World-Ending Demon Emperor
Chapter 569 - 289: Slay A Shi Zhuo!_2

Chapter 569: 289: Slay A Shi Zhuo!_2

Moreover, with a mask on, Liren had no need to worry about accusations of concealing her face or impersonating someone else.

Her ocean-like eyes, the icy aura enveloping her, and the captivating fragrance she exuded, as well as her enchanting demeanor, all defined her unparalleled uniqueness.

Following her was a female samurai in tight-fitting armor, holding Liren’s treasured sword.

Without a doubt, this unfortunate female samurai was none other than Suo Lun. Originally, his stature was far too tall to pass as a woman, but there were many foreign female warriors by Liren’s side, several of whom were over six feet tall.

As for Suo Lun’s face, there was no need to worry about recognition.

For she was disguised as a female warrior of the Wild Mountain Tribe, her face covered in various tattoos that rendered her true features completely unrecognizable.

"My mother is summoning me for questioning? Questioning about what?" Liren asked coldly.

Neishi Minzhuo bowed and said, "I do not know, but you will once you arrive."

As the highest-ranking civil official of Rouran City, Min Zhuo felt that a woman inheriting the position of City Lord was inappropriate, but he was not strongly opposed.

Clearly, Liren was temporarily taking control of Rouran City in place of her son, Yuanba. During this time, a significant portion of governmental affairs would undoubtedly still fall to Min Zhuo, ensuring his continued importance.

Allowing A Shi Zhuo to become the most powerful figure in Rouran City would instead subject Min Zhuo to restraint.

However, his say in the matter was limited. Moreover, these past days, as Ashi Liren had been placed in a reactive position, Min Zhuo did not wish to align with the losing side, thus he kept his distance from Liren.

There were many who shared his sentiments.

"Then let’s go," Liren said.

Ashi Liren, accompanied by the sword-carrying female samurai Suo Lun, left the Ashi Liren Mansion and headed to the City Lord’s mansion.

No sooner had she stepped out of the Liren Mansion than she was surrounded by hundreds of cavalry, as if she were a prisoner being escorted.

It seemed A Shi Zhuo’s disregard by Ashi Liren these past few days had only made them more brazen and disrespectful, deeming Ashi Liren to be weak and easily bullied.

...

She entered the debating hall of the City Lord’s mansion.

Or rather, the debating palace, because it was four or five times larger than the meeting hall of Tianshui City’s Lord’s mansion. In addition, the layout and arrangement resembled that of the main palace of the Rage Wave Kingdom’s king.

It was evident how ambitious Ashimo had been, submitting to the Rage Wave Kingdom as a vassal was only temporary as he might have planned to establish his own kingdom in the future.

Regrettably, he later became infatuated with eternal life and cast aside his political ambitions.

And all this was the result of the instigation and deception by Fake Zuo Qiu (Yan Ping), showing how skilled Yan Ping was. Having graduated from the Dragon Sanctuary Spirit Department, he was exceptionally adept at manipulating others.

At this moment, the debating hall was packed.

High-ranking civil officials, aristocratic samurai, military officers of chiliarch rank and above, and key members of the Ashi Clan were all present.

The hall accommodated more than four hundred people, filled to capacity.

The wife of Ashimo, Lady Li Zhi, traditionally the matron of Rouran City, was no longer hidden behind curtains but was seated on the highest throne, exalted above all.

Beneath her seat was another chair, upon which sat A Shi Zhuo.

Seeing Ashi Liren enter, A Shi Zhuo revealed a smug smile and said with a chill in his voice, "Liren, why do you still wear that mask on your face? Are you trying to hide some expression?"

Ashi Liren gave him a cold glance and said nothing.

Suo Lun glanced at A Shi Zhuo, thinking he was too crude. He shouldn’t have been so eager to attack and should have waited for Zhi Li’s power to infiltrate Rouran City before ousting Ashi Liren.

Although he was ruthless and brutal, A Shi Zhuo’s schemes were not particularly deep.

Turning to Lady Li Zhi, her eyes were bloodshot, an indication of a sleepless night, and she continuously avoided looking at A Shi Zhuo.

Upon seeing this, Suo Lun breathed a sigh of relief; it meant that Lady Li Zhi had not changed her mind.

A Shi Zhuo stood up, descended a few steps, and addressed the assembled hundreds of civil and military officials, "This gathering is by the order of Mother Li Zhi, to question the City Lord Ashi Liren."

This was the first time A Shi Zhuo called Liren the City Lord because she was about to be deposed; thus, the title seemed inconsequential.

According to A Shi Zhuo’s plan, ousting Liren from her position was simple: just a few pointed questions from Mother Li Zhi were needed.

The first question: Was a person named Yan Ziyu present day and night at Ashi Liren’s residence, often having deep conversations late into the night?

The second question: Was this Yan Ziyu actually Suo Lun in disguise?

The third question: Was the death of Ashi Luo related to Suo Lun? Was the incident involving Ashi Mo related to Suo Lun?

Without doubt, the answers to all three questions were affirmative.

Then, Mother Li Zhi would immediately accuse Ashi Liren of adultery.

Following that, she would lay the blame for scheming against her own brother Ashi Luo’s death and for framing her father Ashi Mo on Ashi Liren.

If these two serious accusations were proven, Ashi Liren would be immediately stripped of her position as City Lord and perhaps even imprisoned on the spot; if she were not skilled in exceptional martial arts, even her life would be at risk.

Although the scheme was crude, it was undoubtedly effective.

Because Ashi Liren had no close allies, all the high-ranking officials just watched.

With the support of Mother Li Zhi, deposing Ashi Liren from her position as City Lord would require nothing more than a fabricated charge.

The actions of A Shi Zhuo were not important; the key lay with Mother Li Zhi, the de facto highest authority in Rouran City under the current unstable circumstances.