Chapter 101: Urgent Report!

Chapter 101: Urgent Report!

It's Empress Dowager Chi!

Everyone gasped in horror, stumbling back in panic. They turned to Dan Ying, only to find her expression calm, completely unsurprised.

Zhao Yan instantly understood: they had been tricked.

They had come to see the emperor, but the figure behind the beaded curtain was clearly Empress Dowager Chi. And every word of their scathing insults against her had, naturally, fallen directly into her ears.

Empress Dowager Chi was known for her ruthless methods; she would never let them go.

At this thought, everyone's faces turned deathly pale. What would Empress Dowager Chi do? Capture and imprison them all?

Or worse… kill them!

Chi Jing stepped steadily toward them, her gaze icy cold, though a slight smirk tugged at her lips.

She reveled in their fear and chuckled, "What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue now that it’s me? You were all pretty chatty earlier, weren't you?"

Everyone trembled with fear.

Chi Jing looked at them coldly, "No wonder your fathers refused to come to court. So, in your eyes, I, Empress Dowager Chi, am the criminal who imprisoned the emperor and caused the nation and its people to suffer. But then again, it’s not like I am the emperor’s birth mother? Unlike you, all members of the Zhao family, you probably are itching to follow Zhao Zhuo’s lead—raising troops in rebellion to eliminate an outsider like me!"

As soon as she finished speaking, two loud thuds sounded as someone fell to their knees, banging their heads on the ground, "Your Majesty, this is a wrongful accusation! I have never harbored any rebellious intentions. It was Zhao Yan—all of this was Zhao Yan’s idea! I was deceived!"

Zhao Yan took a deep breath and glared hatefully at the speaker, the killing intent in his eyes almost tangible.

Talk about shifting blame!

Chi Jing turned her gaze to Zhao Yan, "So, this was all your idea?"

Under Chi Jing’s cold stare, Zhao Yan’s knees went weak. He gulped nervously, "I…"

No matter what he said now, Empress Dowager Chi would not spare him.

But after all, he was King Ling’s son. He refused to believe Empress Dowager Chi would actually dare to kill him. Rather than begging for mercy weakly, he might as well hold his ground.

After a moment’s thought, Zhao Yan formed a plan, steadied his nerves, and said solemnly, "Your Majesty has misunderstood. My father and I have no rebellious intentions. We only wish for you to hand power back to the Emperor, given the turmoil in the court and the unrest among the people."

After speaking, his heart hammered in his chest. He was gambling that Chi Jing would not dare to kill him.

The others were scared stiff by his nerve.

Didn’t he know Empress Dowager Chi held military power? With a single order, she could have them beheaded!

Unexpectedly, Empress Dowager Chi didn’t get mad—she smiled, "Hand power back to the Son of Heaven? Very well. Since you wish so strongly to see the emperor, I will let you see him for yourselves."

What? Zhao Yan was stunned. Could Empress Dowager Chi actually be planning to let them see the emperor?

"As long as you die, you will see him." Chi Jing’s mocking and cold voice rang out like a thunderclap, shocking everyone into stillness and stirring up a wave of terror in their hearts.

Die? Did that mean the emperor was already dead? How was that possible! How could Empress Dowager Chi have deceived the entire world?

They had to bring this news back and let their fathers know!

Wait—!

If Empress Dowager Chi dared to say it, did that mean they were as good as dead?

Everyone looked at Chi Jing, their eyes filled with terror as if gazing upon some flesh-eating monster.

At that moment, Chi Jing extended her hand, and Dan Ying, understanding, handed her a long sword.

"Who among you wishes to go first?" Chi Jing raised a chillingly empty smile, slowly lifting the long sword in her hand. Her dark eyes fixed on the gleaming, sharp edge of the blade.

Having been in this world for so long, she had almost forgotten what it felt like to be an Executioner.

Zhao Yan was startled. Staring at the blade reflecting a cold light, he suddenly understood why his father had sent him to court.

From the very beginning, his father had known that once they set foot in the capital, Empress Dowager Chi would not let them leave.

What surprised Zhao Yan was that Empress Dowager Chi intended to get her hands dirty herself.

She’s insane!

Cursing inwardly, his fear of Chi Jing grew even stronger.

Suddenly, Chi Jing’s gaze fell upon him. He trembled all over, his teeth chattering uncontrollably, "N-no… Empress Dowager Chi… you can’t kill me…"

With a metallic clang, a cold light flashed, flying toward Zhao Yan’s face. Terrified, he turned and tried to flee.

But in the next instant, a cold sharpness pierced his back. The pain made the muscles in his face twitch. He looked down and saw the blood-tipped blade protruding from his chest.

He reached out, trying to grasp something, but caught only empty air. The blade was slowly withdrawn by Chi Jing. All he managed was to choke out a gurgle from his throat before collapsing to the ground, seething with defiance.

"Ah!" The others in the room screamed in panic. No one had expected Chi Jing to act so brutally.

However, the commotion did not last long.

The blade flashed, and in an instant, blood sprayed across the white drapes.

The royal sons fell one after another, slumping silently to the ground, their faces frozen in terror.

With two clangs, Chi Jing threw the blood-soaked long sword to the ground and strode out of the hall, her black boots stepping through the blood-soaked floor.

"Pass the order: The royal sons, posing as eunuchs, infiltrated the emperor’s bedchamber late at night with treacherous intentions. All have been executed!"

"Yes."

The next day, news of the sons’ deaths spread, sending shockwaves through the court and the commonfolk.

————

Meanwhile, a hundred li beyond Yuzhou City, at the eastern gorge entrance, was the encampment of the King of Xiqi’s army.

From a distance, rows of military tents stood one after another in the valley like continuous mountain peaks. Xiqi soldiers rode back and forth on horseback, while supply crews carried supplies such as grain and bedding into storage.

The largest and tallest tent in the center was the King of Xiqi’s command tent.

At that moment, the King of Xiqi was sitting freely in his tent, drinking heavily. Other officers, large and small, sat on either side, their faces greasy as they drank and ate meat.

"Once we break into Yuzhou City, the fine wine and women inside will all be ours!"

The King of Xiqi raised his glass, "Drink! A toast to the warriors of Xiqi! This time, we take Yuzhou in one swift strike!"

The officers thought to themselves: they had a full fifty thousand cavalry, strong and well-equipped, while Yuzhou City was defended only by a group of women who posed no threat. Once their army reached Yuzhou, the women would likely surrender in fear.

They cheered in unison, raising their glasses in celebration as if victory were already within reach.

King Mo Tuo of Xiqi looked at Qian Qian seated at the banquet. This man was the commander of Great Rong's Left Eagle Guard, who had once been stationed at Tangzhou. After being defeated in battle, he surrendered to Xiqi and even helped trick them into opening Ningzhou's city gates.

However, Mo Tuo did not trust him. The reason he had brought him along on this military campaign against Yuzhou was precisely because he feared leaving him in the rear would pose a risk.

Yet, seeing Qian Qian sitting there sullen and isolated, he felt both anger and a different idea forming in his mind.

He decided to use the same trick again. "Qian Qian, for this attack on Yuzhou, I have decided to assign you as the vanguard to go outside the city and demand surrender."

Qian Qian, startled at being called upon, was taken aback. Upon hearing King Mo Tuo of Xiqi's demand, he felt a wave of humiliation.

He knew that no matter how obedient he was, he would never gain King Mo Tuo of Xiqi's trust. But he also did not dare to uphold his loyalty as a subject and sacrifice himself for his country. Swallowing his pride, he replied meekly, "Yes, I will follow your command, Great King."

Seeing his spineless appearance, King Mo Tuo of Xiqi felt even more disdain. Just as he was about to say more, a soldier rushed in.

"Great King, the scouts report that several cannons have been mounted on the walls of Yuzhou. The city's residents say these cannons are extremely powerful, capable of shattering even stone!"

King Mo Tuo of Xiqi was taken aback. "Cannons?"

"It's said that gunpowder is loaded into iron tubes to fire iron projectiles, just like a musket, but massive!"

Hearing the word "musket," Qian Qian's hand, holding a wine bowl, trembled violently. With a loud clatter, wine spilled all over him.

The other generals immediately cast suspicious glances his way.

King Mo Tuo of Xiqi looked at him. "What? Do you know about this?"

Fear flashed in Qian Qian's eyes as he hurriedly replied, "Great King, I am not familiar with these cannons, but the Golden Crow Guard's muskets are devastatingly effective! They can fire rapidly, just like bows and arrows, and can even penetrate iron armor!"

Upon hearing this, the other generals showed skeptical expressions. "Impossible! We’ve seen Great Rong’s firearms before—they’re largely ineffective."

"Exactly. I bet these so-called cannons just look intimidating. In actual battle, they probably won’t kill many."

Qian Qian said anxiously, "I’m telling the truth! Back when I led troops in a competition against the Golden Crow Guard, it was precisely because they had muskets that we lost."

The Xiqi generals were stunned for a moment, then burst into roaring laughter as if they had heard a hilarious joke.

"You men of Great Rong are truly useless, losing even to women!"

"General Qian, our Xiqi warriors are brave and skilled in battle, not like the soldiers under your command. This time, we’ll show you the might of Xiqi!"

"Ha ha ha ha…" Mocking laughter filled the entire tent.

Qian Qian seethed with humiliation and frustration. Their underestimation of the enemy was one thing, but King Mo Tuo of Xiqi had assigned him to spearhead the assault and call for the city’s surrender. If he encountered the Golden Crow Guard’s firearms, wouldn’t he be doomed?

Anxiously, he looked at King Mo Tuo of Xiqi. "Great King, I think we should not underestimate the enemy."

King Mo Tuo of Xiqi sneered. "General Qian, are you trying to desert before battle? Let me tell you, the warriors of Xiqi are the most ferocious wolf pack on the grasslands. No matter who stands before us, they will have no choice but to surrender!"

Qian Qian wanted to say more, but when he met King Mo Tuo of Xiqi’s fierce gaze, he immediately shrank back and sat down with his head lowered.

King Mo Tuo of Xiqi boasted triumphantly. "Come, listen to my plan! I guarantee we will capture Yuzhou within ten days!"

The officers and men responded in unison, "Yes, the Great King is wise!"

However, unbeknownst to them, overlooking the eastern valley pass, two soldiers were secretly observing the Xiqi army’s camp.

"I knew that person looked suspicious. Sure enough, he’s a spy sent by Xiqi!"

"We must hurry back and report to the general—the Xiqi people are planning to attack Yuzhou!"

The two stood up and, under the cover of night, quietly left the valley.

Two hours later, the two soldiers rode hard into the city on horseback, heading straight to the governor's residence.

"Urgent report! King Mo Tuo of Xiqi is leading a 50,000-strong army to attack Yuzhou!"