth.

On the contrary, Zhuge Zheng did not find it strange. After all, it involved the chief minister of a country, which is equivalent to the prime minister of a constitutional monarchy in later times. Covering up was inevitable, especially since the Zhang family had no intention of returning this time.

"Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. Now, proceed!"

"Yes!"

Zhuge Zhengwo left the main hall with his sword drawn. How could Emperor Huizong not understand that the law requires fairness and impartiality?

. ..... 0

But between Cai Jing and the Zhang family, Cai Jing's value is undoubtedly greater.

As for the Zhang family? Since they've decided to leave, they naturally have no value anymore.

As for intercepting the Zhang family?

Given the speed of the Zhang family's large ships, they have probably already reached the estuary. Considering the Zhang family's strength, Emperor Huizong of Song was also worried that the Zhang family would fight to the death.

Tong Guan watched the two leave and sighed slightly.

You know, the Zhang family was a gold mine, and it's all gone just like that?

Moreover, this incident demonstrates the power of the Zhang family; offending them may not be a good thing!

As soon as the Six Doors announced the results, the entire Lin'an Prefecture was in an uproar.

However, snakes have their paths, and rats have their ways.

There were too many witnesses that day, and even though the Six Doors issued a gag order, the news soon spread throughout the city.

The Zhang family's reputation is too high, while Cai Jing's reputation is too low.

This result, which clearly distorts the truth, is something that few people, even in the general public, would believe.

After all, the Zhang family is short of money?

Throughout the entire Nine Provinces, everyone knows that the Zhang family spends no less than 100,000 gold coins on disaster relief each time. How could they possibly wipe out an entire family for a few tens of thousands of gold coins?

Subsequently, the news that Cai Jing trained a secret assassin to massacre the Zhang family and frame them for the crime, and that the Zhang family would retaliate in kind, spread wildly among the common people, who believed it without a doubt.

Moreover, the spies from all sides all work directly through the Six Doors, so it's impossible to keep it a secret.

Especially after learning that the Zhang family's twelve assassins were suspected to be top-tier experts, a huge uproar immediately swept through various factions.

Twelve top-tier experts, and assassins from outside the major Zhang family factions—how could everyone not be shocked?

How much more is the Zhang family hiding?

Thump! Thump! Thump...

On the afternoon of the murder at the Prime Minister's residence, Gang Lie was dispatched again.

Zhuge Zhengwo commanded the yamen runners, the Six Doors, and 30,000 imperial guards of Lin'an Prefecture, dividing his forces into three routes.

When the yamen runners from Lin'an Prefecture went to seize the shops that the Zhang family had already sold, they found that most of the shops had changed hands and all the procedures were in order. Only the Hong Mansion was completely deserted when the raid was conducted.

Jin Jiuling and Tie Wuqing led the constables of the Six Doors to raid Zhang's two strongholds—Zhang Mansion and his villa.

Meanwhile, Zhuge Zhengwo and Hengdao led 30,000 imperial guards to surround the Black Market Ghost Street, where countless others had already set their sights on it!

Chapter 375 A Place Under the Light Where a Demonic Dragon Emerges

"King Yama, what do we do now?"

Inside the Tianji Tower.

The Zhang family's departure in the morning naturally couldn't be kept secret from underground forces like Ghost Street.

Especially after the shocking 'family annihilation' case that stunned the entire Lin'an Prefecture that morning, both Granny Cuiming and Ghost Shadow looked at Ghost Yama, knowing that the Zhang family had become expendable.

"When soldiers come, we'll block them; when water comes, we'll bury it with earth. What else can we do?"

Ghost Yama remained calm and composed. Not to mention that his current strength was already at an unparalleled level, the sheer power of the Dragon Slaying Saber Technique alone would be enough to allow him to sweep through the enemy single-handedly.

Moreover, Zhang Xiaoshan still had a trump card up his sleeve.

"It seems that Young Master Zhang has a hidden plan, but the imperial court is not to be trifled with."

"Grandma Sun simply doesn't understand the significance of Ghost Street. Ghost Street is an alliance of a group of people with vested interests."

Ghost Street can lose the Middle Three Gates and the Lower Nine Ranks, but it cannot lose the Zhang family and Buddha!

Moreover, what has always intimidated Ghost Street is the prestige of the Zhang family and Buddha, but it is also our suppression.

Otherwise, even if a group of foxes were to borrow the tiger's power, they could never become the kings of the mountain.

This departure of the Zhang family from Lin'an Prefecture was a strategic retreat, not an annihilation of the entire Nine Provinces. In fact, what if I were to say that the final twelve Zodiac assassins were all in the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion?

Hiss...

　Are the "150" twelve zodiac assassins all in the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion?

The Death-Calling Granny and Ghost Shadow were both startled. These were twelve top-tier experts, a force to be reckoned with anywhere, like nuclear weapons.

"Really?"

"It's fake. The reason why an assassin is an assassin is because of his secret identity and his ability to strike unexpectedly."

But don't forget, besides the Zhang family, Ghost Street has another powerful backer. You don't think Buddha wouldn't know about something this big, do you?

"Lord Buddha!"

The old woman who was about to die, or the ghostly figure, both paused for a moment, gradually realizing the trump card of the Ghost King.

In fact, they are the ones who belong to the lineage of the Golden-Faced Buddha!

"King Yama, Ghost Street is surrounded!"

"Who's left in Ghost Street? Let's call them all to Tianji Tower. From now on, only Tianji Tower can guarantee their safety within Ghost Street."

If they trust the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, then the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion will naturally protect their safety.

If they stand by and watch, they will bring disaster upon themselves.

"Ensure safety?"

Upon hearing this, the Death-Taking Granny looked at the Ghost King Yama, wondering what kind of riddle he was speaking of.

Could there be some kind of trap or mechanism inside Ghost Street?

At this moment, Ruyan gracefully swayed her waist and drifted away, going from shop to shop to notify the people in Ghost Street to enter the Heavenly Mystery Tower.

But no one believed Ghost Yama's arrangements.

In their minds, entering the Heavenly Mystery Tower meant joining forces with them to fight against the Imperial Guards. Who would be willing to do that?

Seeing that those people were unwilling to come in, Ruyan couldn't help but chuckle.

She knew the Zhang family would definitely have hidden measures, which was why the others didn't come in, as they might be in danger.

Upon entering the Heavenly Mystery Tower, the numerous mechanisms within ensured everyone's safety.

Unfortunately, the fact that a group of people were afraid of the imperial guards only shows that they were not of great use.

As Ghost Street Queen Ruyan gave this announcement, the elite of the 30,000 Imperial Guards slowly surrounded Tianji Tower. Leading them were Zhuge Zhengwo, Hengdao, the Four Great Constables, and the Three Divine Constables…

These experts gathered in front of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, looking at the Ghost Yama, the Death-Catching Granny, and the Ghost Shadow who were drinking on the second floor, without paying them any attention.

"Mr. Zhuge, is the imperial court really going to such extremes?"

"Tianji Tower is the property of the Zhang family, and the court's confiscation of it is merely a matter of enforcing the law."

"Is it?"

Ghost Yama sneered, "When has this ever been a land of light?"

However, Ghost Yama still glanced at the numerous imperial guards below and advised them:

“Mr. Zhuge, I do not wish to go to extremes, or rather, this thing is certainly ominous.”

Ghost Street was built under the supervision of Buddha, a dark place under the light. There should not be any government troops here, so there is no question of sealing it off. There is only the punishment of Ghost Street.

Out of respect for the Buddha and the young master, Mr. Zhuge withdrew, and it was as if nothing had happened.

Otherwise, once this thing is created, even if you, young master, teach me the method to control it, I still lack the confidence to manage it.

Ghost Yama looked at Zhuge Zhengwo; he was no longer joking.

He knew what these people's purpose was: nothing more than the rare treasures and mountains of gold and silver found in Ghost Street...

But unfortunately, do they even deserve it?

"It's just a bluff!"

Looking at the disdainful Imperial Guard commander beside him, Zhuge Zhengwo sensed that Ghost Yama was not lying.

Or rather, how could Zhang Xiaoshan have foreseen what was happening now? How could he not have made arrangements?

Once the Zhang family sets up an ambush on Ghost Street, the consequences are predictable.

He had no doubt about the tyranny of the 30,000 Imperial Guards, who might all perish here.

But thinking of the emperor's order, even Zhuge Zhengwo couldn't help but say helplessly:

"I am under imperial command and have no choice but to obey!"

"It seems that the appearance of this thing is the will of Heaven. In that case, Mr. Zhuge, please don't blame Ghost Street for activating its self-protection power."

Holding the Dragon-Slaying Saber, Ghost Yama's divine eyes revealed a terrifying killing intent.

"Mr. Zhuge, this is the last time I'll ask you—to retreat or not to retreat."

With this item appearing, apart from the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, there is nowhere safe to go in Ghost Street.

"Oh, what exactly is it? The King of Hell is being so cautious."

"That's fine!"

Ghost Yama, wielding his knife, leaped down, and everyone was unaware of what was happening.

This stab, which plunged straight into the ground, gave Zhuge Zhengwo a bad feeling.

"Stop him!"

"It's too late!"