Chapter 335: Events in Luoyang

When Cao Cao and the other capital officials, having received the edict, hurried to the Imperial Palace, they entered the Great Hall, and what met their eyes was a suffocating low pressure.

The Son of Heaven Liu Hong had a face as dark as water, seated upon the Dragon Throne, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest, showing his extreme inner unrest.

Beside them, Zhang Rang and the few attendants stood, each deathly pale like a startled bird, not daring to breathe.

And the most shocking sight was Zhao Zhong collapsed not far from the foot of the Dragon Throne, lying flat on the cold gold bricks!

His face was swollen and bruised, blood froth still at the corners of his mouth, eyes tightly shut—whether unconscious or too afraid to open them, his miserable state was a world apart from his former domineering power.

The officials had already heard, via their own channels, of the shocking incident on the street and the rumor that the Chi Xiao Sword had reappeared.

Seeing the most favored Zhao Zhong meet such an end, the officials had no doubt left, and felt a chill: it seemed the matter of the immortal and the Chi Xiao was beyond doubt, and the Emperor's anger now raged like a flood.

The officials quickly suppressed their racing thoughts, dared not think further, stepped forward in order of rank, stood solemnly with heads bowed, and the Great Hall fell so silent you could hear a pin drop.

Liu Hong's icy gaze swept slowly over the officials below, pressing down on them like a tangible weight that made breathing difficult.

He then drew a deep breath, as if trying to suppress his surging emotions, and slowly rose to his feet.

"I suppose, my beloved ministers, you have already heard some rumors on the way here." His voice carried a hint of repressed hoarseness, then he pointed fiercely at Zhao Zhong lying on the ground like a dead dog and shouted:

"You foolish, cowardly eunuchs! Acting on your own, arrogant and ignorant, you dared to raise arms against the Immortal Master holding the Chi Xiao, ruining my plans and nearly bringing disaster upon the Han Empire! Your crimes are beyond record!"

He waved his hand, his voice ringing like metal, filled with undisputed killing intent:

"Come! Drag the criminal minister Zhao Zhong out—behead him!"

These words were like a thunderbolt from a clear sky!

Zhao Zhong, who had been lying with eyes shut, feigning death to slip through, suddenly opened his eyes, filled with utter terror and disbelief!

He tried to struggle up to beg for mercy, but then remembered his limbs were crippled; he could only writhe like a maggot, mustering all his strength to roll over, slamming his forehead hard against the cold floor, pounding it relentlessly even as his skin split and blood poured, staining the bricks before him.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, spare me——!" His voice turned shrill and distorted, mixed with blood froth: "I have served Your Majesty for years, though I have no merit, I have toiled! My loyalty to Your Majesty is absolute, heaven and earth can bear witness! I beg You, in light of our past affection, spare my life, Your Majesty! I know my fault, I truly know it! Your Majesty——!"

He wailed, trying to move Liu Hong with years of master‑servant affection, blood and tears smearing his face, looking like a madman.

Yet Liu Hong, seated on the Dragon Throne, merely stared coldly, expressionless, his eyes showing not a flicker of wavering or pity, as if looking at a complete stranger who deserved his fate.

He lightly waved his hand, signaling the guards before the hall to act quickly.

Two guards, fierce as wolves and tigers, stepped forward, roughly hoisting the limp, mud‑like Zhao Zhong who still hissed pleas for mercy, and dragged him out of the Great Hall.

His shrill pleas faded away, finally disappearing into the depths of the palace, leaving only a winding bloodstain on the floor, a shocking sight.

The officials inside lowered their heads, their hearts colder than before, none daring to plead for him.

Many more felt schadenfreude, and exclaimed "How satisfying!"

After all, Zhao Zhong was ordinarily extravagantly arrogant; once he took offense, it meant at least ruin for one's family.

Consequently, his reputation among the officials had sunk to the lowest; if not for seeing the Emperor's ill mood, someone might have burst out laughing right there, shouting, "How wonderful! How wonderful!"

Soon after, a guard entered the hall briskly carrying a tray covered with white cloth, knelt on one knee, and reported in a low voice:

"Your Majesty, the criminal minister Zhao Zhong has been verified and executed."

Liu Hong didn't even glance at the tray, merely waving his hand wearily:

"Throw it onto the gravesite."

"Yes!" The guard obeyed, rose, lifted the tray holding the former powerful eunuch's head, turned and hurried away.

Only after all this had settled, the bloody scent still lingering in the hall, did Liu Hong turn his gaze back to the officials below, silent as cicadas in winter.

The fury and killing intent on his face gradually subsided, replaced by a deep weariness and resolve.

He gestured for Zhang Rang to step forward:

"Zhang Rang, you tell us.........."

"Yes." Zhang Rang stepped forward trembling, bowed, and with a quivering voice described Yu Lin's attire, appearance, and demeanor in as much detail as possible, especially the features of his sidearm.

After Zhang Rang finished, Liu Hong surveyed the officials and said in a deep voice: "Today's affair should serve as a warning to you all."

"The Immortal Master bearing the Chi Xiao is a sign of heavenly aid to our Han Empire; it must not be neglected! I order you, when you return, not to deliberately seek out and disturb the Immortal Master!"

He shifted tone, becoming extremely solemn: "But if you happen to encounter him, you must receive him with the highest courtesy, show extra humility and respect; if you can win his favor, you must spare no effort to draw him in, demonstrate sincerity, move him with emotion! Once you make any progress, report to me at once! If you can bring back the Immortal Master and the Chi Xiao, it will be an unsurpassable merit for you! Do you understand?"

The officials' thoughts raced, but their faces all showed respectful assent:

"We obey your order!"

"Your Majesty is sagacious; we will exert our utmost!"

"Hmm," Liu Hong rubbed his brow, somewhat fatigued, "All right, you may withdraw."

"We take our leave!"

The officials, as if granted a pardon, bowed and left the oppressive Great Hall one after another.

Outside the hall, the sunlight shone brightly, as if all were still calm and peaceful.

But everyone knew that the wind's direction in Luoyang City had been completely changed by a sword and a person.

Of course.

As for all this, Yu Lin was unaware.

Because he had already left Luoyang.

He arrived at a small county, saw a child clinging to his own thigh and crying, and twitched the corner of his mouth:

"What's your name? Where are your family?"

"Diao, Diao Chan... I... have no family."