mtl008 Chapter 376 Reinforcements Arrive
Chapter 376 Reinforcements Arrive
He turned to look at the faint sounds of fighting still coming from outside, his brows furrowed.
"How is the Crown Prince doing?"
"His Highness the Crown Prince is still directing operations at the front, and Chief Guard Li is protecting him."
Shi Wanxia said, "We just released a signal smoke. His Majesty's Imperial Guards should already be on their way, and reinforcements will arrive soon."
Choi Ji-ho nodded, his gaze falling once again on her blood-stained hands, a sharp pain shooting through his heart.
He took off his outer robe and gently draped it over her shoulders: "Leave this to me, you go and rest over there."
Shi Wanxia looked down at her outer robe, which carried the faint scent of ink from him, and warmth spread through the fabric.
She shook her head and picked up a clean gauze from the side: "There are still many people waiting to be bandaged, I'm fine."
Looking at her stubborn profile, Choi Ji-ho ultimately decided not to try to persuade her any further.
He turned to his men who had followed him and ordered, "Go, take out all the wound medicine from the medicine box and help treat the wounds. Also, guard the door and don't let anyone disturb this place."
"Yes!"
The night was still deep, but when Cui Zhihao's figure appeared at the treatment point, Shi Wanxia, as well as the surrounding people and guards, felt a sense of security.
Inside the shed, the bandaging of wounds continued, while outside, a life-or-death struggle was quietly changing with the arrival of reinforcements from all sides.
The night was as dark as ink, spilling onto the tiles of East Street and reflecting a chilling light.
Choi Jiho leaned against the mottled wall, his rapid breathing still not calmed, but his gaze immediately pierced through the chaotic figures and landed on the white figure not far away.
The wind was quite strong on the high wall, making Shen Yanzhou's robes flutter. Most of the guards in front of him had already fallen, and blood trickled down the cracks in the blue bricks, gleaming dark red in the moonlight.
His Highness the Crown Prince's hair was somewhat disheveled, and his cheeks were covered in dust, but his eyes were still incredibly bright as he stared intently at the black-clad figures surging towards him from below the wall, showing no sign of panic.
Choi Ji-ho's heart sank suddenly, but then slowly settled down.
Thankfully, His Highness is alright.
He composed himself, raised his hand to lift the hem of his brocade robe, and, ignoring the bloodstains and pebbles on the ground, knelt down in front of Shen Yanzhou with a thud.
The sound of fabric rubbing against bricks and stones was particularly clear amidst the noise. His voice was hoarse from running all the way, but it was unusually sincere: "Your Highness, it is dangerous here. I dare to ask to temporarily take command of the soldiers to defend against the enemy. You should leave this place immediately!"
Shen Yanzhou glanced down at him, her brows furrowing slightly.
Cui Zhihao is a typical scholar, always engrossed in books and unable to even draw a bow, yet he is now forced to stay on this high wall amidst the clash of swords and shadows to give orders?
He was about to refuse when he caught a glimpse of another group of men in black climbing over the wall. The guards roared as they charged forward, the clanging of weapons piercing the night.
"No."
Shen Yanzhou's voice was low and deep, "These people are ruthless and of unknown origin. Their current strength is still unknown."
"I'm worried about you staying here."
It wasn't that he didn't want to leave, but Cui Zhihao was a weak scholar, and staying here would be like a lamb entering a tiger's den.
But if I leave, am I just going to let Choi Ji-ho die in vain?
Just as they were struggling with their decision, a rapid sound of hooves suddenly came from afar, like thunder approaching, accompanied by the uniform clanging of armor.
"It's the Imperial Guard!" a guard exclaimed in surprise.
Cui Zhihao and Shen Yanzhou turned their heads at the same time and saw torches like long dragons cutting through the night. More than three thousand imperial guards escorted an old general riding by. It was none other than Lin Yongnan, the commander of the imperial guards.
Clad in gleaming silver armor, his hair and beard were already white, yet his back was ramrod straight. From his horse, he shouted loudly, "Protect His Highness the Crown Prince!"
Before he finished speaking, Lin Yongnan had already dismounted, his movements so swift and agile that he didn't seem like an old man nearing sixty.
He clasped his hands in a crisp military salute and said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, I am late in coming to your rescue and deserve to die! I am here, please leave!"
As Shen Yanzhou watched the increasing number of Imperial Guards below the wall, his tense shoulders relaxed slightly, but the doubt between his brows remained.
The sudden fire at the Eastern Palace during the day, followed by an attack by assassins at night, was no accident.
He took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over the men in black who were still putting up a stubborn resistance, and said in a deep voice, "Commander Lin, these men came from West Street."
"I have a feeling that they did more than just come to the East Palace tonight; they must have done something else elsewhere."
"Take them down and get to the bottom of this."
"The last general takes command!"
Lin Yongnan respectfully agreed, then turned to his personal guards and ordered, "Quickly take His Highness the Crown Prince to the rear to rest, and triple the number of guards to protect him, keeping him by his side at all times!"
Upon seeing this, Cui Zhihao quickly stood up from the ground, dusted off his robes, and went to help Lin Yongnan with the arrangements.
But as soon as he took a step, Lin Yongnan raised his hand to stop him.
"Young Master Cui, please wait."
Lin Yongnan's tone carried an undeniable firmness.
"It's too dangerous here, with no mercy from swords and arrows. It's enough that I'm here."
"You are someone His Highness relies on, so you should go and protect His Highness the Crown Prince. That is the most important thing right now."
Cui Zhihao paused for a moment, looked at Lin Yongnan's resolute eyes, then glanced in the direction Shen Yanzhou had left, and finally nodded.
He knew Lin Yongnan was right; he couldn't really help much by staying here. Protecting His Highness was the top priority.
Seeing that he agreed, Lin Yongnan said no more, strode up a few steps, and stood in the most conspicuous position on the high wall.
He looked around, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's, and then landed on the Imperial Guards standing at the foot of the wall, ready for battle. Suddenly, he shouted, "All soldiers!"
"Yes! Yes! Yes!"
More than three thousand imperial guards shouted in unison, their voices soaring into the sky that even the clouds in the night sky seemed to disperse.
The spears and swords in their hands gleamed coldly in the torchlight, and their faces showed a resolute determination to fight a common enemy.
Lin Yongnan suddenly drew his long sword from his waist, the blade tracing a brilliant arc in the moonlight, pointing directly at the black-clad men still trying to climb the wall.
"Follow me to fight the enemy! Remember, leave one alive!"
"As ordered!"
The shouts rose again, drowning out the screams of the men in black and the clash of weapons.
Lin Yongnan brandished his blade and leaped down from the wall, landing among the men in black. With each swing of his longsword, two men fell to the ground.
His movements were steady and skillful, each strike precise and ruthless, instantly tearing open a gap.
The Imperial Guards, who could no longer contain themselves, surged forward like a tide, joining the few remaining guards of the Eastern Palace.
They formed a neat formation, with shields in front and spears behind, gradually shrinking the black-clad men's area of operation.
Arrows flew out from the shadows like locusts, but were blocked by the shields of the Imperial Guards. Any arrows that managed to slip through were deflected by the quick-reacting soldiers.
Looking down at the orderly battle below from the high wall, Choi Ji-ho felt much more at ease.
He turned to look in the direction Shen Yanzhou had left, where the torches had become tiny dots of light, indicating that they had likely reached a safe area.
But he always felt that the conspiracy behind this night raid was probably far more dangerous than the sword fight before him.
The night wind carried the stench of blood, and Cui Zhihao clenched his fists before turning and quickly walking down the high wall.
He needs to get to the Crown Prince's side as soon as possible; there are some things he should discuss with His Highness.
The fighting continued beneath the wall, the glint of swords reflecting the moonlight, making the prelude to this nighttime upheaval in the Eastern Palace even more vividly red.