Du Gang knelt on the floor, striving to maintain his composure. These words had all been prepared in advance. Based on historical records and various analyses, mentioning the "small flaw in the black jade" was the only excuse he could use to get close to Emperor Yanling. If it weren't for the excuse that there was an imperceptible flaw that needed to be pointed out in person, a mere commoner presenting a gift would never have any chance of approaching the emperor.
However, the Emperor was unaware of this flaw at first. So, upon hearing about it, he was bound to react with some degree of emotional disturbance. This disturbance could manifest as anger at being deceived, disappointment at unmet expectations, or even suspicion. In any case, bringing up the "small flaw in the black jade" would inevitably provoke an emotional reaction from Emperor Yanling, which might very likely lead to failure.
Many players had failed at this exact point. Although most players knew the basic explanation, and even Du Gang, who wasn't particularly knowledgeable in history, had tried it, they all met the same fate. It was like knowing the secret behind a magic trick; understanding it didn't make one a magician.
Du Gang's approach was meticulously planned. First, he would open the box directly in the hall, revealing the black jade qilin to firmly capture Emperor Yanling's attention and distract him. Then, just as the Emperor eagerly reached out to handle the qilin, Du Gang would suddenly kneel and confess the flaw in the jade.
This would still cause some emotional fluctuation, but it would be within a manageable range. With his attention focused on the qilin, the Emperor would likely be too preoccupied to notice any inconsistencies and instead be curious to see the flaw. To add gravity to the situation, kneeling and confessing was essential. Without it, his attitude would appear too brazen and might arouse the Emperor's suspicions.
The tone of this explanation was also crucial. Du Gang delivered his lines with a strong, clear voice, yet laced with subtle hints of guilt and anxiety. His tone conveyed the image of a humble commoner, reverent toward his emperor, bringing forth an auspicious treasure but confessing to a minor flaw he dared not hide.
This entire script, executed as planned, would ideally keep the Emperor's focus on the qilin. Still, the outcome was ultimately uncertain.
The waiting felt long. Emperor Yanling, high upon his throne, displayed an expression of disappointment. Knowing there was a flaw in the jade marred the experience for him. Yet, with the qilin now revealed, his attention was captivated by it, momentarily distracted from any oddities and keenly interested in the nature of the flaw.
"Where is the flaw? Tell me!" Emperor Yanling demanded. Minor flaws were acceptable, but major ones might provoke his wrath, possibly even costing lives.
A glimmer of satisfaction flashed in Du Gang's heart. Everything was proceeding as planned. "Your Majesty, the flaw is minor and hard to see due to the dark hue of the jade. I humbly ask for permission to approach and show it to you," he replied.
This was the critical moment. Success or failure hinged on this.
Emperor Yanling, focused on the qilin's flaw, granted permission without hesitation. "You may approach."
Du Gang stood, carefully cradling the black jade qilin as he advanced. Everything had gone smoother than anticipated. He crossed the hall, passing the officials, and was just a step away from ascending the dais. But as he moved to climb the stairs, his foot slipped unexpectedly, causing him to stumble forward.
Emperor Yanling's throne was high, so even though he stumbled, there was still some distance between them. Fortunately, Du Gang reacted quickly, grabbing hold of the box to prevent the qilin from tumbling out. Yet the mishap filled him with frustration.
What a shame! Everything had been following the script perfectly until this slip-up at the last step. Such a clumsy mistake was inexcusable.
The Emperor's face twisted in fury. "Insolent fool! How dare you risk damaging my auspicious treasure! I'll have your entire clan wiped out! Is it unharmed? Bring it here at once!"
In his agitation, Emperor Yanling stood up from his throne, reaching out to take the qilin from Du Gang.
A spark lit up in Du Gang's eyes. An opportunity!
He had practiced countless times and knew exactly where the sword was concealed in the qilin. Without looking, he reached in, grabbed the jade-colored hilt, and drew the blade in one swift motion.
Then, with all his strength, he lunged forward, aiming the sword directly at the Emperor's chest. It was an inelegant, desperate strike, lacking the finesse of a trained swordsman, but Du Gang wasn't concerned with appearances.
The Emperor reacted swiftly, dodging the blade just in time and shouting, "Assassin! Protect me!"
The hall erupted into chaos. Although there were martial officials present, they were unarmed, and it would take a moment for the guards below to reach the dais. Du Gang knew he had only seconds, with no time to waste. Without the "Swordsmanship Mastery" skill, he couldn't handle even two guards in a fair fight.
Desperately, he flung himself forward, clinging to the Emperor's leg. The Emperor, panicked, drew his sword and stabbed Du Gang in the back. Du Gang, having endured countless deaths, barely registered the pain and held on, driving his blade into the Emperor's leg. It wasn't an ideal target, but given his position, it was the only vulnerable spot within reach.
The Emperor let out a scream of pain as the blade bit into his calf, nearly causing him to collapse. Yet, he remained upright, lashing out with his sword, and soon the guards arrived, ending Du Gang's life in a flurry of blades.
...
"What a close call! Just one step away!" Du Gang lamented as he found himself back at the start. "Why did I slip on the steps? Is this 'Luck on Your Side' actually 'Misfortune on My Heels'?"
He cursed his fate, but as he did so, an unfamiliar screen appeared instead of the usual skill selection cards.
[Assassin's Trial: Kill the King]
[Trial Passed!]
[Trial Evaluation: After this simple test, you should understand that being an assassin requires more than the courage to spill blood; it demands much more than that.]
[You have unlocked the 'Assassin' identity choice!]
[Assassin-exclusive skill "Wrath of the Commoner": After careful planning and perfect timing, you can launch an exceptionally deadly strike. During this attack, you can ignore all pain and interruptions until the strike is completed.]
[Note: The exclusive skill will remain permanently active when choosing the Assassin identity. This skill can be upgraded as your rank advances, allowing for more strategic combinations.]
Du Gang stared in disbelief. "I... I passed?"
"But I didn't kill the Emperor! I only managed to stab his leg. Judging by his strength, that wouldn't be enough to kill him."
"Wait… could it be... the sword was poisoned!"
A realization dawned on him. Of course, as an assassin, why wouldn't his weapon be laced with poison? Historically, Nie Rang's sword was indeed poisoned, but his skillful throw and the fatal blow overshadowed this detail. The poison had always been an integral part of the plan.