Start from Wusheng

Chapter 1126 The Eight Governors Gather

"What? The governors of the other directly governed prefectures have invited me to a meeting?"

During this time, in order to avoid assassination attempts, Zhou You stayed in the Western Branch of the Zhou Clan and never left the house.

Staying in one's own home base is safer; if things go wrong, one can retreat to the ancestral hall.

Actually, assassins aren't as legendary as they're made out to be. As long as they don't lose their composure, the enemy won't have any chance to take advantage of them.

There was nothing unusual about the family members he was in contact with on a daily basis, and there were no signs of the so-called 'disguised infiltration'.

I thought things would just drag on like this, but then news suddenly came that the governor had started a meeting.

It turns out that the governors at this level often meet to hold internal meetings. In the past, they were summoned by the feudal lords, but now that there are no feudal lords, they summon the rulers of the eight directly governed prefectures internally.

This meeting is very important, at least for a 'usurper' like Zhou You, as it is an opportunity to gain recognition from his peers.

The young master who was buried in Jingzhou was also invited and was one of the eight invited guests.

This is very strange. How could it be such a coincidence? Zhou You was hiding away to avoid trouble, and suddenly he was asked to go out for a meeting.

But not going is not an option. As the saying goes, meetings aren't scary, but it's awkward if someone is absent!

Because you never know what disgusting labels others might put on you when you're not around.

If these people hold a meeting and decide that Xiao Zhou's ascension to the throne was illegitimate and that they will not recognize his status as the governor of Qingchu, then that would be terrible.

"This is a checkmate, forcing me to leave my home!"

Zhou You pondered for a moment, and those around him advised him not to go. Half of the governors of the eight prefectures in Zhili were on the royal side, and they might have been the ones who started this conspiracy.

Now that they have 99% control of Qingchu Prefecture and hold real power, they are not in a hurry for external recognition.

So-called righteousness and mainstream values ​​may have a deterrent effect in peacetime, but in today's turbulent times, military strength, territory, and resources are the true keys to power, far more tangible than vague titles.

As the saying goes, "A son of a wealthy family should not sit under a dangerous roof." Now, a huge interest group has formed around Zhou You, and his life, honor, and disgrace are all tied to him. He cannot afford to make the slightest mistake.

"..."

Zhou You thought it over and over but still had to go. Once the opponent made a move, he would definitely have a series of follow-up moves. If one move didn't work, there would be another. Since that was the case, why not go with the flow and use their plan against them?

He had made up his mind and immediately decided, "Go, and go in a grand manner."

He immediately ordered his men to set up a procession, and the governor's carriages and entourage set off from his home to the meeting place.

As a prominent figure who attracts worldwide attention, Zhou You's actions caused a stir, stirring up countless turbulent currents and undercurrents.

"He really went?"

Upon learning this news, the first reaction of the high-ranking officials from all sides was that Zhou Daqian must have mastered a secret weapon.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have risked being assassinated by going out and openly appearing in public.

Various pieces of information about Zhou You gathered on everyone's desks. First, the Half-Saint Yin Blade was still in the hands of the royal family. Second, the Human Race Cult's sacred artifact, Double Pupil, had not been lent out.

All in all, Zhou You possesses nothing more than a few of his usual divine weapons, along with the Jade Cauldron Command Arrow and the standard equipment of a governor.

"By the way, the leader of the Impermanent Assassins is also among the accompanying personal guards."

"So that's how it is. They were clinging to the Great Star Chief as a lifeline, hehe!"

Countless eyes converged, watching Zhou You and his group's movements after they left, never letting their guard down for a moment.

"Chief Xing, look, the streets are quiet and deserted, yet they give off a very lively feeling." Zhou You pointed to the roads on both sides of the procession, not even a stray dog ​​in sight.

Da Xing Chang bowed slightly, "Governor, what the naked eye sees is not the truth; the real killing intent is invisible."

"That's right, things should be left to professionals."

Zhou You's gaze swept over the petite woman behind the Great Star Chief. Wasn't this Pavilion Master Chang? Ha, so she was the leader of the Impermanent Assassins in the North, and a high-ranking official second only to the Great Star Chief.

This young woman seems to possess something within her, emanating a subtle and mysterious aura.

Well, given that the enemy this time is the assassin 'Cai', and the Grand Star Chief has her by his side, it is highly likely that Pavilion Master Chang is connected to some secret weapon, which is the trump card of the Impermanent Assassin.

"We still have time on the road, so let's imagine when the assassin will strike!"

Zhou You said, "Great Star Chief, my guess may be far-fetched. Please correct me with your professional perspective."

"You're saying he might be hiding by the roadside, launching a surprise attack and assassinating someone in the chaos, or perhaps disguised as a servant, or even... one of the governors?"

Thinking of this, Zhou You nodded and said, "The assassin 'Judge' couldn't have crawled out from a crack in the rock. I estimate that he has a hidden identity and is not some nobody."

"It's possible that, in order to catch us off guard, he will appear in a way that none of us would expect."

Upon hearing this, the Grand Star Chief nodded, "Governor, the path of assassination is about finding a weakness to strike, concentrating the killing intent at a single point to pierce the vital point, and killing with one blow. Any possibility is unavoidable."

He hesitated for a moment, but ultimately reassured Zhou You.

“Governor, my junior sister and I have a secret technique that we can use together. If that assassin doesn’t come, fine, but if he does, we’ll show him what we’re capable of.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than a loud cracking sound came from the carriage beneath him, and chaos ensued in an instant.

After a long while, the scene calmed down.

Zhou You stood beside the broken carriage shaft and saw that the thick wood had been hollowed out to reveal a human-shaped, curled-up shape, which remained unharmed and silent for a long time.

This was the assassin declaring war on him, deliberately leaving hidden traces, not to alert the enemy, but to launch a psychological warfare.

From this moment on, assassins could lurk in any corner, suddenly extending a deadly weapon.

"Ha ha!"

Zhou You's hearty laughter echoed in all directions, without the slightest fear. "I've heard that their ancestor hid in the carriage and assassinated an ancient tyrant. Now they're doing the same thing, treating me like a tyrant."

"I, Zhou, am but a mere governor; what merit or honor do I possess to deserve such a distinction?"

After laughing, Zhou You waved his hand and said, "Change to another one, check it carefully, lest someone hollow out the wood again."

They changed to a different vehicle, and this time, after inspection, there were no signs of anyone hiding, so the convoy continued on its way.

The eldest son of the Great Star said privately to his junior sister, Chang, "Now it seems that this Prince Zhou's heroic spirit is extraordinary."

"If he wanted to contend for the throne, he was more qualified than Lian Feihong. What a pity!"

The Pavilion Master Chang said in a low voice, "It's possible that his ambition is not to become the ruler of the world, but rather... a Martial Saint."

The Great Star Chief was taken aback, then shook his head and smiled bitterly, "Too difficult. Becoming a ruler is not easy, but becoming a saint is even more difficult, like a mirage."

"This time, you and I will fight to the death to stop the assassination attempt, understand?"

The Pavilion Master Chang gently stroked a strand of hair at her temple. “Senior Brother, we raise an army for a thousand days to use it for one day. My Wuchang Divine Weapon is just the right one for the time being.”

(End of this chapter)