The playboy county magistrate

The five-year-old prince stood inside the door, dressed in a plain white nightgown. His hair was neatly combed, and he showed no trace of the timidity or fear of a child.

He neither hid nor cried for help. He simply stood there quietly, his clear eyes sweeping over the three murderous assassins with an unnatural calmness.

The lead assassin paused abruptly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

They anticipated the crown prince's panic and pleas for mercy, and they anticipated the fragility and timidity of the young children in the palace.

The only thing that no one expected was that this pampered and spoiled crown prince could remain calm and composed when faced with a deadly blade.

No wonder that official disregarded Consort Shu's words and insisted on taking the Crown Prince's life.

If such children grow up and really get ruthless, how can they possibly survive?

The crown prince raised his eyes, his voice clear and steady, without the slightest tremor, and spoke softly.

"Are you here for me, or for the teacher?"

The assassin's heart skipped a beat, but he quickly suppressed his surprise and shouted coldly:

"Ignorant child, shut your mouth! Surrender and we might spare your life!"

"I am not ignorant," the Crown Prince gently shook his head, his small face solemn. "You are the henchmen of Consort Shu and the remnants of noble families. If I die, my teacher will surely be held responsible. In the Emperor's rage, the court will inevitably descend into chaos. You intend to take this opportunity to rebel!"

The three masked assassins' expressions changed simultaneously, and a storm of emotions surged within them.

How could a five-year-old child be able to pinpoint the mastermind behind it all?

This mindset, this clarity of vision, is simply unbelievable!

"You're courting death!" The initial shock subsided, but the assassin's killing intent intensified. Without further hesitation, a short blade flashed from his sleeve, aimed directly at the prince's face!

"Your Highness, step back!"

How could Pei Qingyuan possibly hide? She moved slightly, about to push open the hidden door blocking her way and step forward to protect him.

The next instant, a slender hand gently rose and steadily shielded her behind him.

Li Xuanzhi stepped out slowly, all his gentle and refined demeanor vanishing. In its place was the awe-inspiring presence he once possessed, reminiscent of the soldiers at Zhenxiguan, and the imposing authority of someone who held sway in the imperial court.

He watched the assassins rush towards the Crown Prince, a cool smile curving his lips, his voice indifferent.

"After lying low for many days, they dare not confront each other openly, but only secretly attack children. The assassins raised by aristocratic families are ultimately not fit for public life."

Before he could finish speaking, several people suddenly darted out from behind the crown prince. Their movements were fluid and without the slightest hesitation.

It seemed like a gentle strike, but it carried immense force, hitting the assassin's wrist bone with pinpoint accuracy.

"Click—"

A crisp sound.

The assassin's wrist bones shattered instantly, the short blade slipped from his hand and clattered to the ground. He staggered from the pain.

Before he could even scream, someone jumped out from behind the prince, grabbed his neck, and pressed him to the ground.

One move to defeat the enemy, clean and efficient.

The remaining two assassins were shocked. After exchanging a glance, they attacked from the left and right, each move ruthless and aimed directly at vital points.

But they were facing ruthless individuals who had been tempered in mountains of corpses and seas of blood, with the goal of cultivating emperors and future emperors.

In the blink of an eye, two muffled groans rang out in succession.

The assassins all fell to the ground, their muscles and bones restrained, unable to move.

Blood spilled from his mouth, and he was completely powerless to resist.

The whole process took only a few moments, and all three fearless assassins were subdued.

The courtyard returned to silence, with only the flickering candlelight and the gentle evening breeze.

The crown prince stood quietly at the door, never taking a single step back.

There was no fear in his eyes, only complete calmness and clarity.

Li Xuanzhi smiled and slowly walked forward, bending down to brush away the dust from his sleeve.

Were you scared just now?

The crown prince nodded slightly, then slowly shook his head, and replied earnestly:

"It was my first time experiencing an assassination attempt, so of course I was scared. But when I thought about my teacher and his wife being there, and all those Dragon Guards protecting me, I wasn't afraid anymore."

He looked down at the three assassins, his young face revealing a clarity far beyond his years.

"Moreover, I know this is a trap. If they dare to come, they are destined not to leave. Master's feigned weakness is not due to underestimating the enemy, but to wipe them out in one fell swoop and eliminate future troubles."

Li Xuanzhi's eyes showed even greater approval, and he chuckled softly, "You see things very clearly."

"Students are caught up in the situation, so they need to see it clearly."

The Crown Prince's words were neat and proper, and he was very polite.

"My father sent me to his teacher not so that I could simply be protected and study in comfort, but so that I could learn to be calm and decisive, to read people's hearts, and to discern conspiracies. If I panic in the face of chaos and flee from danger, how will I govern the court and bring peace to the people in the future?"

His words were resounding and carried great weight.

Pei Qingyuan's eyes softened, her heart filled with relief. She sighed softly:

"Your Highness's character far surpasses what people imagine. The fact that the Great Yong Dynasty has a worthy successor is truly a blessing for the nation."

Just then, a rustling sound arose again from the shadows outside the courtyard, and several dark figures suddenly surrounded them from all directions. They were the second group of assassins who had been lying in ambush outside.

Seeing his companion fail, he risked his life to rush to his aid.

Eight dark figures landed, each exuding a chilling aura and carrying a menacing presence.

It was obvious at a glance that these were all elites who had come with the intention of dying.

The leader, masked, spoke in a chilling, sinister tone.

"Li Xuanzhi, you cannot protect the Crown Prince tonight! No one can save you!"

Li Xuanzhi raised his eyes, a cold glint flashing in them, his voice as icy as frost.

"Do you really think that a mere few assassins can break into my residence and harm the Crown Prince?"

Li Xuanzhi raised his hand and waved it gently.

In an instant, dozens of black-clad guards suddenly appeared from the shadows on the rooftops, in the corridors, and along the courtyard walls.

The armor blades gleamed faintly in the moonlight, instantly surrounding all the assassins.

From beginning to end, the so-called lack of preparedness was nothing more than a deliberate illusion created by Li Xuanzhi to lure out all the assassins lurking in the shadows.

The second group of assassins turned deathly pale instantly, plunging into utter despair.

"Take them all down, but leave no survivors," Li Xuanzhi ordered calmly.

"yes!"

The guards responded in unison, their voices echoing through the courtyard, and then launched a swift attack.

The battle unfolded instantly, a decisive and overwhelming victory, with the clanging of blades and muffled groans echoing throughout.

In a short while, all eight elite assassins were subdued and imprisoned, and none of them escaped.

The Crown Prince slowly stepped forward and stood beside Li Xuanzhi. His small figure stood straight and upright as he looked at the captured assassins and asked softly.

"Teacher, why would they rather risk their lives than live a peaceful life? Isn't it better to just live a good life?"

Li Xuanzhi looked down at him, his tone calm and steady as he carefully instructed him.

"Because self-interest blinds their true nature and power corrupts their hearts. They crave privilege and are unwilling to see the rise of the poor and the fall of the powerful, so they are willing to take risks, break the law, and try to reverse the tide."

"I understand," the Crown Prince nodded solemnly. "When I become the ruler, I will never tolerate factions, never condone corruption, and never favor aristocratic families. I will appoint people based on merit, prioritize the people, and safeguard the peaceful and prosperous era that my teachers and father have worked so hard to achieve."

Li Xuanzhi and Pei Qingyuan exchanged a glance, both seeing relief in each other's eyes.