The Operation Begins

Great Hero of Southern Mountain had called a meeting, but he didn't go into the specifics of how to assassinate Eunuch Cao. He only said, "Someone from the Imperial Court will create an opportunity for us to assassinate Eunuch Cao. But his subordinates will be there, including his thirteen sworn sons. Killing him won't be easy."

"Eunuch Cao's thirteen sworn sons?"

Everyone grew solemn at the mention of them. Though those men had taken Eunuch Cao as their godfather, they weren't youngsters. Some were even older than him, and every one of them was a highly skilled martial artist. Dealing with them wouldn't be easy.

"I wasn't very confident before, but now we have Divine Fist Blood Hand and Raging Fire Mad Saber. We can surely kill Eunuch Cao and save All Living Beings."

Great Hero of Southern Mountain sighed. "If we let Eunuch Cao continue wielding unchecked power, our Great Jin State will be finished."

Everyone nodded. With two more powerful fighters, Divine Fist Blood Hand and Raging Fire Mad Saber, they had much better odds.

Zhang Yunhao said calmly, "Don't worry. Since I promised Junior Sister, I'll do everything I can."

The righteous fighters frowned at his words, while the unorthodox fighters looked on with great interest. They also couldn't help admiring Divine Fist Blood Hand. He had dared to provoke Great Hero of Southern Mountain time and again, yet the latter had never retaliated.

This time was no different. Great Hero of Southern Mountain said with an even expression, "I trust Brother Tian, of course. Everyone, do your best to prepare over the next few days. We'll be acting soon."

"Good!"

Everyone nodded solemnly. Though they were confident, they all knew that this time, they would either succeed or die trying!

Afterward, Huang Lei personally arranged lodgings for Zhang Yunhao and the others. Thanks to their impressive performance that day, quite a few unorthodox masters came to ingratiate themselves with them, but Zhang Yunhao paid them little attention and sent them away with a few words.

"They probably came to ask you to lead them, so the righteous side won't take advantage of them."

Lei Jue asked, perplexed, "That should be a good thing for you. But you don't seem interested?"

Zhang Yunhao had no interest, of course. These people would be dead before long, and unorthodox masters were selfish and despicable to a man. Getting them to follow orders meekly was all but impossible, so he had no intention of leading them.

As it happened, Zhang Yunhao was more interested in the righteous fighters. If they learned the truth about Great Hero of Southern Mountain, they would surely hate him to the bone!

Of course, Zhang Yunhao didn't say any of that. Instead, he said, "Old Lei, things are complicated this time, and a lot could go wrong. When the plan begins, stay with me. Don't make a move lightly."

Lei Jue was surprised. "What do you know?"

Zhang Yunhao smiled. "The Buddha says, 'I cannot speak of it.'"

Lei Jue rolled his eyes. "The one paying is the boss. I'm working for you anyway, so you decide."

With that, Lei Jue left, puffing on his pipe. Zhang Yunhao seized the opportunity to practice Hundred Step Divine Fist. Assassinating Eunuch Cao would be no easy task; the only thing he could rely on was his own strength!

That night, a servant from Roaring Dragon Villa secretly sought out Zhang Yunhao. He had a very unusual identity—Zhang Wei, the ninth of Cao Dan's sworn sons!

After revealing who he was, Zhang Wei got straight to the point. "Godfather told me to pass you a message: stick with Great Hero of Southern Mountain at all times!"

Zhang Yunhao feigned confusion. "Why should I follow him?"

"You'll find out in time. Choosing to serve Godfather is the greatest stroke of luck in your life!"

Zhang Wei smiled mysteriously, said no more, and left at once. Zhang Yunhao narrowed his eyes. It seemed everything was going smoothly on Scholar Lu's end. If so, he'd have a chance to get close to Eunuch Cao.

"Pure Yang Virgin Boy Skill? Let's see what you've got!"

A boiling battle lust flashed through Zhang Yunhao's eyes. No martial artist could resist a fight!

A few days later, Great Hero of Southern Mountain led his finest men from Roaring Dragon Villa, along with nearly a hundred martial artists from both the righteous and unorthodox sides, on horseback toward the capital.

According to Great Hero of Southern Mountain, they would set an ambush at a manor outside the capital. They had their own way of luring Eunuch Cao there!

Everyone was full of confidence, but Zhang Yunhao knew an army had already been lying in wait outside the manor. As soon as they entered, the troops would move in and trap them like fish in a net.

Before that happened, Great Hero of Southern Mountain would make an excuse to leave the manor with his trusted men. In the original history, after Tian Ming and the others fought their way out, they saw Great Hero of Southern Mountain and Cao Dan chatting and laughing together on a nearby hill. Many of them were so furious they spat blood on the spot.

"These masters are exceptionally strong. To deal with them, Cao Dan will send out all his other fighters, aside from his thirteen sworn sons. So as long as I'm by Cao Dan's side then, I'll have a chance to kill him!"

Zhang Yunhao's eyes flashed. Cao Dan was powerful, but Zhang Yunhao was confident he wouldn't lose to him now!

Since Roaring Dragon Villa was close to the capital, the group arrived at the manor around noon the next day. Led by Great Hero of Southern Mountain, they entered the grounds.

Then Great Hero of Southern Mountain clasped his hands and said, "Please rest here for a while. I'll go discuss the plan with the manor's owner."

Naturally, no one objected. But just as Great Hero of Southern Mountain was about to leave with Huang Lei, Longchuan, two righteous fighters, and five skilled men from Roaring Dragon Villa, Zhang Yunhao suddenly stood up and said, "I haven't met the manor's owner. I'll come along and see him."

Great Hero of Southern Mountain and the others all changed expression. Great Hero of Southern Mountain hurriedly signaled to Huang Lei with his eyes. She said sweetly, "Senior Brother, you must be tired from the journey. Why not rest here first? You'll have a chance to meet him later."

"Tian Ming, do you think a heretic like you can just meet that lord whenever you please?"

Fierce Arhat said disdainfully through his leaky mouth. After his defeat, he had come to hate Zhang Yunhao to the bone and opposed him at every turn. It was worth noting that Great Hero of Southern Mountain hadn't taken him along either. In other words, he was just a disposable pawn, much like the husband and wife known as Righteousness Twin Swords.

"As long as he's a person, why shouldn't I meet him? Anyone who doesn't dare show his face must be a ghost, right?"

Zhang Yunhao sneered. "Great Hero of Southern Mountain, we brothers are risking our lives alongside you this time. Surely we have the right to meet the person in charge? Or does he look down on martial artists like us, just like the other high-ranking officials of the Imperial Court?"

His words made many people on both sides frown. They were risking their lives for All Living Beings. They were heroes, and the person in charge dared look down on them?

Great Hero of Southern Mountain immediately found himself in a difficult position. If he handled this poorly, things could go wrong. He gave Zhang Yunhao a long look. Had the man discovered something, or was he simply uneasy and trying to find out what was going on?

"I can't let this guy come with us. Otherwise, the plan might fail, and then everyone's sacrifice will be for nothing. I shouldn't have brought him here in the first place. He's caused nothing but trouble."

Great Hero of Southern Mountain was about to find an excuse to refuse Zhang Yunhao when a retainer beside him suddenly said, "Master, I think there's no harm in letting Divine Fist Blood Hand come along. That lord won't mind!"