Chapter 46: Breaking Through the Door

Commander Xiao Rang led the elite Four Guards in a fierce assault on the Eastern Palace.

With only fifteen hundred defenders, the Eastern Palace relied on the sturdy city walls and gates to hold their ground stubbornly.

The clash of battle cries and the roar of combat echoed all the way to the Mingde Hall, where the fighting was most intense.

At that moment, Yang Xing sat composed on the main throne of Mingde Hall, dressed impeccably.

Though his face was pale, his eyes shone brightly with unwavering resolve, showing no sign of panic.

He comforted Yu Shu, saying, “Don’t worry. With Second Lord here, nothing will happen.”

Yu Shu forced a bitter smile. “No matter how strong Second Lord is, he’s still just one man. Our forces in the Eastern Palace are too few, and by splitting troops to guard every gate, we’ve only grown weaker. The rebel army will soon break through.”

Yang Xing’s expression hardened. “I believe in Second Lord.”

Just then, a guard rushed in, shouting anxiously, “Your Highness! Commander Chen urges you to find a way to leave the Eastern Palace immediately. We cannot hold out much longer!”

“Where is Yang Zhan?” Yang Xing asked sharply.

“He has left!” the guard replied.

Those words stunned both Yang Xing and Yu Shu. Their only hope was Yang Zhan, and now he had abandoned them?

“You say Yang Zhan left?”

“Yes, General Yang fought his way out alone and has not returned. But before leaving, he instructed Commander Chen to hold the line to the death!”

Yang Xing and Yu Shu could no longer remain calm.

“Your Highness, without Second Lord, the rebels will break through any moment. We must leave at once!”

“How can we leave? Every exit is blocked!”

Yu Shu grew anxious. “Please send for Xu Zhen. He is a Tongxuan-level Qi refiner and should be able to fly Your Highness out.”

“Xu Zhen is in seclusion. Even though he’s Tongxuan-level, flying someone out won’t be easy. Besides, now that Yang Jin has made his move, surely he’s considered that the Eastern Palace’s top expert, Xu Zhen, might intervene.”

At that moment, a middle-aged man hurried in. “Your Highness, I have emerged from seclusion. The situation is urgent; I will do my utmost to escort you safely out of the Eastern Palace!”

Dressed in a simple blue robe, this was Xu Zhen, the Eastern Palace’s foremost master, a Tongxuan-level Qi refiner who had been secluded for some time.

Yu Shu’s face lit up with hope. “Your Highness, do not hesitate. Only if you survive can the Emperor punish the Third Prince!”

Yang Xing shook his head. “No, they are surely counting on that. Don’t think Yang Jin has no powerful Qi refiners under his command. Escaping will be even more dangerous.”

He then asked the guard, “Did Yang Zhan say anything else before leaving?”

“He said he would return!”

Hearing this, Yang Xing’s heart eased, and his spirit lifted. “Good. Second Lord must have a plan.”

Suddenly, Xu Zhen spun around, shouting coldly, “Who’s outside?”

“Ha ha… As expected of the Eastern Palace’s top expert—you’ve found me!”

Xu Zhen was the first to step outside, with Yang Xing and Yu Shu following closely behind.

They saw three figures standing beyond the hall’s entrance.

Outside, maids and eunuchs lay sprawled in pools of blood.

The three men radiated a formidable aura.

Xu Zhen positioned himself protectively before Yang Xing and fixed his gaze on the elderly man in the center.

“You are a cultivator—how could you involve yourself in such matters?” Xu Zhen asked.

“And you, a man of cultivation, why stoop to serve the powerful and corrupt?” the elder retorted.

Xu Zhen clasped his fist respectfully. “Your Highness once showed me kindness. I, Xu Zhen, remember my debts!”

The elder smiled. “I just heard the Crown Prince wanted to leave—forget it. Stay put. But I am not here to kill the Crown Prince. I’ve come to deal with the Eastern Palace’s top expert.”

With that, the elder commanded, “You two, watch the Crown Prince carefully. Do not let him disappear.”

“Yes, Master!” came the reply.

The elder stepped forward. A sudden gale swept up as he faced Xu Zhen. “Please.”

Xu Zhen surged forward, Qi energy erupting violently, sand and stones flying in a whirlwind.

The elder’s eyes gleamed. “Tongxuan Second Realm—coming all this way was worth it!”

In an instant, the two exchanged rapid movements, Qi energy crackling fiercely.

They clashed repeatedly, moving back and forth swiftly.

Two flying swords met with a shower of sparks that illuminated the night.

Yang Xing and Yu Shu’s expressions darkened.

Only one guard remained by their side, while two other Qi refiners of the Ninth Heaven watched closely nearby.

As Xu Zhen and the elder battled fiercely, a thunderous roar suddenly sounded.

Then countless footsteps thundered toward them.

Yu Shu’s face paled as she grasped Yang Xing’s wrist. “Your Highness, the rebels have broken in!”

Yang Xing’s expression grew grave just as Chen Shu appeared, leading the remnants of the troops.

Xiao Rang charged forward with his massive army, exuding overwhelming force.

From afar, Xiao Rang spotted Yang Xing and Yu Shu and laughed heartily. “No wonder you are the Crown Prince—no hiding or fleeing. I admire that!”

“Royal Uncle, do you realize what you’re doing?”

Xiao Rang spurred his horse forward, brandishing his spear.

“Of course. Tonight we invite the Crown Prince to his death. Tomorrow, the Third Prince ascends the throne. I, Xiao Rang, shall be the new Imperial Uncle!”

He turned to his troops behind him, laughing triumphantly. “After success, great rewards for all!”

Then, turning back to the Crown Prince, he raised his spear and shouted, “Kill!”

“Kill!” the army roared in unison, their voices shaking the heavens.

The troops surged forward like a tidal wave.

Chen Shu led the remaining soldiers in a desperate last stand.

Meanwhile, Yang Xing calmly adjusted his attire.

Yu Shu glanced at him and smoothed her own dress and headdress.

Once ready, Yang Xing looked at Yu Shu. “My beloved, you’ve suffered with me, a weak Crown Prince, bearing so many years of humiliation.”

“Your Highness, I do not consider it suffering. To stand by your side is my blessing.”

With that, Yu Shu stepped forward, unleashing the blood energy of a Fourth-Rank warrior.

“Your Highness, allow me to slay some traitorous scoundrels!”

“Good. My beloved, true to your warrior heritage, you rival any man!”

With a sharp ring, Yu Shu drew a guard’s short blade.

With a single sweep, two soldiers rushing close were instantly slain.

More soldiers charged in response.

Chen Shu quickly reached Yang Xing’s side.

With a powerful burst of blood energy, a dozen soldiers were violently thrown aside.

Xiao Rang sat astride his warhorse, yet made no move to attack.

Instead, he laughed. “A Fourth-Rank warrior, impressive fighting spirit. But what use is that against tens of thousands? Not to mention you, even Yang Zhan will meet his bitter end!”

At that moment, laughter erupted from behind Xiao Rang.

“Ha ha… Is that so? I must say, the rebel troops you lead are so scared of me, they can’t even hold their weapons steady!”

Xiao Rang whirled around, his face turning ashen.

Yang Zhan had returned, though surrounded by enemy forces, none dared approach.

For in his hands was the Third Prince, Yang Jin.

“Yang Zhan, how dare you kidnap the Third Prince! Release him, and I might spare your life!”

Yang Zhan glanced at the soldiers encircling him.

He tapped Yang Jin’s cheek. “Old Third, give the order quickly. Do I have to teach you? If they accidentally stab you, don’t blame me!”

Yang Jin’s face was dark with fury. Gritting his teeth, he snarled, “Get lost. All of you, get far away!”

Yang Zhan nodded in satisfaction. “That’s right. Xiao Rang, see? Not a single one of your soldiers dares lay a hand on me now.”

He then turned toward a distant unit of crossbowmen aiming their weapons at him.

“Stand down. If a stray bolt flies, it doesn’t matter if it hits me, but if it hits Your Highness the Third Prince, who will bear the responsibility?”