Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

"We failed to kill Jiang Shangxian in the brothel last time, so we absolutely cannot fail again this time, understand?"

In the shadows, several assassins whispered among themselves, and the leader, whose shoulder blade was tied with a brocade ribbon, gave a death order.

A woman's voice rang out: "Leader, I still don't understand, what's so special about Jiang Shangxian, and why do we have to kill him?"

The people they organized just failed a few days ago, and now they're already rushing to act again. Can't they wait until things calm down?

"Why are you asking so many questions? His Highness the Crown Prince said that Jiang Shangxian is a target that must be eliminated, even if it affects the current relationship between the Great Yan and the Great Chu."

"After fighting with the Great Yan for so many years, we have finally achieved peace and trade between the two countries has returned to normal. Isn't that a good thing?"

"I still don't understand. I hope the leader can provide an explanation, otherwise wouldn't all the Blood-Clad Tower disciples have died in vain?"

Upon hearing this, the leader glanced around before whispering, "Actually, it wouldn't hurt to tell you. Jiang Shangxian has something that our prince needs."

"what?"

"Do not extinguish the fire."

"Not putting out the fire?"

The female assassin didn't understand what those words meant.

"It is said that long, long ago, a powerful evil spirit wreaked havoc on the world, causing widespread suffering and loss of life."

At the critical moment, a savior banished the evil spirit, using an inextinguishable fire as a vessel to exile it into nothingness.

During this process, the Unextinguished Flame was broken into multiple parts for various reasons and scattered throughout the Taiwu Continent.

Legend has it that whoever collects all the undying flames can rule the world, and one of them is inside Jiang Shangxian's body.

His Highness the Crown Prince desires to revitalize the Great Yan and completely defeat the Chu Kingdom; he must obtain the assistance of the Undying Flame.

Do you understand now?

"My subordinate understands."

Despite still having many questions, the female assassin finally understood why she wanted to kill Jiang Shangxian.

Meanwhile, Jiang Shangxian and Shen Lang were still sitting on the shore, grilling barbecue and fishing leisurely.

"Oh dear, brother, I'm truly impressed by you. His Majesty has finally given you a chance to shine, and you've come here to fish. It's really baffling."

As he spoke, he picked up a string of roasted apples, blew on them, and stuffed them into his mouth in one bite.

Shen Lang also picked up a skewer of beef and said while gnawing on it, "If I do everything, what's the point of keeping those two good-for-nothings around? It's better to come here and fish, at least we can have some peace and quiet."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Shangxian moved closer to Shen Lang and said with a smile, "Brother, what's wrong with our royal niece? She's beautiful and fair-skinned, and she's the Queen of the Great Chu Kingdom. Why do you feel like you're being wronged by letting her be your husband?"

Shen Lang: "Your Highness, as you know, I'm just an orphan. In terms of status and position, I'm nowhere near your Empress's."

What do you think she saw in me? Nothing more than a slightly unconventional idea. Once things stabilize, if she looks back on it...

I fear I'm a stain on her life, and sooner or later I'll be disposed of under some pretext. After all, serving a ruler is like walking on thin ice; it's better to be carefree and leisurely.

Jiang Shangxian hurriedly said, "Brother, do you look down on yourself or do you have a prejudice against His Majesty? How about this..."

Brother, I promise you, if that day ever comes, I'll be the first to stand in front of you and die with you. How about that? You can rest assured now.

Shen Lang glanced at Jiang Shangxian, then smiled.

"Your Highness, how long have we known each other?"

"It's been almost five years. From the first moment I saw you, I felt that we got along well."

"Out of so many people, you're the only one who doesn't care about my status. Hehehe, I feel very comfortable around you."

"Then you know what kind of person I am, I don't like to be restrained, right?"

Jiang Shangxian's expression changed, and he sighed softly: "I still can't let go of the brothers in the Sharp Knife Camp, and I feel sorry for their betrayal."

I knew it! You seem like you don't care about anything, but actually, the thing you care about most is relationships.

The reason you leave your subordinates in your unit to their own devices is because you're afraid of developing feelings for them and repeating the mistakes of the Sharp Knife Battalion?

Shen Lang remained silent, simply gripping his fishing rod and quietly watching the lake.

The collective defection of the elite vanguard battalion became an insurmountable obstacle for Shen Lang in his entire life.

He recalled the scene where his brothers, with whom he had spent every day, turned against him at the last minute, forcing him to defect to the enemy as well.

Shen Lang felt that there was no more cruel reality in the world.

On that day, he personally ended the lives of ninety-nine brothers.

On that day, his Taixu Blade Technique broke through its bottleneck, and he achieved perfect success.

It was achieved with the blood of our comrades.

Jiang Shangxian: "Brother, I know you've been carrying a lot in your heart, but you have to keep moving forward in life, right?"

To be honest with you, brother, it was my strong recommendation to arrange your marriage with His Majesty. Those two idiots were just there to be used as pawns to draw hatred from the other side.

Once their trial period is over, they'll be useless; His Majesty won't even look at them.

"I know."

Shen Lang lay back in the rocking chair, legs crossed: "Those two, besides being somewhat good-looking, don't seem to be of any use."

What the Empress needs right now is a husband who can help her achieve great things, not just a pretty face.

Jiang Shangxian: "I understand what you mean. You feel uncomfortable because you think you've been used?"

But you have to understand that feelings are actually cultivated gradually through mutual exploitation.

So-called love at first sight is nothing more than a fleeting infatuation. The longer you spend with His Majesty, the more feelings will naturally develop.

"The fish is hooked."

Suddenly, Shen Lang pulled on the fishing rod.

Suddenly, a splash of water rose from the lake, and a large fish weighing five or six pounds fell directly from mid-air.

"Wow, this fish is huge!"

Jiang Shangxian quickly grabbed the fishing net and caught the big fish. After putting the fish into the fish basket, Shen Lang smiled.

"There are a few small fish left, I'll take care of them while I'm at it."

After saying that, he stood up, stepped onto the rocking chair, and jumped.

In the void, the dagger spun in his palm, its cold light dazzling.

"Oh no, we've been..."

puff-

One of the assassins was shocked. The moment he stepped out, Shen Lang flashed past on the treetop, sending a spray of blood flying.

"how come?"

The assassin leader was taken aback, then shouted.

"We've been discovered! At all costs, assassinate Jiang Shangxian!"

But as soon as he finished speaking, a death knell sounded behind the assassin leader.

"caught you."

As soon as I turned around...

"The Great Void - The Setting Sun"

Three steps away, the blade's energy, as vibrant as the setting sun, pierced his throat.

puff-

The assassin leader's head was immediately thrown into the air.

"Tai Xu - Riding the Wind".

The next second, a cold glint flashed as it weaved back and forth among the assassins.

These poor Blood Robe Sect disciples had barely shown themselves, and before they could even scream, they had all become the dead under Shen Lang's blade.

"So...so scary..."

The only female assassin, witnessing this scene, trembled with fear and even lost control of her bladder.

"Did you pee?"

"what--"

Suddenly, a sound came from behind, startling the female assassin so much that she jumped up and fell from the tree.

But soon, Shen Lang stepped on his head.

Seeing the thirteen corpses of her companions scattered all over the ground, the female assassin could no longer hide the shock in her eyes.

These are all highly trained assassins in the organization, who have never failed since their debut.

But now, after just one encounter with this Shen Lang, they've all died here so meaninglessly?

Thinking of this, she urinated even more violently.

"Can you hold your pee for a moment?"

Shen Lang's face was full of disgust. He covered his nose and directly pressed the acupoints around her body to regulate her qi, then kicked her in front of Jiang Shangxian.

At the same time, the veil covering her face fell off.

"Damn, this chick is hot. I'm destined to have a lot of luck with women today. Just thinking about it would be so exciting."

The moment Jiang Shangxian saw the female assassin, his eyes narrowed into slits, and images of how to severely whip this woman flashed through his mind.