Chapter 770: First Volume, Chapter 770: Forced Palace Coup

First Volume, Chapter 770: Forced Palace Coup

The Commander-in-Chief understood, took a deep breath, waved his hand, and dozens of Imperial Guards rushed forward, following his lead straight toward the Imperial Study.

As they climbed the steps, a clattering sound came from ahead—the clash of armor plates.

The Commander-in-Chief looked up and saw that the Palace Guards were already lined up outside the Imperial Study door.

Seeing this, the Commander-in-Chief's expression turned grim, but feeling Li Yong's gaze behind him, he forced himself to shout at the Palace Guards: "Stand aside! I have urgent matters to discuss with His Majesty!"

The Palace Guards remained unmoved; the dozen or so of them, facing ever-increasing numbers of arriving Imperial Guards, showed not a trace of fear—their eyes as unyielding as stone.

Zhou Zhenhai, commander of the Palace Guards, looked down with contempt at Wu Chi, the newly appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guards, his disdain unmistakable.

"Commander Wu, don't you know in your heart whether His Majesty will see you? As Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guards, you know better than anyone what's happening in this palace. I advise you to return whence you came."

Facing Zhou Zhenhai's blunt dismissal, Wu Chi took a deep breath, his expression turning even more aggressive.

"I don't need you to remind me—I know the situation inside this palace!"

"The Imperial Guards number thirty thousand; the Palace Guards number fewer than a thousand. You are all rare gems—learn to cherish your wings."

"Today, even if heaven collapses and earth cracks, nothing will stop me from seeing His Majesty!"

As he spoke, Wu Chi stepped up another stair.

Clatter—

All fully armed Palace Guards raised their long spears, pointing them at Wu Chi—if he took one more step, they would kill him on the spot.

Feeling the murderous intent radiating from the Palace Guards, Wu Chi did not back down; with a single glance, hundreds of Imperial Guards behind him drew their weapons.

This was the first time since the founding of Shedynasty that an army had stood off outside the Imperial Study door, weapons drawn.

"Stand aside!"

Wu Chi's tone was razor-sharp; his right hand gripped his waist saber, ready for bloodshed.

Zhou Zhenhai's eyes showed no flicker: "If you have the guts, step over my corpse."

Wu Chi drew his waist saber at once, the cold blade aimed directly at Zhou Zhenhai: "Do you want to die?!"

Having decided on a Forced Palace Coup, Wu Chi left no room for retreat—after all, even if he withdrew now, he would bear the traitor's label and face execution of his Nine Clans.

If he was going to do it, he would do it thoroughly: install a new emperor to inherit the Imperial Throne, and only then could he enjoy wealth and glory.

Even if the Palace Guards were elite to the point of being terrifying, their numbers were too few—fewer than a thousand—against thirty thousand Imperial Guards, they were doomed.

But Zhou Zhenhai showed no sign of retreat; from the moment the Palace Guards were formed, their mission had been to protect the Emperor—regardless of who that Emperor was.

As long as the Liang Emperor sat upon the Imperial Throne one more day, Zhou Zhenhai and every Palace Guard would fight to the last breath.

Just as the two sides were on the verge of open battle, Zhang Xiuye suddenly rushed over in haste.

This old fox knew every detail of palace affairs—he had long known Li Yong could no longer wait and was preparing to strike early; today's scene was exactly as he had foreseen.

Seeing the two sides locked in tension, Zhang Xiuye pretended not to notice, shouting from afar: "His Majesty! Grand Commandant Qin requests an audience!"

Hearing Qin Tianhu had arrived, Wu Chi's eyes betrayed clear panic—today's events inside the palace must not leak out; if Qin Tianhu came to Reinforce the King, the consequences would be catastrophic!

Wu Chi gritted his teeth, his killing intent surging—he might as well kill Qin Tianhu too!

Even if Qin Feng would surely seek revenge, it would only come after the new emperor had inherited the Imperial Throne and seized control of Heaven—by then, with the Imperial Party and Jingji Garrison under his command, who would ultimately prevail was still uncertain!

But when Wu Chi turned to look, his heart sank.

Qin Tianhu was not alone—he was accompanied by a young man, who turned out to be… Zhao Yuxiong?!

Qin Tianhu glanced at Wu Chi and ignored him; the Imperial Guards beside him were beneath his notice—he marched straight toward the Imperial Study.

Seeing the path blocked by a crowd of Imperial Guards, Zhao Yuxiong, following behind Qin Tianhu, coldly barked: "Get out of the way!"

Before the few Imperial Guards could react, Zhao Yuxiong drew his waist saber and cut them down on the spot; the surrounding Imperial Guards recoiled in shock.

Zhao Yuxiong wiped the blood from his blade against the corpse's body—killing a few Imperial Guards was as easy as slaughtering chickens.

Feeling Wu Chi's furious gaze, Zhao Yuxiong remained expressionless: "A thousand Black Riders and three hundred Tianji Camp Guards wait outside the Palace Gate. If you delay me and Grand Commandant Qin for half a Envoy without leaving the palace, they will storm in. The garrison troops of Tianji Camp and the Longhu Army will also move upon hearing the news."

"Commander Wu, if you have the courage, be ruthless. If you lack the nerve, get out—don't delay Grand Commandant's affairs."

Wu Chi's face flushed crimson; he nearly drew his blade to kill Zhao Yuxiong—but at the last moment, he held back.

After all, the Black Riders and Tianji Camp Guards outside were no joke—if they stormed in and the Reinforce the King battle began, not only Wu Chi and the Imperial Guards, but even Seventh Prince Li Yong would not escape death.

Wu Chi gritted his teeth and turned away—only Li Yong could decide now.

Zhou Zhenhai, still guarding the Book Room door, bowed to Qin Tianhu: "Greetings, Grand Commandant."

Qin Tianhu gave a slight nod in return, needed no announcement from Zhou Zhenhai, and pushed open the door to enter.

Zhao Yuxiong stood at the entrance of the Imperial Study, hand on his saber, calmly surveying the dense ranks of Imperial Guards.

By now, over a thousand Imperial Guards had gathered outside the Imperial Study—clearly, the entire Imperial Guard system was firmly under Li Yong's control.

"General Zhao, thank you," Zhou Zhenhai bowed again.

Though the Palace Guards and Qin Feng had deep grievances, without Qin Tianhu and Zhao Yuxiong arriving in time, today's battle would have been unavoidable.

One thing at a time—Zhou Zhenhai sincerely thanked the Qin Family for their aid.

But Zhao Yuxiong's response was a cold stare: "No thanks needed. When the Marquis of Qin is away from Beijing, maintaining the capital's stability is our duty."

"Do you think the Marquis of Qin cares only for the Qin Family? Hmph, how narrow-minded."

Hearing this, Zhou Zhenhai felt no resentment—on the contrary, his bitterness toward Qin Feng lessened somewhat; after all, only in critical moments could one see whether a minister was loyal or treacherous.

Zhou Zhenhai took a deep breath and cautiously asked: "How did Grand Commandant Qin know what happened in the palace today?"

Zhao Yuxiong did not hesitate: "I have my own methods—no need to elaborate. Commander Zhou, just fulfill your duty."