Three days later, the sacrificial ceremony arrived as scheduled.

Early in the morning, the imperial carriages and ceremonial procession emerged from the Southern Prince’s mansion, now renamed the Jin Palace, heading toward the southern suburbs.

This was the first public appearance of the prince since his return from exile and the restoration of the kingdom. Though it was a hastily assembled group, with more than half being mere fillers—civil officials who couldn’t even read, military officers who had never touched a blade—the clothing and ceremonies all followed the former Jin court’s protocols. The fallen dynasty thus took the stage with pomp and pageantry, appearing reborn.

After days of prior promotion, when the new emperor finally appeared, the people lining the roads at last saw with their own eyes the legendary prince who was said to be a divine reincarnation capable of bringing salvation from disasters. He sat high in the golden canopy of his carriage, adorned in imperial robes, supremely noble. The people couldn’t help but first feel awe and reverence. Then a group of pre-arranged spectators jumped out, some acting with fanatic fervor to incite cheers of “Long live the Emperor,” others kneeling by the roadside in excited prostration, even shedding tears. Under this infectious atmosphere, the rest couldn’t help but join in, all kneeling in succession.

Naturally, even if he were a divine reincarnation like the Jin Emperor, he should still honor the Northern Emperor as supreme.

Chi Shu’s carriage was in front. His gaze swept over the kneeling, worshipping people on both sides of the road, their expressions showing genuine devotion. In this place that had been under his rule for many years, this was the first time he saw the people so compliant. This wasn’t the passive endurance under past oppression.

Indeed, only the Jin people truly understood how to govern Jin people. It hadn’t been in vain to support Lu Kang, Li Renyu, and their group. They had not only raised troops but their numbers were still continuously growing.

That Wei woman surely hoped for a quick victory—naturally, he couldn’t let her have her way. He could afford to wait. Besides using the towering mountains as barriers and setting up multiple defensive lines, he would also let the Jin people lead the charge, first fighting for their nonexistent emperor.

These rabble naturally couldn’t contend with the Wei army, but as long as all of Youzhou was mobilized, just the delay alone could exhaust the enemy. Remote attacks most feared prolonged warfare. When Jiang Hanyuan became weary from responding, he would strike with fresh troops against tired ones, achieving twice the result with half the effort.

Today’s heaven-worshipping venue was also chosen by Lu Kang, Li Renyu, and their group, speaking of “round altar for heaven worship,” “square altar for earth sacrifice,” how heaven worship required selecting appropriate ground in the southern suburbs, and such matters. Chi Shu wasn’t interested in these details—he let them handle it themselves. His only requirement was that the scene must be grand and magnificent, with heavenly authority overwhelming people. So originally, according to protocol, no idle persons were allowed within a hundred zhang of the venue, but today, following Chi Shu’s wishes, county residents were permitted to approach the center of the sacrificial ground to observe the ceremony.

When the hour arrived, drums and music sounded together.

Chi Shu sat in the place of honor on the north side of the altar. Around him were arrayed ceremonial guards and numerous participating officials, and beyond them, three hundred musicians waiting to perform the ritual dance. About several dozen zhang away, dense crowds of county residents stood. Naturally, to ensure nothing went wrong, all these county residents entering the security perimeter had been pre-screened—either their families had previously worked for the Southern Prince’s mansion, or they were relatives of the current Jin officials. Not only that, they also had to carry permits to be allowed to close today.

The scale of today’s event made Chi Shu quite satisfied.

Lu Kang, knowing this Jin Emperor was an impostor and suspecting that Prince Wu Sheng was already dead, had been extremely dejected lately and wasn’t as active in his duties as before. This heaven-worshipping ceremony was entirely arranged by Li Renyu.

It must be said that though Li Renyu lacked real ability, he was quite skilled at this sort of thing.

Chi Shu withdrew his gaze and looked toward the Jin Emperor of his creation.

That man, wearing imperial robes, crowned with a ceremonial cap with hanging tassels front and back, holding a jade scepter, was sitting in the position below him. Catching Chi Shu’s glance, knowing it was time for him to take the stage, he hastily stood up.

This person was originally just an ordinary monk from a desolate mountain temple, who only knew how to chant sutras and meditate daily. Suddenly transformed into an emperor, he still felt as if in a dream. As they say, when a petty person gains power, besides being fearful and respectful before Chi Shu, in other situations, he gradually truly considers himself emperor. At this moment, following pre-given instructions, he faced west, standing in the southeast direction of the altar. After today’s chief officiant, Right Minister Li Renyu, completed the elaborate ceremonies, he walked with measured steps to the pyre where sacrificial offerings—victims, jade discs, silk fabrics, and other offerings—were placed, and lit the accumulated wood.

Massive columnar smoke and fire, like a black dragon, surged upward from the ground, ascending toward heaven. Then the wine officiant offered wine. Then came the ceremonial dance.

Three hundred musicians dressed in ceremonial robes formed ranks, waiting in the wilderness. Upon hearing the signal, they began following the rhythm, stepping in dance to present the ritual performance.

Such an occasion should have maintained a solemn and dignified atmosphere, thus achieving the purpose of using heavenly authority to shock people’s hearts. But because this restoration was too hasty, even the officials were a makeshift group, where could they immediately find musicians who required long training to master large-scale dance techniques? Most were merely local scholars who had hastily learned for a few days before being rushed into service. The beginning was fairly orderly, but halfway through, the scene became chaotic—those on the left raised their hands while those on the right extended their legs. Discovering their movements differed from those nearby, they hastily corrected themselves. Some, bewildered, simply stopped and looked around. The scene immediately became comical.

Chi Shu, observing this, was somewhat displeased and looked toward Li Renyu. Li Renyu wiped the sweat from his forehead and hastily signaled to his subordinates. That person hurriedly ran toward the crowd of county residents in front. These people had received prior instructions and, understanding, all knelt and led the cheering of “Long live the Emperor.” The county residents behind who couldn’t see what was happening in front heard this and, not knowing what was occurring, also knelt in succession. For a moment, shouts arose throughout the wilderness, finally covering up the embarrassment of the ritual dance.

Only then did Chi Shu’s expression clear slightly. At this time, the wine officiant came forward with wine in a ceremonial cup to present to the emperor, representing heaven’s blessing. The fake Jin Emperor received it but dared not take precedence over Chi Shu, so together with the wine officiant, he respectfully offered it to Chi Shu.

Chi Shu rose.

He took the wine, raised it, let his lips barely touch the rim in a pretense of drinking, then handed it back—at this moment, the cheers from thousands of county residents in the wilderness had not yet ceased, everyone still prostrating on the ground. No one expected what happened next.

A straight black line suddenly appeared in the air.

It was a sleeve arrow, breaking through the air, shooting swiftly toward Chi Shu in the center.

His former personal guard, including their leader, Nu Gan, had been almost entirely lost during that journey to Chang’an. The current men, though not as capable as before, were still skilled. Since taking power, to prevent accidents, wherever he went, his guards always stayed close. Today was no exception.

But this sleeve arrow came too suddenly.

No one saw where it came from or who shot it. Like a phantom, it reached Chi Shu in an instant. By the time those around him noticed and reacted, it was too late. Even though everyone desperately lunged toward him, trying to save him, they couldn’t match the arrow’s speed. Chi Shu at this moment stood high and alone in front of his seat, with those around him half a body lower, providing no obstruction—he was as conspicuous as a target.

At this time, his right hand still held the wine cup. The sleeve arrow was only a few feet from him. Fortunately, since it came almost directly at him, when it was still several zhang away, before others noticed, he had already seen it.

His eyelid twitched. He threw down the wine cup, grabbed the wine officiant nearest to him, and pulled the man in front of himself as a shield. The officiant hadn’t yet understood what was happening when the arrow struck his back. He screamed and fell to the ground immediately.

Chi Shu barely avoided the assassination attempt. Instinctively looking up toward where the sleeve arrow had come from, at almost the same moment, completely unexpectedly, another sleeve arrow had already shot from a different direction.

It turned out that two arrows had been fired almost simultaneously from different positions. When he discovered this, there was no one nearby he could grab to block the arrow for him. Unable to dodge in time himself, just as he was about to be struck by this second sleeve arrow, he remarkably remained calm in the crisis, suddenly raising his left arm to reveal the iron claw beneath his sleeve, striking directly at the sleeve arrow.

With a “clang,” the iron claw deflected the sleeve arrow.

The sleeve arrow flew away.

Though he had successively avoided the two arrows shot at him, all this had happened in an instant. Only after this second arrow was deflected did his guards surge to his front, and those around finally react.

The Jin Emperor, terrified, was the first to crawl under a table, holding his head and not daring to come out. The remaining Jin palace officials stared in shock, also panicking greatly, fearing they might suffer collateral damage. Caring for nothing else but their lives, some crouched low, others ran toward empty areas.

Li Renyu naturally understood what was happening. Following the Jin Emperor’s example, he crouched down flat on the ground, motionless.

Chi Shu was now protected in the middle by his rushing guards. The danger was resolved, but his back was already soaked in cold sweat. After his shock slightly subsided, his face showed furious rage. He turned sharply, his gaze sweeping toward the direction from which that second cold arrow that had nearly taken his life was fired. Pointing, he commanded the Right Chang Prince, who had accompanied him, to immediately capture the assassins.

There knelt that large group of permitted county residents. Many still didn’t know what had happened—some still prostrated on the ground, others straightened up, looking around in confusion.

Jiang Hanyuan and Cui Jiu, disguised, were mixed among this group of people, each positioned at one end. The first sleeve arrow was fired by Cui Jiu; she followed immediately with the second.

Unfortunately, though Li Renyu had acted as inside support, they still couldn’t bring larger, more lethal weapons, only concealed sleeve arrows. The distance was also too far—after firing, by the time the crossbow bolts reached Chi Shu, their force had diminished and speed slowed, giving him a chance to react. He had blocked it with the iron claw attached to his severed arm.

What a pity!

However, today they hadn’t necessarily expected the assassination to succeed. Creating such a dangerous scene was already achieving their purpose.

Staying even one more moment would increase the danger.

Jiang Hanyuan quickly put away her sleeve arrow and shouted “Assassin!” Those around her seemed to wake from a dream, and seeing a large group of Di soldiers charging forward with sharp blades, immediately fell into chaos, fleeing in all directions amid screams.

Jiang Hanyuan and Cui Jiu exchanged glances across the crowd, agreeing to retreat. She took advantage of the chaos to quickly run toward the predetermined southwest direction. The Right Chang Prince led several of his subordinate captains charging to the front, and soon, among the county residents running around like headless flies, he noticed the abnormality of this retreating figure. He immediately shouted, summoning all surrounding guards to pursue and encircle.

Unexpectedly, at this moment, thick smoke began rising from the direction of the temporary stables nearby.

Today, two thousand cavalrymen accompanied Chi Shu, serving as ceremonial guard and protection. During the sacrifice, all horses were gathered and stationed there. No one knew how this fire had started—there were ignition points everywhere. Located in the wilderness outside the city, the wind quickly spread the flames into a sheet. The horses, frightened, surged like a flood under the lead horse’s guidance, breaking through the temporarily erected barriers. Those responsible for guarding couldn’t possibly stop them, watching helplessly as the horse herd galloped toward the sacrificial ground with tremendous momentum.

The scene immediately became even more chaotic. Everywhere around the sacrificial ground were running horses and panicked, scattering county residents, obstructing the pursuit. By the time the situation was under control and the horse herd gradually restored to order, the suspicious persons discovered earlier had long vanished without a trace.

The heavenly worship ended in terror. Chi Shu was escorted back to the Jin Palace by his guards.

Upon examination, both crossbow bolts shot at him had been poisoned. The wine officiant who had blocked the first arrow for him wasn’t wounded in a vital spot, but had long since died stiff.

The assassins not only intended to kill him but were also thoroughly familiar with today’s site arrangements. From this, it could be deduced that there were inside collaborators.

He had already ordered all exit routes around the county city sealed and the entire city searched—the assassins must be captured.

While waiting for news, Li Renyu knelt on the ground facing Chi Shu, whose anger had not yet subsided.

“How did the assassins get in? Where did they get their permits?” Chi Shu’s gaze shot toward Li Renyu, extremely fierce. “You arranged all of today’s affairs! Was it you? Secretly colluding with assassins, using this opportunity to take my life?”

Li Renyu knocked his head on the ground with loud thuds, protesting his innocence: “The Right Chang Prince has already investigated and found that two people among them were greedy for money and privately sold their permits. I knew nothing about it! Those two have already been captured. If Your Majesty doesn’t believe me, you can personally interrogate them.”

It turned out that yesterday, someone had approached two people who had obtained permits, claiming to admire the Northern Emperor and wanting to enter today’s venue to gaze upon the imperial countenance. They were willing to pay money for the permits to be transferred. Those two were ruffians who usually worked for the Di people, using others’ power to bully, committing all sorts of evil, the kind that ordinary county residents would take detours to avoid. Encountering such a good deal, they immediately handed over their permits, thus giving the assassins their opportunity.

“When the Right Chang Prince arrives, he can testify for this humble minister!”

Just as he finished defending himself, the Right Chang Prince hurriedly entered and reported news to Chi Shu.

His men had tracked the assassins’ escape route and finally lost the trail at the foot of a mountain in the southwest direction, a hundred li from the county city. While searching the mountain, they accidentally discovered a passage concealed by miscellaneous trees and wild grass. The road was cut between mountain ridges, winding like sheep intestines, unable to accommodate large armies or heavy vehicles, but allowing individual soldiers to pass in and out. Upon investigation, it turned out to be a shortcut secretly built by Jin in former years for message transmission. Its original purpose was to deal with northern enemies, but later, Jin itself had submitted to those enemies, so this message route was abandoned until completely buried. Not only did few people know of it, but it couldn’t even be found on ordinary Jin maps, only appearing marked on extremely detailed military campaign maps.

The assassins had taken this old route and disappeared without a trace.

After hearing the Right Chang Prince’s report, Li Renyu finally breathed a complete sigh of relief.

Three days ago, that Wei female commander had appeared as if descended from heaven. He couldn’t understand how she had entered Yan County and didn’t dare ask. He had been worried that if she and her companions couldn’t escape, the trouble would be enormous. Who would have thought there was such a secret passage?

But even he didn’t know of it—how did she know?

He pondered this in his mind while hearing Chi Shu’s furious roar: “Who? Who exactly? Who dares plot against me like this?”

If not for his good luck today, plus having some real skill, he would probably be dead like that wine official by now.

The Right Chang Prince said proudly, “Need we even ask? It must be the Left Chang Prince! He appears to submit to Your Majesty on the surface, but has long wanted to establish himself independently! He’s been secretly recruiting the Left Guang Prince’s former people. Your Majesty has been magnanimous, not arguing with him, which has only made his ambitions grow. Now with Wei’s great army pressing the border, if anything happens to Your Majesty, he would be the greatest beneficiary. At that time, who could compete with him for Your Majesty’s current position?”

Chi Shu didn’t respond, but his expression slowly darkened.

Li Renyu secretly glanced at the Right Chang Prince beside him and carefully said: “This matter doesn’t warrant this humble minister’s interference. But having been suspected by Your Majesty just now, I can only try to prove my innocence. This humble minister believes the Right Chang Prince speaks correctly.”

The Right Chang Prince usually looked down on Li Renyu and his sort—even their scholarly way of speaking was a crime in his eyes. Hearing him agree, he was pleased: “How so?”

Li Renyu hastily said: “Today’s events—without inside and outside collaboration, how could the assassins have escaped so smoothly? Looking around, among those close to Your Majesty, besides the Left Chang Prince, who else has such capability?”

The Right Chang Prince loudly said, “Right Minister Li speaks correctly!”

“As they say, when the snipe and clam fight, the fisherman profits. Now, Your Majesty arrays forces in Yan County directly facing the Wei army while he guards the rear. This humble minister knows Your Majesty will surely win this battle, but the Wei army is also no weak force. In the end, Your Majesty will inevitably suffer some losses, while he remains completely unharmed. If he then causes trouble, he’ll have every advantage.”

The Right Chang Prince suddenly understood, turning to Chi Shu and saying hatefully, “No wonder he volunteered to guard Luan Pass! So this was his plan! We absolutely cannot let him succeed, Your Majesty!”

Chi Shu’s gaze became increasingly dark. He paced back and forth alone for a moment, stopped, turned to the Right Chang Prince, and ordered: “You immediately take troops to Luan Pass, control him, take over his position, and order him to come quickly to Yan County to see me!”