Storming the Palace

The dawn sky was painted in hues of orange and crimson as Yue Rin tightened the straps of her armor. The night's battle had been hard-fought, but there was no time to rest. Minister Zhao would not sit idly by after their attack. He would retaliate—unless they struck first.

In the dim candlelight of the safe house, Liang Wei spread out a detailed map of the Imperial Palace on the wooden table. "Zhao will be expecting us to flee," he said, his sharp eyes scanning the pathways. "He won't expect us to attack him in his own stronghold."

Zhen Xiu leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "So we use that to our advantage. A direct assault would be suicide, but if we infiltrate through the servant tunnels, we can strike at Zhao before he even knows we're inside."

Han nodded in agreement. "Zhao is holding an emergency court meeting with the Emperor today. If we move quickly, we can corner him before he can sway the court against us."

Yue Rin exhaled slowly. This was it—the moment everything had been building toward. There was no more room for hesitation.

She met the eyes of her comrades and said, "Then we move before the sun is at its peak. Tonight, Zhao falls."

The Infiltration

Dressed in the garb of palace servants, Yue Rin and her team slipped past the outer guards with ease. The underground tunnels beneath the Imperial Palace were narrow, damp, and reeked of old stone and stagnant water.

Liang Wei led the way, his steps precise as he guided them through the maze-like corridors. "These tunnels lead straight to the council chambers," he whispered. "If Zhao is still inside, we'll be within striking distance within minutes."

Zhen Xiu kept his hand on his sword hilt. "And if he's not?"

Yue Rin's voice was cold. "Then we flush him out."

As they neared the chamber's entrance, footsteps echoed ahead. A pair of imperial guards patrolled the passage, their torches casting flickering shadows on the stone walls.

Yue Rin signaled for silence, then moved like a wraith, pressing herself against the cold stone.

The moment the first guard stepped past her hiding spot, she struck. Her dagger sank into his throat, cutting off his scream before it could leave his lips. Blood sprayed against the walls.

Zhen Xiu dispatched the second guard just as quickly, his blade slicing across the man's chest. The bodies hit the ground with a dull thud.

Liang Wei wiped his blade clean. "No turning back now."

Han pushed open the heavy wooden door leading to the council chamber. The battle was about to begin.

The Battle in the Council Chambers

Minister Zhao was in the middle of addressing the Emperor when the doors burst open. Yue Rin strode in, her bloodstained dagger gleaming in the candlelight.

Gasps filled the room as officials scrambled back, but Zhao remained seated, his expression unreadable.

"Ah," he said calmly, folding his hands. "I was wondering when you would arrive."

Yue Rin raised her blade. "Your reign of treachery ends today, Zhao."

The Minister smirked. "I disagree."

At his signal, the hidden guards around the chamber drew their weapons. Blades flashed, and chaos erupted.

Liang Wei leaped forward, parrying the first attacker's strike before driving his sword into the man's gut. Zhen Xiu moved with deadly grace, slashing through enemies like a phantom.

Yue Rin ducked beneath a spear thrust and retaliated with a brutal counter, her dagger finding the weak spot between the guard's armor. She spun, narrowly dodging a second attack before plunging her blade into another foe's side.

The Emperor's voice rang out. "Enough!"

The battle froze. The surviving guards hesitated, unwilling to continue without the Emperor's command.

Minister Zhao, bleeding from a wound on his arm, glared at Yue Rin. "You think you've won?" he spat. "You are nothing but a traitor!"

Yue Rin wiped the blood from her blade and stepped forward. "No, Zhao. The only traitor here is you."

She turned to the Emperor, her voice steady. "Your Majesty, Minister Zhao has been conspiring against you, hoarding power for himself. His corruption has poisoned the court."

The Emperor's gaze darkened. "Is this true, Zhao?"

The Minister, knowing he was trapped, suddenly lunged for the Emperor with a hidden dagger—

—but Yue Rin was faster.

With one swift motion, she drove her sword through his chest. Zhao's eyes widened in shock, blood dripping from his lips as he staggered back. He collapsed to the floor, lifeless.

Silence fell over the chamber.

Yue Rin turned to the Emperor and knelt. "The traitor is dead, Your Majesty. The palace is yours once more."

The Emperor studied her for a long moment before nodding. "Rise, Yue Rin. You have done this empire a great service today."

A new dawn was beginning. But Yue Rin knew that the real battle for the empire had only just begun.