550-554

Chapter 550: Vicious (1)

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Mu Feng'er's eyes narrowed. He didn't why the scholar-like old man in front of him made such an audacious request. A captured rebel wanted to see their Commissioner. Even if he was Xinyang's main strategist, he could only be thrown into prison and temporarily protect his life.

In his heart, Yuan Hongdao was afraid that he had come to the end of his road, so he wanted to see Fan Xian and use his silver tongue to convince the Commissioner of a path to survival.

Mu Feng'er hated this so-called lightly spoken and scheming strategists from the bottom of his heart. In the orders he had received, there had been instructions concerning such a matter. He would not give Yuan Hongdao any more time to struggle.

Looking at Yuan Hongdao anxiously opening his mouth to speak, Mu Feng'er was further convinced in his judgment that this old man was just terrified of death.

He furrowed his brows. Without giving Yuan Hongdao any more chances to talk, he withdrew his short sword and smashed down with his fist, raising a bruise on Yuan Hongdao's temple and knocking him out.

Yuan Hongdao only felt a buzzing in his ears. His vision blurred as he fainted to the ground. In the split second before he fainted, his heart was filled with rage and helplessness. As the last surviving member of the first batch of Overwatch Council spies, he deeply understood how severe the requirements of Council tasks were. Since this Overwatch Council official didn't know of his identity, he chose this crude and simple method to stop him talking.

Only three people knew that he, the main strategist for Xinyang, was a man of the Overwatch Council. One was the Emperor, who had already died on Dong Mountain. The other was Director Chen, who was rumored to have been poisoned and was being pursued by the Qin family's army. The other was Yan Ruohai. As for the serving girl who had once seen his face, she had already died in an accident.

Yuan Hongdao had no way of proving his identity. Mu Feng'er was strictly following the rules of the Council and didn't give him an opportunity. Perhaps this was the shared tragedy between the countless spies in the world from the past to the present. The chances of them falling to the hand of a colleague were often more likely than them exposing their identity and being killed by the enemy.

He only felt some remorse and a powerful sense of worry.

Mu Feng'er didn't know that the person who had fainted in front of him was his senior. He also didn't know that his simple punch would bring countless unknown dangers to Jingdou in the next few days. He simply ordered his subordinates to clean out the Eldest Princess's manor and escorted the remaining few captives to the Overwatch Council's deep and dark prison.

…

…

Fan Xian took two ephedra pills one after the other. The powerful medicinal effect covered his eyes with an inauspicious layer of red. In the darkness of the night, it couldn't be seen clearly.

He walked to the bottom of the palace walls and respectfully welcomed the officials who had been locked up by the Crown Prince in the Ministry of Justice's prison. His hands supported Shu Wu and Hu the Scholar. His thin lips were raised slightly. He was so moved, he wasn't able to speak.

There was no need to fake anything. Fan Xian was indeed moved that Qing Kingdom's civil officials would stand on his side at such a critical moment. Although he had the Emperor's posthumous edict in hand, and his father-in-law in Wuzhou had finally had his deepest hidden students and old friends in court stand out, he knew how much courage was need to oppose the Crown Prince's ascension in Taiji Palace.

If Li Chengqian was as cold-blooded as himself or the Second Prince, these officials would probably have long become dozens of heroic spirits in the Royal Palace.

Shu Wu and Hu the Scholar also didn't say anything. They only bowed toward Fan Xian. Shu Wu was the first person in the world to see the posthumous edict. Hu the Scholar also knew the contents of the edict. They knew that although Fan Xian did not have the title of regent, he was a regent in reality.

The Emperor had given all the authority of establishing the Emperor and heir to Sir Fan junior. Such trust and entrustment were rarely seen throughout all the ages.

"Time is very tight." Fan Xian knew that this was not the time to speak admiringly of each other. To all the officials in the hall, he said in an even voice, "I must trouble you all to rest here for now. In a moment, there will be royal doctors here to treat you."

"Go do what you need to do," Hu the Scholar said gently. "At this time, we are no longer of much use. The banner has been raised, and the cry has gone out. If those treasonous officials still refuse to stop, then we will need the Duke of Danbo to wield the Emperor's sword and kill them all."

Although his words were faint, the support he showed to Fan Xian was absolute.

Fan Xian said, "There are still countless important matters that need everyone's support. Presently, the empress dowager has learned of the Crown Prince and the Eldest Princess's evil doings. Overly pained by this, she has fallen ill and is now bedridden. She has entrusted all court matters to you two. I hope that you will be able to temporarily resist the pain of the flesh and perform this task well for Qing Kingdom."

"We dare not disobey."

Shu Wu replied in a raspy voice. The dozens of officials behind him all raised their hands in a bow. They knew that the present situation in Jingdou was complicated. They had to quickly settle the major matters. As for the news that the empress dowager was bedridden, these officials unconsciously filtered it out in their brains.

No one was stupid, particularly these civil officials. They all knew that Fan Xian planned to use the empress dowager to command the various departments. Presently, he had the previous Emperor's posthumous edict in hand, the empress dowager, and support of various officials. The entire Jingdou, at least on the surface, appeared to be stable.

The officials began to rest where they sat in a side room of Taiji Palace. Although this place was far better than the Ministry of Justice's prison, it was still cold and cheerless. The floorboards were cold, hard, and jarring. Everyone knew that before the court conference started, they shouldn't rush to enjoy anything.

The scholars Hu and Shu followed Fan Xian into the royal study. In this room, where the Emperor handed court politics day after day and annotated memorials, the lights still shone brightly. Fan Xian did not need to hide anything in front of these two scholars, so worry naturally appeared on his calm face.

After a conversation, the scholars' expressions also became heavy. They had originally thought that Fan Xian had control of the entire situation. They had not thought that the Crown Prince and Eldest Princess had disappeared.

"Everything proceeds according to precedent," Hu the Scholar suddenly and calmly said. "Regardless of what absurd and shameless things these rebels and traitors do, presumably, it would not cause us any surprises. Although we are unable to immediately resolve the chaotic situation, the court conference today must happen. The crimes of the Crown Prince and Eldest Princess must be stated in writing and sent out everywhere under heaven."

Shu Wu carefully said, "Sent out everywhere under heaven… How is the court going to explain this to the people under heaven?"

Hu the Scholar calmly said, "Orthodox and righteousness is an explanation. If we constantly act in the shadows and do not state anything clearly, it would be not proper."

Fan Xian nodded, thinking to himself that Hu the Scholar's persistence in immediately having the court conference at such a complicated time was close to his thoughts. Since they didn't know whether or not the Crown Prince and Eldest Princess would escape out of Jingdou, the people in the Palace had to immediately depose of the Crown Prince and successfully hand down the power of the royal family. Then, announce it to the world.

The discussion came to an end. The scholars began to personally write letters that briefly explained what happened in Jingdou. Then, Fan Xian solemnly stamped it with the royal seal the Emperor had entrusted to him and the empress dowager's seal he had taken from Hanguang Palace. He then signed his own name. After sealing these dozen letters, Fan Xian handed them to his trusted aide for them to be sent along the Overwatch Council's secret mail roads to the Governor's manor of Qing Kingdom's seven Roads. At the same time, it was sent toward the five Road armies that were stationed along the border.

Only Fan Xian knew that the letter going to the Northern Expedition Camp in Cangzhou would be completely pointless.

When Fan Xian affixed the empress dowager's seal, the scholars looked at each other and shook their heads slightly. They thought to themselves, Sir Fan junior doing this right in front of them without any concerns was taboo. It was truly daring.

The dozen messengers, accompanied by the clip-clopping of horse hooves, charged out of the Palace as quickly as possible and into the streets of Jingdou, which seemed like they would never see daylight again. They mixed in with the killing by the Fourth Bureau and the fires that were at times lit and at times extinguished as they rode toward the city gates.

They carried a heavy burden on their shoulders.

"Can they get out of the city?" Hu the Scholar suddenly watched Fan Xian calmly. The scholar wanted to get a definite answer out of Fan Xian's mouth as to who exactly controlled the 13 city gate guards.

Fan Xian's brows furrowed slightly. "It shouldn't be a problem. My people went there at the beginning."

Hu the Scholar knew that Fan Xian never said empty words. Since he said that he had already sent people over, he must have sent the best for such an important position as the 13 city gate guards.

Fan Xian walked out of the royal study and waved his hand to summon Eunuch Dai, who had been waiting outside. After a moment of silence, he said, "No problems with the empress?"

Presently, the situation in the Palace had long changed. Old Eunuch Hong and Eunuch Yao had followed the Emperor to worship heaven and had probably long died on Dong Mountain. Eunuch Hou had been shot to death by Fan Xian with unusual coldness. Hong Zhu, who had been endlessly impressive these two years, was locked up with the other eunuchs and serving girls from the Eastern Palace in the Cold Palace. Eunuch Dai had secretly opened the palace doors today and had performed a great deed. He was also someone Fan Xian trusted. Naturally, he had returned to his post as the head eunuch.

Presently, the rear palace was watched by the Imperial Army. All internal matters were fully managed by Eunuch Dai.

With his body bent, he respectfully said, "As per your orders, she has been escorted into the Cold Palace. She is well. Only her spirit is exhausted."

Fan Xian nodded. Being captured after having escaped in the middle of the night, no one would be able to endure such mental strain.

The effect of the medicine was gradually wearing off. Fan Xian felt himself becoming tired. Although he knew this was not the time to rest, he still tiredly leaned against the round column outside the royal study. He looked at the square by the Palace and didn't say anything.

He hadn't lied to Hu the Scholar. It was just as the Great Prince said. From the very beginning, it was impossible for him to truly give up on the city gate guards. However, he did not have enough people in Jingdou, while there were thousands of soldiers in the city gate guard. It was impossible to solve through violent means. Thus, he had made a copy of the Emperor's edict and gave it to the person he trusted the most.

He had confidence in that person and in Commander Zhang of the city gate guards. He was a proper royalist. After the Emperor was assassinated, he had listened to the empress dowager's orders, which was why the Qin and Ye families' armies had been blocked outside Jingdou.

Regardless of how one thought about it, the city gate guards should be making choices that align with Fan Xian's interests.

Fan Xian didn't know that the column he was leaning against was where the Emperor and Cheng Pingping had talked twice. He also didn't know that a man named Yuan Hongdao had, at this moment, been knocked out by his loyal subordinate and locked up in the Overwatch Council's prison.

He was only worried about Wan'er, Da Bao, and his father in King Jing's manor. There had still been no message. He didn't know if someone could rescue his wife and uncle or the safety of King Jing's manor.

…

…

When the white-clothed Sir Yan junior had come out of Jingdou government's back garden, Fan Xian's break-in into the Royal Palace had not begun and Mu Tie, who was responsible for subduing the Jingdou government, was still ambushed in the darkness outside.

He tidied his white clothing and walked into the street. He had the sentiment to turn his head to glance at the sky as a firework bloomed beautifully in the night sky.

The usually indifferent Yan Bingyun looked and smiled at the firework that flashed in the night sky and immediately disappeared. He knew that Fan Xian had begun to move, so he should hurry too.

Instead of wearing night walking clothes, he wore very eye-catching white clothes, appearing very distinct from the darkness around him. His mission in going to the city gate guards was not to assassinate but to persuade. Yan Bingyun knew how to speak to subdue the loyal soldiers.

Arriving at the city gate guard yamen, under the escort of 10 spears, Yan Bingyun calmly came to the yamen and waited for an audience with Commander Zhang.

"You are presently a wanted criminal by the court, yet you come see me. You are indeed bold."

Commander Zhang of the 13 city gate guards, an important figure who controlled the opening and closing of Jingdou's nine city gates, slowly walked out of the door, looking at the white-clothed Yan Bingyun with a frown.

Yan Bingyun watched him calmly. A moment later, he took out a piece of paper and said, "The Emperor's posthumous edict. Will you accept it or not?"

Chapter 551: Vicious (2)

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Commander Zhang Deqing of the 13 city gate guards, third rank. His personnel file was in the Bureau of Military Affairs, his manor was in the south of the city, his servants were chosen by the Overwatch Council, and his salary was drawn from the internal court. He had never been to the Bureau of Military Affairs for a meeting or even taken a step into the old military yamen. Nominally, he was a soldier. His connection to the Qing military was distant.

His family, colleagues, and social peers were all people the Emperor allowed him to interact. The Emperor had always tied the key to the city gates to his belt, so he kept the people close as well.

If Zhang Deqing rebelled, the Emperor had many ways to ensure that he came to a tragic end. No one thought Zhang Deqing would rebel. Not just because of his family's loyalty or because his wife was a descendant of generations of loyal officials, it was because, after all these years, everyone had become used to his style of doing things.

He ate the Emperor's food. He listened to the Emperor's orders.

Sir Zhang would not praise the Emperor's wisdom while eating or enter the Palace occasionally to the find an excuse to fawn on the Emperor. He would carry out each of the Emperor's edicts with unusual determination, including on the night many years ago when the streets of Jingdou ran red with blood.

When one counted, Zhang Deqing was like Ye Zhong in Dingzhou. They were both veterans who had managed Jingdou for 20 years.

When it came to such a person who was clean as tofu and managed such a sensitive position, no faction dared come into contact with him. Even when the Crown Prince and Second Prince fought for power, they didn't dare to do so. To come into contact with Zhang Deqing was to touch the crotch of their father's trousers.

Thus, in officialdom, Zhang Deqing was like an invisible man. Until such a critical moment as the present, no one thought of him.

After the Qing Emperor was heroically sacrificed on Dong Mountain, the focus of Sir Zhang Deqing's loyalty shifted with unusual precision and speed to the empress dowager. His figure was immediately revealed and particularly eye-catching.

He was loyal to the empress dowager because the Emperor had announced to the world before he went to worship heaven that Qing Kingdom was presently to be governed by the empress dowager from behind the curtain.

…

…

After reading many years of the Overwatch Council's surveillance reports, Fan Xian believed that Sir Zhang was truly a rarely seen blindly loyal official. Yan Bingyun also came to exactly the same conclusion. Of course, these two young officials of the Overwatch Council could guess that the Emperor must have had other ways of controlling Zhang Deqing. However, the Emperor was gone. They had nowhere to start. They could only use his loyalty as an opening.

Yan Bingyun was here to pick up Zhang Deqing's hand and begin a heaven-moving dance of loyalty.

Zhang Deqing was already old. The bags beneath his eyes were somewhat thick. Perhaps this was because he had been worried constantly these few days and had not rested well. At this time, sorrow, anger, and other emotions flashed through his pupils above the eye bags.

Yan Bingyun came alone to the 13 city gate guards yamen and handed the copied posthumous edict over. He waited calmly for Zhang Deqing's decision.

To recreate the Qing Emperor's posthumous edict in such a short time proved that the Overwatch Council's artistic level had successfully made leaps and bounds after forging the previous Emperor's will. It proved Fan Xian's devil may care revolutionary spirit. It also proved that although Sir Yan was loyal to the monarch and patriotic to his country, he did not believe in holding onto mechanical bureaucracy when it came to the details.

The so-called posthumous edict was a letter the Emperor had written, in a very tranquil tone that seemed to see through the affairs of this world, to the empress dowager the night Dong Mountain had been surrounded. In the letter, he brought up the matter of deposing the Crown Prince as well as his and the Eldest Princess's wicked role in the ambush at Dong Mountain. At the same time, he clearly stated that after Fan Xian returned to Jingdou, the power of regent was to be given to him. Furthermore, he ordered everyone to entrust, without question, Fan Xian with the authority to choose the next ruler of Qing Kingdom.

The lines of tears flowed out from Zhang Deqing's eyes. Although he had long known that the Emperor had died on Dong Mountain, seeing the Emperor's own handwriting, he still could not stop the surging of emotions in his heart.

"This posthumous edict… Has the empress dowager seen it?" Zhang Deqing suddenly raised his head and stared into Yan Bingyun's eyes.

Sir Yan junior felt even more confident that the plan he and Fan Xian had made would be successful. Regardless of how one looked at it, the Commander, who was famous for his loyalty, would stand on his side.

He quietly said, "She has already seen it."

"Then, what was the firework signal from the Palace earlier all about?" Zhang Deqing stared at Yan Bingyun.

"The edict ordered Sir Fan junior to help the empress dowager get rid of the rebels." Yan Bingyun did not panic. As long as Fan Xian's entry into the Palace was successful and he captured the Crown Prince and the Eldest Princess, there was no reason anything should go wrong with the city gate guard. "The firework was the order that it has already begun."

"I can't trust you based it on just a posthumous edict" Zhang Deqing said. "I need to see the empress dowager."

"Understandably," Yan Bingyun answered cleanly with a frosty face. In reality, he had no idea of the situation in the Palace, including whether the empress dowager was dead or alive. Presently, he had to answer boldly and confidently.

"You come from generations of loyal officials. When Qing Kingdom faces great danger, you should follow the previous Emperor's posthumous edict."

Each of Yan Bingyun's words hung onto the Emperor's posthumous edict. When he had traveled through Northern Qi, his long sleeves had danced. He was a powerful figure who could lie and get away with it. However, for these few years, he had been doing paperwork in the Council and had grown distant from this kind of dangerous work. Having convinced the Jingdou government alone and now, like walking through a forest of guns, he had to convince the Commander of the 13 city gate guards, it could not be considered a return to his original work.

"There is trouble in the Palace," Zhang Deqing said after a moment of silence. "I must immediately enter the Palace right now."

Yan Bingyun's brows furrowed slightly. Zhang Deqing's gaze hardened slightly as if he had sensed something. Yan Bingyun coldly scolded, "Sir Zhang, don't forget that the Emperor entrusted these nine city gates to you. Securely guarding Jingdou's gates is your responsibility!"

After these words were uttered, Zhang Deqing fell silent again like he was considering something. A moment later, he said, "Please, give me some time."

Stalling? Yan Bingyun faintly felt that something was amiss. Was Zhang Deqing not convinced by this posthumous edict and waiting to see the situation in Jingdou? He didn't know that the Eldest Princess and Crown Prince had already escaped from the Palace. In order to protect Fan Xian's entry into the Palace, if the 13 city gate guards remained neutral, it was not an unacceptable result. In fact, it was even better than the result he had expected.

Since he wanted to stall, then he could stall. Yan Bingyun sat down calmly and coolly in the city gate yamen. Despite the group of spears pointed at him, he sat peacefully with a calm expression.

Seeing his expression, Zhang Deqing was involuntarily startled, It was as if he had not expected for him to be so confident.

…

…

No one expected that the stall would go on for so long. Yan Bingyun was trapped in the city gate yamen by the shifting circumstances. Without hot tea to drink and a tune to listen to, it was difficult to wait. What was most uncomfortable was the pressure all around him.

He was cold and hungry. He listened to the occasional sound of killing in Jingdou. Sometimes, he could even smell a faint burning that probably came from a fire someone lit somewhere.

Zhang Deqing did not have the time to sit with him. As the Commander of the city gate department, there were too many important things he had to handle. He was holding the sword at his waist and walking along the top of the city walls in the darkness. The eye bags beneath his eyes had miraculously disappeared without a trace. The eagle-like light flashing in his eyes was focused on each and every move in Jingdou. At the same time, he occasionally gave out orders to suppress his own subordinates, strictly prohibiting them from becoming involved in the coup d'état in Jingdou. The 3,000 soldiers guarded Jingdou's nine city gates tightly.

In his eyes, the so-called power of righteousness that Fan Xian led was just a coup d'état. Although, he had to admit after seeing the edict, Fan Xian had the nominal right. However, he unconsciously believed that everyone who attacked the Royal Palace was a bad person.

Compared to Shangjing in Northern Qi, Jingdou did not have a rich history. It was more covered with the traces of military matters. Thus, this city gate was not motely but thick. Although it was not as tall as that of the Royal Palace, if it was actually used for defense, its various allocations were much stronger.

Zhang Deqing stood on the city wall like he was absorbing some boundless power from the thick wall made from a mixture of stone bricks to give him the courage to make a choice.

He stood still in front of one lookout and gazed in the direction of the distant Royal Palace. The chaos in Jingdou was gradually calming down. Perhaps Fan Xian had already subdued the Jingdou government. Some bailiffs were on the streets, ringing their gongs and comforting the people.

He didn't know that, at this moment, the two main conspirators of the revolt in the Palace, the Great Prince, and Fan Xian, were also standing on the Palace wall looking to the distant city gates. A faint worry flashed through his eyes. If things continued like this, he would have to accept that edict.

Perhaps this was not a bad idea. However, Zhang Deqing heard the sound of carriage wheels rolling over the stone path. This voice rang out very clear in his ears.

"It's the Sanjiao Stone Path approaching the city gate."

Zhang Deqing was unusually familiar with the area near the city gate he had managed for almost 20 years. He was so familiar with them that he could tell whether a carriage was driving over the green stone paths or Sanjiao Stone Path. He was silent for a moment and then walked down from the lofty city gates toward the yamen of the city gate guards.

When the sound of the carriage rang out outside the city gate, Yan Bingyun had already stood up with a heavy expression. The soldiers around him responsible for guarding him also became nervous, pulling out weapons and surrounding him in the center.

Yan Bingyun's heart sank. It was not because of being surrounded by soldiers but because of the sound of the carriage. In the depths of the night in Jingdou, who would ride in a carriage close to the city gate? The Jingdou people were long used to turmoil in the court. The noises from tonight were not enough to scare them into escaping as a family. Furthermore, the people would not be so stupid as to take a carriage and wait for the envious soldiers to heckle them.

There was only one kind of person who would try to take a carriage out of Jingdou.

Zhang Deqing walked in. He looked at Yan Bingyun's heavy expression and said, "I'm sorry, Sir Yan."

He continued, "Capture this court criminal!"

Yan Bingyun's pupils constricted slightly. He didn't know why Zhang Deqing's attitude would have changed so drastically. Had Fan Xian's entry into the Palace failed?

The soldiers swarmed forward. Yan Bingyun did not resist. Everyone knew that the biggest difference between Sir Yan junior and Sir Fan junior was that his martial prowess was slightly lower and he lacked the power to kill when attacking.

Yan Bingyun didn't want to put his life on the line. Zhang Deqing only wanted to capture him. If he resisted, these 10 spears would sink into his body, which probably wouldn't feel very good.

The city gate guards did not have the Overwatch Council's metal finger cuffs, but they had a small hand cangue. After it clamped shut behind a person's wrist, it would be impossible for them to break free. After Yan Bingyun was tightly bound, Zhang Deqing let out a small breath and glanced with some doubt into the dark night.

"Unbelievably, you actually came alone." Zhang Deqing's brows were furrowed tightly. "I don't whether to say that Sir Fan junior is stupid or you're too daring."

Yan Bingyun had been kicked to the ground and made a rare joke, "Actually, this is just a matter of staff." He paused and then said, "I am unable to imagine that I would misjudge a person."

Zhang Deqing was silent for a moment., "The reason is very simple. If you win, naturally, I will follow the edict. But, if you lose, what benefit is there for me to follow the edict?"

Yan Bingyun furrowed his brows. A moment later, he sighed, and said, "A loyal official… How loyal you are?"

"I am loyal to the Emperor but not loyal to this posthumous edict that I don't know the validity of." Zhang Deqing's expression was not pretty. It was like he felt a glimmer of fear in disobeying the Emperor's posthumous edict.

The Commander of the city gate department thought to himself, If the Emperor was still here, naturally, he would be a loyal official for the rest of his life. Since the Emperor was no longer here, who wanted to guard the nine stupid city gates for the rest of their lives?

Yan Bingyun was silent. It had always been risky for him to come to the city gate department. He had done so on the basis of his judgment of Zhang Deqing. He was still unable to convince himself why such a Commander as him would so quickly and cleanly choose to stand against the posthumous edict.

Had Fan Xian failed? Yan Bingyun's brows remained furrowed.

Zhang Deqing was only three steps away from him.

Yan Bingyun's brows suddenly relaxed. A drop of cold sweat fell down from the corner of his brows.

Zhang Deqing clearly heard a tearing sound like that of a table leg being snapped.

Yan Bingyun abruptly raised his head and spoke, enunciating each word clearly, "The Commander of the 13 city gate department, Zhang Deqing has disobeyed the edict and assisted the chaos. All citizens of the Qing Kingdom must follow the Emperor's posthumous edict. Put him to death."

Zhang Deqing's gaze trembled slightly. He didn't know who those words were aimed at. Everyone in the hall was his trusted aide. No one would be stupid enough to take action. However, he felt a strange feeling in his heart and unconsciously retreated back, wanting to put more distance between him and the tightly bound Yan Bingyun.

Someone moved. The person who moved was not Yan Bingyun. It was one of Zhang Deqing's trusted soldiers. After hearing Yan Bingyun's words, the person's expression became heavy. He gritted his teeth, raised the knife in his hand, and brought it down on the back of Zhang Deqing' head.

Just as it was said earlier, no matter how much the Qing Emperor trusted in Zhang Deqing's loyalty, he would have scattered spies among the city gate department. Naturally, a large number of these spies would have been sent out by the Overwatch Council. Fan Xian and Yan Bingyun could not make contact with these agents but, at this moment, Yan Bingyun used the posthumous edict and gambled on these spies' hot blood. Even if only one out of 10 acted, it would be effective.

The knife came down.

Zhang Deqing's expression was heavy. He didn't turn his head before raising his sword. With a crisp crash, he was pushed forward a step while the knife of the Overwatch Council secret agent behind him was blocked.

The long spears shot out together. Immediately, the secret agent's body was stained with fresh blood. He died on the spot.

Yan Bingyun also moved at this moment.

When the bead of sweat had dropped off his forehead, he was already moving. He gritted his teeth and forcefully snapped his left wrist. He was not a normal official or general, he was the future Commissioner of the Overwatch Council. Since he dared to come to the city gate department personally, then he had confidence.

The Overwatch Council had carried out a thorough investigation into the tools that the city gate department used to secure people. In the end, they finally found the problem with this cangue. As long as someone was able to dislocate all the joints in their wrists in a short amount of time and endure the agonizing pain, they would be able to pull their wrist out.

Yan Bingyun could endure the pain and do such a ruthless thing to himself. Thus, when Zhang Deqing took that one step closer to him, he had already charged forward like a cheetah and smashed toward his head viciously with one hand holding the cangue.

A glimmer of terror flashed through Zhang Deqing's eyes. Perhaps betraying the Emperor had already destabilized his state of mind. He didn't dare meet the cangue head on and retreated back in a panic.

At this time, his trusted soldiers behind him had just stabbed the Overwatch Council agent to death and just happened to block off his escape path. He could only flee wretchedly toward the door of the hall, attempting to avoid the attack.

Yan Bingyun floated up and followed after him like a cloud. Along the way, the wrist wearing the cangue flipped and stole the sword in Zhang Deqing's hand. A light flashed. It came down on the arm of an officer coming to help.

Like maggots on the bone, like greedy clouds in the sky, Yan Bingyun did not land and followed Zhang Deqing's body closely to the door of the hall.

Feeling the sinister sword aura behind him, Zhang Deqing was scared out of his mind. He had completely not expected for Yan Bingyun to have such delicate and vicious sword skills.

Yan Bingyun was not skilled in martial arts, but that was compared to the strange creature that was Fan Xian. Once he exploded out, the most famous spy in the history of the Overwatch Council was not someone Zhang Deqing, who had guarded the city gates for 20 years, could stand against.

Following him like lightning, he didn't give the soldiers of the city gate any chance to react before the two of them had already passed through the door to the hall. Bloody wounds appeared. If Yan Bingyun hadn't planned on using him to control the city gate department, he would probably have lost his life long ago.

Suddenly, two streaks of energy charged toward Yan Bingyun's body. It was very powerful.

Yan Bingyun gave a muffled huff and drew back his sword to protect his chest. He met the attack head-on. Strands of blood seeped out from his nose. The vicious attack finally abated. Zhang Deqing wretchedly rolled to a stop at someone's foot. One could see light-blue Palace robes hidden beneath normal clothing.

The Eldest Princess Li Yunrui, with a calm expression, smiled and gazed at Yan Bingyun under the protection of two aces from the Junshang Conference. "Let me tell Sir Yan junior that the reason Deqing would turn to the other side is because he has always been on my side."

A glimmer of disbelieving shock flashed through Yan Bingyun's eyes. He immediately became dejected. His left hand was ruined. He stood in the hall of the city gate department and in the blood of the courageous secret agent. He appeared very lonely.

The Eldest Princess nodded toward this young Overwatch Council official and smiled slightly as she said, "Go well."

Chapter 552: The Shadow Of Chen Pingping As He Fled From Calamity, As Well As Children

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

One of Yan Bingyun's hands was broken and hung uselessly by his waist. He looked at the Eldest Princess. His gaze appeared dim. The pain in his chest let him know that the earlier contact had given him internal injuries. The aces beside the Eldest princess were not people with whom he could contend.

At this moment, the 13 gate guard departments had been heavily surrounded by soldiers. All the long spears pointed at Xiao Yan. Of the aces beside the Eldest Princess, two of them stood out and charged toward Yan Bingyun quickly. Holding sharp blades in their hands, they gave off a death-like smell that enveloped him.

If only the Emperor had listened to An Zhi and swept out the entire Junshang Conference before he died. This thought came involuntarily into his mind. He knew he wasn't a match for these jianghu aces. He didn't entertain any farfetched hopes that the heavens would give him a chance to escape. He only stood with a heavy expression and drew something from inside his clothes.

It was a signal arrow. Since there was a rebellion at the city gate department, he had to report Zhang Deqing's fatal betrayal of Zhang Ruochen in the Palace before he died.

Yan Bingyun's index finger caught on the ring of the signal arrow. Looking at the two black sword shadows that came closer and closer, his pupils constricted. He spat out a mouthful of muddy air before pressing his lips tightly together and pulling with force.

With a puff, the signal arrow lit up. It didn't rise into the air. A small force hit against his wrist and a splash of slightly warm liquid poured onto the back of his hand, making his heart tremble. This signal arrow flew out but didn't fly far. It shot into the chest of a city gate soldier and exploded slightly.

Yan Bingyun didn't lower his head. Slanting his gaze, he saw fresh blood pouring out of his hand.

When his index finger extended into the ring, a terrifying expression appeared in the eyes of the Junshang Conference ace closes to him. It was like if he saw some unusually terrifying thing. Then, a thin line of blood appeared on the ace's neck.

The bloody line extended in an instant and became a large bloody wound. One could see his white throat bones, the extremely disgusting windpipe, esophagus, and mangled flesh.

With a click, the ace stopped in front of Yan Bingyun and knelt down with a crash. With the powerful crash, his half-sawed through neck could not support his head. With his vertebrae as the center of his head, he fell backward uselessly.

The upside-down white face of the dead man had his eyes wide open, staring at the Eldest Princess and Zhang Deqing, who were protected behind layers of aces and soldiers.

The fresh blood sprouted like a fountain from his throat. It landed on Yan Bingyun's hand and covered his entire hand in bright red. It also just happened to stop the signal arrow from rising into the sky.

The other ace of the Junshang Conference that charged forward faced an even more tragic end. He didn't even reach Yan Bingyun. His eyes only caught a faint shadow cast by the torches passing in front of him and felt a coldness at his throat.

A delicate and unreflective sword came from behind him to the right. With unusual steadiness and mercilessness at high speed, it pierced through his neck and extended out the other side.

With a splutter, the tip of the sword moved like the tongue of a snake, darting forward and then immediately withdrawing, leaving his neck like lightning. The zhenqi and life in the ace left his body as the sword left his neck. His eyes were open like dead fish. His hand tried to cover his neck, but he found that he was already no longer able to control any muscle in his body.

His legs turned to water as his vision dimmed and his bowels released. He fell down. Like a gourd, he rolled across the ground, past Yan Bingyun's frozen body, and only stopped when he hit the tall threshold of the hall.

The smell of blood was strong. The stench of rust also emanated from his body.

A sword that seemed to have reached out from hell had dealt with two of the aces from Junshang Conference with terrifying skill. No one had realized what had happened. Even Yan Bingyun, who had been rescued, had no idea what had happened and stood where he was in shock.

Then, he felt his body become light. In the next moment, he had been lifted by the neck by a black shadow and was flying above the hall. Following the shadows below the lofty city walls, they headed toward the darkness in Jingdou.

The darkness before dawn was particularly thick.

In the eyes of the people trying to kill Yan Bingyun, it was an even more terrifying scene. A black shadow seemed to have appeared without sound among the crowd and easily killed the two aces with unusual ferocity. Then, it had lifted Yan Bingyun like a burlap bag and easily took him out, despite being surrounded by many people.

It was so terrifying because it was so easy. With three snaps, Yan Bingyun had been saved by this person. Meanwhile, the soldiers of the city gate department didn't even have time to lift the bows in their hands.

Who was this shadow to have such terrifying power?

The Eldest Princess, who had been protected at the back by the aces and soldiers, waved her hands to disperse the subordinates in front of her. With a slightly pale face, she walked out from the crowd and looked in the direction the black shadow had escaped in. No one knew how she was feeling. They could only watch as her eyes grew brighter and brighter.

The Overwatch Council is indeed very scary, the main conspirator of the Jingdou revolt thought to herself. But, she didn't feel a great sense of failure. Since it was the world's best assassin who had come, there was nothing she could do to stop it when he used his skills to save Yan Bingyun.

However, it shouldn't impact anything.

As Li Yunrui thought this, she narrowed her eyes at the soldiers near the city gate. At this time, the sky was gradually growing brighter. The sun below the horizon began to send out countless silver fish, which used their bellies to reflect their own light, gradually chasing away the thick darkness of the night.

The torch already did not seem very bright. The warm morning light struck everyone's bodies and cast lines of shadows on the ground.

…

…

Of course, the Overwatch Council was scary. The eight bureaus had a great deal of hidden talent. There were countless heroes who were willing to hide their faces and give up their past glory to throw themselves into Qing Kingdom's secret service. This power was gathered in one place. The might it could exhibit made even the Emperor, the most powerful person in Qing Kingdom, secretly wary.

Even though the Qing Emperor was nominally directly in charge of the Overwatch Council, everyone knew that the reason the Overwatch Council was able to attract so many skilled people to provide their services, to be able to exist tyrannically in Qing Kingdom for over 30 years, was completely due to the old cripple sitting in the wheelchair.

Jingdou only had 1,000 or so officials of the Overwatch Council, yet it was terrifying. They had entered the Royal Palace, suppressed d the Ministry of Justice, forcefully open the Celestial Prison, and subdued the Jingdou government. In one night, they had turned Jingdou upside down.

Fan Xian had planned well. Yan Bingyun had carried it out well. To be able to achieve such results was completely reliant on the Overwatch Council officials' strong power of organization and iron-blooded obedience. These qualities, which were unique to the Overwatch Council, had been slowly, drop by drop, immersed into the spirit of the Overwatch Council by Chen Pingping, the old cripple, and the first generation of the heads of the eight bureaus over dozens of years.

Thus, the most powerful part of the Overwatch Council was not the Black Riders, Fan Xian, or the best assassin in the world. Rather, it was Chen Pingping, the person and all that he represented.

The Crown Prince and Eldest Princess had planned the assassination of the Emperor on Dong Mountain. She clearly knew of the Overwatch Council's power, yet it seemed that the attention she gave it was much too little. From the perspective of the Crown Prince, who was filled with unease, if he wanted to take the throne, he had to first control Chen Pingping. Otherwise, who would dare sit on that dragon chair?

Fortunately, Chen Pingping had been poisoned and segregated outside of Jingdou.

The Crown Prince had originally thought that this was his aunt's doing. No one knew that this matter had absolutely nothing to do with Li Yunrui.

From the beginning, Li Yunrui had not thought of defeating the Chen Garden outside Jingdou and the old man in the wheelchair. It was not because she underestimated Chen Pingping or thought he was an impossible to remove strange old creature. Rather, it was because she had a secret.

The secret belonged to one person that the other people in the plan did not know. After the news of Chen Pingping being poisoned by the great master from Dongyi reached Jingdou, everyone was shocked and thought that this old cripple was faking it. When the news of the Emperor's assassination arrived and the empress dowager ordered Chen Pingping to immediately enter the Palace, he remained in the Chen Garden. Everyone began make assumptions.

Perhaps Chen Pingping had truly been poisoned? Thus, the old man who had known Chen Pingping for dozens of years began to become restless and started to have ideas. This old man always had a secret fear toward Chen Pingping. If he didn't kill him, his heart would never be at ease. The current situation made it advantageous to take his life while he was ill. If he didn't take this opportunity to take Chen Pingping's life, the old man would never forgive himself.

Thus, after the old vegetable-planting Master Qin had left Jingdou and regained control of the army, and after his son had regained control over the Jingdou Garrison, his first order was to massacre the Chen Garden.

…

…

Chen Garden was now a wasteland.

Chen Garden, which in Fan Xian's eyes was even more luxurious and extravagant than Ming Garden in Jiangnan, had become countless pieces of blackened remains. The beautiful and elegant woods had been burned into black earth. The exquisite and stylish rooms had become countless bits of rubble. There was smoke everywhere, but it no longer had the warmth of people. It appeared unusually cold.

Fan Xian saw this scene and felt that this heart was going to die from the pain. He opened his mouth and scolded those who didn't know how to treasure anything. From the past to now, the military had never needed the appreciation of beauty. When a branch of the Qin family's army attacked as suddenly as a peal of thunder, they naturally set everything on fire.

This fire was not set for the same reasons as the Eight-Nation Alliance. The Eight-Nation Alliance were thieves who thought that were too many things they couldn't take away. They decided they may as well burn it and not leave it for the people. However, the Qin family set the fire but hadn't taken anything or captured anyone.

The traps and triggers outside Chen Garden, which had once made Fan Xian's heart tremble, were still there. About 300 people had died in the Qin family's army before they broke into the garden. However, they didn't find a single living person.

What welcomed them was an empty garden. The supposedly poisoned and bedridden Director Chen was not in the garden. His beautiful female entertainers were not in the garden, nor were the servants. It seemed everyone had moved out a long time ago with unusual thoroughness. Even the pictures that used to hang on the walls had been taken down.

Chen Pingping liked those pictures.

This army controlled by the Qin family was mainly made up of Jingdou Garrison soldiers. The leading general was from the second generation of the Qin family and a cousin to Qin Heng. He looked at the empty Chen Garden with exasperation and anger. He had led the attack here and lost so many people only to end up with an empty garden.

In a great rage, he lit the fire.

Amidst the roaring flames, he ordered a fast rider to report back to the Yuantai Camp. He didn't lead the army back because old Master Qin had given a death order. Since he had moved against Chen Garden, then he had to kill Chen Pingping before returning.

Without any other choice, he could only subdue his usual pride and respectfully ask for help from the black-clothed man next to him. This black-clothed man had been sent by the old Master to help him. As the army made their way here, he had once said that Chen Garden was completely empty at this time.

The Qin General still didn't trust him. At this time, he had no choice but to trust him and sighed in his heart. After all, he was a senior figure in the Overwatch Council and much more knowledgeable about Chen Pingping's strengths and calculations.

Yan Ruohai, with his face covered, rode his horse beside the Qin General and said, "Since the Director has gone, then you must be mentally prepared. Don't think that you will be able to capture him in a short amount of time."

The Qin General stared.

Yan Ruohai glanced at him and mockingly said, "Don't forget, he is Chen Pingping."

After saying this, he pulled on his horse's head and rode out of Chen Garden. He couldn't bear to glance at the roaring fire. He wondered what form of human statue the Director would carve the General who burned down Chen Garden into.

He was a man of the Qin family. It seemed that this secret was only known to the Qin family. The Crown Prince and Eldest Princess did not seem aware of it. However, he was a man of the Overwatch Council. This secret was only truly known by the Overwatch Council. The Qin family was not aware of it.

…

…

Jingdou was gradually becoming the center of a grave situation. Memorials from various provinces entered the capital, but no edict came out from Jingdou. Fortunately, in this era, communication was not convenient. Everyone was used to a slow rhythm. Even though the provinces around Jingdou felt that it was strange, they did not think that Jingdou was in a dangerous situation and become fearful.

At least during these rest days, the entire Qing Kingdom, other than Jingdou and Dongshan Road, were peaceful as usual.

The morning in Weizhou was not much different from the morning in Jingdou. The Director of the Overwatch Council, Chen Pingping, who should have been handling the matter of succession in Jingdou or recovering from poison in the Chen Garden, raised his eyes at the glimmer of light in the sky above the courtyard house. He furrowed his brows and began to raise his chopsticks to eat the porridge and bun.

When he was in Chen Garden, he also liked to eat these two things.

When the empress dowager's edict had reached Chen Garden, this senior of the secret service in Qing Kingdom had immediately ordered his servants to prepare a carriage and tidy his luggage. He didn't return to the capital. Rather, he slipped away with unusual speed.

Fan Xian and the Great Prince had stood on the palace walls and thought about running away with anxious expressions. They had not thought that the elder closest to them had acted far more directly and efficiently in this area.

After a row of carriages left Chen Garden, it made a loop around the rural area to the south of Jingdou. The group of the Qin family army behind the carriages continued to search for the whereabouts of these carriages with unflagging efforts in an attempt to kill them.

Chen Pingping was not anxious. The carriages did not increase their speed. They didn't even purposely cover their traces. They only lured the army into making circles behind them.

The group of carriages made three circles to the south of Jingdou. The army also made three circles. The reason they never caught up, other than the Overwatch Council's powerful intelligence network among the people outside the capital and their ability to go into hiding, was because the army had a talented guide.

Yan Ruohai led the Qin family in hunting down Chen Pingping. Even with thinking with one's ass, one knew that as long as that Chen Pingping did not wish to be caught, they would never catch up.

The fleeing group of carriages that moved like they were traveling finally stopped in a country estate outside Weizhou, the first large province to the south of Jingdou. Chen Pingping estimated that it was about the right time.

He was drinking porridge. His teeth were fine. He wasn't leaning against the wall. However, the Overwatch Council elders who sat beside him felt that he was acting rather shamelessly.

Jingdou was in such turmoil and two of your nephews were teetering on the brink of death. How could you bear to run away by yourself?

There were three people sitting around Chen Pingping's breakfast table. One was an old servant that had served him for dozens of years in Chen Garden. One was the head of the Seventh Bureau that Fan Xian had once met in the Overwatch Council's Celestial Prison, the bald man. The other was the man who was as equally famous as Wang Qinian and one of the best in the Overwatch Council, Zui Zong.

From the rear of the country estate came the wondrous sounds of the female entertainers washing, playing, and laughing after rising from bed. These women did not know they were fleeing from trouble.

The three elders of the Overwatch Council did not have happy expressions. Zui Zong pressed his lips together and licked his lips, which were dry from nerves. "The soldiers following us are already very close. Director, please make a plan."

"They are about to turn back their troops. This is not an urgent matter." Chen Pingping put down his chopsticks and calmly wiped his mouth. "Go out and arrange it."

"Yes." Zui Zong and the bald leader of the Seventh Bureau accepted the order and left.

In the courtyard, there was only Chen Pingping and the old servant left. Chen Pingping suddenly began to cough with great discomfort. The old man's face turned blood red and then immediately became pale white again. A strand of blood seeped out of the corner of his lips.

The old servant cried and said, "Old Master, you have to call Sir Fei back, otherwise what are you going to do about this poison?"

Chen Pingping had actually been poisoned. He sat in the wheelchair and smiled self-mockingly. "It won't kill me. It's just uncomfortable."

"Master… It's quite dangerous in the capital. Are you truly not worried about Sir Fan junior?" The old servant glanced at Chen Pingping and asked carefully.

More lines suddenly appeared on Chen Pingping's old face. A moment later, he sighed and said, "How can I not worry? However, even if things fail, presumably he would be able to survive. As long as he is alive, everything is fine."

The old servant thought to himself that this matter involved a battle for the throne. If Sir Fan junior truly failed, how could he survive? If the Crown Prince actually inherited the kingdom, this group of carriages would probably never find a place to live again in Qing Kingdom's expansive territory. The old servant suddenly thought of something and was overjoyed. "Right, Minister Fan and King Jing have yet to take action."

Over these few days, Chen Pingping often discussed the situation in Jingdou with those old men below him. The old servant had always listened to the side and was very knowledgeable about the matchup of the factions in Jingdou. If the 13 city gate guards actually failed in their duty and the Ye and Qin families' armies entered the capital, how could the Overwatch Council resist them? Unless Fan Jian and King Jing had some power to flip the tables, Director Chen would be able to sit calmly in his chair and not worry about Fan Xian.

"King Jing is like the old Qin man. They only know how to release their anger toward the earth," Chen Pingping said slightly mockingly. "Fan Jian has succeeded in life through silent endurance but also fell to that. How could he have enough power in his hands to change the present situation? Afraid that the Palace would suspect him, our Minister Fan has silently endured a great deal these years. However, now he has endured himself into trouble."

After saying this, Chen Pingping fell silent. He knew where Fan Jian's greatest strength was. The problem was that the Emperor had taken that entire group of people when he went to worship heaven and didn't leave a single one. They didn't yet know whether or not one of them managed to survive.

With a series of flaps, a number of white pigeons followed the morning light and flew into the courtyard. The old servant went forward and caught one, bringing it to Chen Pingping.

Chen Pingping untied a slender tube on the pigeon's leg. His brows gradually furrowed together as he read the words on it. A moment later, he summoned a subordinate of the Overwatch Council and ordered in a low voice, "Follow the orders from a day ago and have everyone keep moving. Continue blocking all news about Dongshan Road. The group from the court who reacted quickly are about to arrive."

"Yes."

…

…

It was a long time before Chen Pingping woke from a dazed state of mind. It was not until today that Qing Kingdom's most incredible schemer finally felt a glimmer of helplessness. Perhaps it was the power of the poison or the power of age that made him feel a glimmer of exhaustion and a faint disappointment.

"Fan Xian won't die so easily." It was hard to tell if he was comforting the old servant or himself. Chen Pingping calmly said, "At least I helped this kid draw away a thousand soldiers. He should be much less pressured."

"You have to know, it is not an easy task to have a person die.

Chen Pingping pushed his wheelchair toward the rear of the courtyard. The old servant quickly pushed it for him. When they passed a flowerpot, they saw a little white flower trembling in the early autumn weather. Chen Pingping's expression didn't change, but he stopped and looked for a long time. He then slowly bent his body forward and picked it, carefully putting it behind his ear.

The old servant smiled and pushed him into a side room in the rear of the courtyard.

When they entered the side room, Chen Pingping suddenly said to him, "If Fan Xian knew that he was already a father, he would certainly learn to be more careful with his own life."

The light in the side room was not very bright, but one could clearly see a woman about 20 years old looking at a child in her arms with a face full of love. This woman, whose face was filled with maternal love, was Sisi, who had disappeared from the Fan country estate outside Jingdou.

Chen Pingping pushed his wheelchair forward and took the newly born child from her arms with a face full of tender love. He looked at the red flush on the child's face. He clicked his tongue a few times and then teasingly said, "She's so quiet. If your father saw you, he would like you a great deal."

Sisi looked at this scene with a sweet smile. She then saw the little white flower by Chen Pingping's temple and asked curiously, "Director, why are you wearing a flower?'

"Last time I held this child, she cried. It looks like I am too ugly. I wore a flower today… Look, she's indeed not crying."

The lines on Chen Pingping's face turned into a chrysanthemum from his smiling. That kind of love could not be feigned. He probably liked the little girl in his arms like she was his own granddaughter.

Sisi was still not very strong after giving birth. She gazed at Chen Pingping and suddenly said unhappily, "It's just… Who knows when the young master will come back."

When she had been taken away by Chen Pingping, Sisi had been very surprised. When she gave birth, neither Wan'er nor the familiar people of the Fan manor were at her side. There was only the nanny that Chen Pingping had arranged to handle the birth. This girl's state of mind had been greatly tormented.

She knew that the Director did not have any ill intentions. She just didn't understand why she had to give birth outside of the manor. Involuntarily, she thought of the secrets of some of the big families, which made her spirits low.

"Fan Xian will be back in just a few days." Chen Pingping smiled and comforted her. "The most important thing for a woman recuperating after childbirth is to be happy, which is why he asked me to take you out for a walk."

This reason was clearly implausible, but Sisi's brain was clearly not working well after giving birth. She believed him.

"Rest first," Chen Pingping said to Sisi. He liked the child so much he wouldn't put her down for a moment. "I'll take her out for a walk."

Sisi said, "Don't let her catch a cold."

Chen Pingping nodded his head obediently. One always had to be obedient when taking the child to play in front of their mother.

Chen Pingping teased the infant girl all the way to a different room. He said to the person inside the room, "Let me show you Fan Xian's daughter."

The person was bound up tightly. Their face was full of unease and hurt. Hearing these words, they suddenly became overjoyed and said, "Director, has she given a name yet?"

He suddenly saw the little white flower beside Chen Pingping's hair and inspiration struck him, "Call her Fan Xiaohua. Sir will certainly like it."

The person who gave a name with such comedy was Fan Xian's trusted aide, Wang Qinian. No one knew how he had escaped from Dong Mountain or why he was tied up by Chen Pingping in a room.

Chen Pingping glared at him and said, "What bullsh*t."

Wang Qinian had clearly lost a great deal of weight. He had clearly suffered much torment after escaping from Dong Mountain. He looked at the female infant in the Director's arms and was overjoyed. Suddenly, he thought of his daughter in Jingdou and of Fan Xian, who was currently caught up in the heart of the storm. For some reason, he felt grieved, "Who knows if he will be able to see his own daughter?"

With a sorrowful expression, he said, "What exactly happened? I don't understand."

Chen Pingping's face was calm. "I also don't know what will happen in Jingdou, but I know that something will happen in Jingdou."

…

…

Fan Xian stood on top of the palace walls and looked at the rising sun in the east and red glow in the sky. His brows gradually furrowed together as he let out a sigh. They still hadn't found Wan'er and Da Bao's whereabouts. Fortunately, there had been news from King Jing's manor that his father and Lady Liu were both fine and headed toward the Royal Palace.

Counting on his fingers, Sisi's due date had arrived. He had no idea whether the girl was alright right or if the child was a male or female.

Of all the members of his family, he was actually least worried about the soon-to-give-birth Sisi. Since the manor had tacitly approved of this matter, then the person that had taken Sisi away was no one other than the old cripple in Chen Garden, who was solitary to death.

Currently, he was worried about Yan Bingyun. After Yan Bingyun entered the city gate department, no further news had come back. The Overwatch Council official responsible for reporting news had also disappeared without a trace. All of this indicated that something had gone wrong. Fan Xian had informed the Great Prince to start making arrangements. However, he was confused as to why Yan Bingyun had not fired the signal arrow.

The rising sun rose above the horizon line. Fan Xian's heart suddenly jumped, as if sensing something wondrous was happening in the world. These wondrous things did not exist within Jingdou. The situation in Jingdou was dangerous, so Fan Xian had to comfort himself that at the most dangerous time, someone would come rescue him on a multi-colored cloud.

Chapter 553: Giving Him A Taste Of His Own Medicine

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Yuan Hongdao struggled into consciousness. He had an immense pain in the back of his head. He didn't know what environment he was in. Since he had a career that required him to spend many years hidden at the enemy's side, he had the habit of remaining silent at all times.

Like Wang Qinian, this official of the Overwatch Council had countless questions on his mind. Six months ago, the Emperor had moved against the Eldest Princess for the first time. Although Yuan Hongdao wasn't sure of the reason for that, the Overwatch Council was able to sweep away all of the Eldest Princess' apparent forces within half an hour because of this supposed top Xinyang strategist.

After that mission, he should have left behind such a life. Following the orders of the Council, he should have chosen a beautiful place and retired with honor. However, after escaping from the side courtyard, Yan Ruohai had told him to return to Xinyang.

Return to Xinyang!

Logically speaking, after the Eldest Princess' Xinyang strategist had fortunately escaped the Overwatch Council's killing, he should have returned to Xinyang. Yuan Hongdao sensed something different from this Overwatch Council order.

If, after that stormy night, the Eldest Princess was destined to fall and be forever locked up, then why would Director Chen instruct him to return to Xinyang?

What exactly was the court thinking? What was he to do after returning to Xinyang? Yuan Hongdao had been thinking about this question constantly during these few months. After the Eldest Princess easily went through the guards around the side courtyard to send her plans to Xinyang and gradually shifted the people there into Jingdou, he finally understood some things.

From the beginning of the mission, the Overwatch Council knew that the Eldest Princess wouldn't be completely knocked down. The Emperor had never intended for the Eldest Princess to be unable to rise again. Thus, that was why they had him return to Xinyang to wait for the Eldest Princess to summon him and for that moment to come.

Now, the Emperor had gone to Dong Mountain and been assassinated, Jingdou was in turmoil, the Crown Prince was going to take the throne, and the Eldest Princess was contacting the military and preparing to rebel. Even though the Eldest Princess had not let Yuan Hongdao in when she had planned the set up at Dong Mountain, he had participated personally in the latter matters. So, he had known of the news at the beginning of the Eldest Princess's plans.

It seemed that it was time for him to demonstrate his ability as the best spy in the Qing Kingdom. At this moment, Yuan Hongdao shockingly realized that he had no way to send out a report or of contacting the Overwatch Council.

All of the communication channels had become ineffective in an instant. The one-way connection had mysteriously broken. Yuan Hongdao had no way of contacting Yan Ruohai, much less Chen Pingping. A spy at his level could not just charge into the Overwatch Council and yell loudly.

Although his expression was calm, his heart was terrified and uneasy. He didn't know exactly what had happened in the Overwatch Council. This feeling of unease had persisted until Fan Xian had abruptly broken into the Palace and began to use the martial powers under his command to purge Jingdou of opposing forces.

Yuan Hongdao had secretly cooperated with the Overwatch Council's actions and allowed the Eldest Princess's temporary residence in the Royal Palace to be taken. He knew that Fan Xian had already made a fatal mistake. Thus, in the final moment, he had taken the risk and cried out to the Overwatch Council official.

He didn't trust anyone. When it came down to it, since he couldn't contact Chen Pingping or Yan Ruohai, the person he trusted most in the entire court was Chen Pingping's successor, Sir Fan junior.

It was a pity that he didn't know that Mu Feng'er was such a hotheaded fellow, so he had tragically been knocked out.

…

…

Yuan Hongdao calmed his breathing and opened his eyes. He found that he was in a corner building in the Royal Palace. In front of him stood a handsome young man, who was looking at him with a face full of worry. He knew this man. Although he didn't understand why he would personally question him at such a critical time, he spoke straightforwardly.

"Zhang Fang belongs to the Eldest Princess."

Fan Xian nodded and didn't say anything. The Commander of the 13 city gate guards Zhang Fang, a figure that everyone thought was virtuous, clean, and loyal to a fault, was actually the Eldest Princess's man. This truth was enough to shock everyone, but it was unable to add more concerns to his already helpless state of mind.

Yan Bingyun had not come back. The official responsible for keeping an eye on the proceedings had also not returned. Something must have gone wrong at the city gate department.

It was a pity that Yuan Hongdao had woken up too late.

Fan Xian sighed in his heart. The sky was already nearing dawn. The Jingdou city gate department had failed in their duty. The Ye and Qin families' armies could enter the city at any moment. At such a critical moment, he shouldn't have thought of Yuan Hongdao. As he looked at the officials resting in Taiji Palace, he, with his heart full of impatience, had suddenly thought of something his father-in-law had once told him in Wuzhou.

The wicked Prime Minister Lin Ruofu feared three people during his life in court. Other than Chen Pingping and Fan Jian, it was the military leader, the old Master Qin. This powerful Prime Minister had said seriously to Fan Xian that he would not give him a list of his students in court to prevent Fan Xian from growing too powerful and becoming a target.

Unless, a new Emperor was being crowned.

Fan Xian was helping the Third Prince take the throne. Thus, the civil officials in Jingdou in the Lin faction had torn away their disguises and were standing behind Fan Xian, following the scholars Hu and Shu in preventing the Crown Prince from ascending.

Fan Xian thought to himself that his father-in-law had been clever his entire life and calculated this timing well. He just wasn't sure whether or not things would go well this time.

The last words that Prime Minister Lin said had always stayed in Fan Xian's memory.

"If, one day, the capital actually falls into chaos, perhaps Yuan Hongdao will be able to help you."

A year ago, Lin Ruofu had known about the Dong Mountain matter. Fan Xian was admiring of his father-in-law's foresight. Thus, he had never forgotten the hint he had given him. When he had sunk into a situation from which he could not extricate himself, he immediately thought of the top Xinyang strategist that served under the Eldest Princess.

As expected, Sir Yuan was actually a spy the Overwatch Council had inserted into Xinyang. This reality shocked Fan Xian, but he immediately became angry. If they had known one step earlier of the problem with the city gate department, then he and the Great Prince would not be so passive. In the end, it was still too late. This was still a matter of fate. Who knew how much longer his luck would last?

Yuan Hongdao stared into Fan Xian's eyes and said, "Why couldn't I make contact with the Council?" Although the tone of his words was calm, there was boundless rage within it. It lacked all of Sir Yuan's usual ease. He had precious intelligence reports on the Eldest Princess's side but was unable to provide it to the Overwatch Council and court. Being unable to demonstrate his loyalty to the Qing Kingdom and the Emperor made Sir Yuan feel very strange. Anger grew from that.

Fan Xian was silent and unsure of what to say. If it was possible, he wanted to personally ask Chen Pingping some questions.

The morning wind blew through the tall tower of the palace walls, gradually reducing the stench of blood from the previous night. There was also very little burning smell from the private residences in Jingdou. However, the pitiful people still did go out and kept their doors shut in fear. They hid on their own beds praying that these people's killing game would end quickly.

The horn on the palace walls rang out continuously. The sound was vigorous and powerful. No one knew how far it would travel.

Fan Xian stood beside Yuan Hongdao with a calm expression and said, "The Jingdou Garrison won't be able to enter the capital until noon. The Ye and Qin families' armies are still three days away. If we act quickly, we can still take back the nine city gates."

A glimmer of astonishment flashed through Yuan Hongdao's eyes that immediately turned into a spark of angry fire. Angrily he said, "Does the Council have no one in the Garrison?"

Fan Xian's heart jumped. He abruptly turned his body to look at him.

Yuan Hongdao looked at him and said each word clearly, "The Qin army is marching through the night. They're probably not far from Jingdou."

Fan Xian closed his lips tightly as his face became pale.

The reason he had not panicked when he learned of the city gate department rebellion was because he believed he knew clearly the actions of the old Qin family. As long as the army had not arrived, he could use the Imperial Army's superior military power and the Overwatch Council's wounding power to recapture control of the nine city gates.

The Qin family's army was about to arrive.

Yan Bingyun, that old man, was in the Qin family. How could he have not sent back the message that the army had departed?

…

…

Fan Xian walked to the Great Prince's side and said, "Pull the troops back to the Palace. The Qin family's army is about to arrive."

The Great Prince's brows pulled together tightly. The Imperial Army had just left the Royal Palace, yet they had to pull them back now based on information that he found impossible to believe. He knew what mattered now was reaction speed. He didn't have time to discuss anything with Fan Xian. He took a deep breath and had a personal guard at his side wave the little yellow flag in his hand.

The flag waved as the horn on top of the palace walls rang out again. The rhythm increased and became tighter. The lines of the Imperial Army moving out of the Royal Palace like pale dragons abruptly heard the signal to return to camp. By chance, they all began to retreat and head in the direction of the Royal Palace. The troops already deep into the residential streets also began to move.

Fan Xian gestured toward his subordinate beside him, who nodded his head. He took out a signal arrow from inside his sleeve and fired it out, drawing a chilling screaming in the air in front of the royal palace.

Immediately after, the Bureau of Military Affairs, the Overwatch Council, and various important streets all responded to the sound breaking through the air.

When the signal arrow fell, the nearly 2,000 Overwatch Council secret agents in Jingdou heard the signal and moved, disappearing into the streets and alleys.

In a moment, hardly anyone could be seen in the streets, particularly on Tianhe Avenue. It passed in front of the Overwatch Council and Bureau of Military Affairs and headed directly toward the Royal Palace. It was quiet enough to make one's heart tremble. There were only a few green leaves being chased by the autumn evening breeze that landed and rolled along the expansive street.

"Regardless of how the Crown Prince had learned of the Palace break-in and escaped," Fan Xian stood by the Great Prince's side and said, "the Eldest Princess's exit was clearly planned. She had long guessed what we would do."

The Great Prince's brows were pulled tightly together. Looking down from on high on the movements in all of Jingdou, he analyzed the direction the army would enter Jingdou from and what he should do afterward.

"All of our forces had come in to break into the Palace. She is relying on the Ye and Qin families' armies, which are grandly entering from the city gates that we are unable to control," Fan Xian said calmly. "She gave the Royal Palace to us and then surrounded it to play with… Does this count as giving us a taste of our own medicine?"

Fan Xian's palm gently patted the solid green bricks of the palace wall and faintly said, "In the end, we still underestimated this aunt of ours."

The Eldest Princess knew where Fan Xian's and the Overwatch Council's advantages were. She had willingly backed out, allowing Fan Xian to break into the Palace and appear that he controlled everything.

Presently, the Palace held the empress dowager and Third Prince, as well as Yi Guipin, Lady Ning, and countless other nobles. There were also the scholars Hu and Shu, many civil officials loyal to Fan Xian, and subordinates.

These people represented power but were also a burden. If Fan Xian had a pair of wings, the people the Eldest Princess had purposely left in the Palace were like metal hammers attached to Fan Xian's wings, stopping him from flying as he wished.

Even if the army surrounded the city, it probably wouldn't be able to hold such a scary and powerful nightwalker as Fan Xian. However, now that he had the weight of the Qing Kingdom's succession on his shoulders and the lives of countless people in the Palace, how could he escape? How could he bear to escape?

…

…

The Great Prince was silent, only occasionally giving out orders as he prepared to protect the Royal Palace and readied the equipment. He didn't have the leisure to chat with Fan Xian at a time like this because he knew how dangerous the situation was he was about to meet.

Fan Xian watched everything happening in Jingdou woodenly as if he saw Li Yunrui's beautiful face looking at him with a coquettish gaze quietly saying, "My good son-in-law, I have prepared many things for you."

He spat into the Royal Palace like he was spitting on her face. He had to admit that his mother-in-law was indeed much more powerful than him in this area. However, Fan Xian thought to himself that if it wasn't for those strange reasons, he wouldn't be trapped in the Royal Palace right now.

"How long can we hold it for?" he asked the Great Prince.

The Great Prince's expression was severe. He said in a low voice, "The walls of the Royal Palace are tall. If the Ye and Qin families attack the night they arrive and do not have large scale city attacking machines, then I can hold it until the last moment."

As the Commander of the Western Expedition Army, the Great Prince had experienced countless bloody battles in his lifetime. When faced with an army descending on the capital, he wasn't panicked. However, the "last moment" in his words said everything.

"Since Li Yunrui has had this plan for a long time, the Ye and Qin families must have made preparations," Fan Xian lowered his head and said "I only hope you can hold out for a few days. I can only count on you to lead armies and do battle."

"Hold out until the messengers have informed the other armies and Governors of the Six Roads," Fan Xian said

The Great Prince swept his gaze over him and said bluntly, "Don't count on that. It's impossible that the messengers are still alive."

Fan Xian sighed in his heart and thought, I'm not waiting for those people.

Chapter 554: The Attack In Front Of Zhengyang Gate

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

The sound of rapid footsteps rang out on the palace walls. A few imperial soldiers in armor ran to them, knelt down on one knee, and said some things. Fan Xian stood behind the Great Prince and listened calmly without any feelings of shock. After a night of searching, they had captured the empress but had not captured the Crown Prince. The soldiers that had been sent to the Ye and Qin family manors had also come back empty-handed.

These figures in the elder generation were clear about the direction of the wind, even though they no longer had their previous ruthlessness, particularly the Ye and Qin families. Since they had set their hearts on riding the Eldest Princess' skirts in creating a rebellion, how could they allow Fan Xian to capture a useful hostage?

As for the other personal officers, they were reporting the defensive situation in Jingdou. The Great Prince listened with his brows slightly furrowed. He then waved his hand to dismiss them. Turning to Fan Xian, he said, "If we retreat back into the Palace in the pre-arranged way, then it would be the same as giving them all the territory outside of the Royal Palace. If the rebel troops set up an array and surround this Palace, we have no chance of turning the tables."

Fan Xian looked at him.

"However, if we start carrying out attacks the moment the rebel army enters the city, it could only be effective as a form of harassment. It won't be of any actual use." The Great Prince continued, "I have too little military power in my hands."

The morning sun had already risen. The red light shone on the cinnabar red palace walls and reflected back, enveloping the entire palace and square in front in a warm color. Even the clear and small moat to the rear of the Palace glimmered with a terrifying red that was like fresh blood.

"If we are to stall for time, we have to attack the moment they enter the city," the Great Prince watched the rising sun and said with narrowed eyes. "Unfortunately, the Overwatch Council secret agents are held back by the surrounding walls and have no way of handing in their reports. We must make a guess as to which gate the army will use to enter the capital."

"The city gate is some distance from the Royal Palace. It is enough for us to destroy some of their spirit," Fan Xian said with his head down. "If I really had to guess which gate they will enter through, I would bet on the Zhengyang Gate."

"I thought the same." The Great Prince nodded his head. The rebel army was heading straight for Jingdou from Yuantai Camp. The closest city gate was Zhengyang Gate. Furthermore, the 13 city gate's yamen was also at this location. Although Zhang Deqing had rebelled, this was the only gate he controlled personally. This would be the safest and smoothest path for the Eldest Princess's army to enter the capital.

The Great Prince furrowed his brows and said, "I left a squadron there."

Fan Xian glanced at him. A strange light flashed through his eyes. The force facing them was too powerful. I was impossible to keep them outside the city. He and the Great Prince had to land a heavy blow the moment the rebel army entered the city to be able to reduce their spirit.

This squadron left behind would certainly be swallowed by the army surging forward violently. It was likely no one would survive.

As if sensing what Fan Xian was thinking, the Great Prince furrowed his brows slightly and said in a heavy voice, "It is reasonable for a soldier of Qing Kingdom to risk their life and limbs."

Fan Xian thought with slight bitterness that it was only the Emperor's family's struggle for power, yet these normal soldiers had to die and spill their blood. A gust of wind blew through suddenly. Along with the wind came the sounds of enthusiasm and killing up and down the palace walls. It was the officers of the Imperial Army giving their subordinates a last motivating talk before the battle. For a moment, there was a murderous aura inside and outside the Royal Palace. The air seemed tense.

"Asking for the last time, should we go?" The Great Prince narrowed his eyes at the city gate in the east and didn't glance at Fan Xian. "Once the army has surrounded the Palace, it will be impossible to break out."

This was a question he had discussed with Fan Xian many times. The Great Prince was willing to lead the Imperial Army and draw the rebel army into the Jingdou to carry out a bloody killing. Fan Xian, with the help of a thousand secret agents from the Overwatch Council, would lead the people in the Palace to a safe path, kill their way out of the city gate, and quickly make their way south to Weizhou.

Like in the previous discussions, Fan Xian gently shook his head. Putting aside the possibility of success in getting out, even if they could, he would not allow the Great Prince to be torn apart by the Eldest Princess's army alone. Furthermore, he was still waiting for something with enough anticipation to keep both his feet planted firmly on the palace walls.

He followed the Great Prince's gaze and stared at the solemn Zhengyang Gate below the rising sun without a word.

Jingdou did not wake with the rising sun. Tens of thousands of people stayed in their homes out of fear with their ears perked to hear the noises outside. The streets of the residential neighborhoods, Tianhe Avenue, and various yamens were completely devoid of people and absolutely silent.

Such silence and emptiness made one feel that the incoming daytime was still an endless night. Jingdou had become an isolated and dead city.

The morning wind brought an inauspicious sound. It sounded like someone was opening the thick and heavy Jingdou city gate.

There was no sound of horse hooves or their neighing. There was no sound of the clash of armor and swords. No military flags could be seen floating in the air. At such a distance, it should be impossible to hear the sound of the city gate opening and closing.

In such a deathly silent Jingdou, any unusual sound from the city gates could touch on the sensitive thoughts of the people in the Royal Palace.

Fan Xian abruptly turned his head and looked toward the west and south. With narrowed eyes, he observed the smoke Overwatch Council agents had risked their lives to send out. A moment later, he met the Great Prince's gaze and said, "We all guessed wrong."

The Great Prince's expression became solemn as he nodded his head.

The white smoke rose as alarms rang out. Gazing down from the palace walls, one could see there was smoke rising from a dozen different places on the outer wall around Jingdou. Hooves thundered and charged through the city gate, along the wide open streets in Jingdou, and came toward the Royal Palace.

Fan Xian and the Great Prince guessed that the rebel army would enter the capital through Zhengyang Gate. Unexpectedly, the rebel army had openly and publicly come through all nine of the city gates at the same time with an imposing air.

The two princes on the palace walls sucked in a cold breath and wondered just how many people were in the Eldest Princess's rebel army that they could divide the army to enter through all nine of the city gates. Putting righteous pressure on the city, they created a very terrifying spectacle.

In just a moment, fire beacons burned all over Jingdou.

…

…

Outside Zhengyang Gate, the yellow dirt that had been trampled by the horses' hooves was kicked up again and turned into a cloud of dust. It gradually rose up to become a cloud of yellow smoke, covering the light from the rising sun that had climbed over the horizon line. It threw a shadow over the area inside and outside the city gate.

At a steady speed, the 5,000-person army rode toward the open Zhengyang Gate five abreast. Everything appeared silent and quick. The dust that the horses' hooves picked up was charged down by these horses as they sliced into the city. They looked like a yellow dragon without a head or tail. They moved without stopping as they struggled into Jingdou to try and swallow up the pitiful common people.

Amongst the yellow dirt flying in the air, a large military flag was fluttering in the wind. There was a large "Qin" character painted onto the black flag. The last stroke of the character was painted with great strength. It gave one a sense of invincibility. Although it flew in the dusty air, it still possessed a powerful killing aura.

The former Deputy of the Bureau of Military Affairs and present Commander of the Jingdou Garrison, the second generation military figure of the Qin family, Qin Heng, was below this flag, calmly watching his troops. He entered Jingdou with an aura that none could withstand.

He narrowed his eyes but did not cover his mouth and nose to prevent breathing in the yellow dust. He only looked at everything calmly. An unusually complicated feeling rose in his chest. As the Commander of the Jingdou Garrison, he was familiar with Zhengyang Gate. He knew that if the gate was tightly closed, he could charge it for three years with his 3,000 soldiers and still not get in.

The capital of Qing Kingdom had previously been surrounded, but no enemy had ever broken into the city. The fairly young Jingdou had sufficiently demonstrated its powerful defensive strength.

Now, the gates of this capital had finally been broken through. Like Master Zhuang Mohan wrote once in his book, the most powerful capitals in the world are often broken in from the inside.

The Qing Kingdom rebellion this time was not an exception.

Qin Heng watched all of this. As a military man of Qing Kingdom, his feelings were complicated. He felt endless admiration for the Eldest Princess, who easily gained control of the 13 city gate guards, as well as endless fear.

The present situation did not allow him to think too much. The army was entering the capital through the nine city gates. The troops he was leading were going through Zhengyang Gate. He had to get to the Royal Palace before anyone else.

The army this time brought together the Ye and Qin families' armies, as well as the Jingdou Garrison. There were 30,000 people, while the defensive force in the Palace had less than 6,000 people. The army wanted to enter the capital properly and formally, imposing others with power. They had to make the people in the Royal Palace too scared to do battle and end with a surrender.

For Qin Heng, it was not difficult to fight this battle with a six-to-one ratio. He had never thought that the people familiar to him in the Palace would be able to stand against such a powerful army.

The rushing horses and soldiers in front of him flashed through his eyes. Then, a person's name flashed through his eyes. Qin Heng was not particularly worried about the Royal Palace. He was worried that Ye Zhong would get to the Royal Palace ahead of him.

Thinking of Ye Zhong's name, Qin Heng breathed out a muddy breath. This permanent member of the Jingdou Garrison had accepted the empress dowager's edict but had not returned to Dingzhou. Although it seemed that the Ye family's refusal to retreat was by the Eldest Princess's secret arrangement and had great implications for the Jingdou battle, for the Qin family, the existence of the Ye family's military power had another meaning.

Ye Zhong was the Second Prince's father-in-law while, naturally, the Qin family supported the Crown Prince. Thus, old Master Qin had ordered that the Qin family's army must be sufficiently valiant in this battle and arrive at the Palace before the Ye family so that the Crown Prince's future bid for the throne would be stabilized.

Qin Heng squeezed the horse between his legs and led his personal guards into the main troops entering the city, becoming a bright scale on the yellow dragon.

…

…

The rebel army divided into nine to enter the capital. The Qin family took up six of the routes, while the Ye family took three. Because the rebel army was so powerful and knew that the defenses in Jingdou were empty, they did not care about splitting up. With such a large force entering, it also weakened the Royal Palace's resolve to break through the siege.

The thousands of soldiers in the city gate guard were not part of the rebel army. The normal soldiers watched all of this in astonishment, not knowing what had happened. Some of the clever officers guessed that one of the princes had rebelled but did not make a move with the pressure from superiors. Zhang Deqing was a clever man. He knew that even if grew another hand, he wouldn't be of much help to the rebellion. Holding tightly onto his city gate department was the wisest choice of action.

The sound of hooves thundered down the street between Zhengyang Gate and the Royal Palace. The Qin family army took out their weapons and became more alert. Their speed did not reduce as they rode through like a whirlwind.

Presently, the world revered the color black. The Qin rider's light armor was very dark colored, similar to that of the Overwatch Council's Black Knights. It was only missing the deepest black. There were also a few shiny pieces on the chest of the armor.

A dozen riders abruptly broke off from the main group and increased their speed, moving like lightning into the silent streets. Passing under the residences' low eaves, they began to scout ahead for the main army.

Everything was as normal. These riders went through the streets, made another turn, and dispersed like arrowheads as they began to move deeper into the streets. All of this happened quickly and naturally, sufficiently demonstrating the level of training the Qing Kingdom's armies had and the power of the Qin family army.

The main group of riders did not slow. They followed in the direction the dozen riders had gone in and continued moving forward. Qin Heng sat on his horse, leading his own soldiers. He coldly observed a hundred or so meters in front of him. He knew that Fan Xian and the Great Prince would not sit and wait for death. This quiet and long street would certainly see brutal and violent killings.

However, he didn't care. Regardless of how many people Fan Xian and the Great Prince had, he knew what he wanted was speed from the moving army and a valiant aura. Regardless of whatever obstructed them, they had to crush it mercilessly with the force of the army.

The rebel army had entered too quickly. As for the dozen riders in front, there was nothing to blame them for. More accurately speaking, they were only brave lures. They were like the brave soldiers who rolled through minefields in Fan Xian's world. They used their lives to touch the deathly silence in Jingdou to find out just what danger existed inside.

The rebel army was already 1,500 meters through Zhengyang Gate. The dozen brave riders still had not run into an attack. Even when they could faintly see the eaves of the Royal Palace by the light of the rising sun, the alley was still completely silent.

…

…

Neigh!

The battle horse at the front of the rebel army, which were about 300 meters behind the dozen scouts, was struggling to breathe the Jingdou air and maintain a steady pace. It began to cry out in pain.

The cry cut off in the middle. A number of horses fell down at the same time.

The battle horses' heavy bodies fell mercilessly against the stone pavement of the street, sending up plumes of dust that seemed to shake the entire street. The horses' heads fell heavily against the ground as fresh blood poured out.

No matter how skilled the riders on the battle horses were, they were caught off guard by this sudden change and fell to the ground. Before they had even woken from the pain of their broken legs, a number of poisoned arrows were fired from the residences on the side of the street and pierced ruthlessly into their bodies.

Just as the horses fell to the ground and the riders were shot to death by arrows, countless hissing sounds suddenly came from the silent street.

This noise was not from the noses of the battle horses. It came from the ground. The streets of Jingdou were paved with square tiles. The gaps between the tiles were filled with yellow dirt.

The hissing sound came from the narrow strips of yellow dirt between the tiles.

At the same time, the yellow dirt between the tiles suddenly cracked. There seemed to be some mysterious power on either side of the street. A thin, black hair flew out of the cracks in the yellow dirt. The hair was too thin to tie a hook to it, but it gave off a faint light. It was a thin poisoned needle.

A dozen specially made black tripwires suddenly and mysteriously appeared on the street.

Countless groans rang out at the same time. The riders of the Qin army were mercilessly attacked. Roughly 100 riders had been brought down by these dozen tripwires and smashed into the earth.

For a moment, the street was filled with people falling and horses flipping. Wretched cries rang out endlessly. Countless people and horses snapped their tendons and broke their bones. Crashing heavily together, they rolled and bled.

Immediately after, whistling sounds broke through the air. These sounds were like the whistles that spirits used before they came to collect a life and shook one's heart. Countless black crossbow bolts shot out from the residences on the side of the street. The bolts landed on the bodies of the rebel soldiers and immediately stopped their wretched cries.

In just a moment, there were an extra 100 dead people on half of the street. Most of the dead had bolts stuck into their bodies. The ambushers did not fire at the horses. The broken-limbed and poisoned battled horses lay weakly on the ground by the bodies of their owners. As they neighed painfully, they also kicked their legs.

The scene was incomparably tragic.