"Commander of the Imperial Guard, Xie Yun, receive the imperial edict!"
"His Imperial Majesty has decreed that Xie Yun is summoned to the Imperial Majesty for questioning. By the Imperial Majesty!"
Early the next morning, at the first glimmer of dawn, the gates to the temporary imperial residence had just opened. The first imperial edict was actually this.
Recently, Luoyang had been in a state of panic. Ma Xin and the others had all sensed this. Hearing the edict, they all revealed frightened expressions.
Only Xie Yun set down the porcelain bowl in her hand. Straightening her sleeves, she spoke in a deep voice under everyone's watchful eyes.
"Lead the way."
The distance from the Shouchang Palace to Shangyang Palace was not far. For some reason, Xie Yun took a detour, passing by the Prince of Yong's estate.
The Prince of Yong's estate, which had been sealed off by the Emperor's personal edict, was currently heavily guarded. The Imperial Guard, armed to the teeth, had surrounded the estate. Seeing the Beiya Commander's carriage pass by, they all revealed expressions of vigilance and resistance.
Xie Yun raised the curtain of the carriage and saw the deputy general of the Imperial Guard stride over. He stiffly saluted, "This is a restricted area. What business does Commander Xie have with us?"
It was clearly early summer, but the blue dome of heaven was densely covered with dark clouds. A thick salty smell floated in the air, as if a heavy rain was brewing.
Xie Yun ignored the unwelcome expression on the other party's face. After muttering to herself for a moment, she asked, "Where is your general?"
"The general is practicing martial arts."
Just as Xie Yun was about to say something, the deputy general interrupted, "The Imperial Guard carries the Imperial Majesty's orders. The Grand General's safety is at stake. It is inconvenient for him to come out and receive guests. Commander Xie, please forgive him."
These words praised the Emperor and the Prince of Yong, leaving no room for refutation. He believed that the arrogant and high-profile Commander of the Imperial Guard would be enraged. Who knew that after waiting for a long time, he would hear a soft laugh from the carriage, "The Imperial Guard is loyal to their duty. This is very good."
The deputy general was speechless.
Xie Yun shot a glance at the deputy general, who was frozen in place and did not know how to react. Lazily, she said, "Help me pass on a message to your general. Today, His Imperial Majesty has summoned me into the palace alone to speak."
"… Ah?"
Seeing that he was frozen in place in a daze, she raised her chin, "Imperial Majesty, go."
The deputy general didn't know what was going on, but he had no choice but to turn around and leave.
At this moment, in the bedroom, Shan Chao was lying on the bed with his back facing the door. His back was moving up and down slowly, and his tightly shut eyes looked haggard.
Last night, after throwing down the two words "Xie Yun", he lost consciousness. Then, he had a high fever and stopped breathing.
The hearts of the bodyguards almost stopped beating. Fortunately, they were soon out of danger. The dangerously high fever in the wee hours of the morning finally subsided, and they fell into a deep sleep.
The deputy general hesitated for a moment, but the indignation in his heart finally got the upper hand. He left the room and closed the door.
"Commander Xie, your message has already been relayed to the Great General."
Xie Yun stared fixedly at the deputy general, who had lowered his head and cupped his hands in salute. After waiting for him to continue for a long time, she finally asked, "What did your general say?"
"The general said that he understood."
— — You only know?
"Did you say that I would have an audience with him alone?"
The deputy general insisted, "It was indeed the original message."
Xie Yun's gaze swept past the tightly shut door. After a while, she sighed in her heart. However, she did not show it on her face. She let go of the carriage's curtain and lowered it.
"Let's go."
The carriage and horses sparkled in the sight of the Yulin Royal Guards.
·
Probably because the Emperor was seriously ill, the doors of Shangyang Palace were closed. It was quiet and gloomy.
The luxurious and dignified buildings of the past were especially cold in the dark, pressing down heavily on the top of his head, causing his chest to feel stuffy.
"Commander Xie," the Emperor's trusted eunuch bowed and said in a high-pitched voice, "His Majesty has been ill for days. He is very afraid of seeing things with a murderous aura. Please put down your weapons."
— — The Commander of the Imperial Guards was summoned to meet the Emperor. He never needed to unsheathe his sword.
Xie Yun's gaze swept back. Unknowingly, the door of the palace had been closed. The dim sky outside passed through the carved door and cast an inconspicuous light beam in the void.
Xie Yun did not speak or move.
The surroundings were quiet for a long time. The eunuch felt that his palms were full of cold sweat.
But his gaze was still lowered. He did not say a word and did not open the door to the bedroom.
The tormenting time seemed incomparably long. Finally, Xie Yun raised her hand and untied the Tai-Ah Sword from her waist.
The eunuch rushed forward to catch it. He almost staggered under the weight of the ancient sword.
"This … this way please."
The Emperor was really not in a good condition.
Xie Yun was half-kneeling on one knee. Out of the corner of his eye, he was sizing up the Nine-Five Supreme Venerable in the hall not far away. Suddenly, for no reason, he recalled the first time he was led by Yin Kaiyang into the palace to meet the Emperor.
At that time, he was in the prime of his life. The Emperor was full of power. The palace was full of gold and jade, which made him look more like a dragon. Now, he was old. His bent body seemed to be swallowed by the layers of bright yellow dragon robes and layers of shadows in the palace.
"How many years have you been in the palace?" The Emperor slowly drank the medicine and asked.
Xie Yun bowed her head and said, "Your Majesty, 30 years."
"30 years."
The Emperor repeated and put down the empty medicine bowl. After a while, he said, "My dear minister, you have stood up after the New Year."
"Yes."
"Since ancient times, you have served the Imperial Family. There were Gan Luotwelve as the Prime Minister and Jiang Taigong as the Grand Preceptor. However, it is rare to see someone like my dear minister, who entered the palace at such a young age to learn martial arts and guard the inner court."
"Your Majesty overpraises me."
The Emperor nodded and suddenly asked, "Is my dear minister loyal to Us?"
These words seemed casual, but there was a hidden killing intent. Xie Yun's mind raced, and she said, "This subject's loyalty to Your Majesty can be witnessed by Heaven and Earth."
"Oh." The Emperor seemed to be very satisfied with this answer, saying, "Then We will grant my dear minister a favor."
Xie Yun's heart suddenly jumped uncontrollably. She reflexively wanted to turn her head and look out the door, but she controlled herself.
She knew that the door to the palace hall was closed.
Where was Shan Chao at this moment?
Shan Chao was not such a stupid person. He could clearly see the situation in the court.
If the Emperor really wanted to kill her, he would definitely not sit idly by and watch her enter the palace alone to meet with the Emperor. He would definitely find an excuse to follow her. As the guardian of the Prince of Yong's estate, it would not be difficult for him to enter Shangyang Palace …
"We are now in my twilight years. Furthermore, we have suffered a stroke this time. We know that we do not have long to live.
For the past thirty years, my dear minister has always been prudent in performing official duties, abiding by the rules. We actually feel that we cannot do without my dear minister's service … "
The Emperor raised the wine jug on the table in front of him, using his aged and blotchy hand to fill a cup of wine. He leisurely said,
"Therefore, We wish to bestow upon my dear minister to be buried in the Qianling Mausoleum. How about it?"
With a clear clink, the Emperor placed the wine cup in front of the table and pushed it towards Xie Yun.
Xie Yun seemed to be stunned, not knowing how to respond. Her figure was as motionless as a boulder.
After a long time, the Emperor finally became impatient. "Does my dear minister wish to defy the decree?!"
"…" In the stifling silence of the bedchamber, Xie Yun finally stood up slowly. Standing on the ground, she softly said, "This subject does not dare." Immediately following, she began to walk forward.
"Halt!"
"…"
"Master Yin," the Emperor coldly said, "Come and bestow the wine to my dear minister."
— — A person walked into the bedchamber from the side door. It was Yin Kaiyang!
Xie Yun's expression finally changed slightly. Yin Kaiyang stepped forward and took the poisoned wine. He walked in front of her and smiled. "Ah Yun?"
The poisoned wine rippled in Yin Kaiyang's hand. The surface of the liquid was as black as ink, reflecting Xie Yun's cold and slender eyes.
At that moment, it was as if the air had suddenly been sucked out. The void froze into a bone-piercing ice. Xie Yun's fingers moved slightly, raising her hand towards the wine cup.
— — Bang!
The poisoned wine was knocked to the ground. Xie Yun softly said, "Your Majesty, this subject cannot obey the decree." Immediately after, the tattoos on her body suddenly rose up!
Yin Kaiyang's reaction was faster than Xie Yun's. Xuanwu's totem instantly covered his entire body from his back. An invisible airflow spun from the soles of his feet and shot out in all directions. Immediately after, he grabbed Xie Yun's neck and quickly retracted the Green Dragon tattoo!
The Emperor roared, "Kill him!"
Yin Kaiyang stretched out his hand and snapped his fingers.
Xie Yun's pupils suddenly dilated. Someone jumped down from the beam and landed heavily on the ground. Even the bricks under his feet were shaking!
"… Jing Ling," Xie Yun whispered in disbelief.
"Master Yin!" The Emperor was shocked and angry. "Didn't you say that you would do it?
Why … "
Yin Kaiyang quickly retreated and pressed heavily on the Emperor's shoulder. His heavy force interrupted the Emperor's reprimand, "Your Majesty, do you know the rules of the Dark Clan for selecting their successor?"
The Emperor was speechless.
"The Dark Clan allows its disciples to kill each other. The final winner will naturally have the qualifications and strength to be the successor.
I trained Xie Yun because I knew that Yin Tianqing was powerful. However, who knew that he was later exiled to Mo Bei, so I had no choice but to choose Jing Ling who has extraordinary talent. Now that two tigers cannot share one mountain, I must know who will be the successor of the Dark Clan in the future. "
"Ah Yun," the light of Xuanwu's white seal flickered slightly on Yin Kaiyang's face, making his face look a little demonic. "This is your last chance to live. Using the seal is equivalent to cheating. I can kill you at any time.
Jing Ling. "
Eight years had passed. Jing Ling's overly beautiful and sharp face had faded away. Instead, he had become sharper and more domineering. When he turned his wrist, the muscles on his arms bulged. The Soul Snatching Double Hooks unsheathed and rolled up a strong airflow!
"Don't you want to know who's stronger between you and Yun Shi?"
The corners of Yin Kaiyang's mouth suddenly curled up. However, the cold smile did not spread to his eyes. "This is also your … only chance."
Xie Yun was not the only one who did not expect this sudden change of events. Even the Emperor did not expect this.
Jing Ling was the only one in the hall. He narrowed his eyes and said with a smile, "Senior?"
It was obviously a very serious word, but when it came out of his mouth, there was a sense of provocation and arrogance.
Xie Yun looked at him from head to toe and said lightly, "You didn't die. You've even made some progress …"
"How much progress I've made? Why don't you come and try it yourself?"
Xie Yun habitually reached for Tai-Ah with one hand, but there was nothing at her waist.
At this moment, Jing Ling jumped straight up. The Soul Snatching Double Hooks were already in front of her eyes like a poisonous snake!
Without a weapon, Xie Yun could not resist. In a hurry, she had no choice but to retreat.
Jing Ling's move was actually not very powerful. Originally, he wanted to force Xie Yun into a difficult situation and then throw a Soul Snatching Double Hooks at her. Who would have thought that after Xie Yun lost her divine weapon, she was forced to use her martial arts foundation that she had trained hard for so many years. This move of hers was like a moving dragon. Not only did she avoid the tip of the Soul Snatching Double Hooks, but she also cut the back of the Soul Snatching Double Hooks with her palm!
Jing Ling snorted and laughed. Suddenly, he turned his wrist and met the attack with the tip of his sword.
Xie Yun withdrew her hand like lightning. Unexpectedly, Jing Ling whispered in her ear, "Do you want to die?"
Xie Yun withdrew and retreated. Jing Ling, however, raised his Qi and roared. His Double Hooks changed to Impenetrable Double Hooks. His murderous aura and the sword crisscrossed like countless rampaging flood dragons. Half of the hall was shrouded in a dazzling battle array!
"Guards … guards!" The Emperor knocked over his chair with a bang and shouted at the top of his voice, "Guards! Come and protect me!"
However, the palace door was tightly shut and no one heard him. The Emperor realized that he had transferred all the Beiya Imperial Guard in the temporary imperial residence of Luoyang and replaced them with Yin Kaiyang's people in order to kill Xie Yun today.
"Your Majesty, don't panic. No one will hurt you …"
Yin Kaiyang smiled. The scene of a desperate battle was reflected in his eyes. The light in his eyes was unpredictable.
"The winner will be decided soon."
Clang!
The brick wall turned into countless broken stones under the Soul Snatching Double Hooks. At the critical moment, Xie Yun rushed out with a head full of stones. In the instant that Jing Ling did not have time to block, she lightly tapped his left arm.
Rather than calling it a tap, it was more appropriate to call it a touch. In the fierce battle, it was impossible to feel.
However, Jing Ling was wielding two swords while the other one was wielding the Soul Seizing Hook from below. Xie Yun clutched his upper arm and retreated rapidly as blood splattered everywhere. His sleeves were quickly dyed scarlet by blood!
He was like a flying bird. The tip of his foot tapped on the wall behind him and quickly turned back. At the same time, the murderous aura smashed down from the side of his ear and smashed the wall that he had just borrowed strength from into powder!
The two brushed past each other. Xie Yun's fingertip tapped Jing Ling's left arm again.
In the next moment, Jing Ling used the tip of his hook to support the broken wall. Using the momentum to swing in the air, he kicked Xie Yun hard in the stomach. Like an arrow leaving the bow, he smashed into the ruins!
"…"
Xie Yun gasped for breath with difficulty. Sweat dripped down from her forehead.
In her life, she had experienced many deadly battles, but she had never felt so clearly that death had brushed past her several times.
Memories turned into fragments and flashed through her mind. It was obviously unrelated, but she suddenly remembered many years ago. She had braved countless swords and knives to come to the capital from the North of the Desert. The young man on the horse had pressed against her back and asked in a hoarse voice, "Master, why do you always face an attack head-on and never look back?"
Because you are behind me, Xie Yun thought.
If I turn around and run, you will definitely die. So I have to go forward.
Boom!
The Soul Snatching Hook slashed down again, splitting the ground close to her feet. In an instant, time was frozen. The exploding stones rose in front of her in slow motion.
Xie Yun looked past Jing Ling's cold face. Not far away, the light passed through the heavy palace door. In an instant, the shadows of swords and knives turned into a receding tide.
At that moment, Xie Yun suddenly felt a trace of hope in the depths of her heart. Even she felt that it was ridiculous, but she couldn't get rid of it.
"Will you come?"
"Now that you and I have exchanged strengths, when fate has finally developed to the point where I have to turn around and run for my life …"
"Will you appear?"