____
Fang Qin buried his head low. At an angle where others could not detect, his lips revealed a slight smile.
____
Liu Chong Shan just finished, a 'Dong Ying assassin' had broken through the Imperial Army and boldly rushed towards the imperial road. Liu Chong Shan grinned and pulled out the sword on his waist, pointing to Li Feng: "Your Majesty rest assured, I will not let them touch even one of your hairs."
There was a scream behind Li Feng. He looked back in a hurry and saw that the officer who was overseeing the ceremony was killed by the assassin, the blood on his neck poured down the stone steps.
This horrifying scream was like a command. Liu Chong Shan immediately swung his sword down. Li Feng did practice martial arts for several days as a child. Unfortunately, with no talent for it, his ability was very ordinary, neglecting for many years, he had soon returned everything he learned to his Master. In order to avoid it, he took several steps back in a panic, stumbling over the stone steps without paying attention. Everywhere his hands touched was hot blood, the sacrificial attire immediately stained.
In this situation, if it were to be replaced with a timid person, they would pass out from fright. But thanks to the hard-headed and stubborn personality of Emperor Long An, not only did he not faint, he even dared to point at Liu Chong Shan and burst into a rage, "Traitorous subject, are you not afraid of punishment coming down on your entire family!"
The Son of Heaven did not have three heads and six arms. With no one here to protect him, did he not stretch his neck out to be cut? Liu Chong Shan missed his first slash, a little fear of rebellion in his heart has already vanished, pursuing him to the end: "Then for the sake of my entire family of young and old, I shall charge forward without turning back!"
Under the sword, the Son of Heaven was still a mortal body of flesh and blood. The wind brought by the sword slash coming down on his head, Li Feng cannot avoid it, but still refused to insult his royal lineage, he was silent, but his heart was filled only with sorrow — he did not die from his brother who wanted to seize power and usurp the throne. He did not die in the siege of the Western Army. Now that the country was starting to stabilize, wanting to rest and recuperate, he would die in the hands of his traitorous underlings... he did not even know the reason for why they rebelled.
At that moment, a strong wind came from the side, sweeping by the tip of Li Feng's nose. The steel blade in Liu Chong Shan's hand which almost injured the dragon body was hit by a two-and-a-half-inch Xiu zhong si. At last, Shen Yi, who accompanied him had arrived.1
The generals who accompanied the Emperor on the altar did not carry swords, their armor was only for show. No one expected that Shen Yi's iron wrist bracelet had a Xiu zhong si.
Liu Chong Shan saw how close he was to succeeding, but was suddenly interfered by Shen Yi. He could not help but cursing inside. Before he came, Lu Chang had said it clearly — he already tried to test the reaction of Shen's family, they would not cause any trouble. They would only shrink back and watch on like the surname Fang, why did this suddenly happen?1
Shen Yi stooped down and helped Emperor Long An up. He and Jiang Chong, who had trotted all the way with their robes, surrounded him in the middle, appearing very isolated and helpless in this moment. Only in difficulty could one see loyalty and treachery. Li Feng's heart was full of mixed feelings for a moment, he lamented awkwardly, "The two subjects have a heart."
Jiang Chong did not know martial arts and was somewhat nervous. General Shen, however, was the one who returned from the southwest with an army of defeated soldiers to relieve the capital. His face remained unchanged: "Your Majesty does not need to worry. There are many people here today. In order to prevent accidents, many lords have sent their family guards to mix up with the crowd of commoners, it will be enough to deal with this. Even if I was any more useless, I can still clean up this young masters army, protecting Your Majesty thoroughly."
A while ago, Fang Qin secretly went to the Northern Camp with a letter from his sister sent to his Mother*. The things mentioned in the letter were very frightening.
*The word here refers to a mother who is the illegitimate wife of his father.
A young girl who had just been bought by the Fang lady to serve as a maid accidentally broke into the study room from not knowing the rules and was beaten to death. Yet this was not the most frightening thing, even the Fang lady who was married properly got confined to the inner courtyard for this trivial matter and had to appeal to her mother's family for help. The letter mentioned that there were many guests that day, including Liu Chong Shan, the commander of the Imperial Army.
It also happened that Emperor Long An had just announced that he was going out to offer sacrifices to the heavens on his birthday. Such coincidence could not help but make one think.
However, after all, this was only a vague home letter, which could not be used to reported to the Emperor - otherwise, if nothing happened, would it not become an accusation based around rumors?
Li Feng hated forming parties and fighting among each other. The reason as to why the Imperial Censorate had been humiliated by the Emperor many times was due to them unable to bring forth any true accusation towards Yan Wang.
Nobody dared to take the risk rashly.
However, the Northern Camp was not allowed to enter the palace unless summoned. If an accident were to happen when the Emperor left, water from far away will not be able to put out this fire.
Thus Fang Qin came up with an idea to let the Northern Camp wait outside the nine gates. Once there was a disturbance, they could force their way into the city and come to rescue in an incense time. Before that, they borrowed a group of powerful generals from military families such as the Shen’s and the Marquis’s manor. They would also be mingled with the spectating crowd. In case of an accident, they only needed to prolong it for a while to wait for the rescue of the Northern Camp.
Although Shen Yi did not like Fang Qin very much, he had to admit that the old man did things very thoroughly.
Liu Chong Shan could not bear to look at Shen Yi's leisurely appearance. He sneered and said, "Then allow me to observe the General's skills!"
After that, several rebels in the imperial army together with the assassins rushed up behind him. The officers Fang Qin arranged in advance came back to their senses and ran up to the altar on both sides, beginning to clash with the rebels.
Shen Yi pulled Li Feng behind him, grabbed an assassin's wrist and broke his arm, taking the sword with a strange shape in the hand of the assassin. The heavy Dong Ying blade then lightly bounced out of his palm and cut right into Liu Chong Shan's face.
"Observe my skills?" Shen Yi shook his head and sighed like a good old man. "I'm afraid Commander Liu doesn't have what it takes."
Liu Chong Shan and Shen Yi were both descendants of noble family. Growing up with the grace of their ancestors. Graduated in the same year, the difference was Shen Yi went with literary, while Liu Chong Shan followed the true school of martial arts. Later, he entered the imperial army by the influence of his family background. With incredible glory, why would he ever put Shen Ji Ping, who had never had a proper career, in his eyes?
But in the past few years, the imperial army was full of young master soldiers, Liu Chong Shan had endured hardship until now, honing his experience and finally becoming a small commander. What the hell was that Shen Yi? He was only a mechanic serving royalty who changed his career halfway through, stepping on a pile of feces and getting on the boat of the Gu family by chance, yet he managed to become a Governor in the end.
Liu Chong Shan laughed angrily, his eyes almost flashing red. Making a long whistle, more rebels came up from under the altar, the civilians watching on both sides all tried to flee.
Liu Chong Shan: "All legends say that thirty of Black Armors can stabilize the Eighteen Tribes of the barbarians. I don't know how many nails can General Shen twist with his mortal body?"
At this time, the scream of heavy steel armor came from below. Several Heavy Armors tore open the defense line and surrounded the retreating emperor and the guards in the formation of a fan. The killer snow-white steam spurted up to the sky without bending.
Since the reign of Emperor Wu, the machines and steel armor carried by the guards in all parts of the country have been standardized, they were absolutely not allowed to overstep the rules. The Imperial Army was the only unique exception who received Heavy Armors. But now, the ferocious dog raised by royalty had finally turned around to devour its master.
Shen Yi carefully guarded the stolen Dong Ying knife across his chest, hoping that the Northern Camp would arrive quicker.
After such an interruption, Li Feng had became calmer. He took off the blood-soaked robe and threw it away. He went up to him and questioned, "Liu Chong Shan, with your many years of incompetent experience, you were not in a fitting position to take on a major responsibility. Out of respect for the loyalty of Liu family, I had personally promoted you to be the commander of the Imperial Army. I have never mistreated you, yet you would ally with foreigners to repay my grace this way?"
Liu Chong Shan had always been conceited. He always felt that his unfortunate career path was the fault of his incompetent parents and family. Resentful of them, he was never friendly towards his own flesh and blood. Instead, he had a close relation with the Lu family. When he heard Li Feng's meaning that he was not fit for even such a small position as this, he grinned and twisted his words back to him: "What does your majesty write about yourself on the imperial edict? 'Does not have a good judge of character, does not have any merit in ruling, governed for nine years, making many ignorant decisions, even harming the country and the people.' Since you already said so clearly, why not abdicate and give up the position to someone talented?"
Li Feng almost grinded his teeth to dust, "Then tell me, who am I stepping back for? Giving up the position to whom?"
At the same time, Shen Yi and Jiang Chong were both startled. Shen Yi beat an assassin away. As he was momentarily nervous, the Dong Ying sword which he was not used to handling slipped away directly.
He knew that the old man surname Fang was not so kind!
Liu Chong Shan's words could not help but make one think of Yan Wang. This matter could not be pondered about too deeply. Otherwise, Gu Yun would also have to be involved. He did not leave before. Why must he insist on leaving at this time? He departed together with Yan Wang, was it because they had conspired this plan beforehand?
Shen Yi's head flashed with several thoughts, cold sweat began to come down. At first, Shen Yi's thoughts were very simple. He felt that Yan Wang traveling to the south was only to deal with Yang Rong Gui. Logically, he would not ally with the Lu family's failure of a bunch, that was why whether it was public or private matter, he could not let the traitorous Lu Chang have his way.
Only then did Shen Yi discover that he had been fooled.
Was it really Lu Chang who started everything?
If the Fang lady truly got confined because one of her maids heard something she should not have heard, then how did a young lady like her who grew up behind walls be able to send a letter to the outside?
Generally speaking, people would think that all noble families were linked together, sharing both honor and damage. If the Lu family had their possessions confiscated, their in-laws would not have a good ending either... But what if someone sacrificed themselves for righteousness?
Fang Qin took a letter from his younger sister and quietly sent it to the Northern Camp, showing his opinion at the critical moment. If the Emperor came out of the accident safe and sound, he would make a great contribution. Just judging by this alone, if the Fang lady was willing to separate with her husband, even if the entire Lu family was executed, his sister could still be saved.
Fang Qin appeared to be helpless, but in fact, he had abandoned the pawn to protect the car, turning the Lu family into a disposable explosive, aiming at Yan Wang!
Shen Yi escorting the Emperor in the midst of a rebellious army, suddenly did not know how to end it.
Should he continue to protect the Emperor and wait until the Northern Camp arrived to eradicate the rebels, then kill Yan Wang and Gu Yun, or should he immediately turn face for personal selfish reasons and send Li Feng to see the Hell King, branding Yan Wang the name of rebellious?
Old Maid Shen had never been in such a dilemma in his life.
As soon as the Dong Ying sword slipped off his hand, Liu Chong Shan seized the opportunity to take a few steps and deliver three slashes in succession. Shen Yi's foot was in disarray, almost getting his belly cut open, he dodged with difficulty. The front of his formal attire was torn in a line.
The Heavy Armor of the rebel approached, a shot of explosive engulfed Qi Ming Altar in black smoke and dust. Jiang Chong shouted behind him, "General Shen!"
Shen Yi reluctantly stood still and turned around, only to see a rebel Heavy Armor killing three generals at once. The short guns had taken aim at Li Feng, preparing to shoot the Emperor to heaven——
Suddenly, there was a sharp, ear piercing sound of an eagle in the air. An iron arrow came down, almost grazing Li Feng's arm, and shot through the golden box in front of the Heavy Armor's chest, exploding it into fireworks a few feet away. Jiang Chong rushed forward and pushed Li Feng to the ground.
Shen Yi took in a cool breath, his hands and feet were numb. The next moment, he suddenly remembered that the anti air net in the capital had been restored since the Qi Ming Altar was built. Except for the Emperor's command or an order by the Black Tiger emblem, how did that Eagle fly in?
Could it be...Gu Yun was back?!
While Shen Yi's thoughts were still in a mess, three Eagle Armors swept down from the air. Their advantage was obvious, taking care of the assassins around Emperor Long An in a blink of an eye. The leading Eagle Armor landed on the ground. With an iron mask on, one could not tell who it was. He stopped not far away, half-kneeling on the stone steps, helping lift Li Feng up.
At this time, the long-awaited Northern Camp finally arrived.
There was chaos both from below and up on the Qi Ming Altar. The Northern Camp charged into the rebels. Some of those who tried to fish in troubled waters were captured by several Eagle Armors on Li Feng's side.
As soon as he learned that Gu Yun had returned — at least the Black Tiger Emblem had returned, then the Marquis of Order had known about this. Out of his unreasonable trust in Gu Yun, Shen Yi immediately felt more reassured. He caught a Wind Slasher thrown to him by an Eagle and directly slashed off one of Liu Chong Shan's arms, capturing him alive and bringing him in front of the Emperor.
The Imperial Army was defeated by the Northern Camp. In a matter of minutes, the dust settled and the rebel leader was captured.
Li Feng was not so foolish. He knew that there must be someone else behind Liu Chong Shan. He immediately ordered to blockade off all the city gates and prepared for a thorough investigation.
The blood on his body was still wet, but his face did not change for the better even after escaping danger. Li Feng glanced at the ironic clothes of the Imperial Army on the corpses of the rebels laying everywhere. He thought of the important ministers involved who would not be able to escape this and the words 'handing the throne to the talented' spoken by Liu Chong Shan, feeling like two ice thorns had pierced through his chest.
Li Feng could not contain such a trivial question as 'how did Eagle Armor enter the capital' in his head for a moment. His mind was full of the word 'betrayal'.
Noble families receiving royal grace for many generations came together to betray him, his trusted Imperial Army betrayed him. Gu Yun who grew up with him, the one he just reminisced about, had betrayed him, and even his blood-related little brother.
How many shocking things did Yan Wang do after he entered the court? Since the establishment of the Grand Council, the papers that accused Yan Wang had never stopped coming, just like the routine letters of regards. It was all single-handedly suppressed down by him.
Towards his overly talented little brother, Li Feng did not feel relieved — he was doubtful, or even jealous of him, but he had never touched a single strand of Li Min's hair, he felt that he had already did his best, but in the end, did he only raise a traitorous wolf who wanted his life?
Jiang Chong saw that Li Feng's face was unusual. He quickly whispered, "Your Majesty, there are many people here, let us go back to the palace first."
Li Feng looked at him blankly, taking two steps, then suddenly bent over, his fingers grasp for something in the air, and vomited a mouthful of blood.
Around him came several shouts of 'Your Majesty'. Li Feng's ears were buzzing, after a long time, he found that he was grabbing the arm of the Black Eagle who rescued him just now, his blood staining the iron arm of the Eagle's armor red.
This matter was obviously not over yet.
The new leader of the Northern Camp stood quite far away, unable to see that the Emperor had just vomited blood, he did something not suitable in this moment. He came forward with a man and reported, "Your Majesty, this man wanted to secretly leave the city towards the south in the midst of chaos. I have detained him, for fear that there might be something shady."
The man was trembling greatly, casting a glance towards Lu Chang with his eyes from time to time.
At this time, someone confirmed: "Your Majesty, I recognize this man. He was a carriage driver in Officer Lu's house. He waited outside everyday for Lord Lu after the court is dismissed, I saw it with my own eyes."
Lu Chang's face was ashen gray, kneeling onto the ground.
Li Feng steadied himself using the iron shoulder of the Eagle Armor, straightened up his back as best as he could, asking in a hoarse voice, "Subject Lu, who are you trying to inform, sending people out of the city at this time?"
The commander of the Northern Camp relentlessly pressed the Lu family's servant on the ground, pulling his sword out of the sheath at his waist.
The Lu family servant was also a scaredy cat, wetting himself from fright, kowtowing like pounding garlic: "Your Majesty forgive me, Your Majesty forgive me, I was forced to… I was… It was Master Lu, Master Lu secretly instructed me, after the deed at the Qi Ming Altar is done, whether it is success or failure, I will… will leave the capital during the commotion to inform Master Yang…"
Li Feng asked in surprise, "Which Master Yang?"
The man swallowed his saliva: "Uncle... Yang...Master Yang Rong Gui..."
Li Feng tightened the hand that was holding onto the Eagle Armor, his voice rose sharply: "Yang Rong Gui is the Governor of Liangjiang, as a major officer at the border, how dare he enter the capital without command? Nonsense!"
Servant: "Your Majesty spare my life! Uncle had secretly travelled to the south gate of the capital, waiting for the signal from my lord, as long as...Commander Liu succeeded, he will..."
Li Feng: "Will what?"
Servant: "... Support the new emperor coming to the capital."
Li Feng's eyes darkened. If not for the Eagle Armor at his side supporting him, he would have almost fainted on the spot.
Once again, Shen Yi was puzzled by this unexpected development. If before, he could use the words 'unconfirmed rumor' to help save Yan Wang, then what would happen now? Was this evidence conclusive? For a moment, he was confused about whether Gu Yun truly came back or not. There were countless of horrifying possibilities in his mind. His cold sweat soon rusted the armor.
Fang Qin buried his head low. At an angle where others could not detect, his lips revealed a slight smile.
Yan Wang was the blood related brother of the Emperor, he could not be shaken unless it was for the grave crime of rebellion.2
It was a rebellion now, was it not?
"Go invite Yang Rong Gui and his new emperor in here," Li Feng gritted his teeth. "I'll have a look at it... "
____
Fang Qin buried his head low. At an angle where others could not detect, his lips revealed a slight smile.
____
Liu Chong Shan just finished, a 'Dong Ying assassin' had broken through the Imperial Army and boldly rushed towards the imperial road. Liu Chong Shan grinned and pulled out the sword on his waist, pointing to Li Feng: "Your Majesty rest assured, I will not let them touch even one of your hairs."
There was a scream behind Li Feng. He looked back in a hurry and saw that the officer who was overseeing the ceremony was killed by the assassin, the blood on his neck poured down the stone steps.
This horrifying scream was like a command. Liu Chong Shan immediately swung his sword down. Li Feng did practice martial arts for several days as a child. Unfortunately, with no talent for it, his ability was very ordinary, neglecting for many years, he had soon returned everything he learned to his Master. In order to avoid it, he took several steps back in a panic, stumbling over the stone steps without paying attention. Everywhere his hands touched was hot blood, the sacrificial attire immediately stained.
In this situation, if it were to be replaced with a timid person, they would pass out from fright. But thanks to the hard-headed and stubborn personality of Emperor Long An, not only did he not faint, he even dared to point at Liu Chong Shan and burst into a rage, "Traitorous subject, are you not afraid of punishment coming down on your entire family!"
The Son of Heaven did not have three heads and six arms. With no one here to protect him, did he not stretch his neck out to be cut? Liu Chong Shan missed his first slash, a little fear of rebellion in his heart has already vanished, pursuing him to the end: "Then for the sake of my entire family of young and old, I shall charge forward without turning back!"
Under the sword, the Son of Heaven was still a mortal body of flesh and blood. The wind brought by the sword slash coming down on his head, Li Feng cannot avoid it, but still refused to insult his royal lineage, he was silent, but his heart was filled only with sorrow — he did not die from his brother who wanted to seize power and usurp the throne. He did not die in the siege of the Western Army. Now that the country was starting to stabilize, wanting to rest and recuperate, he would die in the hands of his traitorous underlings... he did not even know the reason for why they rebelled.
At that moment, a strong wind came from the side, sweeping by the tip of Li Feng's nose. The steel blade in Liu Chong Shan's hand which almost injured the dragon body was hit by a two-and-a-half-inch Xiu zhong si. At last, Shen Yi, who accompanied him had arrived.1
The generals who accompanied the Emperor on the altar did not carry swords, their armor was only for show. No one expected that Shen Yi's iron wrist bracelet had a Xiu zhong si.
Liu Chong Shan saw how close he was to succeeding, but was suddenly interfered by Shen Yi. He could not help but cursing inside. Before he came, Lu Chang had said it clearly — he already tried to test the reaction of Shen's family, they would not cause any trouble. They would only shrink back and watch on like the surname Fang, why did this suddenly happen?1
Shen Yi stooped down and helped Emperor Long An up. He and Jiang Chong, who had trotted all the way with their robes, surrounded him in the middle, appearing very isolated and helpless in this moment. Only in difficulty could one see loyalty and treachery. Li Feng's heart was full of mixed feelings for a moment, he lamented awkwardly, "The two subjects have a heart."
Jiang Chong did not know martial arts and was somewhat nervous. General Shen, however, was the one who returned from the southwest with an army of defeated soldiers to relieve the capital. His face remained unchanged: "Your Majesty does not need to worry. There are many people here today. In order to prevent accidents, many lords have sent their family guards to mix up with the crowd of commoners, it will be enough to deal with this. Even if I was any more useless, I can still clean up this young masters army, protecting Your Majesty thoroughly."
A while ago, Fang Qin secretly went to the Northern Camp with a letter from his sister sent to his Mother*. The things mentioned in the letter were very frightening.
*The word here refers to a mother who is the illegitimate wife of his father.
A young girl who had just been bought by the Fang lady to serve as a maid accidentally broke into the study room from not knowing the rules and was beaten to death. Yet this was not the most frightening thing, even the Fang lady who was married properly got confined to the inner courtyard for this trivial matter and had to appeal to her mother's family for help. The letter mentioned that there were many guests that day, including Liu Chong Shan, the commander of the Imperial Army.
It also happened that Emperor Long An had just announced that he was going out to offer sacrifices to the heavens on his birthday. Such coincidence could not help but make one think.
However, after all, this was only a vague home letter, which could not be used to reported to the Emperor - otherwise, if nothing happened, would it not become an accusation based around rumors?
Li Feng hated forming parties and fighting among each other. The reason as to why the Imperial Censorate had been humiliated by the Emperor many times was due to them unable to bring forth any true accusation towards Yan Wang.
Nobody dared to take the risk rashly.
However, the Northern Camp was not allowed to enter the palace unless summoned. If an accident were to happen when the Emperor left, water from far away will not be able to put out this fire.
Thus Fang Qin came up with an idea to let the Northern Camp wait outside the nine gates. Once there was a disturbance, they could force their way into the city and come to rescue in an incense time. Before that, they borrowed a group of powerful generals from military families such as the Shen’s and the Marquis’s manor. They would also be mingled with the spectating crowd. In case of an accident, they only needed to prolong it for a while to wait for the rescue of the Northern Camp.
Although Shen Yi did not like Fang Qin very much, he had to admit that the old man did things very thoroughly.
Liu Chong Shan could not bear to look at Shen Yi's leisurely appearance. He sneered and said, "Then allow me to observe the General's skills!"
After that, several rebels in the imperial army together with the assassins rushed up behind him. The officers Fang Qin arranged in advance came back to their senses and ran up to the altar on both sides, beginning to clash with the rebels.
Shen Yi pulled Li Feng behind him, grabbed an assassin's wrist and broke his arm, taking the sword with a strange shape in the hand of the assassin. The heavy Dong Ying blade then lightly bounced out of his palm and cut right into Liu Chong Shan's face.
"Observe my skills?" Shen Yi shook his head and sighed like a good old man. "I'm afraid Commander Liu doesn't have what it takes."
Liu Chong Shan and Shen Yi were both descendants of noble family. Growing up with the grace of their ancestors. Graduated in the same year, the difference was Shen Yi went with literary, while Liu Chong Shan followed the true school of martial arts. Later, he entered the imperial army by the influence of his family background. With incredible glory, why would he ever put Shen Ji Ping, who had never had a proper career, in his eyes?
But in the past few years, the imperial army was full of young master soldiers, Liu Chong Shan had endured hardship until now, honing his experience and finally becoming a small commander. What the hell was that Shen Yi? He was only a mechanic serving royalty who changed his career halfway through, stepping on a pile of feces and getting on the boat of the Gu family by chance, yet he managed to become a Governor in the end.
Liu Chong Shan laughed angrily, his eyes almost flashing red. Making a long whistle, more rebels came up from under the altar, the civilians watching on both sides all tried to flee.
Liu Chong Shan: "All legends say that thirty of Black Armors can stabilize the Eighteen Tribes of the barbarians. I don't know how many nails can General Shen twist with his mortal body?"
At this time, the scream of heavy steel armor came from below. Several Heavy Armors tore open the defense line and surrounded the retreating emperor and the guards in the formation of a fan. The killer snow-white steam spurted up to the sky without bending.
Since the reign of Emperor Wu, the machines and steel armor carried by the guards in all parts of the country have been standardized, they were absolutely not allowed to overstep the rules. The Imperial Army was the only unique exception who received Heavy Armors. But now, the ferocious dog raised by royalty had finally turned around to devour its master.
Shen Yi carefully guarded the stolen Dong Ying knife across his chest, hoping that the Northern Camp would arrive quicker.
After such an interruption, Li Feng had became calmer. He took off the blood-soaked robe and threw it away. He went up to him and questioned, "Liu Chong Shan, with your many years of incompetent experience, you were not in a fitting position to take on a major responsibility. Out of respect for the loyalty of Liu family, I had personally promoted you to be the commander of the Imperial Army. I have never mistreated you, yet you would ally with foreigners to repay my grace this way?"
Liu Chong Shan had always been conceited. He always felt that his unfortunate career path was the fault of his incompetent parents and family. Resentful of them, he was never friendly towards his own flesh and blood. Instead, he had a close relation with the Lu family. When he heard Li Feng's meaning that he was not fit for even such a small position as this, he grinned and twisted his words back to him: "What does your majesty write about yourself on the imperial edict? 'Does not have a good judge of character, does not have any merit in ruling, governed for nine years, making many ignorant decisions, even harming the country and the people.' Since you already said so clearly, why not abdicate and give up the position to someone talented?"
Li Feng almost grinded his teeth to dust, "Then tell me, who am I stepping back for? Giving up the position to whom?"
At the same time, Shen Yi and Jiang Chong were both startled. Shen Yi beat an assassin away. As he was momentarily nervous, the Dong Ying sword which he was not used to handling slipped away directly.
He knew that the old man surname Fang was not so kind!
Liu Chong Shan's words could not help but make one think of Yan Wang. This matter could not be pondered about too deeply. Otherwise, Gu Yun would also have to be involved. He did not leave before. Why must he insist on leaving at this time? He departed together with Yan Wang, was it because they had conspired this plan beforehand?
Shen Yi's head flashed with several thoughts, cold sweat began to come down. At first, Shen Yi's thoughts were very simple. He felt that Yan Wang traveling to the south was only to deal with Yang Rong Gui. Logically, he would not ally with the Lu family's failure of a bunch, that was why whether it was public or private matter, he could not let the traitorous Lu Chang have his way.
Only then did Shen Yi discover that he had been fooled.
Was it really Lu Chang who started everything?
If the Fang lady truly got confined because one of her maids heard something she should not have heard, then how did a young lady like her who grew up behind walls be able to send a letter to the outside?
Generally speaking, people would think that all noble families were linked together, sharing both honor and damage. If the Lu family had their possessions confiscated, their in-laws would not have a good ending either... But what if someone sacrificed themselves for righteousness?
Fang Qin took a letter from his younger sister and quietly sent it to the Northern Camp, showing his opinion at the critical moment. If the Emperor came out of the accident safe and sound, he would make a great contribution. Just judging by this alone, if the Fang lady was willing to separate with her husband, even if the entire Lu family was executed, his sister could still be saved.
Fang Qin appeared to be helpless, but in fact, he had abandoned the pawn to protect the car, turning the Lu family into a disposable explosive, aiming at Yan Wang!
Shen Yi escorting the Emperor in the midst of a rebellious army, suddenly did not know how to end it.
Should he continue to protect the Emperor and wait until the Northern Camp arrived to eradicate the rebels, then kill Yan Wang and Gu Yun, or should he immediately turn face for personal selfish reasons and send Li Feng to see the Hell King, branding Yan Wang the name of rebellious?
Old Maid Shen had never been in such a dilemma in his life.
As soon as the Dong Ying sword slipped off his hand, Liu Chong Shan seized the opportunity to take a few steps and deliver three slashes in succession. Shen Yi's foot was in disarray, almost getting his belly cut open, he dodged with difficulty. The front of his formal attire was torn in a line.
The Heavy Armor of the rebel approached, a shot of explosive engulfed Qi Ming Altar in black smoke and dust. Jiang Chong shouted behind him, "General Shen!"
Shen Yi reluctantly stood still and turned around, only to see a rebel Heavy Armor killing three generals at once. The short guns had taken aim at Li Feng, preparing to shoot the Emperor to heaven——
Suddenly, there was a sharp, ear piercing sound of an eagle in the air. An iron arrow came down, almost grazing Li Feng's arm, and shot through the golden box in front of the Heavy Armor's chest, exploding it into fireworks a few feet away. Jiang Chong rushed forward and pushed Li Feng to the ground.
Shen Yi took in a cool breath, his hands and feet were numb. The next moment, he suddenly remembered that the anti air net in the capital had been restored since the Qi Ming Altar was built. Except for the Emperor's command or an order by the Black Tiger emblem, how did that Eagle fly in?
Could it be...Gu Yun was back?!
While Shen Yi's thoughts were still in a mess, three Eagle Armors swept down from the air. Their advantage was obvious, taking care of the assassins around Emperor Long An in a blink of an eye. The leading Eagle Armor landed on the ground. With an iron mask on, one could not tell who it was. He stopped not far away, half-kneeling on the stone steps, helping lift Li Feng up.
At this time, the long-awaited Northern Camp finally arrived.
There was chaos both from below and up on the Qi Ming Altar. The Northern Camp charged into the rebels. Some of those who tried to fish in troubled waters were captured by several Eagle Armors on Li Feng's side.
As soon as he learned that Gu Yun had returned — at least the Black Tiger Emblem had returned, then the Marquis of Order had known about this. Out of his unreasonable trust in Gu Yun, Shen Yi immediately felt more reassured. He caught a Wind Slasher thrown to him by an Eagle and directly slashed off one of Liu Chong Shan's arms, capturing him alive and bringing him in front of the Emperor.
The Imperial Army was defeated by the Northern Camp. In a matter of minutes, the dust settled and the rebel leader was captured.
Li Feng was not so foolish. He knew that there must be someone else behind Liu Chong Shan. He immediately ordered to blockade off all the city gates and prepared for a thorough investigation.
The blood on his body was still wet, but his face did not change for the better even after escaping danger. Li Feng glanced at the ironic clothes of the Imperial Army on the corpses of the rebels laying everywhere. He thought of the important ministers involved who would not be able to escape this and the words 'handing the throne to the talented' spoken by Liu Chong Shan, feeling like two ice thorns had pierced through his chest.
Li Feng could not contain such a trivial question as 'how did Eagle Armor enter the capital' in his head for a moment. His mind was full of the word 'betrayal'.
Noble families receiving royal grace for many generations came together to betray him, his trusted Imperial Army betrayed him. Gu Yun who grew up with him, the one he just reminisced about, had betrayed him, and even his blood-related little brother.
How many shocking things did Yan Wang do after he entered the court? Since the establishment of the Grand Council, the papers that accused Yan Wang had never stopped coming, just like the routine letters of regards. It was all single-handedly suppressed down by him.
Towards his overly talented little brother, Li Feng did not feel relieved — he was doubtful, or even jealous of him, but he had never touched a single strand of Li Min's hair, he felt that he had already did his best, but in the end, did he only raise a traitorous wolf who wanted his life?
Jiang Chong saw that Li Feng's face was unusual. He quickly whispered, "Your Majesty, there are many people here, let us go back to the palace first."
Li Feng looked at him blankly, taking two steps, then suddenly bent over, his fingers grasp for something in the air, and vomited a mouthful of blood.
Around him came several shouts of 'Your Majesty'. Li Feng's ears were buzzing, after a long time, he found that he was grabbing the arm of the Black Eagle who rescued him just now, his blood staining the iron arm of the Eagle's armor red.
This matter was obviously not over yet.
The new leader of the Northern Camp stood quite far away, unable to see that the Emperor had just vomited blood, he did something not suitable in this moment. He came forward with a man and reported, "Your Majesty, this man wanted to secretly leave the city towards the south in the midst of chaos. I have detained him, for fear that there might be something shady."
The man was trembling greatly, casting a glance towards Lu Chang with his eyes from time to time.
At this time, someone confirmed: "Your Majesty, I recognize this man. He was a carriage driver in Officer Lu's house. He waited outside everyday for Lord Lu after the court is dismissed, I saw it with my own eyes."
Lu Chang's face was ashen gray, kneeling onto the ground.
Li Feng steadied himself using the iron shoulder of the Eagle Armor, straightened up his back as best as he could, asking in a hoarse voice, "Subject Lu, who are you trying to inform, sending people out of the city at this time?"
The commander of the Northern Camp relentlessly pressed the Lu family's servant on the ground, pulling his sword out of the sheath at his waist.
The Lu family servant was also a scaredy cat, wetting himself from fright, kowtowing like pounding garlic: "Your Majesty forgive me, Your Majesty forgive me, I was forced to… I was… It was Master Lu, Master Lu secretly instructed me, after the deed at the Qi Ming Altar is done, whether it is success or failure, I will… will leave the capital during the commotion to inform Master Yang…"
Li Feng asked in surprise, "Which Master Yang?"
The man swallowed his saliva: "Uncle... Yang...Master Yang Rong Gui..."
Li Feng tightened the hand that was holding onto the Eagle Armor, his voice rose sharply: "Yang Rong Gui is the Governor of Liangjiang, as a major officer at the border, how dare he enter the capital without command? Nonsense!"
Servant: "Your Majesty spare my life! Uncle had secretly travelled to the south gate of the capital, waiting for the signal from my lord, as long as...Commander Liu succeeded, he will..."
Li Feng: "Will what?"
Servant: "... Support the new emperor coming to the capital."
Li Feng's eyes darkened. If not for the Eagle Armor at his side supporting him, he would have almost fainted on the spot.
Once again, Shen Yi was puzzled by this unexpected development. If before, he could use the words 'unconfirmed rumor' to help save Yan Wang, then what would happen now? Was this evidence conclusive? For a moment, he was confused about whether Gu Yun truly came back or not. There were countless of horrifying possibilities in his mind. His cold sweat soon rusted the armor.
Fang Qin buried his head low. At an angle where others could not detect, his lips revealed a slight smile.
Yan Wang was the blood related brother of the Emperor, he could not be shaken unless it was for the grave crime of rebellion.2
It was a rebellion now, was it not?
"Go invite Yang Rong Gui and his new emperor in here," Li Feng gritted his teeth. "I'll have a look at it... "
