A powerful force swept outwards, unstoppable like a surging tide, forcing the masked man to retreat several steps.

He had barely steadied himself when the spear swept towards him.

With a muffled thud, the assassin crashed to the ground, his sword falling to the floor, blood gushing from his mouth.

Seeing that he was unable to fight, two soldiers rushed forward and held two long swords to his neck to subdue him.

The assassin glared venomously at Li Tuo, "You corrupt official! You'll die a horrible death!"

Wang Jian stepped forward and removed the veil, revealing a young man who looked to be no more than twenty years old.

Ying Zheng stepped forward. "Why did you kill him?"

The assassin sneered, "You scoundrels who colluded with each other, you'll all die a horrible death!"

Wang Jian's gaze darkened. "You scoundrel! Do you know who you're talking to?"

Li Tuo's face was icy cold. "There's no need for further words with such villains. Kill them!"

At a command, two soldiers raised their swords and slashed.

With a single glance from Ying Zheng, Wang Jian swung his spear, sending two soldiers flying.

Ying Zheng's gaze fell on the assassin. "No rush, let's find out first."

Li Tuo looked unwilling, but with Wang Jian standing in front of him, his murderous intent chilling everyone to the bone, no one dared to make a move.

Ying Zheng's gaze was calm. "I'm giving you a chance to clear your name. You can choose to seize it or die here."

The assassin's expression became complicated.

He could clearly see the current situation; if he fell into Li Tuo's hands, he would surely die.

Ying Zheng stopped Li Tuo, and the two sides certainly didn't seem to be on the same side.

After hesitating for a moment, the assassin slowly spoke, "In order to provide enough grain as tribute, this corrupt official tripled the taxes, and my younger brother and sister... were starved to death!"

"Later, when my family really couldn't afford any more food, that corrupt official even killed my parents!"

The assassin choked up a little.

Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng looked puzzled. "Hasn't the grain production in Guanzhong always been sufficient? Why is it necessary to pay so much tax?"

The assassin sneered, "Sufficient production? Guanzhong has been suffering from a severe drought for three years. If it doesn't rain soon, there will be no harvest this year either. Where will we get the grain to pay tribute?!"

Ying Zheng's expression suddenly changed.

Three years of severe drought?!

No harvest at all?!