At this time, there was a slight commotion in the hall, and the officials were whispering to each other, unable to agree on anything. The Crown Prince knelt at the foot of the steps, his eyes gleaming with a fierce light, he glanced briefly at the Emperor, just about to speak out against him, when from behind the throne, beyond the nine-dragon screen made of jade, came a faint cough, and a wisp of a hem, like misty clouds, floated out.

  Who is it?!

  Who is it that dares to be so presumptuous and eavesdrop from behind the screen at such an early morning gathering?!

  He secretly made a note in his heart, and for a moment he was distracted, but then he heard Ping Wang say: "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Third Brother has always been straightforward and outspoken - however, regarding the matter of the long history, I still hope that Your Majesty will consider it carefully from all sides - even if we ministers understand Your Majesty's painstaking efforts, the historian's brush is like a knife, and there will inevitably be some criticism!"

  The Emperor's face turned deathly pale with rage, he slammed his fist on the table and stood up, saying in a cold voice: "Hmph... You're comparing me to Cao Zijian, are you saying I should take responsibility for such a heinous crime?!"

  At this time, many people in the hall had become wooden carvings and clay sculptures, stiffly kneeling on the ground to listen to the vassal kings and the emperor arguing. Qi Rong saw that it was not a good situation, so he stood up and swept his cold and severe gaze across every corner of the hall. As an elder statesman with high prestige and many former officials as his followers, the atmosphere in the meeting became much quieter under his intimidation.

  His face was calm, but he felt a little uneasy in his heart. He saw that the door of the temple was half open, and through the gap, he could vaguely see countless people moving around, which made him even more suspicious. Sun Ming had been very cautious since his promotion to General of the Imperial Guard. This time, when the vassal king entered the capital, the Emperor intentionally or unintentionally entrusted the security of the capital to him again, making it even harder for him to be at ease.

  The proud soldiers and fierce generals under the feudal lords caused some 'trouble', but Sun Ming endured it all, not even reacting to some sarcastic comments, as if he didn't hear them.

  That day, after finishing his breakfast, he put on his armor and came to the drill ground. He had just looked around for a while when he saw smoke and dust rising from the gate of the big camp. Several riders wearing black cloaks were being blocked by the guards and were at an impasse. He got up from the platform and stepped forward to see what was going on.

  "This is a vital place in the army, who dares to intrude?!"

  The guard's demeanor was stern. Just as he was about to reprimand, he saw a person in the middle, covered from head to toe with black gauze, and from under the layers of gauzy clothing, a pair of dark, icy eyes peeked out.

  The guard was a seasoned veteran of many battles, but he was taken aback by her stern and majestic demeanor at this one glance.

  Sun Ming let out a cold breath, and in all his years of battle-scarred experience, he had never felt such a moment of shock. The man finally spoke...

  "I've long heard of General Sun's great name, today I finally get to meet him."

  Her voice was crisp and clear, like pearls falling on the ground. The ice and snow broke through the dike.

  "Who are you?"

  She stretched out her slender 'jade' hand like a flower petal, holding an ancient precious sword with ancient seals on it, which were discernible.

  "This is an immortal sword..."

  Sun Ming was shocked and vaguely remembered the rumors in the palace earlier. He secretly guessed her identity.

  The young woman lightly lifts her silk kerchief, revealing a snow-white complexion, and with a glance, radiant charm is displayed, not ordinary, a pearl hairpin in her hair shines brightly under the sun.

  "General Sun, chaos has already erupted in the palace. I have come on behalf of His Majesty to request that you immediately dispatch troops to seal off the city gates and prevent anyone from entering or leaving!"

  She grasped the reins and galloped away.

  Sun Ming's whole body trembled, and he looked at the tender and delicate 'girl' in front of him with incredulity, frowning: "This is a matter of great importance, how can it be decided by your single word..."

  His words were not yet finished, but a loud clang was heard, the long sword suddenly came out of its scabbard, reflecting the morning sunlight, shining brightly, the dragon's hum suddenly rose, startling countless crows - a piece of black feathers filled the sky, light and splendor almost breaking through the heavens.

  "This is the Emperor's own sword, His Majesty has entrusted it to me and said: As if I were present myself ---- Does the General still have any doubts?!"

  The girl's voice was not loud, but her words were sharp and piercing, with a coldness that was both elegant and refined.

  Sun Ming gazed at her for a long time before kneeling on one knee, furrowing his brow and bowing his head: "Your subject obeys."

  The citizens of the capital went about their daily lives as usual, but suddenly the streets were filled with people rushing to and fro. Amidst the chaos, iron cavalry appeared like clouds, galloping swiftly by, followed by countless elite infantrymen with an aura of killing intent.

  They stared blankly, as if in a dream, gazing at these elite Beijing troops, whispering to each other, unable to conceal their fear.

  Under the urgent whip, Sun Ming took the lead with his horse, as fast as a shooting star. In the blink of an eye, he arrived at the south gate of the city. The soldiers guarding the gate heard the distant sound of horseshoes and looked out from the high tower. "Lock down the gate! No one is allowed to enter!!"

  Sun Ming shouted loudly, the scorching sunlight shone on his face, a hint of worry etched at the corner of his mouth, sweat dripping down, he only felt bitter.

  The leader of the guards saw him from afar and was shocked. He hastily gave orders to let the soldiers close the city gate.

  The heavy iron chains shook the ground, and the frightened people discussed and dodged. The city gate slowly closed, and the rippling light of the moat disappeared into a line. Just as Sun Ming was about to breathe a sigh of relief, he heard a rough voice from under the gate----

  "What does this mean?! In broad daylight, what 'gate' is being closed?!"

  Sun Ming climbed up the city wall, but saw a group of cavalry coming in droves. The first to arrive shouted and used their hands to push and squeeze the city gate, forcibly prying open the narrow gap that was only a thread apart.

  Their armor shone brightly in the sunlight, but Sun Ming's heart sank slowly in that radiance.

  This is the land of King An's generals!

  He suppressed the anger in his chest and stood on the city wall. He shouted loudly: "Halt!!"

  He gazed at the soldiers who had stopped in front of the city gate and slowly said, "You were ordered by the Emperor to station your troops outside the suburbs, why did you dare to enter the capital?!"

  The leader, a school lieutenant, wore a bright armor, his whole body shining brightly. He even had an arrogant look in his eyes and eyebrows, and smiled: "We've been bored in the suburbs for too long, let's go to the capital to relax, what's wrong with that?" Sun Ming looked at the endless stream of people coming from afar, and sneered in his heart, saying: "So many people going out to relax, isn't it a bit too grandiose..."

  That schoolmaster raised his head high and proudly, with a forced smile said: "We were originally country bumpkins, used to walking together, going out to broaden our horizons!"

  Sun Ming shouted in a deep voice: "By order of His Majesty, no one is allowed to enter or leave. All of you retreat immediately!"

  That team of soldiers did not listen to orders, laughing in their mouths, with swords in hand, intentionally or unintentionally drawing out the scabbard and stringing up.

  Sun Ming's thick eyebrows rose, just about to give the final order, when he heard a loud whirring sound of arrows breaking through the air beside him. A dark rain of arrows, like a black cloud covering the sky and earth, flew towards the city below.