Chapter 134: Golden Guard, That Damn Foolish Monk

Xie Mu leaned on the railing and looked out.

Suddenly!

At the end of the street, a troop of soldiers surged forth like a tide, armor glinting with icy frost, weapons radiating a deadly aura.

Like a rolling cloud of crimson, they advanced swiftly, their momentum overwhelming.

In an instant, they had completely surrounded the Western Factory.

Not even a bird could fly in, not a mosquito could slip out!

Iron armor gleamed with chilling cold as squads of hundred-man cavalry circled the Western Factory.

The guards at the Western Factory's entrance, faced with this scene, were startled but still held their ground.

Seeing this, Xie Mu let out an exclamation.

"Golden Guard!"

Xie Mu marveled, studying the disciplined soldiers closely—they wore red-corded Bright Light Armor, moving like crimson dragons.

They flew crimson banners and dared to ride horses through the capital.

Only!

The capital's imperial guard.

Each soldier had been selected from the army, all clad in heavy armor.

Heavy armor is also called—"Mercury Chainmail," "Jing Emperor Armor."

The Daqing legal code is strict!

Manufacturing heavy armor is a grave crime; any craftsman capable of making it must register his lineage with the military.

Red-corded Bright Light Armor!

It is the most prestigious armor in Daqing, weighing sixty jin.

The outer layer consists of iron plates laced together with leather thongs or rivets, a classic lamellar design.

The inner layer is chainmail: "Five rings interlock; when one ring takes an arrow, the others shield it; the armor links like a chain, impervious to arrows."

This chainmail!

Originated from the Nan Qiang, later introduced to Daqing through tribute, gradually becoming widespread in the Daqing dynasty.

Each ring is tightly connected; when one ring bears force, the other four share the load, greatly reducing stress on any single ring. Because the structure is interlocking rings, the armor's defense is significantly enhanced.

The armor has two layers, improved by the Jing Emperor, ingeniously woven together by a single red cord—adding aesthetic appeal while showcasing the craftsmen's mastery.

Defense and flexibility increased dramatically!

As Daqing's most elite armor,

Only a few imperial guard units in the capital are permitted to equip it.

Huang Dao leaned on the railing, watching as the Golden Guard's banners fluttered in the distance.

The procession was massive!

Six battalions strong.

Civilians on both sides scrambled to clear the way, while a thousand elite soldiers from the Left and Right Guards cleared the streets.

A palpable aura of swift slaughter filled the air.

The Penglai Pavilion now forbade all guests from leaving; everyone leaned out windows to gaze at the street.

The guests, startled by the commotion, also leaned out windows to witness the grand spectacle.

Voices rose in murmurs; everyone speculated that the capital was about to change hands.

Xie Mu exclaimed:

"Six battalions? Four thousand troops?"

Huang Dao smiled faintly, scanning the street—among the crowd, several masters of the Zongshi realm lurked unseen.

"Correct."

"This young emperor isn't simple. Look at this display—he's been prepared all along. Probably not just us are the vultures waiting."

Huang Dao said calmly: "This so-called Jing Emperor Armor was designed by the Jing Emperor himself to kill Grand Masters."

Hearing this, Xie Mu realized—the scale of this imperial guard deployment!

Could only be ordered by the current Son of Heaven's decree.

The capital's imperial guard system is meticulously organized, divided into inner and outer sectors.

The inner sector is guarded by eunuchs, the Minister of the Imperial Household, and the Minister of the Guards.

The city is defended by the Golden Guard, the City Gate Captain, and the Northern Army Commander.

"When at rest, they guard the palace and stand watch at the gates; when on the move, they flank the emperor's carriage."

The emperor's travels follow strict protocol.

Multiple factions jointly guard the capital, balancing one another.

Now!

The Empress Dowager's power has surpassed that of the current Daqing Emperor.

The Western Factory, as the Empress Dowager's wing, wields undeniable influence.

Besides the Western Factory, the three forces under the City Gate Captain total over forty thousand men—all obey only the Empress Dowager's orders, ignoring the emperor's jade seal.

In contrast, the current emperor's forces are weaker. Combined, the Eastern Depot and the Golden Guard number barely ten thousand.

Xie Mu was stunned.

He was also baffled by this sudden siege of the Western Factory.

The Empress Dowager is old, her days few.

There is no need for the emperor and the Empress Dowager to turn against each other—this move would only backfire.

Once other factions react, their overwhelming force could easily crush the Golden Guard, and the situation would become irreversible.

How will the Son of Heaven position himself?

The Western Factory and the City Gate Captain control the northern and southern halves of the capital, respectively.

Only seven li apart.

They support each other as mutually reinforcing positions!

He asked, puzzled:

"The Western Factory is surrounded with such force—why haven't they reacted at all?"

And the Western Factory's response showed clear surprise.

They couldn't possibly have missed it!

The purple-veiled woman Ouyang Wenwan was equally confused; she had lived in the capital long enough to know the court's politics inside out.

The capital's jade trade had long been tightly controlled by the Seven Tones Sect, yielding immense profits, allowing her to rent the top floor of the Penglai Pavilion and display her status.

Beyond wealth, she had cultivated many powerful connections.

Yet today, she knew nothing of this sudden upheaval—not a single whisper had reached her.

Facing this situation!

Ouyang Wenwan's heart jolted; she dropped to her knees, voice trembling:

"Please, Master Demon, punish me—I failed to foresee this change, and have betrayed your trust."

Huang Dao did not respond immediately; instead, he turned his gaze to Xie Mu and asked:

"What do you think?"

As if he had handed the decision to Xie Mu.

Xie Mu glanced at Ouyang Wenwan, wiped oil from his mouth, and said:

"We've lived in the capital for years, indebted to the Seven Tones Sect for our food, shelter, and daily needs."

"You eat and live under their roof—why cling to this?"

Huang Dao nodded slightly in agreement: "Fair enough."

Ouyang Wenwan sighed in relief, bowed deeply, and cast Xie Mu a grateful look: "Thank you, Young Master, for pleading on my behalf."

Xie Mu waved it off, unconcerned.

At that moment, Huang Dao's eyes suddenly sharpened, locking onto the Western Factory—he sensed something unusual.

"Impossible!"

"It ended too quickly."

Xie Mu, only concerned with the outcome, asked quickly:

"What happened?"

Huang Dao muttered:

"They ran?"

Xie Mu brightened:

"The Junior Protector fled, then?"

Huang Dao shook his head:

"The Foolish Monk fled."

Xie Mu frowned: "What do you mean? Why did the Foolish Monk run? What about Chen Sanzhong and Jiang Xiaoyue?"

Huang Dao closed his eyes, sensing for a moment, then cursed.

"That damn Foolish Monk—he's running straight toward us!"

"I came only to watch the show—I never planned to get involved!"

Huang Dao recalled the scene on Mount Zhongnan, Lu Yu's earth-shattering punch, which still sent shivers down his spine.

His heart trembled.

He quickly told the woman, "Split up!"

Saying this,

Huang Dao seized Xie Mu by the collar, and the two leapt from Penglai Pavilion.

(End of Chapter)