Chapter 2109: Gamble of Life and Death
Even though Gao Ying had drunk a lot today, he now had nine ranks of cultivation. If he activated it and circulated his internal energy, he could easily force out the alcohol. When he realized that something had happened at the capital, he'd wanted to force out the alcohol’s effects, but as soon as he used his cultivation, he immediately realized that something was wrong inside his body. He felt really dizzy, and even his inner ki was chaotic. With all of those signs, it was easy to see that something wasn’t right.
Gao Ying suddenly looked at Pei You, his expression carrying both disappointment and fury. He cried, “I thought of you as my brother, yet you actually schemed and plotted against me!”
Pei You had told him that the Pei clan was interested in becoming related to him through marriage, and had thus invited him over to the Pei manor to take a look at the ladies here. Now, it seemed the entire affair was a conspiracy!
Pei You’s expression changed greatly as he exclaimed, “It wasn’t me! I didn’t do it!” Then, he quickly got up and looked in the direction of his father.
There were many people on the woven mats that were completely oblivious to what was going on. They had all still been so happy a moment ago, so why had they suddenly fallen out?
Just then, Pei Yi quickly stood up from his seat. With a clap of his hands, a large group of guards appeared and moved to surround Gao Ying. In response, Gao Ying’s guards all drew their weapons and protected him. The women all ran away toward the inner residence in panic.
“Father, just what is going on?” Pei You exclaimed, alarmed and angry. He really never could have imagined that any of this would ever happen.
Pei Yi said with a sigh, “You’ve probably already guessed it. Why bother asking so many questions?”
Pei You replied with a scowl, “You used me to fool him?”
Gao Ying said with a sneer, “Keep acting, why don’t you!”
He quickly took out a porcelain bottle and shoved several pills into his mouth. At the same time, he gave them to his subordinates. He was now the Right Guard General, after all, and the Liu clan was now incredibly powerful, so he had all kinds of amazing medicines. There was naturally no lack of antidotes among them. Sure enough, after ingesting these pills, he immediately felt his condition improve considerably.
When he saw that, Pei Yi’s expression changed. He yelled, “Capture him!”
With a shout, the subordinates all rushed straight at Gao Ying.
“General Gao, hurry and escape!” the guards at Gao Ying’s side quickly shouted.
Every clan had their own deathsworn soldiers. Now that it was clearly proven that this was a trap, it would definitely be impossible for all of them to get away. They could only try their best to help Gao Ying leave, upon which their mission would be complete. As for their families, they would naturally be taken care of by the Liu clan.
The two sides clashed, and blood was instantly drawn. In this kind of irreconcilable battle, they instantly abandoned all flowery tricks and techniques. They only used the attacks that would take lives the quickest.
The guards that protected Gao Ying’s side were naturally all carefully selected elites; every single one’s cultivation was higher than these Pei clan subordinates. However, the difference in numbers meant that all they had awaiting them was an inevitable defeat.
Even Gao Ying’s eyes became completely red. He gritted his teeth and cut down two Pei clan guards around him, then rushed out. His thoughts moved quickly. There was no way that this ploy would be solely directed against him. They had definitely lured him away from his post to do something else there. After seeing the huge fire by Cloud Dragon Gate, he realized that their main objective was the Imperial Palace. However, as long as he returned to the Imperial Palace, he would be able to gather his Right Guard Army. Then, there would be a chance to overturn the situation.
The Pei clan clearly understood that well. They continued to rush at him in endless waves. As they fought around him, Gao Ying’s subordinates prioritized his safety above all. Even if they were injured or lost their lives, all they sought was just to buy one more minute, one more second of time.
It was just a few courtyards' worth of distance, and yet one after another, the guards all fell around Gao Ying. Eventually, not a single person survived. Even so, the results they obtained were also clear. Gao Ying finally reached the Pei clan courtyard’s walls. He was about to leap out when he suddenly heard a fierce shout.
“Where do you think you’re going?!” With a flash, Pei Yi stood in Gao Ying's way.
Gao Ying gritted his teeth. He prepared to fight when Pei You appeared between the two of them, saying, “Brother Gao, hurry and leave! Leave this place to me!”
Gao Ying was stunned. Meanwhile, Pei Yi erupted with fury, roaring, “Have you gone mad? Do you know that what we're doing today is enough to have our entire clan executed? If he leaves, our entire clan might face annihilation!”
Pei You smiled in distress, saying, “You didn’t tell me a single thing, so how could I have known what you all were scheming? The only thing I know is that I can't sell out my friend for the sake of my own clan’s glory!” Afterward, he immediately shouted, “Gao Ying, why aren’t you leaving yet?!”
Gao Ying gritted his teeth. He cupped his hand toward Pei You’s back, then jumped over the fence and ran toward the court. The other soldiers wanted to chase after him, but they were stopped by a slash from Pei You.
“You unfilial son!” Pei Yi roared furiously. He could no longer hold himself back and charged forward.
...
Once Gao Ying left the Pei manor, roughly a dozen soldiers rushed over and asked, “General Gao, what is happening?”
Gao Ying had always been a careful person. These were people he'd left outside the Pei manor. Who would have thought that they would actually prove to be of vital use?
“The Pei clan has committed treason. The Imperial Palace is in danger. Hurry and send some people to contact the Liu clan’s elders. The rest of you are to follow me back to the Imperial Palace!” Gao Yi quickly issued the appropriate commands. Soon after, the soldiers formed several groups and ran in different directions.
Gao Ying took the remaining seven or eight soldiers toward Cloud Dragon Gate. Surprisingly, however, there was no battle there. Instead, soldiers were patrolling the city gate tower in a clear and orderly manner. Others were putting out some of the leftover fires.
“Name yourselves!” the soldiers by the palace gate barked vigilantly when they saw people approach. However, when they saw Gao Ying, they clearly sighed in relief and said, “So it was General Gao.”
“What happened?” Gao Ying asked. Why were things different from what he imagined?
“Devil Sect traitors appeared, trying to infiltrate the Imperial Palace in the night. We discovered them and already eliminated them,” a general on the gate tower replied.
“Devil Sect?” Gao Ying’s brows furrowed.
When had the Pei clan allied with the Devil Sect? Besides, even if there really was a conspiracy, they would either choose to wait or launch a thunderous, all-out offensive. How could they be so easily defeated? Wouldn’t such actions from the Pei clan only be courting disaster? He couldn't shake off the feeling that something was wrong. He was about to walk toward the palace gates when he noticed that these soldiers were a bit unfamiliar.
He quickly reined in his horse and asked, “By the way, why don’t I see General Li?”
Li Mian was also a nephew of the Liu clan. The Liu clan hadf sent him to guard the strategic location of Cloud Dragon Gate, and also had him manage a portion of the Imperial Palace’s soldiers.
“General Li was seriously injured from fighting against the Devil Sect renegades. The imperial physician is currently treating him. General Gao should come in and take a look,” the military officer on the city walls said with a wave.
When he heard that, Gao Ying’s expression changed. He turned around and ran, shouting to his men, “Hurry and leave!”
The moment they saw that, the Imperial Palace guards’ expression changed. They all drew their weapons to attack him.
Unfortunately, the mounts Gao Ying and his men rode were all special beasts that had been carefully raised by the court since they were young. They also had wind element runes applied to their bodies; such runes came from the academy and made them even faster. The guards were worried that they would be exposed and didn’t dare to show any hostility, so there was no way they could catch up in such a situation.
When he saw that the soldiers had been left behind, Gao Ying sighed in relief. He wondered whether to return to the Liu clan and look for Liu Guang and Liu Yao, or leave the city to find Third Elder Liu’s camp outside the city.
Just then, a group of men appeared right in front of him, blocking his way forward. His expression changed, but he calmly said, “So it was General Zhao. Something has happened at Cloud Dragon Gate. Please go there and provide reinforcements.”
The middle-aged man at the head of the group was East Central General Zhao Quan. His seniority in the royal family was high, and he was even one generation above Zhao Han. Zhao Quan’s father was one of the eight dukes, Imperial Tutor Zhao Chen. His son was Hexi King, Zhao Zai, who frequently collaborated with King Yan. They had been one of the most influential clans in the entire capital. Unfortunately, some tragedies had befallen them. Because they'd gotten involved in the conflict between the Meng clan and King Dai against Zu An, Zhao Chen was killed on the spot by Zu An, which made their clan’s power fall considerably.
When he thought about his own relationship with Zu An, Gao Ying immediately sensed that Zhao Quan's arrival was nothing good.
Zhao Quan replied with a fake smile, “Isn’t General Gao the Right Guard General who is in charge of the protection of the Imperial Palace? Why are you running in the opposite direction instead of going there?”
Gao Ying secretly gestured to his subordinates while replying, “Traitors have instigated a great scheme today. I still need to go to other areas to investigate the situation.”
“But I fear you won’t be able to go anywhere anymore,” a voice called out. The men from Cloud Dragon Gate had already caught up.
Gao Ying recognized the one in the lead as Changshui Officer Zhao Shun. His heart couldn't help but sink.
Zhao Shun’s father was King Yi, the East Defense Chief General Zhao Huang; someone of virtue and prestige in the royal family. When Gao Ying connected that information with Zhao Quan's presence on the other side, didn’t that mean the royal family was collectively revolting?
What was an even bigger headache was that Changshui Officer Zhao Shun was in charge of one of the six field armies near the capital. Now, he had actually led these troops into the city, and yet the Liu clan had no idea about it at all. Just how many of the six field armies had already turned traitor?
Just then, Zhao Quan said coldly, “If I hadn't promptly arrived, they would have almost gotten away.”
Zhao Shun said in annoyance, “This kid looks honest, but he’s as slick as a ghost. I didn’t expect him to have seen through our plan.”
“It seems Li Mian has already fallen for your plot,” Gao Ying said with a sigh. He tried to stall for time while thinking of a way to get out of this situation. However, he just couldn't think of anything. This was nothing but a situation of inevitable death.
“If that Li Mian had been as careful as you, I wouldn’t have succeeded so easily. The Liu clan’s people are useless after all,” Zhao Shun said disdainfully. “As members of the royal family, you already have enough riches and honor, and yet you’re colluding with traitors. What is this all for, really?” Gao Ying asked, although he knew that he was dead for certain. He took a deep breath. All he sought now was to die with understanding.
“Traitors?” Zhao Quan roared with laughter. “You really overestimate yourself! The ones who have committed treason are clearly your group. We are acting in accordance with his majesty’s orders to completely capture all of the Liu clan traitors!”
Gao Ying’s expression immediately changed. He exclaimed, “That’s impossible! The empress would never issue that kind of order!” In the past, he had even fought side by side with the empress. Besides, Zu An had an extremely close relationship with the empress, so there was no way she would agree to such orders.
“Is there something wrong with your ears? We are following his majesty’s orders and not the empress’ orders,” Zhao Quan said with a sneer.
Gao Ying said with a sigh, “So you’ve fooled his majesty. Once her highness reacts tomorrow morning, all of you will get what you deserve.”
“Just who is it that's fooled his majesty?” Zhao Shun retorted angrily. “Just who doe your Liu clan people think you are? You merely rely on your relationship with the empress. Your clan is clearly filled with useless trash, and yet you occupy all kinds of important positions!
“Forget about the idiot duo Liu Guang and Liu Yao, even a brat like you was able to easily rise up to the position of Right Guard General. Do you know how many people strive their entire lives, and yet will never be able to sit in your position? That bastard Liu Guang would even put a dog from the clan into the court if he could. Does this world actually belong to our Zhao clan or your Liu clan?”
Gao Ying said with a cold laugh, “So all of you did this out of jealousy.”
He inwardly sighed with relief. He'd actually predicted that this kind of thing would happen. He'd tried to advise his maternal uncles many times, but they refused to listen. The only thing they knew how to do was continue to put the Liu clan’s people in vital positions. Now, the consequences had finally arrived, and they were far more intense than the clan elders had imagined.
“Jealous of those Liu clan trash?” Zhao Shun retorted with a scowl. “We’re just getting rid of the rubbish and replacing them with the competent.”
Gao Ying smiled calmly and said, “Even though the Liu clan doesn't have any ability, treacherous sorts like you aren’t much better than us.”
“You’re courting death!” Zhao Shun roared furiously, charging straight at him.
Gao Ying’s eyes lit up. The reason why he had taunted his opponent was precisely for this moment. He abandoned all defenses and allowed the opponent’s weapon to enter his own chest. Meanwhile, his own blade sliced at the enemy’s neck. He knew that there was no chance of him surviving today, so he decisively chose to swap life for life.
Zhao Shun was horrified. He reflexively wanted to pull his sword back to defend himself, but Gao Ying grabbed his sword with his hand and held it in place. He couldn't pull it out at all. He had expected Gao Ying to fight back while cornered, but he hadn’t expected to injure a ninth rank cultivator that easily. However, his first attack had ended up seriously injuring his opponent, so all of his following strategies were useless. In a battle between strong individuals, life and death was often decided by a sliver of an opportunity. This slight mishap made it so that he could only watch as the grim reaper approached. His eyes were full of regret and despair.
Suddenly, Gao Ying’s head flew into the air. It turned out that Zhao Quan had arrived promptly. How could Gao Ying still have the leftover strength to guard against the surprise attack of an older generation expert?
A burst of hot blood flew through the air. Gao Ying's eyes were wide as he reflexively looked in the Imperial Palace’s direction. His last thought was that the empress dowager was a grandmaster, so she'd definitely be able to subdue this conspiracy.
...
Meanwhile, in the empress’ personal palace, Liu Ning had been resting in her chambers. Suddenly, she sensed weapons clashing in Cloud Dragon Gate’s direction. She flew out from her room and looked at the flames from afar. Her restless mind made her just about to rush over and examine the situation when she suddenly stopped. She looked to her left with a grave expression.
Under the moonlight, a long-haired, black-clad beauty stood atop a roof ridge. The moonlight seemed to serve as her backdrop, making her figure look even more enchanting and moving.
However, while the empress was looking at her, she was also sizing the empress up. When her eyes landed on the empress' /bottom, a look of surprise appeared in her eyes.
Your ass is huge!
When she looked at that beautiful and dignified face, Liu Ning called out with a grave expression, “Devil Sect Master Yun Jianyue!”
The woman, whose long hair reached all the way to her bottom, nodded. “I'm surprised that your highness still remembers me.” It was when she first invaded the palace that she'd first met that little devil Zu An.
“Sect Master Yun’s stunning figure is something no one would forget after a single glance,” Liu Ning said; she also remembered that assassination. In the past, her cultivation still hadn’t recovered. In the end, it was also Zu An who had saved her. At that time, how could she have known that she would be fiercely subdued by that guy?
The two women couldn't help but blush at the same time, but then they each gave the other a strange look. They didn’t know why the other’s reaction was so strange. How could they possibly know that they had actually thought of the same man at the same time?
“The Devil Sect’s evil intentions have not ceased, and you wish to invade once more?” Liu Ning replied with a sneer. After she received the help of Zu An’s essence, her cultivation had not only recovered, but even grown a level stronger. She didn’t fear Yun Jianyue. Besides, this was the Imperial Palace, her own home field.
“I'm here with a single mission, which is to borrow your highness’ decapitated head.” Yun Jianyue’s voice was calm, but she spoke words filled with killing intent.
Liu Ning narrowed her eyes. “I fear that the sect master doesn’t have the ability to do so.”
Yun Jianyue chuckled. She didn’t say anything more; rather, she rushed forth like lightning and attacked. At the same time, a crescent moon suddenly appeared in the sky behind Liu Ning and rushed at her neck.