It had to be said that Qin Wuyang's sudden slump was perfectly timed, immediately drawing everyone's attention.
They simply couldn't understand what this younger envoy from Yan was doing.
Thus, their gazes fell upon Qin Wuyang.
It was at this moment that Jing Ke made up his mind to assassinate Ying Zheng in front of Lin Tian.
If he didn't kill him now, he would never have another chance.
Once his weapon was in Lin Tian's hands, all his preparations would be in vain.
Therefore, holding the map in both hands, he pulled it forcefully, drawing it to its end.
A dagger appeared in Jing Ke's hand.
Holding the dagger, Jing Ke instantly let out a roar:
"Die!!"
Such an action caused a gasp from those whose eyes were still on Ying Zheng.
"Your Majesty, be careful!!"
"No!! He's not an envoy from Yan at all, he's an assassin!!"
"Your Majesty, quickly dodge!!"
In the blink of an eye, everything happened in a flash.
When others turned their heads, they had already seen Jing Ke's short sword raised high, and then fiercely stabbing towards Ying Zheng.
Looking at the short sword of a different color, many felt a premonition that if Ying Zheng were to be struck, he would surely die.
Therefore, many hearts skipped a beat.
Many even instinctively lunged towards Ying Zheng's position, trying to stop Jing Ke's actions.
But many knew that it was too late even if they lunged now; Jing Ke was far too close to Ying Zheng.
This brought much despair to many.
However, as everyone despaired, a hand reached out and firmly grabbed Jing Ke's arm.
Others might have been distracted by Qin Wuyang's commotion, but Lin Tian's eyes had been fixed on Jing Ke the moment he appeared in the palace.
He knew that Jing Ke would definitely try to assassinate Ying Zheng.
Therefore, the moment Jing Ke made his move, Lin Tian intervened.
This action shocked Jing Ke immensely.
As a top assassin, his movements were extremely fast, and very few could evade them in a flash.
Let alone someone tightly grasping his arm.
Lin Tian's actions left Jing Ke deeply astonished.
However, what shocked Jing Ke even more were Lin Tian's words.
"You think you can succeed in your assassination? The destiny of Great Qin cannot be overthrown by you!"
"You... you knew I was going to assassinate Ying Zheng?"
From Lin Tian's words, Jing Ke could tell that Lin Tian had known beforehand that he intended to assassinate Ying Zheng.
He even returned to the Xianyang Palace specifically to prevent him from assassinating Ying Zheng.
This was simply unbelievable to Jing Ke.
The matter of assassinating Ying Zheng was a top-secret plan known only to him, Prince Dan of Yan, and a few others.
No one else could possibly know his plan.
But Lin Tian of Qin not only knew, but also appeared in time to stop it. This made Jing Ke suspect if there was a mole between them.
Otherwise, how could Lin Tian have known so clearly and acted so promptly?
Lin Tian did not answer his question.
After grabbing Jing Ke's hand, Lin Tian gently pushed Ying Zheng backward.
He knew that Jing Ke was a top assassin with considerable martial prowess.
Furthermore, the short sword in his hand was extremely poisonous, so it was better for Ying Zheng to stay away at this moment.
Jing Ke also understood Lin Tian's intentions immediately.
At this moment, he was filled with rage.
"You think you can protect Ying Zheng like this? I tell you, it's all in vain!"
"Today, I will kill you first, and then kill King Ying Zheng of Qin!!"
Jing Ke had already harbored intentions of dueling and killing Lin Tian before.
Now that Lin Tian had come to him, how could he let Lin Tian go?
Therefore, Jing Ke twisted his arm, slipping out of Lin Tian's grasp.
Then, holding his short sword, he attacked Lin Tian ferociously.
Where he passed, even afterimages remained.
With every sword strike, many were terrified.
However, Lin Tian, who was under Jing Ke's swordsmanship, appeared calm despite the apparent danger.
Every evasion was effortlessly executed.
He did not kill Jing Ke immediately, as he wanted to gauge the true strength of this "number one assassin."
Meanwhile, Jing Ke's attacks grew more frantic. He wanted to kill Lin Tian quickly.
Because he could feel the palace guards rapidly approaching.
If he could not dispatch Lin Tian quickly, he might find himself surrounded.
Once surrounded, his fate was predictable.
However, Lin Tian continued to evade, not yet striking.
It wasn't until Jing Ke had attacked some twenty or thirty times that Lin Tian finally spoke.
"So this is the level of the so-called number one swordsman!"
"It seems your abilities are truly mediocre!"
"What? You dare to insult us swordsmen? If my friend were here today, you would surely die here!!"
In Jing Ke's opinion, if Gai Nie had been present, Lin Tian would not have been able to stop their assassination.
However, Prince Dan of Yan was too impatient, and Jing Ke could not stand the provocation.
Therefore, they struck first before Gai Nie could arrive.
This filled Jing Ke with regret.
"The friend you speak of, could it be Gai Nie?"
"Hmm? You even know about that? Speak, who are you??"
At this moment, Jing Ke felt a sense of dread. He felt as though all his secrets were being exposed.
After all, the existence of Gai Nie was not even disclosed by Prince Dan of Yan to Jing Ke.
If Prince Dan of Yan had known about Gai Nie's existence earlier, he might have waited.
But for Gai Nie's safety, Jing Ke chose to keep it secret, not telling anyone.
Therefore, no one should have known about this matter.
Yet Lin Tian knew it clearly, which baffled Jing Ke.
"I am simply a man of Qin!"
"However, I don't mind telling you, even if you brought Gai Nie, you would still die here!"
As Lin Tian finished speaking, he suddenly attacked.
His movements were incredibly swift, and he instantly disarmed Jing Ke of his short sword.
Before Jing Ke could react, while he was still in the posture of attacking Lin Tian, Lin Tian, now holding the short sword, plunged it directly into Jing Ke's body.
The potent poison on the sword took effect instantly, and Jing Ke immediately spat out poisoned blood.
However, his expression remained one of utter bewilderment.
"Considering the strength I've displayed, do you think you and Gai Nie combined would be a match for me?"
"You, you are indeed very strong. I am no match for you. You truly live up to the title of Sword God!"
To die at Lin Tian's hands like this might not be a bad ending for an assassin and swordsman like Jing Ke.
He also felt fortunate that Gai Nie had not come, otherwise, as Lin Tian had said, they would both have perished here.
...