The “young eunuch” let out a muffled grunt. As Xiao Yan tried to fling him away, the assassin ducked low, crashing into Xiao Yan’s chest, his other hand gripping Xiao Yan’s arm tightly.
Hidden beneath the blood spilling from his mouth, a tiny whistle arrow shot out with a whoosh, aimed directly at Xiao Yan’s face.
“Lord!”
“Be careful!!”
Cries of alarm erupted in the hall, and Tang Ning nearly rushed forward.
Yue Jian was faster, hurling a wine cup that struck the small, sharp projectile with a *clang*, knocking it away.
A blood mark grazed Xiao Yan’s cheek, his eyes glinting with frost. He kicked the assassin’s ankle, the sound of shattering bone accompanied by a scream as the man collapsed. Xiao Yan yanked the dagger from the assassin’s chest and, in one swift motion, drove it through his neck.
Blood sprayed, splattering Xiao Yan’s robes with crimson dots.
Everyone watched as he dragged the dagger downward with a vicious slash. With a flick of his sleeve, the severed head flew through the air, crashing heavily onto the table before the dragon throne.
Bang!
Blood mixed with white brain matter splattered, the half-crushed head’s bloodshot eyes staring wide.
“Ahh, !”
Screams filled the hall, the noblewomen recoiling in terror.
Liang Guangyi and the others stared at the headless corpse in horror. Those who had stepped forward earlier now retreated in unison, wishing they could shrink into a corner and disappear.
Emperor An, his face splattered with blood and gore, collapsed onto the dragon throne in a daze. Eunuch Feng, pale as death, frantically shielded the emperor.
As Xiao Yan advanced toward the high platform, Yu Yanfeng blocked his path, sword in hand, shouting urgently: “Xiao Yan, what are you doing?!”
“I’d like to ask what His Majesty is doing.”
Xiao Yan’s face was icy, a thin line of blood on his neck dripping down his pale skin. The blood from the killing lent his features a hauntingly vivid allure, his eyes radiating a chilling killing intent that felt almost tangible.
Like a sharpened blade or an arrow loosed, he seemed capable of taking a life in an instant.
“I trusted His Majesty’s words, trusted this so-called edict, believed that under the eyes of all, the He family could find justice. I ordered my men to withdraw to resolve today’s matter for the sake of the realm’s peace. Yet he tried to have me killed.”
“If I hadn’t been vigilant, I’d already be dead!”
Yu Yanfeng’s face paled, forced back half a step by Xiao Yan’s aura. “Lord Xiao, there must be a misunderstanding…”
“Misunderstanding?!”
Xiao Yan let out a cold laugh, his pale fingertips brushing the wound on his neck, the blood staining them making him appear even more menacing.
“Misunderstanding or not, I nearly joined my He family ancestors.”
“Since His Majesty wants my life, I no longer need to care about so-called loyalty between ruler and subject.”
Xiao Yan flung the dagger, which grazed Emperor An’s ear and embedded itself in the dragon throne. Drawing the soft sword at his waist, he pointed it at the emperor, who was sprawled in disarray on the throne.
“I’ve endured time and again, yet I receive not a shred of justice. If the Wei court has no justice to offer, then I’ll take it myself.”
“And this realm doesn’t have to bear the surname Xie!”
Emperor An’s face changed instantly, and the hall’s occupants gasped in horror.
“Lord Xiao…”
Yu Yanfeng began to speak, but Xiao Yan’s sword slashed toward him. His face paled as he raised his weapon to block.
Their swords clashed in a blur, the two locked in combat. The Black Armored Guards, who had previously withdrawn, now flooded back into the hall, their blades glinting as they faced the others.
Outside, the sounds of fighting grew louder, Liu Tong’en’s men were drawing closer. Yu Yanfeng, overwhelmed by Xiao Yan, was bloodied and retreating, unable to match him. Seizing an opening, Xiao Yan pierced his shoulder with a single thrust. By the time Yu Yanfeng turned, Xiao Yan was already before Emperor An.
Trapped on the dragon throne, Emperor An tried to retreat but was pinned against the chair’s back, his face ashen.
“Xiao Yan, you can’t kill me…”
The sword tip hovered before his eyes, and Emperor An’s voice turned shrill: “I am the Son of Heaven, the Emperor of Wei! If you kill me, you’ll be a traitorous rebel, condemned by all… Ahh!”
A sword slashed his face, nearly blinding him.
The searing pain shattered his earlier bravado, and he trembled, pleading: “Don’t kill me! It wasn’t my order! I didn’t know about that eunuch… I didn’t try to kill you!”
“Your Majesty!”
Seeing the sword tip nearly pierce Emperor An’s forehead, Eunuch Feng lunged forward to shield him: “Lord Xiao, His Majesty didn’t know about Commander Liu’s actions. It was my own doing, I brought that man in. Please don’t harm His Majesty…”
A sword struck him, and he shuddered in pain, the blood making Emperor An’s pupils tremble.
Yet Eunuch Feng didn’t retreat, raising his head: “His Majesty had nothing to do with this. It was all my decision. I beg you, Lord Xiao, spare His Majesty!”
“Feng Lai…”
Emperor An’s eyes wavered, his pale face filled with emotion.
Eunuch Feng whispered: “Your Majesty, this is all my fault. Lord Xiao, I did everything. Please spare His Majesty…”
“I never expected that, among all the court officials, only Eunuch Feng would have such backbone!” Xiao Yan kicked Feng Lai aside. As he fell, Xiao Yan pointed his sword at his face: “Since you and His Majesty share such deep loyalty, I’ll send you to your death first!”
“Feng Lai!!”
Emperor An cried out, and Eunuch Feng clenched his fists, closing his eyes.
At that moment, a shout rang out before Zichen Hall.
“Xiao Yan, how dare you!!”
Liu Tong’en charged in, sword in hand, with his men.
Seeing they had broken through the outer defenses, Xiao Yan’s face darkened. The sword aimed at Eunuch Feng swung back toward Emperor An. As it slashed down, Feng Lai yanked the emperor to the floor, narrowly saving his head from being severed.
Even so, Emperor An felt a chill on his scalp. His ornate crown was sliced off, his hair falling in disarray. Stunned and terrified, a warm trickle of blood ran down his forehead.
His vision was filled with crimson. Never had Emperor An felt so close to death.
In that moment, he truly believed he would die. The sword’s edge seemed to have already struck his head, and even now, unharmed, he sat trembling on the floor, too afraid to wipe the blood from his forehead.
Eunuch Feng, sprawled before him, became his lifeline, and Emperor An clung to him desperately.
Xiao Yan sneered: “I didn’t expect Commander Liu to break through such heavy defenses. No wonder you and Cui Lin could scheme against me!”
Liu Tong’en’s expression shifted slightly: “Don’t spout nonsense! I’m here to save His Majesty!”
Fearing Xiao Yan might reveal more, Liu Tong’en pointed his sword at him.
“Despite His Majesty’s trust in you, you colluded with others to force the palace. You traitor, release His Majesty now!!”
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T/N: I’m so anxious right now omg
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You can read ahead to chapterr 470 (100+ extra chapters) here
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