mtl008 Chapter 541 Rescue
Chapter 541 Rescue
Shi Wanxia's pupils contracted sharply as a terrifying thought surged into her mind: "You...you know Cui Zhihao?"
The man in black still didn't answer, but instead used his long sword to push her towards the alleyway exit.
When Hongying saw Shi Wanxia being held hostage, she panicked and her moves faltered, resulting in her arm being slashed by the masked man.
"girl!"
Hongying shouted and tried to rush over to save her, but she was held tightly by the masked man and could not move.
As Shi Wanxia watched the alleyway draw ever closer, her heart was filled with despair.
She didn't know who the man in black was, or where he was taking her.
What worried her even more was whether Choi Ji-ho would encounter danger at the palace.
Meanwhile, in the palace, Shen Yanzhou, holding the seriously injured Su Lin Chuying, hid in a side hall of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, listening to the shouts of battle and explosions coming from outside, his heart filled with anxiety.
Before Cui Zhihao returned, Rongyang King's army had already breached the west gate and was marching towards Yangxin Hall.
"Your Highness, the rebels are already outside the palace!"
A guard rushed in, his face covered in blood, shouting, "We can't hold on much longer!"
Shen Yanzhou held Lin Chuying tightly, his eyes resolute: "Even if we fight to the last moment, we will protect the Hall of Mental Cultivation!"
Just then, a familiar voice came from outside the hall: "Your Highness, I have arrived!"
It's Choi Ji-ho!
Shen Yanzhou was overjoyed and was about to speak when he heard a scream from outside the hall, followed by Cui Zhihao's muffled groan.
Shen Yanzhou's expression changed. He pushed open the door of the side hall and saw Cui Zhihao covered in blood, surrounded by several men in black. The wound on his right leg had reopened, and blood stained his trouser leg.
Meanwhile, Prince Rongyang stood not far away, holding a long sword in his hand, a smug smile on his face: "Cui Zhihao, you really have returned."
"Unfortunately, you were still a step too late!"
Upon seeing Shen Yanzhou, Cui Zhihao gritted his teeth, mustered his last bit of strength, and killed the men in black beside him. He shouted at Shen Yanzhou, "Your Highness, quickly take His Majesty and the Crown Princess away! I will hold them off!"
The Prince of Rongyang sneered, "Trying to leave? Not so easy! Today, none of you will live!"
As he spoke, he waved his hand, and more men in black rushed up and surrounded the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Shen Yanzhou looked at Cui Zhihao, who was covered in blood, and then at Lin Chuying, who was barely alive in his arms, and a sense of despair welled up in his heart.
Can they still escape?
Meanwhile, Shi Wanxia, who had been held hostage by the men in black, was being taken to a carriage that was heading towards the palace.
The sound of the Imperial Guards' hooves shattered the afternoon tranquility of the capital. Lin Yiyu reined in his horse, his black outfit making him stand tall and straight like a pine tree, and the sword at his waist hummed slightly with each movement.
"Father, His Highness the Crown Prince has decreed that the traitors are hiding near the Taiji Palace. We must divide into three groups to encircle them and make sure they don't escape!"
Lin Yiyu turned to look at the Duke of Fuguo, Lin Yongnan, beside him. The latter was dressed in silver armor, and although his temples were streaked with gray, his eyes were sharp as an eagle, showing the composure of someone who had been through many battles.
Lin Yongnan nodded and gestured for the Imperial Guards behind him to line up: "Go to the West Annex Hall on the left, block the East Gate on the right, and you follow me straight to the main gate of the Taiji Hall. Remember, leave no survivors and investigate the mastermind behind this!"
Just as the military order was given and the Imperial Guards were about to move, a figure in light blue hurriedly ran from the end of the palace road. Her skirt was covered in dust and her hair was slightly disheveled. It was Shi Wanxia, who was entering the palace alone.
She ran so fast that her skirt tripped on the stone steps, and she almost fell. But when she saw Lin Yiyu and his son, hope instantly ignited in her eyes.
His voice trembled with panting: "General Lin! Duke Fuguo! Quick! His Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince are in danger! There are traitors causing trouble in the Taiji Palace!"
Lin Yiyu's heart sank. He hadn't expected the traitors to dare to make a move directly in the Taiji Hall. He immediately dismounted and rushed forward to help Shi Wanxia: "Explain yourself clearly. What exactly is going on inside? How are His Majesty and the Crown Prince?"
"I was sent to the palace by His Majesty to deliver a document, but I heard the sounds of fighting as soon as I arrived outside the Taiji Hall,"
Shi Wanxia supported Lin Yiyu's arm, her breathing rapid but her words clear, "I vaguely saw His Highness the Third Prince leading a group of masked men in, shouting 'Purge the court of corrupt officials!' I dared not approach, so I had to come to you for help!"
"The Third Prince, Shen Ye?"
Lin Yongnan's expression changed drastically, and he slammed his spear into the ground, sending up a few pebbles.
"What a wolf in sheep's clothing! His Highness the Crown Prince is still inside the palace, let's go quickly!"
Lin Yiyu instinctively shielded Shi Wanxia behind him and instructed the guards beside him, "Protect Miss Shi and stay where you are!"
"I'll go with you!"
Shi Wanxia grabbed his sleeve, her eyes filled with determination, "Brother Cui is also inside protecting you, I can't wait here!"
Before the words were finished, a muffled loud noise suddenly came from the direction of the Taiji Hall, mixed with the clanging of weapons and screams of pain.
Without further hesitation, Lin Yongnan shouted, "Charge with me!"
The Imperial Guards surged toward the Taiji Hall like a tidal wave. Lin Yiyu gripped his sword tightly, his eyes scanning the surroundings warily, while he kept a close watch on Shi Wanxia, preventing her from being separated from the chaotic crowd.
As soon as he arrived at the palace gate, he saw several masked rebels blocking his way with sharp blades. Lin Yongnan flicked his spear, and with a flash of cold light, two rebels fell to the ground with screams. Blood from the spear tips dripped down the shafts, staining the white jade steps in front of the gate red.
"Fight in!"
Lin Yiyu drew his sword, its light flashing like a bolt of lightning, cleaving through the traitors blocking his path and carving a bloody trail.
Shi Wanxia followed closely behind him, her hands gripping the hem of her clothes tightly. Although she looked frightened, she did not back down in the slightest.
The moment they stepped into the Taiji Hall, the sight before them sent a shock through everyone.
Inside the hall, candlelight flickered, corpses lay scattered on the floor, blood stained the bright yellow carpet, and a heavy stench of blood filled the air.
Crown Prince Shen Yanzhou knelt beside the dragon throne, his moon-white brocade robe stained with blood, and he held a woman tightly in his arms, none other than Lin Chuying.
She was covered in blood, her face was as pale as paper, her eyes were closed, and her life was unknown. Shen Yanzhou's eyes were filled with grief, and he exuded a chilling aura that kept strangers away.
On the dragon throne, His Majesty Shen Hong's face was ashen, but he was not injured. Several loyal guards stood beside him, watching the remaining traitors in the hall warily.
On the other side, Cui Zhihao, wielding a long sword and covered in blood, was locked in combat with several traitors. His arm was slashed with a deep, bone-revealing wound, and blood was trickling down his fingertips, yet he still held fast to the side of the dragon throne.
Shi Wanxia's gaze swept quickly across the hall. Seeing that His Majesty was unharmed and that Cui Zhihao was still fighting despite his injuries, her tense nerves finally relaxed, and she subconsciously called out, "Brother Cui!"
Upon hearing this, Cui Zhihao glanced at her briefly, forcing a smile: "Wanxia, it's good that you're alright..."
Before he could finish speaking, a traitor seized the opportunity to slash at his back with his knife. Caught off guard, Choi Ji-ho could only turn around to block, and the wound on his arm was aggravated, causing him to groan in pain.
"careful!"
Seeing this, Lin Yiyu flashed forward, his sword piercing straight into the traitor's back. The traitor screamed and fell to the ground.
He stepped in front of Cui Zhihao and ordered the Imperial Guards behind him: "Capture the remaining traitors, don't let a single one escape!"
The imperial guards immediately stepped forward, surrounded the remaining rebels in the hall, and quickly subdued them.
Lin Yongnan strode to the dragon throne and knelt on one knee: "Your subject Lin Yongnan led the Imperial Guards to protect Your Majesty. I was a step late and caused Your Majesty to be frightened. I deserve to die!"
Shen Hong waved his hand, his voice tinged with weariness but still dignified: "Duke Fuguo, there's no need for such formalities. If it weren't for the Crown Prince and Minister Cui risking their lives to protect me, I would probably have truly fallen victim to that rebellious son's cruelty today."
His gaze fell on Lin Chuying in Shen Yanzhou's arms, a trace of pity flashing in his eyes, "This child, Chuying, suffered such serious injuries while protecting the Crown Prince..."