Chapter 2113: The Dust Has Settled Pt.1

The last sentence was even more of a direct threat. If she still decided to act brazenly, he wouldn’t show any mercy either.

Bi Linglong gave the surroundings a look. She only had the empress palace troops and the Armed Escort Army on her side, while Li Guanshi’s Tiger Guardian Army and the soldiers her big brother had brought had an absolute numbers advantage. If they fought, there would be no chance of victory. She couldn't just let her own and Ah Zu’s soldiers die for nothing.

When she realized that, she said with a sneer, “In that case, I hope that Officer Li can send some people to properly ensure his majesty’s safety.”

After saying this, she turned around and walked into her own chambers. When they saw that, Li Guanshi and Bi Ziang sighed in relief.

Thank goodness the empress backed off, or else it could really have become tricky if we ended up fighting.

After Bi Linglong took a few steps, however, she suddenly stopped and said, “Right, since the palace is so chaotic, Officer Wang, Officer Zhang, you two should also bring some troops to guard the surroundings and protect this palace.”

Wang Bolin and Zhang Zijiang had anxious expressions, but they couldn't help but feel happy to hear that. They replied, “Understood!”

As long-term soldiers of the palace, how could they not understand what was really going on? She said that she needed their protection, but the empress was actually protecting them. Otherwise, if they left, Li Guanshi and Bi Ziang could use the emperor’s name to do whatever they wanted to them, while they would have no way of defending themselves. They could only wait like livestock waiting for slaughter. If they remained by the empress palace, no matter what happened, her highness would protect them.

Bi Ziang and Li Guanshi both frowned. They naturally saw through Bi Linglong’s intentions. However, they were worried that if the Armed Escort Army was allowed to leave, that could create even more variables. Since they had finally settled the matter with great difficulty, they would just let her have her way here.

...

Meanwhile, the Embroidery House also responded to the irregular events that were taking place in the palace.

Xiao Jianren summoned all of the Embroidered Envoys in the palace to discuss what to do. After being promoted by Zu An, he was the one with the highest status here. He looked at the Envoys and said, “There seems to be turmoil unfolding in the palace. What does everyone think?”

“I am loyal to his majesty and the chief commander. We will follow Sir Xiao’s orders!” the envoys replied uniformly. Xiao Jianren nodded.

Just then, a woman said, “I went out to investigate just now. It seems that a battle took place by Cloud Dragon Gate. Furthermore, there was intense activity in the empress dowager’s personal palace. It seemed as if peak grandmasters were fighting. The strangest part of it all is the Palace Guards’ reactions. They didn’t immediately provide reinforcements, and instead guarded their own locations.”

As soon as she stood up, her tall and slender figure immediately drew the others' attention. This woman had been transferred from to the capital from the regional areas. As soon as she arrived, she'd immediately sought out Xiao Jianren, who had given her the identity of a silver token envoy.

At the time, the others had criticized him for his decision, wondering if this woman was Xiao Jianren’s 'close friend' or something. After all, even though she wore a mask, they could tell that she was definitely a beauty just from her figure.

One day, she had accidentally overheard those rumors. That day, she viciously beat up the guy who was gossiping. From then on, they all knew just how tough she was. Even though those long legs were beautiful, they really could kick someone to death.

Eventually, it was Xiao Jianren who stepped forward to mediate things. In order to prevent further misunderstandings, he privately let out some information. After that, the others understood that this beauty with the long legs was actually a subordinate of the chief commander. Who would dare to gossip anymore after that?

From then on, Zhang Zitong had often taken the lead, charging in even more fervently than the men. Their enemies had suffered bitterly because of her. With that, the others were gradually convinced of her strength. They knew that she definitely hadn’t earned her rank through her looks.

When they heard what she said, many silver token envoys began to analyze things, thinking that if the palace’s armies were acting so strangely, that meant that there was a huge conspiracy. However, there was no need for them to care about too many things, because they only needed to be responsible for the emperor.

Of course, the current emperor was a bit... simple, so they listened more to the empress. After arming themselves, the group decided to seek further instructions from the empress.

However, shortly after, a bronze token envoy reported, “Sirs, an army has suddenly appeared and completely surrounded the Embroidery House.”

The Envoys exclaimed furiously, “Absolutely preposterous! Who dares to act impudently here?”

After all, the Embroidered Envoy always did their business as they wished. Whether it was the big shots of the world of warriors or the emperor’s relatives, they wouldn’t even dare to breathe too heavily around the Envoys. It was always they who troubled others; since when did anyone ever dare to show off in front of the Embroidery House like this?

...

The group quickly rushed out with weapons in hand.

Xiao Jianren touched the glasses on his nose bridge; they were something the chief commander had given him. He looked at the one in the lead and sneered. “Zhao Yuan, the palace is in chaos, and yet what are you doing? You didn’t bring your people to pacify the rebellion, and came here instead?”

The one on the other side was none other than the leader of the Tiger Guardians, Zhao Yuan. He was in charge of the palace’s most powerful guards, and he was also a member of the imperial clan. He held the title of King Guangling. Unfortunately, the Embroidered Envoy didn’t care about any of that. The Embroidered Envoy had investigated individuals of far higher status in the past, so there was naturally no need for Xiao Jianren to show too much courtesy.

Zhao Yuan smiled and said, “This king came to pass on the order to the armies to not willfully leave your stations, so as to make it easier for us to capture the traitors and purge them one by one.”

The Embroidered Envoys looked at each other in dismay. No wonder it had been so unnaturally quiet in the palace before. So it was all because of his orders.

“I wonder who these traitors are?” Xiao Jianren replied, feeling a mysterious sense of unease.

Zhao Yuan shook his head and said, “The greater situation is still undecided. Before we receive his majesty’s imperial orders, I cannot share any of these details.”

Xiao Jianren said with a sneer, “Even so, the Embroidered Envoy has always strictly followed his and her majesty; you do not have the authority to restrict us. Please move aside; we wish to meet his and her majesty.”

Just then, Zhao Yuan raised his hand. A flag suddenly rose behind him, bearing the image of a beast that resembled a tiger. Its entire body was brilliantly colored, and a strand of cloth formed a long tail that seemed even longer than its body.

When they saw that flag, the Embroidered Envoys were all surprised. They reflexively lowered the weapons in their hands. This was the Zouyu flag that belonged exclusively to the emperor. Whenever there was danger, it was either used to issue a decree or control troops. Those who saw it had to immediately bow in respect and stop moving, or else they would be punished for crimes of disrespect.

When he saw the Embroidered Envoys' reaction, Zhao Yuan nodded in satisfaction. He said, “This king has received orders from his and her majesty to inform all troops to guard their respective positions. Without his majesty’s golden medal, they are not to leave. Do you have any more objections?”

Xiao Jianren frowned. Even though he could sense that many of the Embroidered Envoys were dissatisfied, he could only say helplessly, “We do not.”

“Alright. If you Embroidered Envoys do anything willfully, it will be Sir Xiao’s responsibility,” Zhao Yuan said, then left behind some men to monitor the Embroidery House’s surroundings before taking the remaining troops to other areas.

Xiao Jianren could only issue the orders to lock down the Embroidery House, prohibiting anyone from leaving.

“Sir Xiao, are we really going to just wait here and do nothing?” Zhang Zitong couldn't help but ask once they returned to the main hall.

“Exactly! When has our Embroidered Envoy ever had to endure something like this?” The others spoke up as well.

“These are the orders of the emperor and empress, and the chief commander isn't here. What else can we do?” Xiao Jianren replied with a sigh.

“But I just feel that there's something fishy going on...” Zhang Zitong said with an expression full of worry.

Xiao Jianren nodded, saying, “The empress dowager has never received any help all this time. That really is fishy. We’ll choose a few individuals to seek more information from his and her majesty.”

Zhang Zitong immediately said, “I’ll go!”

After some hesitation, Xiao Jianren shook his head. He chose a few others and said, “You haven't been in the palace for that long, and aren’t as familiar with the situation here.”

Since the chief commander left her to me, how can I let something happen to her?

When she heard his rational pretext, Zhang Zitong couldn't say much else. She could only watch from afar as flames surged in the palace, so she felt incredibly frustrated.

Why isn't the chief commander coming back? If he were here, there’s probably nothing he couldn’t handle, right?

Hm? Wait, the chief commander and the Devil Sect master seem to have something going on. It’s hard to even say which side he’d end up helping out...

...

Meanwhile, inside the Liu manor, everything was a complete mess. Liu Guang and Liu Yao were sitting at the highest seats in disheveled clothes. Their clothes were covered in alcohol stains, and there were even some lipstick kiss marks on their faces. They had just been enjoying themselves with company left and right, and only rushed back now after learning of what happened in the city.

The Liu clan’s trusted aides had all gathered, and many people were discussing the situation below. As the Liu clan’s discussion hall became as noisy as a food market, their faces were flushed red with anger.

“Stop arguing already!” an older gentleman with the air of a teacher shouted. “Let’s hear what our two elders have to say!”

“That’s right, please give us instructions, elders.” Many of the trusted aides finally calmed down.

“Huh? What we have to say?” Liu Guang and Liu Yao replied a bit absent-mindedly. They were caught off guard and didn’t really know what to say.

The older gentleman coughed. He covered his mouth and passed on a ki transmission. “Have them come forward one by one and speak their suggestions.”

Liu Guang seemed to have woken up from his dreams and said, “What Teacher Zhu says is right. Ahem, what does everyone think? Please share your thoughts one by one and not all at once. How does everyone think we should deal with the current situation?”

A military officer stood up and said, “I believe that we should immediately bring out troops to the Imperial Palace’s Cloud Dragon Gate to provide reinforcements. Gao Ying and Li Mian are both managing the Palace Guards. If we coordinate both inside and outside, we should be able to quickly subdue the rebellion.”

“Officer Xie’s words are reasonable!” Liu Guang replied with a nod, feeling that that was indeed a sensible suggestion.

Just then, a civil official stood up and said, “I don’t think that is a good idea. It has already been some time since the fire began in Cloud Dragon Gate. There do not seem to be any signs of battle anymore, which means the conflict is already over. If Li Mian and Gao Ying won, it wouldn't matter even if we didn’t go. If they lost, that would be nothing more than walking into a trap.

“In my opinion, we should defend our position and wait for reinforcements. Once the sky brightens again, third elder will have received information and entered the city with his troops. We can then easily deal with any revolts.”

The Liu clan had three brothers. Liu Guang and Liu Yao occupied high positions in the capital. After what happened to the Qin clan, the Liu clan had used the chance to seize the positions of Central Lead General and Central Protection General. The third brother Liu Ji had been promoted to Central Lead General and normally resided outside the city to keep the various factions in the capital in check. Furthermore, the Liu clan’s trusted aide Yuan Zhou had taken on the position of Central Protection General and was usually stationed inside the city.

“What Sir Ming says is correct,” Liu Guang said, nodding again. He felt that that analysis was a bit more rational.

Another person got up and said, “This plan seems to be reliable, but it is too passive. We do not know what the situation in the capital is like, and there is still a long time before daybreak. That is enough time for too many variables to take place. I think we should still have great general give the order for us to open up our arsenal and equip the people in their respective manors. We should contact General Yuan and try to control the city gates together so as to contain the rebel army inside the city. Once morning comes, Third Elder can enter the city. We can take our time dealing with those bastards and capture them all in one go!”

Liu Guang’s eyes lit up as he said, “Sir Xuan’s thoughts are quite meticulous. That will ensure that the city gates are in our hands. Then, no matter what variables take place, we can adapt to it."

Everyone present grumbled inwardly.

Why does the great general think every plan is good? This makes him seem as if he doesn’t have his own opinions at all, right?

Just then, someone said, “I think you are all still thinking too optimistically. It has already been so long, and yet there has been no news from the palace at all. Gao Ying and Li Mian are both diligent and experienced individuals. If there were any opportunity to do so, they would have definitely sent news over. Furthermore, General Yuan’s army still has not appeared despite so much time already passing. I already fired a messenger arrow toward Third Elder outside the city, but there was no activity outside at all. All of this seems really abnormal.”

“What are you trying to say?” Liu Yao asked unhappily.

Why is what this guy is saying making it sound so scary?

That person’s expression became grave as he continued, “I believe that the ones who are causing trouble might have already seized the absolute advantage, and we have little chance of victory. We should immediately rush out of the city gates before they completely surround us, and return to our own fiefdom. Then, we can gather all of our troops to fight back. We will also be able to stall for enough time for the regent to return. Then, with him here, no matter what kind of trouble takes place this evening, it’ll be easily resolved.”

A huge uproar broke out when the others heard those words. After all, the prospect was a bit too horrifying.