Chapter 63: Returning to the Palace

Chapter 63: Returning to the Palace

As the eastern sky began to brighten, Gui Yuehua turned away from the window, “No need to wait any longer.”

The other two pugilist guests exchanged glances and nodded in unison. The three of them approached the Emperor, with Gui Yuehua holding a dagger, while the other two wielded waist swords commonly used by the palace guards.

“I am Gui Yuehua, the Ghost Hand.”

“I am Liu Chixing, the Soaring Falcon.”

“I am Ke Yong, the Mountain-Breaking Ram.”

“Today...” The three of them began to speak simultaneously, not addressing the Emperor but expressing themselves.

“Wait!” Han Ruzi was genuinely afraid. These three pugilist were different from the people in palace; it seemed that they dared to be ruthless towards the Emperor.

The three of them looked at the Emperor, their eyes devoid of any hesitation or pity.

“Call Hua Bin,” Han Ruzi said, unsure of what to say but only wanting to buy some time. “I have something to tell him.”

Gui Yuehua replied, “Marquis Hua has already left. If you have something to say, speak to me. If not... you may say your goodbyes.”

“He has left?” Han Ruzi was surprised.

“If there was no news from the palace before midnight, Marquis Hua would leave the scene.” Gui Yuehua paused, “So, Your Majesty should understand that we have already put all our eggs in one basket.”

“Why waste time with idle talk? Raise the blade and strike, it’s that simple.” The man who claimed to be Ke Yong was the most impatient. He raised his blade but did not strike.

“Don’t rush. We agreed that the three of us would act together.” The other pugilist named Liu Chixing said, pressing down Ke Yong’s blade, “No matter what, he is still the Emperor; we should let him die knowing why.”

Han Ruzi’s heart tightened even more, and he couldn’t help but glance at the door and window. If Meng E didn’t appear to help him, he might really become a dead emperor.

Ke Yong snorted, “What a waste of time.” Though he said this, his blade still hung down, and he turned around to keep watch, guarding against anyone suddenly breaking in.

Gui Yuehua continued, “To cut a long story short, thirty years ago, Martial Emperor listened to slander and massacred thousands of heroic pugilists. Nearly one hundred thousand people were implicated, leaving their homes and moving to the frontier, suffering countless casualties along the way. All three of us lost fathers and brothers in that catastrophe, and from a young age, we vowed to take revenge. Today, we can finally fulfill our wishes.”

Han Ruzi leaned back slightly, “Debts should be claimed from those who owe them. I wasn’t even born thirty years ago. You should have... taken your revenge earlier.”

“Heh, Your Majesty wants to say that we are fear the strong and bully the weak, and were too afraid to take action against Martial Emperor, right?”

Han Ruzi hesitated but nodded. That was indeed his thought.

“The Martial Emperor massacred the pugilists for your sake.”

“Me?” Han Ruzi could hardly believe such a claim.

Suddenly, an arrow shot down from above, hitting Liu Chixing right on top of his head. His reaction was quick but his voice was abruptly stopped regardlress. He fell to the ground, kneeling and motionless.

Han Ruzi, who was less than three steps away, was stunned by the scene in front of him. Behind him, Gui Yuehua and Ke Yong were both shocked and pale. They then made completely different choices. Gui Yuehua turned and ran towards the window. He had observed it for a long time and thought that there was a chance to escape the palace. However, Ke Yong charged straight at the Emperor, swinging his blade down.

Han Ruzi could not see the threat behind him, so naturally, he could not dodge it. Suddenly, someone rushed in from outside the door, tackling the Emperor at the waist. At the same time, they raised their blade to block the incoming attack. A clang sounded and sparks flew. Ke Yong was furious. He gripped his blade with both hands and swung down for a second strike.

More people rushed in from outside the door. Five or six blades were brandished at Ke Yong simultaneously. Ke Yong roared and fought back, but he was ultimately outnumbered. After three or four moves, he had sustained multiple injuries and was forced to retreat. After seven steps, he received a stab to his chest, spat out a mouthful of blood, and fell to the ground.

“One got away! Chase him!” “Save the Emperor first!”

The crowd was talking all at once, and Han Ruzi was completely stunned. He was pulled up by someone and dully walked towards the door. After a few steps, he gradually regained some awareness and turned his head to see that it was Meng E who had saved him. She seemed to be injured, with blood on her shoulder. Just as Han Ruzi was about to speak, he was surrounded by guards and led out the door, walking past the kneeling Liu Chixing and quickly descending the stairs.

Downstairs, there were even more palace guards gathered. They stepped aside and whispered to the outside, “His Majesty is unharmed.”

Han Ruzi walked dazedly, having imagined many scenarios of being saved. However, when the miracle actually happened, he found it hard to believe. He caught a glimpse of several corpses lying at the feet of the guards, but before he could get a good look, he was led out of the building.

A large number of guards and soldiers rushed in from all directions. Bu Hengru stood at the door and, as soon as he saw the Emperor, knelt down, “It was me who saved Your Majesty, it was me...”

A group of eunuchs ran over and took the Emperor from the guards, practically lifting him up and placing him in a small horse carriage. Among the eunuchs, Han Ruzi saw the Director of Palace Attendants, Jing Yao, and exclaimed in surprise, “How did you...”

“Your Majesty, please return to the palace quickly.” Jing Yao pushed the Emperor into the carriage and lowered the curtain.

The carriage moved forward, and Han Ruzi gradually realized that Luo Huan-zhang’s palace coup had failed.

The carriage stopped, and Han Ruzi returned to the familiar area within the inner palace. In front of him was the Empress Dowager’s Cishun Palace, with a large number of guards standing at the entrance. He did not know if he felt happy or disappointed.

Jing Yao walked over and whispered, “Please enter the palace, Your Majesty. The Empress Dowager is waiting for you.”

Han Ruzi didn’t move, “What about the two eunuchs, Cai Xinghai and Zhang Youcai? Were they saved?”

“Both of them are fine. Your Majesty will see them soon.”

“What exactly happened?”

“It would be better for Your Majesty to hear from the Empress Dowager.”

Han Ruzi entered Cishun Palace. There were not many people in the courtyard, only a few eunuchs and palace maids who knelt as soon as they saw the Emperor.

There were quite a few people in the main hall, and it was a bit crowded. The Empress Dowager still sat in her original position, as if she had never moved. Maiden Wang accompanied her, and several guards stood on both sides. A few steps away, the Grand Consort and Luo Huan-zhang stood without kneeling.

There were also more than ten senior officials in the room, including Chancellor Yin Wuhai and the Chief Commander Han Xing. The Founding Emperor’s treasured sword was held in the latter’s arms.

“Alright.” The Empress Dowager spoke with a cold expression, “Now that His Majesty has arrived, we may deal with the rebels.”