That soldier ran off laughing wildly. His companion came forward with pained indignation to scold, “How can you be so useless? Even this was stolen from you.”
“Whoever kills him, it’s all the same. It’s all credit for the commander,” Old Bai said dully. Just then, he raised his head to look at the sky, his wooden expression full of shock.
His companion, grumbling complaints, also raised his head and saw the fireworks in the sky.
“Who is it, still sending signals?” As a soldier, seeing fireworks naturally made him think of this. He sneered, “What use is it at this time? The Crown Prince is dead, the Capital Guard is blocked outside the city, the palace side also has the Third Prince’s people. Who are they sending it to?”
He spoke with amusement again.
“These fireworks are made so gaudily.”
“Old Bai, listen to me. Soon in the inner courtyard there will definitely be more people, all women, much easier—”
He turned his head to continue speaking, but saw Old Bai beside him turn and run outside. The tall man ran extremely fast.
“Hey! Old Bai! Why are you running!”
Being a deserter at this time—wasn’t that foolish?
Sure enough, the running Old Bai was quickly discovered. Someone shouted, “Stop! Go back!”
Old Bai seemed unable to hear. He only ran outward like flying.
“Cut him down,” the leader said irritably.
The overall situation was already decided. Losing one worthless soldier didn’t matter.
Four soldiers answered in unison. Everyone also recognized this Old Bai. Usually inconspicuous, no one took notice. Grinning savagely, they stepped forward.
“Don’t kill him in one blow. Each person cut off one of his legs.”
With savage grins, the four pounced, raising their long blades at Old Bai. In the next moment, blade light flashed, flesh and blood flew, and screams rang out continuously—
The soldier who had been about to chase closed his eyes in despair. It was over, all over. He slowly backed away. Old Bai had already sought his own death—he shouldn’t be implicated—
But when he opened his eyes, what he saw was Old Bai leaping onto a horse. The four soldiers who were going to cut off Old Bai’s legs already lay on the ground. Their legs and feet were intact, but their heads had separated from their bodies.
The soldier was stunned. Others were also stunned. That leader was even more furious.
“Kill him!” he shouted.
More soldiers surrounded him, but Old Bai with his long blade in hand cut down one with each strike, flesh and blood flying.
He killed until everyone didn’t know whether to surround him or flee.
Fortunately, Old Bai didn’t want to kill everyone. He only carved open a path, leaving behind scattered flesh and blood as he galloped away, disappearing into the darkness.
The surrounding clamor and commotion—the soldier couldn’t hear any of it. He only stared blankly at the place where Old Bai had disappeared.
Was that really Old Bai?
That was definitely not Old Bai!
That was a god of slaughter!
……
……
People like the mason and soldiers like Old Bai rushed through the dark night toward where the fireworks bloomed. The street outside the Chu residence, originally cleared by Xiao Man and the others, slowly filled with human figures. Finally, even people emerged on the walls and rooftops.
Eunuch Qi watched this scene and lowered his head to wipe away tears.
Xiao Man pursed her lips.
Chu Zhao clenched her hands, then felt a pair of small hands grasp hers. She was startled and looked down to see the child in her arms.
Zhong Changrong’s scarred face flickered between light and shadow under the leaping firelight. He said, “Where are the scouts?”
Seven or eight people stepped forward. “Scouts await orders.”
Zhong Changrong said, “Which city gate in the capital can be seized and broken through?”
The scouts were about to speak when a female voice rang out first.
“Wait.”
All eyes looked toward the source of the sound. Under the torchlight was a girl on horseback holding a child.
Chu Zhao said, “Uncle Zhong, since we now have forces, we don’t need to break through.”
Not break through? Right now the capital was full of the Third Prince’s forces. The Capital Guard was outside the city. Although the Capital Guard must also have been seized by the Third Prince, not all of them could have become the Third Prince’s men. There must be His Majesty’s and the Crown Prince’s forces. Only by opening the city gates could the rebellion be quelled and the young Your Highness be safe.
Zhong Changrong looked at Chu Zhao and frowned slightly, but said nothing, listening for her to continue.
“We will force our way into the imperial city,” Chu Zhao said, looking toward where the imperial city lay.