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Chapter 815: Assassination of Emperor Ling
Chapter 815: Assassination of Emperor Ling
September 25, 2017
Inside the Imperial Chamber of the Luoyang Imperial Palace, where Emperor Ling of Han lies asleep, clutching the Imperial Seal.
After a day and night without sleep, Emperor Ling finally dozes off, and Zhang Rang's heart, which had been on edge, finally relaxes. Despite serving Emperor Ling with utmost respect and devotion, the past few days had been filled with anxiety and fear of reprisal. Or perhaps, it was not fear, but a deep-seated resentment towards Emperor Ling.
Zhang Rang, an elderly eunuch, was not only physically deficient but also had a distorted personality. For decades, he had dedicated his life to serving a man who held his life and death in his hands, a man whose every whim determined his own glory and wealth. After decades of such a life, Emperor Ling had become an integral part of Zhang Rang's existence.
At this moment, caring for Emperor Ling had become Zhang Rang's instinct, and his loyalty to the Emperor was unquestionable. He might have considered what would happen after Emperor Ling's death, but in the Emperor's presence, his devotion was absolute.
Human nature is inherently sensitive, and if Zhang Rang had not served Emperor Ling with such sincerity, when Lu Hai Kong's army arrived at the city gates, Zhang Rang's head would have already rolled. Yet, after living this way for decades, even he himself had not realized that he had lost the ability to resent Emperor Ling.
It was a tragic way to live, but for Zhang Rang, he had no choice. He lived as fate had dictated, and he could only continue on this path.
As Emperor Ling finally fell asleep, Zhang Rang's heart lightened, and he carefully stood watch, making meticulous preparations to ensure nothing disturbed the Emperor's rest.
However, despite Zhang Rang's meticulous attention to every detail, Emperor Ling had only just fallen asleep when a commotion erupted outside the Imperial Chamber.
"Your Majesty, Gaoyang has come to see you!"
A lively voice rang out, and a spirited figure pushed open the door and entered the chamber.
Upon recognizing the visitor, Zhang Rang was taken aback, but quickly recovered and stepped forward to greet her.
"Princess Gaoyang, why have you come? His Majesty has just fallen asleep after a day and night without rest. Perhaps it's best if you return later."
This Princess Gaoyang was very different from Princess Yue Er and Princess San. Although she was also an Outsider Princess, she frequently visited Emperor Ling, and he seemed to favor her greatly. However, at this moment, even his favor would not sway Zhang Rang, who prioritized the Emperor's health above all else.
Zhang Rang had assumed that Princess Gaoyang, despite her occasional whims, was still sensible. In such situations, a simple word would suffice.
However, to Zhang Rang's surprise, Princess Gaoyang refused to leave: "No, I've found something good, and I must show it to Father Emperor now!"
Zhang Rang's expression remained unchanged, but a hint of wariness crept into his eyes. As he was about to forcibly send Princess Gaoyang away, Emperor Ling's voice interrupted them.
"Is it Gaoyang? Come in, I haven't seen this little rascal for some time."
Emperor Ling had been sleeping lightly, and Princess Gaoyang's arrival was always accompanied by a ruckus. So, he was startled awake.
However, it was evident that Emperor Ling held a deep affection for Princess Gaoyang. Despite being woken up by her, he showed no anger, and his tone carried a hint of fondness.
Seeing that Emperor Ling had noticed, Zhang Rang reluctantly allowed Princess Gaoyang to approach, seemingly dissatisfied with Zhang Rang's attempt to send her away. Princess Gaoyang made a mischievous face at Zhang Rang before moving towards Emperor Ling.
Zhang Rang, who had been on the verge of relaxing, suddenly froze. Years of attending to Emperor Ling had honed his ability to read people, and as Princess Gaoyang passed by, his face revealed a hint of surprise, followed by a sudden change in expression!
"Your Majesty, beware!"
Zhang Rang's sudden shout startled Emperor Ling, who didn't understand Zhang Rang's reaction. At the same time, Princess Gaoyang's face revealed a peculiar smile, and her figure flashed towards Emperor Ling.
Despite Princess Gaoyang's delicate appearance, her strength was around 70, far from comparable to Yue Er's abnormal prowess, but still a formidable force compared to Emperor Ling's feeble state.
Before Emperor Ling could react, Princess Gaoyang swiftly approached him, kicking him off the bed and snatching the Imperial Seal from his grasp, sending it flying out of his hand.
As she prepared to launch another attack, a sharp roar echoed through the room.
"Stop!" Zhang Rang's voice, usually high-pitched, now carried a hint of sharpness. Though he had some training, his strength was only around 60, and seeing Princess Gaoyang attempting to kill Emperor Ling filled him with rage. He lunged towards Princess Gaoyang.
However, just as Zhang Rang pounced, he was sent flying by a kick.
Zhang Rang, despite his loyalty, lacked the necessary strength. Yet, his attack had disrupted Princess Gaoyang's assault, and Emperor Ling, finally regaining his senses, roared in anger.
Despite his initial confusion, the intense pain in his chest made Emperor Ling fully comprehend the situation. Realizing his daughter, his princess, was attempting to assassinate him, his face contorted with fury.
"Gaoyang, why do you seek to assassinate me?" Emperor Ling bellowed, his voice filled with rage. The Imperial Seal flew back into his hand, and a powerful aura, the Heavenly Aura, surged from his body once more.
Princess Gaoyang's face showed a hint of disappointment, but not overly dejected. She didn't even acknowledge Emperor Ling and instead turned to glare at Zhang Rang, the eunuch.
"I never thought my perfect assassination attempt would be foiled by an old eunuch like you. I'm curious, how did you discover my plan?"
"Gaoyang!" Emperor Ling's anger intensified as she blatantly ignored him.
As Emperor Ling's roar echoed, a massive golden dragon claw reached towards Princess Gaoyang.
Princess Gaoyang's face remained fearless, seemingly relying on something.
Indeed, as the golden dragon claw struck her, a yellowish-brown shield appeared around her, deflecting the attack.
"Father, you're so fierce. If I didn't have this disposable item for protection, you would have killed me. This item was hard to come by, specifically to counter you. I thought I could save it, but I had to use it in the end. I'm so sad!" Princess Gaoyang pouted as she looked at the small yellow-brown cauldron floating above her head.
Usually, Emperor Ling would have been indulgent towards Princess Gaoyang's coquetry, but now, his face was filled with anger, and nothing else.
"Don't think a mere broken cauldron can protect you!" Emperor Ling roared, and another golden dragon claw struck out.
"Father, don't waste your strength. This cauldron can't be broken by you!" Princess Gaoyang retorted, her face filled with scorn.
"Silence! You have no right to address me!" Emperor Ling roared, and another golden dragon claw lunged forward.
Princess Gaoyang fell silent, her expression mocking.
The disposable item she had was obtained from the Divine Armory, far inferior to Yue Er's Crimson Heaven Sword. It had the drawback of immobilizing her during use and was disposable, but its defensive power was absolutely abnormal. With Emperor Ling's control over the Imperial Seal and the Great Han's fortune, it was impossible to break through in a short time.
Emperor Ling seemed to gradually realize this, but he showed no signs of stopping. As he directed the golden dragon claws to attack, he questioned her.
"Why do you seek to assassinate me? Who sent you? Is it Lu Hai Kong?" Emperor Ling's first thought was of Lu Hai Kong, outside Luoyang.
"Lu Hai Kong?" Princess Gaoyang's laughter rang out at Emperor Ling's words. "It seems Father fears Lu Hai Kong. But you've guessed wrong, Father. I have no connection with Lu Hai Kong. Well, that's not entirely true. Lu Hai Kong is merely a pawn of mine."
Hearing this, Emperor Ling and Zhang Rang, who was struggling to get up from the ground, were filled with shock.
(End of Chapter)
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