Chapter 107: The Empress Dowager Threatens with Her Life!

Just as the long sword was about to pierce Marquis Le'an, someone shoved him aside.

A puff.

The long sword grazed Marquis Le'an's arm and pierced the chest of the person before him.

"Marquis... Marquis... my subordinates... have come..." he said, then died on the spot.

Marquis Le'an then realized it was his retainers who had rushed over.

He looked up and saw a vast dark mass.

"Good... great!" Marquis Le'an, still shaken, didn't bother with the person who had just risked his life to save him, nor his bleeding arm, turned and pointed at Xiao Qidi not far away: "Quick! Chop off his head for me! I'll richly reward whoever does it!"

Hearing the promise of a rich reward, these retainers at once discarded the strategist's arrangements and swarmed toward Xiao Qidi.

Anyway, when they rushed in and looked, there was only Xiao Qidi.

No need for tactics or skill.

One person with one knife could chop him into minced meat!

Xiao Qidi immediately stepped back; although these people looked less formidable than that squad of death warriors, their sheer numbers meant that a rush would seal off all exits, and if he got trapped he could not use his fists and feet.

Marquis Le'an naturally did not want Xiao Qidi to escape, so he at once ordered several hundred men to rush to the rear of the main hall and seal every exit of the side gate's rear courtyard.

Xiao Qidi retreated to the steps of the main hall's front gate, looking down from above at the crowd about to rush him, just as a bloody battle was about to begin—

"Everyone, stop!"

A harsh shout suddenly rang out; Jiang Peihuan, dragging her weak body, leaned on the doorframe and stepped out of the main hall's front gate.

Seeing the Empress Dowager emerge, Marquis Le'an's retainers all halted.

They all knew what kind of private relationship existed between the marquis and the Empress Dowager.

Since the Empress Dowager was blocking them, they would have to see what the marquis ordered.

"Empress Dowager!" Marquis Le'an said in a deep voice, "What do you mean? Are you trying to stop me from killing Xiao Qidi?"

Jiang Peihuan staggered forward a few steps, shielding Xiao Qidi behind her, looked at Marquis Le'an with a pained expression, and pleaded: "Le'an... enough... please stop..."

Marquis Le'an snapped: "I can crush him anytime, yet you tell me to hold back?"

Jiang Peihuan fell to her knees with a thud, "What you want is supreme power over Daxuan; you could spare his life, let him obey you thereafter, don't kill him, I beg you..."

Xiao Qidi's eyes grew extremely dark; he furtively clenched the dagger in his hand, planning to find an opportunity to fling it and take Marquis Le'an's life in one strike, but Marquis Le'an was extremely cautious, not only keeping his distance but also hiding behind a row of retainers.

Xiao Qidi could not find an opening for a while, so he could only watch and wait.

And when Marquis Le'an heard the Empress Dowager's words, his expression instantly turned ferocious: "Spare his life? You forgot—he just killed my two sons! Two! Jiang Peihuan, that's your and my own flesh and blood! Before you couldn't bear to take his life, that was understandable, but now you actually want to protect him? Are you crazy?"

Jiang Peihuan's tears had all dried up; she said hoarsely, "I... I will bear you more children—however many sons you want, I will give you that many."

"I have no patience left!" Marquis Le'an roared, "I don't have time to wait for you to bear another son and then wait for him to grow up! I want to kill Xiao Qidi now and take his place myself!"

Jiang Peihuan advised, "If you take his place, it will lack legitimacy; even if our faction in court supports you, half of the senior officials are the Prime Minister's people—how would they submit to you?"

"Xiao Qidi..." Jiang Peihuan turned and again pleaded with Xiao Qidi, "Quickly, promise him you will obey him from now on; only then can you save your life."

Xiao Qidi's face was as cold as ice, his lips pressed tight, he said nothing.

Marquis Le'an shouted, "Jiang Peihuan, you need not advise him! Even if he were to submit now, I would still have to kill him! This boy capable of today's deeds shows his scheming is extraordinarily deep—I underestimated him! And he is only eighteen, not yet ruling; if given more time, I will surely be unable to control him! If we do not eliminate him today, future troubles will be endless!"

Jiang Peihuan, her face streaked with tears, slowly stepped down the stairs and walked toward Marquis Le'an.

She muttered like a walking corpse, "I have done many wrong things, many mad deeds... even once I wished for Xiao Qidi to die..."

"Because I hated his father to death, he let me bear him, then fled alone, abandoning him to me..."

"But he is after all my own flesh and blood, the one I protected and raised when I was helpless in the Wasteland Nation... I am not a good mother, but now... I simply cannot bear to watch him die before my eyes..."

As Jiang Peihuan approached, Marquis Le'an's retainers, at a loss, slowly stepped back to make way for her.

Jiang Peihuan suddenly snatched a long sword from one retainer's hand and placed it horizontally across her own neck.

"Empress Dowager!" the retainers exclaimed in shock.

Le'an's face also changed: "What are you... doing?"

On the steps of the main hall, Xiao Qidi's pupils trembled slightly.

Jiang Peihuan raised her slender neck, gripping the sword hilt with both hands, "Le'an, if you do not spare Xiao Qidi's life, I will die before your eyes!"

Le'an's cheeks turned bluish-gray, "Are you trying to betray me?"

Jiang Peihuan's heart felt like it was being cut, her hands trembling incessantly, "When have I ever betrayed you? Whatever you want, whatever you do, I have always complied and helped you; now I only beg you to spare his life—could you not indulge me just once?"

"Good, very good," Marquis Le'an's eyes flashed with ruthless coldness, "If you want to die, then die—don't get in my way! I could even sacrifice my own son's life, let alone yours."

Jiang Peihuan's expression instantly stiffened.

Marquis Le'an no longer glanced at her, bellowing, "Everyone, hear my orders! Ignore the Empress Dowager! Xiao Qidi cannot escape—quickly bring me his head!"

Since the master had decided, the retainers had no scruples; they streamed past the Empress Dowager, step by step closing in on Xiao Qidi.

Jiang Peihuan's life‑for‑life gesture had become a laughingstock.

Only now did she realize that Le'an did not love her as she had thought.

Her heart seized with a sudden sharp pain.

The pain made her unable to breathe, her whole body losing strength.

A clang.

The long sword fell to the ground.

She slumped to the ground, her swollen eyes now devoid of any light, like a dead person's...

Marquis Le'an's retainers surged toward Xiao Qidi like a tide.

Xiao Qidi could only meet them head‑on; besides carving a bloody path, he had no other option.

Relying on protective gear that could completely block bronze weapons and a special dagger that cut iron like mud, in the blink of an eye he piled up corpses on the steps.

And from head to foot, he was also smeared with the enemies' blood.

The scattered shoulder‑length hair seemed dyed a dark red.

The figure slaughtering in all directions on the steps, under the swaying lantern light, resembled a god of killing.

Translation: "The figure slaughtering in all directions on the steps, under the swaying lantern light, resembled a god of killing."

The figure slaughtering in all directions on the steps, under the swaying lantern light, resembled a god of killing.

We need to keep it concise but faithful. Could be: "The figure slaughtering in all directions on the steps, under the swaying lantern light, resembled a killing god." That's fine.

As corpses piled up beneath the steps and blood flowed like rivers across the ground, the Marquis of Le'an grew more terrified with each glance.

Translation: "As corpses piled up beneath the steps and blood flowed like rivers across the ground, the Marquis of Le'an grew more terrified with each glance."

As corpses piled up beneath the steps and blood flowed like rivers across the ground, the Marquis of Le'an grew more terrified with each glance.

I thought my many skilled retainers could kill Xiao Qidi quickly, but I never expected his combat prowess to be so terrifying.

Translation: "I thought my many skilled retainers could kill Xiao Qidi quickly, but I never expected his combat prowess to be so terrifying."

I thought my many skilled retainers could kill Xiao Qidi quickly, but I never expected his combat prowess to be so terrifying.

Over two hundred retainers have died, yet they still couldn't charge the steps before the main hall.

Translation: "Over two hundred retainers have died, yet they still couldn't charge the steps before the main hall."

Over two hundred retainers have died, yet they still couldn't charge the steps before the main hall.

On the contrary, Xiao Qidi grew fiercer the more he killed, forcing the retainers to retreat continually, as if they would soon be driven all the way to him.

Translation: "On the contrary, Xiao Qidi grew fiercer the more he killed, forcing the retainers to retreat continually, as if they would soon be driven all the way to him."

On the contrary, Xiao Qidi grew fiercer the more he killed, forcing the retainers to retreat continually, as if they would soon be driven all the way to him.

"Hold the line! Don't let him come near!" the Marquis of Le'an shouted from the rear of the retainers, raising his voice, "Don't be afraid! Even if he's immune to blades and spears, he's only one man! He will eventually run out of stamina—don't give him a chance to catch his breath!"

Translation: "\"Hold him back! Don't let him come near! \" the Marquis of Le'an shouted from behind the retainers, raising his voice, \"Don't be afraid! Even if he's immune to blades, he's only one man—he will eventually run out of strength, so don't give him a chance to catch his breath! \"

We need to keep quotes. Use double quotes. Ensure we keep the exclamation marks. So: "\"Hold him back! Don't let him come near! \" the Marquis of Le'an shouted from behind the retainers, raising his voice, \"Don't be afraid! Even if he's immune to blades, he's only one man—he will eventually run out of strength, so don't give him a chance to catch his breath! \"

The retainers were uncertain and uneasy, gritting their teeth as they continued to fight desperately.

Translation: "The retainers, shocked and uncertain, gritted their teeth and continued to fight desperately."

Gradually, Xiao Qidi began to feel his strength waning.

Translation: "Gradually, Xiao Qidi began to run out of strength."

After killing a batch, more retainers immediately rushed forward to take their place.

Translation: "After killing a batch, more retainers immediately rushed forward to take their place."

Although each retainer showed fear and their morale was far lower than at the start, they simply could not withstand the overwhelming numbers.

Translation: "Although each retainer showed fear and morale was far lower than at the start, their sheer numbers were impossible to withstand."

Xiao Qidi let out a low roar, lifted the two retainers whose throats he had just slit, and flung them into the crowd.

Translation: "Xiao Qidi let out a low roar, lifted two retainers whose throats he had just slit, and flung them into the crowd."

Bang!

Translation: "Bang!"

The two corpses crashed down, knocking over a large group of people.

Translation: "The two corpses crashed down, knocking over a large group of people."

Immediately after, he turned and slashed the throats of several attackers sneaking up from both sides, then delivered a series of kicks that sent them flying.

Translation: "Immediately after, he turned and slit the throats of several attackers sneaking up from both sides, then delivered a series of kicks that sent them flying."

Even though his strength was failing, he forced himself to endure, showing no sign of fatigue.

Translation: "Even though he was running out of strength, he forced himself on, showing no sign of fatigue."

The retainers were losing their resolve.

Translation: "The retainers were losing their morale."

Although they knew that relying on superior numbers could indeed exhaust Xiao Qidi's strength.

Translation: "Although they knew that sheer numbers could indeed exhaust Xiao Qidi's strength,"

But the problem is, no one knows when that will happen, and there's simply no way to judge it from his outward condition.

Moreover, this is being done at the cost of their lives.

Translation: "But the problem is, no one knows when that will happen, and there's no way to judge it from his outward condition."

They are not like the Marquis of Le'an's death warriors, who would sacrifice themselves without hesitation.

Translation: "Moreover, this exhaustion is being bought with their lives."

Unbeknownst to them, the retainers' offensive strength began to wane.

Translation: "They are not like the Marquis of Le'an's death warriors, who would sacrifice themselves without hesitation."

Unbeknownst to them, the retainers' offensive strength began to wane.

Translation: "Unnoticed, the retainers' attack intensity weakened."

Xiao Qidi, eyes blazing with killing intent, drew a deep breath and shouted loudly: "Marquis of Le'an is a traitor rebelling against the throne! Do not continue to aid a tiger in its evil! Whoever captures Le'an, I will not only pardon him but also richly reward him, proclaiming him a meritorious official who rescued the emperor and quelled the rebellion!"

Xiao Qidi, eyes blazing with killing intent, drew a deep breath and shouted loudly: "Marquis of Le'an is a traitor rebelling against the throne! Do not continue to aid a tiger in its evil! Whoever captures Le'an, I will not only pardon him but also richly reward him, proclaiming him a meritorious official who rescued the emperor and quelled the rebellion!"

We need to keep the quotes. Use double quotes.

Upon hearing this, all the retainers froze.

Translation: "Hearing this, all the retainers froze."

At this moment they already had thoughts of retreat, and Xiao Qidi's promise made it all the more tempting.

Translation: "At this moment they already harbored thoughts of retreat, and Xiao Qidi's promise made it all the more tempting."

"Don't listen to his lies! He hasn't yet assumed power, has no authority, and can't give you what he promises!" the Marquis of Le'an shouted as well, seeing the situation, "He's spent his strength! Kill him, and only I can give you greater rewards!"

Translation: "\"Don't listen to his lies! He hasn't ascended the throne, holds no power or authority, and cannot fulfill his promises! \" the Marquis of Le'an shouted upon seeing this, \"He's at the end of his tether! Only I can give you greater rewards if you kill him! \"

Xiao Qidi sneered, "What gives you the right to promise them greater rewards? Although I have not yet assumed power, I am the legitimate king of Great Xuan, cultivated by the Chancellor himself. If I die, will the Chancellor simply stand by while you control the court? In the end, you will surely be attacked and slaughtered by the Chancellor, meeting a miserable fate! All the world will know you as a traitor who murdered the sovereign!"

Translation: "Xiao Qidi sneered: \"What gives you the right to promise them greater rewards? Though I have not yet ascended the throne, I am the legitimate King of Daxuan, cultivated by the Prime Minister. If I die, will the Prime Minister just stand by while you seize the court? In the end, you will surely be attacked and exterminated by him, meeting a miserable fate—all the world will know you as a traitor who murdered the sovereign! \"

We need to use King of Daxuan, Prime Minister.

Upon hearing these words, some retainers immediately lowered their weapons, while others visibly became hesitant.

Translation: "Upon hearing this, some retainers put down their weapons, while others visibly became hesitant."

The Marquis of Le'an was momentarily stunned.

Translation: "The Marquis of Le'an was stunned for a moment."

He currently indeed lacks full confidence in being able to confront the Chancellor head-on; if he were to completely break with the Chancellor, his chances of victory would be less than forty percent.

Translation: "He now indeed lacked full confidence in confronting the Prime Minister head-on; if they broke completely, his chances of victory would be less than forty percent."

But now, the arrow is on the bowstring and must be released.

Translation: "But now, like an arrow on the bowstring, he has no choice but to act."

If Xiao Qidi is not killed, his death is certain.

Translation: "If he does not kill Xiao Qidi, his death is certain."

"Listen up!" the Marquis of Le'an bellowed, "A mere Chancellor is nothing to fear! Don't forget! Your wives, children, and elders all reside in the places I arranged for you. Kill Xiao Qidi, and I guarantee your families will enjoy wealth and honor! But if you believe his lies and turn against me, my men will surely make your wives, children, and parents meet a miserable end!"

Translation: "\"Listen up! \" the Marquis of Le'an bellowed, \"The Prime Minister is nothing to fear! Don't forget—your wives, children, and elders all reside in the places I arranged. Kill Xiao Qidi, and I guarantee your families wealth and honor! But if you believe his lies and turn against me, my men will see to it that your wives, children, and parents meet a miserable end! \"

The Marquis of Le'an dropped a heavyweight threat.

Translation: "The Marquis of Le'an unleashed a heavyweight threat."

Even if the retainers didn't care about their own fate, they still had to consider their families.

Translation: "Even if the retainers disregarded their own fate, they still had to consider their families."

At this moment the retainers realized that the Marquis of Le'an's earlier arrangement of lodging for their families was not out of goodwill, but a means to exploit their weakness.

Translation: "Only now did the retainers realize that the Marquis of Le'an's earlier arrangement of their families was not out of goodwill, but a means to exploit their weakness."

Too bad, it's now too late to realize that.

Translation: "Too bad, they realized it was already too late."

"Go on... better to die in battle than to watch our wives, children, and parents suffer a horrible death," someone said through gritted teeth.

Translation: "\"Go on... better to die in battle than watch our wives, children, and parents suffer a horrible death, \" someone said through gritted teeth."

The retainers' eyes reddened, and they gradually gripped their weapons again.

Translation: "The retainers' eyes reddened, and they gradually gripped their weapons again."

However, this time they still hesitated a bit and did not launch an attack immediately.

Translation: "However, this time they still hesitated somewhat and did not launch an immediate attack."

"Stop dawdling!" the Marquis of Le'an roared, "Kill him!"

Translation: "\"Stop dawdling! \" the Marquis of Le'an roared, \"Kill him! \"

Xiao Qidi took a deep breath, wiped the blood from his dagger, and readied himself for battle.

Translation: "Xiao Qidi took a deep breath, wiped the blood from his dagger, and readied himself for battle."

Just then, the clamor of horse hooves approached from afar.

Translation: "Just then, the clamor of horse hooves approached from afar."

"My lord!" a few retainers rushed to report, "A large force of Shuncheng troops has stormed straight into Shun Palace, with hundreds of vanguard soldiers and horses heading this way! We didn't dare stop them to ask what they intended!"

Translation: "\"My lord! \" several retainers rushed to report, \"A large force of Shuncheng troops has stormed straight into Shuncheng Palace, with hundreds of vanguard soldiers and cavalry rushing this way! We didn't dare stop them to ask what they intended! \"

Although the retainers were unaware of the details, the Marquis of Le'an was certain that his strategist had used that blank edict to summon the Shuncheng army!

Translation: "Although the retainers were unaware of the details, the Marquis of Le'an was certain that his strategist had used that blank edict to summon the Shuncheng army."

Moreover, given his understanding of that strategist, he could easily guess the general content of the forged edict.

Translation: "Moreover, given his understanding of that strategist, he could easily guess the general content of the forged edict."

"Hahaha!" the Marquis of Le'an laughed loudly, "Perfect timing! Just in time! I tell you, the Shuncheng troops are the ones I summoned!"

Translation: "\"Hahaha! \" the Marquis of Le'an laughed loudly, \"Perfect timing! Just in time! I tell you, the Shuncheng troops are the ones I summoned! \"

"My lord, is that really true?" his nearby retainers asked, faces full of astonishment.

Translation: "\"My lord, is that really true? \" his nearby retainers asked, faces full of astonishment."

The Marquis of Le'an spoke with full confidence, "My abilities exceed your imagination! Otherwise, what do you think gave me the courage to dare kill Xiao Qidi?"

Translation: "The Marquis of Le'an spoke with full confidence, \"My abilities exceed your imagination! Otherwise, what do you think gave me the courage to dare kill Xiao Qidi? \""

Just moments ago he had still been somewhat worried that the situation might spiral out of control, leaving him unable to kill Xiao Qidi.

Translation: "Just moments ago he had still been somewhat worried that the situation might spiral out of control, leaving him unable to kill Xiao Qidi."

Now he is completely at ease.

Translation: "Now he is completely at ease."

As they spoke, hundreds of vanguard troops had already arrived at the plaza before the main hall, each clad in armor and wielding sharp blades.

Translation: "As they spoke, hundreds of vanguard troops had already arrived at the plaza before the main hall, each clad in armor and wielding sharp blades."

The Marquis of Le'an hurried forward, shouting from a distance at the leading commander: "General! Villains have stormed into Shun Palace, intending to assassinate the Empress Dowager and me! You've arrived just in time! Please have the general eliminate these villains!"

Translation: "The Marquis of Le'an hurried to meet him, shouting from afar at the leading general: \"General! Villains have stormed Shuncheng Palace, intending to assassinate the Empress Dowager and me! You've arrived just in time—please eliminate these villains! \"

The Marquis of Le'an guessed that the content written by the strategist on the blank edict must be something like this.

Translation: "The Marquis of Le'an guessed that the strategist's writing on the blank edict must be something like this."

The reason is simple: the Shuncheng army is the Great Xuan's great army, and they certainly cannot be told they are coming to help the Marquis of Le'an commit regicide.

Translation: "The reason is simple: the Shuncheng army is the great army of Xuan Guo, and they certainly cannot be told they are coming to help the Marquis of Le'an assassinate the sovereign."

Furthermore, Xiao Qidi has not yet assumed power and has never met the commanders of the Shuncheng army; under these circumstances, he cannot prove his identity.

Translation: "Moreover, Xiao Qidi has not yet ascended the throne and has never met the commanders of the Shuncheng army; under these circumstances, he cannot prove his identity."

Thus, making the Shuncheng army believe that Xiao Qidi is an assassin coming to commit regicide is the most suitable method, bar none.

Translation: "Thus, making the Shuncheng forces believe Xiao Qidi is an assassin sent to kill the sovereign is the most suitable method, bar none."

Moreover, everyone present is his man, so he can freely pin the blame on Xiao Qidi without hesitation, in line with the strategist's forged edict.

Translation: "Furthermore, everyone present is his man, so he can freely label Xiao Qidi as a criminal, matching the forged edict written by the strategist."

"My lord, don't panic," the leading commander said, pressing his helmet down slightly, his voice low, "Outside Shun Palace there are tens of thousands of Shuncheng troops on standby at any moment."

Translation: "\"My lord, don't panic, \" the leading general said, lowering his helmet with a casual hand, his voice deep, \"Outside Shuncheng Palace, tens of thousands of Shuncheng troops stand ready at any moment. \"

The Marquis of Le'an was overjoyed, slowed his steps, and walked to a position more than a zhang away from the commander.

Translation: "The Marquis of Le'an, overjoyed, slowed his steps and walked to a position more than ten feet away from the general."

The night was dark, the lanterns throughout the palace provided limited illumination, and moreover the leading commander had pressed his helmet down low, causing the Marquis of Le'an to be unable to see his face clearly.

"Huh?" Marquis Le'an widened his eyes and scrutinized carefully, somewhat puzzled as he asked, "May I ask, which general are you? I seem to have never seen you before."

The Shuncheng Army numbered a full fifty thousand; aside from the commanding general, Marquis Le'an also knew many of the other several big and small generals.

Although he couldn't see this general's face clearly at the moment, both his voice and his bearing were utterly unfamiliar.

Marquis Le'an suddenly felt a strange, inexplicable sense that something was off.

But upon another look, a few of the officers beside this leading general looked familiar.

Before that general could answer, the uneasy feeling that had just arisen in Marquis Le'an's heart quickly dissipated.

"Where are the people who assassinated the Marquis and the Empress Dowager?" the general asked.

Marquis Le'an immediately had his retainers spread out, then pointed forward and raised his voice: "That's the assassin! This villain is treacherous and deceitful, extraordinarily brutal, and has already killed hundreds of my men! General, please execute him on the spot!"