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墨書 Inktalez
It is said that the Heavenly Mandate is merely a deception for the people, while the Sovereign of the Nine-Five remains in control. Little do they know that countless lives and blood have forged this four-foot dragon throne. It is difficult to conquer a Territory, but it is equally challenging to defend it; day and night, one cannot fathom how much vigilance and precaution are required.
Now, the Tang Dynasty is prosperous and strong, with peace reigning across the land. The people live in comfort and have no thoughts of rebellion. Yet, these feudal lords are restless; today there is an insatiable Han Wang Li Yuanchang, and tomorrow there will be another Han Wang who seeks to swallow the elephant whole, followed by a third!
At this moment, Li Shimin was furious and intended to take the field himself to question his good brother about why he disregarded familial affection and royal favor to commit such heinous acts that would leave a lasting stain on his name. However, as an emperor of high status, how could he expose himself to danger? Moreover, gentlemen do not stand beneath a crumbling wall. A group of civil officials led by Changsun Wuji knelt before the emperor, pleading not to violate established rules and etiquette. The so-called martial prowess conquers the world, while civil governance protects the Territory; they have their own order, yet why seek out flaws?
The surroundings were chaotic with shouts; palace maids and eunuchs rushed about, while vile slaves from the brothel desperately fled. Those who were not attended to by the imperial guards sought their own fortune but were met with death at the hands of twenty dancers, blood spilling everywhere.
Han Wang Li Yuanchang rarely engaged in battle, but today his success or failure depended on the sharp blade in his hand. In a sudden outburst, he thrust his sword into the unprepared Vice Minister of Rites, lifting him high before slamming him down onto the ground. With one swift stroke, he severed the head and tossed it before the Holy Presence, exuding an overwhelming aura of ferocity.
Tubo and Li Zhi along with other princes quickly shielded the Sage with their bodies; they bore no weapons but formed a human wall.
Xu Shiji and other veteran officials were renowned warriors who had spent half their lives on the battlefield. However, at a banquet, they were not allowed to carry arms. While it was true that the Imperial Guard and Qian Niu Guard had swords in hand, who would dare ask them for assistance?
Seeing this, Han Wang grew bolder and charged forward with twenty dancers like a hungry tiger pouncing on a flock of lambs. Any obstruction would be swiftly dealt with as they focused on breaking through the formation surrounding the Holy Presence, their bodies stained with innocent blood.
Li Mingda was not far from the Holy Presence. Initially, Princess Jinyang intended to assign Caesar as her personal guard but found it dull. Now witnessing the outbreak of rebellion, she suddenly realized that Princess Jinyang had foreseen this crisis!
Worried for the Sage's safety and seeing that neither civil officials nor military generals could be trusted, she turned to her trusted female knight guards for protection. If worse came to worst, she still had skilled fighters like Caesar by her side!
The water curtain was already filled with blood; one could imagine that the battle at Chengtian Gate was equally brutal. At this point, Li Mingda dared not concern herself with her own safety and shouted at Caesar and others: "Why aren't you killing those traitors? Protect the Holy Presence!"
The female knights were all exceptional fighters but only numbered three or five. In dire straits, they could only press forward desperately. Drawing their personal swords, they prepared to engage those dancers attacking the Holy Presence!
Li Jing was old and his movements were not as nimble as before; however, his loyal heart still burned fiercely. Without any weapons at hand, he picked up a footstool and hurled it at Han Wang Li Yuanchang!
These civil officials could only boast empty words; they had long been frightened into submission. Seeing Li Jing take action made them angry instead: "That damned old fool! Why provoke that demon? What will we do if he comes charging in?"
Li Yuanchang was indeed remarkable; after dodging Footstool, he charged forward. Anyone who dared to obstruct him in front of Li Shimin was a target for elimination!
Li Jing stood firm like a pagoda, though unarmed, his decades of military experience had earned him the title of War God. The aura of menace he exuded momentarily intimidated Li Yuanchang.
However, Li Yuanchang was destined for greatness. His heart was clouded by Earthly Fiend, and fueled by malice, he brandished a short knife and charged at Li Jing!
Li Jing narrowed his eyes, sharp as a hawk. He grabbed a corner of the Imperial Flag, wrapping it around to use as a spear. Although he lacked strength, his angles were cunning, and Li Yuanchang found himself unable to close the distance due to the disadvantage of his short blade.
The old ministers observed as Li Jing fought fiercely to maintain his dignity. Stealing glances at Li Shimin, they noticed the Sovereign's eyes shining with brilliance, seemingly viewing Li Jing as the only pillar of support. Naturally, these old men could not sit still; they rushed to stand beside Li Jing, demonstrating that anyone who wished to harm the Sovereign would have to face their united front.
Li Mingda was horrified to see the Female Knight killed by the Dancer. Meanwhile, Li Shimin was worried about his daughter and forgot all caution, calling out her name: "Little Zier, come here quickly!"
This shout inadvertently drew Li Yuanchang's attention. He left Li Jing and the old ministers to the Dancer and charged forward with his short knife, aiming to kill Li Mingda!
Caesar was not one to let such an opportunity slip away. He wielded dual knives to protect Li Mingda and did not dare draw attention towards Holy Presence; instead, he maneuvered around the stage. As Li Yuanchang struggled to gain an advantage, he urgently called for the Dancer to fight fiercely!
At this critical moment, a group of soldiers surged in from outside Taiye Pool. Leading them were Longchang Princess and Zhao Cijing's son, Zhao Jie, the Honor Guard General of the Eastern Palace Guardhouse!
This contingent of Guards numbered three hundred and could turn the tide of danger. Most of the Sovereign's courtiers felt their hearts lighten; however, Li Yuanchang showed no signs of retreat and shouted at Zhao Jie: "Why have you come? Dare you not face death!"
Upon hearing this, everyone was alarmed; it turned out Zhao Jie was actually one of Li Yuanchang's men!
Li Shimin sighed deeply in despair and lamented: "The Longchang family is doomed; they suffer from their descendants' burdens!"
Zhao Jie led his soldiers in a reckless charge that instantly disrupted the formations of the Imperial Guard and Qian Niu Guard. Many personal guards initially hesitated to attack and merely defended the Sovereign while waiting for reinforcements. Now faced with strong enemies advancing upon them, they had no choice but to respond passively, resulting in chaos!
Hou Junji, Zhang Liang, and other veteran ministers were also skilled fighters. With chaos erupting around them and disregarding many formalities, they picked up weapons and joined the fray—each one older yet more resolute—charging forward to confront their foes!
Li Yuanchang saw the Imperial Guard and Qian Niu Guard scattered, with the Sovereign's defenses weak. Abandoning Caesar and Li Mingda, he picked up a golden staff and threw it!
Many Civil Officials were powerless, yet some loyal ones stepped forward, intending to use their bodies to shield the Sovereign. In this critical moment, Hou Junji shouted loudly, knocking the golden staff away with his Ritual Blade and wielding the fifty to sixty-pound weapon to block in front of the Sage!
Li Yuanchang was furious and cursed, "Hou Junji has betrayed me!"
At this life-and-death juncture, no one pondered the meaning of his words. Hou Junji, however, remained vigilant and brandished his Ritual Blade, preparing to kill Li Yuanchang!
Caesar seized the opportunity to bring Li Mingda into the Holy Presence. The father and daughter reunited, while Li Shimin tightly held onto Li Mingda, fearing for his beloved daughter's life.
As the two sides fought fiercely, countless palace maids and eunuchs lost their lives. The court officials sought their own survival amidst the chaos and were met with slaughter. It was truly a scene of horror; the dark gloom felt like a blood-soaked blanket, changing the very color of heaven and earth!
Just as Zhao Jie seemed poised to eliminate the Imperial Guard and Qian Niu Guard, a significant event was about to unfold when the Azure White Flame atop the pavilion extinguished, and the images on the Water Curtain dimmed!
Meanwhile, Xu Zhen was also struggling desperately. The minions of Han Wang colluded with those from the Inner Court to open Chengtian Gate, leading to a bloody battle at Xu Zhen's Yiyi Mansion!
In such a world-altering situation, Xu Zhen dared not falter. Her Red Armor was already soaked in blood as she fought alongside her Fourteen Red Armor Brothers in a fierce battle against the tide of rebels!
These rebels disguised themselves as ordinary citizens, hiding among Street Folk. Once they saw Chengtian Gate open, they surged in without knowing how many had prepared for this moment!
Fortunately, the guards at Yiyi Mansion under Zhou Cang and others were incomparable in strength. The Gate Guards suffered heavy casualties, and countless Imperial Guards perished honorably. Yet Xu Zhen's forces still held strong against overwhelming odds. Bodies piled up beneath the city gate, turning what was once a grand palace entrance into an infernal gateway to the mortal realm!
Just as they struggled to hold on, a cannon fired from the east. A large number of Inner Court members and Eastern Palace Guards from the Left and Right Commanders' Office surged forth, attacking the rebels with wild abandon!
Leading them was a formidable general clad in heavy armor—Hou Polu—who had gained merit during the Tuguhun wars and was promoted by his lord to become a trusted figure in the Eastern Palace!
Beside him were Qian Niu He Lan Chu Shi, He Gan Chengji, and Duan Zan from the Eastern Palace!
"What is this all about!"
The Xu Zhen was also puzzled. Logically, Li Yuanchang should have conspired with the Crown Prince to seize power, so why did they turn against their allies and start killing the rebels?
Could it be that Crown Prince Li Chengqian received some guidance and abandoned the idea of rebellion? But even if the Crown Prince extinguished the flames of rebellion, Hou Junji would not simply let it go. There must be a greater conspiracy behind this!
In the face of life-and-death danger, the Xu Zhen could not think too much. The forces from the Eastern Palace seemed well-prepared; in a fierce battle, they managed to annihilate the rebels and then led their troops straight towards Taiye Pool to protect the Emperor!
Xu Zhenxin was anxious. Could it be that the Eastern Palace killed the rebels to deceive the Gate Guards at Daming Palace? The Crown Prince and Han Wang had their own priorities; could it be that the Crown Prince wanted to take this opportunity to kill Li Yuanchang and claim everything for himself?
If that were truly the case, the Xu Zhen could not let Hou Polu and Helan Chushi's Eastern Palace Guards escape!
But these were just her speculations. If the people from the Eastern Palace were genuinely there to protect the Emperor, and she obstructed them, causing any mishap, she would become a sinner of the entire Tang Dynasty!
Just as she hesitated, Hou Polu and his group had already begun to head towards Daming Palace!
With no other choice, the Xu Zhen could only lead her own team of over a thousand Imperial Guards to follow closely behind, intending to supervise. As long as the Eastern Palace Guards dared to rebel at this moment, she would fight with all her might alongside her brothers to completely annihilate those from the Eastern Palace!
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