Shangguan Yao calmly lifted the curtain and scanned the outside. Yan Jing City was shrouded in vibrant colors, a lively scene he had never truly experienced.
Before, he had lived in the shadows, never understanding why he couldn't live like others, always hiding in corners, watching that ethereal figure live by his mother's side, enjoying the most noble and privileged life, while he was nothing.
Only when he grew a little older did he understand that he was merely the product of a forbidden union. If discovered, his life wouldn't be safe, let alone enjoy a life of wealth and status.
Perhaps from that moment on, the seed of longing was sown in his heart.
That year, he was only seven years old. A seven-year-old child was already ingenious, knowing how to please and flatter, doing his utmost to cling to his mother, making her feel indebted to him, making her love him, and compelling her to commit a world-shattering conspiracy without hesitation.
All of this was because he wanted to live more nobly, more happily than others.
Now that he had this hard-won everything, he would absolutely not allow anyone to destroy it. Therefore, anyone who blocked his path would only meet death?
Shangguan Yao's pupils, in an instant, resembled those of a bloodthirsty wolf, with residual light scattering everywhere…
Inside the carriage, the atmosphere was chilling. Song Yuan dared not say another word. The Emperor's face was dark and grim, his pupils tinged with red. He had no idea what the Emperor was thinking and dared not move.
Shangguan Yao finally came to his senses and waved his hand, commanding with composure.
"Return to the palace."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Song Yuan breathed a sigh of relief and respectfully obeyed. Frankly speaking, it was indeed not suitable to be out and about now. Assassins were rampant, killing even a first-rank grand official in the court. It was best to be cautious, as the Emperor might not be able to escape.
Song Yuan turned and ordered the front.
"Return to the palace."
The carriage immediately sped off towards the Imperial Palace.
The summer night was like water, the moonlight was abundant. Tall trees by the roadside shed a profusion of small purple flowers, like a shower of purple rain.
From near and far, the sky was a glazed color. Suddenly, a few wisps of dark clouds drifted by, and the sky darkened. The previously flowing air became heavy and oppressive, making one uneasy and breathless, exuding an aura of killing intent.
Inside the carriage, Song Yuan and Shangguan Yao looked at each other, their faces equally grim. Had they truly encountered assassins?
"Your Majesty, be careful."
Song Yuan warned, lifting the curtain to look out. On the deserted street, there was a dense mass of people, their numbers unclear at a glance.
Those people lay lightly on the ground, like dormant bats. With one hand on the ground and the other lifting their black cloaks, their faces were covered with black kerchiefs, and killing intent gleamed in their eyes.
Shangguan Yao, through the brocade curtain lifted by Song Yuan, had already seen the situation outside. His face changed drastically, his pupils suddenly widening. With a bloodthirsty fierceness, he glared ahead.
He hadn't told anyone that he had left the palace. Now, there were assassins intercepting them. These people must be from the Divine Dragon Palace.
Why did they want to kill him? And why save Sima Qingyun and Wen Zong, those two old foxes, but not the Minister of War and Ye Qingtian?
This showed that the person in the shadows knew that these two had a close relationship with him and would absolutely not strike them dead. Who exactly was this person?
Shangguan Yao suddenly felt a sense of panic, as if someone were strangling his neck, making it difficult for him to breathe, as if all his affairs were in that person's grasp.
"Your Majesty, what should we do? There are at least fifty to sixty assassins."
Song Yuan's voice held barely suppressed panic. He wasn't afraid of dying himself, but if something happened to the Emperor, their Song family would be exterminated. That was why he felt afraid.
Before Shangguan Yao could speak, the masked man in front of the carriage raised his hand, and in a faint glow, he appeared like a ghostly yaksha.
The mask was carved with wooden flowers and adorned with dripping, demonic red.
The leader of these people was actually the Flower-Stealing Young Master and the Crimson Guard of the Divine Dragon Palace.
The two leaped forward, swift as lightning, like proud swallows soaring into the sky, or great Rocs spreading their wings to fly. They descended directly above the carriage, their long swords aiming to pierce the roof.
Song Yuan and Shangguan Yao, without time to think, rolled to the ground and darted out of the carriage. Two guards also dismounted to fight.
Shangguan Yao's hidden dark guards, Mingyue and Mingri, were also forced to reveal themselves.
The few people, amidst dozens of shimmering lights, appeared frail and desolate. Soon, someone was injured, letting out cries of pain. The air was filled with the smell of blood.
This smell seemed to stimulate these thugs from the Divine Dragon Palace. The dozens of people became even more ferocious in their attacks, like life-snatching demons emerging from hell.
Song Yuan and Shangguan Yao pressed closely together, neither daring to be careless. Mingyue and Mingri also stayed together, dealing with the people around them.
The Flower-Stealing Young Master and the Crimson Guard exchanged glances, decisively waved their hands, and split everyone into two groups. One group attacked Mingyue and Mingri, while the other attacked Song Yuan and Shangguan Yao.
As the two groups battled fiercely, the outcome quickly became apparent. Mingyue and Mingri could no longer withstand the numerous attacks. The Flower-Stealing Young Master pierced Mingyue's shoulder socket with a sword, and blood spurted out.
Mingyue was injured, and Mingri was alarmed. While taking care of the person beside him, he responded to his opponent's attacks, falling into a disadvantageous position in the blink of an eye.
Shangguan Yao and Song Yuan looked at the situation before them, their hearts as cold as ice. Could this night be their demise?
The street at night was unusually quiet, with not a single person in sight. Let alone anyone to help, only the Yan Jing guard would be able to save them.
But the few of them were all surrounded and could not break free.
Song Yuan's face was pale. While desperately resisting, he glared at the Crimson Guard opposite him and shouted.
"You scoundrels of the martial world, if you kill the Emperor, not a single one of you will live."
"It will be worth dying if we have the Emperor to accompany us."
The Crimson Guard said sinisterly. Shangguan Yao and Song Yuan gasped, surprised that the other party was determined to kill them, realizing that their lives were likely forfeit tonight.
Shangguan Yao thought of the imperial throne he had painstakingly obtained, and before he could enjoy the glorious times, it was lost due to his carelessness. He was filled with hatred and anger, yet powerless.
Just as everyone believed they were doomed, lanterns appeared in the distance ahead. They even heard the sound of hooves, and their hearts were filled with surprise and joy.
Shangguan Yao secretly thought, hoping that the person arriving could lend them a hand. If the person who saved him today, he would consider him his confidant, and he would be rewarded with inexhaustible glory and wealth.
The sound of hooves quickly drew near. Then, a furious roar came from the person on horseback.
"Bold! Who dares to commit murder here?"
After the reprimand, he turned and ordered behind him: "Immediately go and inform the guard army."
His subordinate acknowledged the order, turned his horse, and galloped away. Song Yuan and Shangguan Yao, trapped by the assassins, breathed a sigh of relief. At this moment, Song Yuan recognized who the leader was and cried out with great joy.