Volume One, Chapter 15: I've Found Him!
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At that moment, the sounds of shouting and battle came from outside the hall.
“Protect His Majesty!” Wei Zhiren shouted.
The system suddenly issued a prompt:
[Emergency!
The rebels have breached the main hall.
Immediate evacuation is recommended.]
Zhu Youjian stood before the dragon throne, watching the fierce fighting at the hall’s entrance.
“Your Majesty!” Wang Cheng’en ran up. “The secret passage...”
“No need,” Zhu Youjian waved his hand. “I want to see just how bold those traitors are.”
The system updated again:
[Latest battle status:
Reinforcements have arrived outside the city.
Expected arrival in half an hour.]
Zhu Youjian sneered coldly, “There’s still time.”
At that moment, the hall’s doors collapsed with a thunderous crash.
“Kill!”
Countless rebels surged into the main hall.
The system issued one last warning:
[Danger!
Rebels have entered the main hall.
Immediate shelter is advised.]
Zhu Youjian stood before the throne, watching the invading rebels.
“Your Majesty!” Wei Zhiren shouted urgently. “Leave quickly!”
Zhu Youjian shook his head. “No need.”
He looked at the numbers flashing on the system interface:
[Reinforcements distance: Half an hour
Survival probability: %]
“Enough,” Zhu Youjian sneered. “Let these traitors revel for a while.”
The system continued to update:
[Battle analysis:
Defenders: Severely wounded and reduced in number
Rebels: Morale high
Suggestion: Immediate retreat]
Zhu Youjian watched the rebels flooding into the hall and suddenly asked, “System, what is the most correct choice now?”
[Analyzing...
Optimal choices:
. Immediate evacuation (Accuracy 90%)
. Hold the hall (Accuracy 90%)
. Surrender and negotiate (Accuracy 90%)]
“Interesting,” Zhu Youjian sneered. “I insist on the second option.”
The system immediately warned:
[Warning!
Wrong choice
Survival probability reduced to 80%]
Zhu Youjian stood before the throne, watching the rebels pour in.
“Kill!”
The cries of battle thundered, blood staining the floor tiles of the great hall.
The system’s final update:
[Warning!
Reinforcements at city outskirts.
Immediate breakout recommended.]
Zhu Youjian looked at the chaotic hall and suddenly smiled.
“Your Majesty!” Wei Zhiren, covered in blood, rushed over. “Reinforcements...”
“I know,” Zhu Youjian said calmly. “Let them come.”
The sounds of shouting and clashing outside grew ever closer.
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The system interface flickered continuously:
[Warning!
Survival probability steadily decreasing.
Current: 70%]
Zhu Youjian sneered coldly, “System, you’re right.”
He watched the rebels flooding into the hall and glanced again at the system interface.
“But sometimes, the right choice isn’t necessarily the best choice.”
Outside, the horns of the reinforcements were already sounding.
“Kill!”
A rebel raised his long blade, charging toward the dragon throne.
Wei Zhiren drew his sword to meet him. “Bold traitor!”
“Issue my order!” Zhu Youjian commanded fiercely. “Summon the reinforcements at once and prepare to break out!”
Wang Cheng’en bowed and hurried away. The hall echoed with cries of battle, the torches casting red light on every face.
“Your Majesty!” Wei Zhiren, bloodied, rushed in. “The east side...”
“Speak!” Zhu Youjian demanded.
“The east wall has been breached!” Wei Zhiren panted. “The rebels have—”
Before he could finish, an arrow whistled through the air, aimed straight at Zhu Youjian.
Wei Zhiren threw himself over the emperor. “Watch out!”
The arrow struck the dragon throne with a humming clang.
“Protect His Majesty!” the Eastern Depot guards yelled, raising their blades against the invading rebels.
Amidst the flashing swords and flying blood, the floor tiles of the hall were soaked red.
Zhu Youjian rose, watching the chaotic battle. He knew he could wait no longer.
“Wei Zhiren,” he said softly.
“I am here,” came the reply.
“Where is the secret passage?”
Wei Zhiren pointed behind the hall. “Follow me!”
The two hurried toward the rear. The Eastern Depot guards held the rebel tide at bay, sacrificing their lives to buy time for the emperor.
“Kill!”
A rebel swung his blade but was pierced through the throat by Wei Zhiren’s sword.
“Go quickly!” Wei Zhiren pushed open the hidden door. “Your Majesty, first!”
Zhu Youjian was about to step through when a familiar, mocking laugh rang out.
“Emperor, you cannot escape!”
It was Wen Tiren’s voice!
“That old traitor!” Wei Zhiren clenched his teeth.
Zhu Youjian sneered, “He sure is lucky.”
The two slipped into the secret passage, the rebels’ shouts still echoing behind.
The passage was dark and damp, lit only by torchlight. Footsteps echoed in the narrow corridor.
“Your Majesty, be careful,” Wei Zhiren whispered. “This passage leads to...”
Before he could finish, the clash of weapons came from ahead.
“Ambush!” Wei Zhiren shouted.
Zhu Youjian drew his sword. “Fight through!”
In the firelight, a dozen dark figures charged with blades.
Wei Zhiren stood before Zhu Youjian. “Protect His Majesty!”
Amid flashing steel and flying blood, Wei Zhiren was struck multiple times, but he held firm to shield the emperor.
“Move!” he shouted. “The exit is just ahead!”
Zhu Youjian gritted his teeth and surged forward, his sword flashing, blood spraying.
“Careful!” Wei Zhiren suddenly lunged, taking a blade meant for Zhu Youjian.
Blood gushed forth as Wei Zhiren staggered and fell.
“Minister Wei!” Zhu Youjian caught him.
“Go quickly...” Wei Zhiren gasped, barely alive. “The reinforcements... are almost here...”
Zhu Youjian glanced at him, then gritted his teeth and pressed on.
At the end of the passage, moonlight spilled through a crack.
Zhu Youjian pushed open the hidden door; a cold wind hit his face.
In the distance, the sound of horns rang out.
“The reinforcements have arrived!” someone shouted.
Zhu Youjian looked up to see torches like dragons, surging toward the imperial city.
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“Your Majesty!” Wang Cheng’en burst from the shadows. “Mount quickly!”
A black horse was ready, pawing the ground under the moonlight.
Zhu Youjian vaulted onto the horse, casting one last glance at the imperial city.
Flames soared, battle cries roared, resembling a scene from hell.
“Go!” Wang Cheng’en urged, holding the reins. “The reinforcements have already—”
Before he could finish, an arrow screamed through the air.
“Watch out!” Zhu Youjian shouted.
The arrow pierced Wang Cheng’en’s chest; blood spurted forth.
“Protect... the emperor...” Wang Cheng’en collapsed.
Zhu Youjian drew his longsword and spurred his horse forward.
The rebels’ cries rose behind him.
“Don’t let him escape!”
“Chase!”
Zhu Youjian urged his horse into a wild gallop; cold wind howled past.
In the distance, the horns of reinforcements grew louder.
Torches blazed like dragons, illuminating half the sky.
Zhu Youjian charged toward the reinforcements.
“Protect His Majesty!” the commanding officer shouted.
A cavalry unit burst forth, surrounding Zhu Youjian.
“Strike back!” Zhu Youjian raised his sword.
The reinforcements surged like a tide into the imperial city.
The rebel formations broke, scattering in all directions.
Zhu Youjian reined in atop the city wall, watching it all.
In the distance, another group of riders approached.
“Report!” a scout ran up. “General Sun Chuanting has arrived!”
A flash of determination lit Zhu Youjian’s eyes. “Order the full encirclement and annihilation of the rebels!”
The reinforcements flooded into the city like a tide.
The rebels were steadily defeated, scattering in all directions.
From afar, shouts of battle rose again.
“We’ve captured Wen Tiren!” someone shouted.
A cold gleam flashed in Zhu Youjian’s eyes. “Bring him here!”
Several soldiers dragged the bloodied old minister forward, still laughing.
“What are you laughing at?” Zhu Youjian asked coldly.
“Your Majesty...” Wen Tiren coughed up blood. “Do you think... it’s over?”
“What do you mean?”
“Heh heh...” Wen Tiren sneered. “Do you think... it’s only us?”
Before he finished, another outburst of battle cries erupted.
“Report!” a scout raced in. “Bad news!”
“What now?” Zhu Youjian frowned.
“The west side... the west side is on fire!”
Zhu Youjian’s expression changed sharply. “What?”
“Huang Daozhou...” Wen Tiren chuckled. “Has already brought men...”
Before he could finish, he coughed up another mouthful of blood.
“Your Majesty!” Sun Chuanting rode up. “Your servant has already—”
“Order given,” Zhu Youjian interrupted. “Exterminate the rebels at all costs!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
The reinforcements surged toward the west side of the city.
Flames climbed skyward, battle cries ringing through the air.
Zhu Youjian stood atop the city wall, watching it all unfold.
“Your Majesty!” another scout ran up. “Huang Daozhou has been spotted!”