Smoke billowed from the city in daylight, with terrified crowds fleeing everywhere, stumbling and tripping, and various items scattered on the ground.

But the clothing, appearance, and faces of these people were not those of the Great Xia citizens that everyone was familiar with.

A galloping horse passed through the crowd, its rider suddenly bending down to scoop up an object from the ground—a slender bottle—

“Western Liang is truly interesting. Why do they use such ugly bottles?” he examined it, puzzled.

Another horseman galloped over and snatched it away: “Who cares if it’s ugly or not? As long as the gemstones on it are valuable, it’s fine. If you don’t want it, it’s mine now.”

The first man angrily chased after him: “The boss said, whoever grabs it first keeps it.”

“Well, now I’ve grabbed it from you,” the man ahead laughed mockingly.

The two chased each other through the streets at full speed, but they didn’t rush into shops or houses to loot, nor did they pay any attention to the panicking citizens fleeing in the streets. They quickly headed toward the city gate.

Outside the gate stood a vast crowd of men, all dressed in ordinary, even somewhat ragged clothing. At this moment, every person and horse was laden with gold, silver, and jewels.

“What is this thing? It doesn’t look valuable.”

“You know nothing. This is called spice, more valuable than gold, silver, or jewels. I poured it out from an incense burner.”

“How embarrassing. Didn’t you go to the treasury in the palace?”

“We weren’t as lucky as you. The boss assigned you the better eastern position. We were sent to the western palace where the women lived. Going in there nearly suffocated us—”

“That’s because you failed the training last time. The boss said you’re not fit to be mountain bandits, only fit to be the King of Zhongshan’s incompetent soldiers.”

“Who are you insulting? Aren’t you the same?”

“I’m not the same! I’ve been different for a long time. I qualified in the first batch. I’ve been the boss’s man for ages.”

The two men who joined the crowd also joined in the clamor. Everywhere was filled with laughter, arguments, and noise. Suddenly, a piercing bird cry rang through the air. Hearing this sound, everyone—whether laughing, arguing, or even fighting—stopped instantly. The next moment, they all mounted their horses and galloped in the direction of the bird call.

Standing on a hill some distance from the royal city, one could see the thundering horses and men. The jewels they carried glittered in the sunlight like shining stars. Mu Mianghong, with her veiled face, smiled with her eyes.

“It seems everyone has gotten rich this time,” she said.

“Following the boss means wealth and good days ahead,” the men around her laughed.

And they were looting Western Liang, no less.

That would be a glory to tell for a lifetime.

“Boss,” another man thought of something and looked at the smoke rising from the royal city. “Since we’ve already killed the Crown Prince, why don’t we just occupy the royal city?”

Mu Mianghong gently touched her veil: “What city would we occupy? We’re bandits and mountain thieves, not an army.”

The men exchanged glances. If they were just mountain bandits, how could they have traveled so far to dangerously raid Western Liang’s royal city?

Was it just for plunder?

Earlier, when the great battle broke out, everyone had asked if they should help, but Mu Mianghong had firmly refused.

“That’s Zhong Changrong’s business, nothing to do with me,” she had said.

But her next sentence was about keeping an eye on Xie Yanlai.

Then they discovered that Xie Yanlai had gone to raid the king’s tent.

Mu Mianghong acted without delay, immediately mobilizing her forces—not to support Xie Yanlai, but to head into Western Liang territory—

They traveled day and night, infiltrating separately, finally converging at the royal city. Some infiltrated while others attacked from outside, working together to penetrate the palace. The boss herself killed the Crown Prince, who rushed out to fight with a single whip strike.

Only then did she have someone escort an official they had dragged out of the Western Liang palace to see Xie Yanlai.

All of this wasn’t for looting; it was supporting Xie Yanlai.

“Boss,” one man couldn’t help saying, “if Zhong Changrong has nothing to do with you, shouldn’t Xie Yanlai have even less to do with you?”

Mu Mianghong’s eyes sparkled as she smiled: “As for that, you wouldn’t understand.”

With that, she spurred her horse forward with a crack of the whip.

What wouldn’t they understand? The men looked at each other. They didn’t understand, but couldn’t the boss explain it to them? If she explained, wouldn’t they understand?

They howled as they spurred their horses to catch up.

Behind them, groups of horsemen merged like streams flowing into a river, galloping and roaring.

…

…

Meanwhile, in Zhongshan County City, far from both Yunzhong County and the capital, the entire city was also celebrating.

But not for the border army’s victory.

The King of Zhongshan had intercepted the dispatch letters. The border army’s victory announcements couldn’t reach here. Of course, news of the border army’s defeats, such as the fall of Shipo City, would spread throughout the region even if the court didn’t report it. The King of Zhongshan would make sure it spread, letting citizens lament the misfortune of the Great Xia and hate the incompetence of the Emperor and his ministers.

However, at this time, the gathering in the city was not to hear unfortunate news. Today was the King of Zhongshan’s actual birthday. Compared to the continuous flow of gifts in the previous period, today the city was filled with a continuous flow of people.

Officials, military officers, noble families, famous scholars, and recluses from within Zhongshan County, and even many from outside the county, had come.

Some came to celebrate the King of Zhongshan’s birthday to show their good relations with him, others hoped to establish good relations. But upon entering the county city, some hesitant visitors were surprised by the grand scale of the event. The King of Zhongshan’s palace eunuchs were loudly announcing visiting cards at the city gates—

This made it impossible to remain inconspicuous.

The city was filled with the sounds of drums and music. Crowds packed the streets. Even carriage curtains couldn’t block the view from outside. An elderly man sitting in a carriage looked somewhat uneasy.

“This is too abrupt,” he muttered. “Perhaps we should have just sent a gift.”

Beside him was his son, still in his prime, who said: “Father, you’re overthinking. What is there to hide? The court has already enfeoffed the King of Zhongshan as the Stabilizing King. If they dare to enfeoff him, how can we dare not show respect?”

The court didn’t dare to openly break with the King of Zhongshan, so why should they curry favor with the court?

“Besides, even Deng Yi accepted gifts from the King of Zhongshan,” he added.

How could receiving gifts be the same as sending them? The elderly man wanted to mutter, but it was too late to turn back now.

“What kind of state is the court in? A child emperor, a military man’s daughter as empress, a minor official as Grand Tutor, the border army fighting back and forth for over a year, only to lose Shipo City,” the middle-aged man grew more fervent. “The late Emperor shouldn’t have been so confused. When his son died, he still had a brother. Though physically impaired, he would have been better than a child. The King of Zhongshan is the one who should be Emperor.”

The elderly man moved his lips and said softly: “Don’t say any more. It’s ultimately improper according to ritual—”

After all, the late Emperor had already made his grandson Emperor, and that was final. Unless the young Emperor abdicated, the King of Zhongshan could only become Emperor through rebellion.

No matter how deserving, he would still be a treasonous rebel usurping the throne.

Although they showed goodwill toward the King of Zhongshan, they preferred to leave the vanguard role of rallying support to others.

The middle-aged man was somewhat dissatisfied but realized that since they weren’t part of the King of Zhongshan’s inner circle, it was indeed better not to stand out for now. He said no more. By now, their carriage had stopped at the King of Zhongshan’s residence, and the father and son alighted, following the crowd into the palace.

However, upon reaching the front hall, the King was absent. Only his sons were there to receive guests.

“It seems there’s been some victory news,” someone whispered, sharing insider information.

Victory news from the court? That wouldn’t be good news for the King. Everyone in the hall understood this clearly.

…

…

“Xie Yanlai.”

The King of Zhongshan pronounced the name on the dispatch, as if committing it to memory, then tossed the letter onto the table.

“Besides Xie Yanfang, the Xie family has other capable figures.”

A palace official beside him spoke with irritation: “The Xie family is truly secretive. Who knows what other underhanded methods they have?”

Although the King of Zhongshan felt some regret, he wasn’t particularly angry: “If everyone knew their capabilities, they wouldn’t be considered formidable.”

“Capturing the King of Western Liang means the court’s crisis is resolved this time,” another person sighed. “What a pity.”

The King of Zhongshan smiled slightly: “It might temporarily solve the immediate crisis, but beyond that, who knows?” He then asked, “Any new information from the capital?”

“Nothing yet,” an official replied, then smiled. “But we can guess: the news of defeat will certainly cause an uproar in court. At least the Grand Tutor and the Empress will quarrel.”

The King of Zhongshan glanced at the dispatch on the table and said with a smile: “With this victory report, the Empress will have confidence.”

The officials snorted coldly: “Both of them are unworthy people in power, causing unrest in our Great Xia.” They bowed to the King of Zhongshan together, their voices choked with emotion: “Your Highness, please quickly rectify the chaos, or Great Xia will surely fall into disorder.”

The King of Zhongshan laughed heartily: “Today is a joyous occasion, let’s not speak of such matters.” With that, he walked toward the door. “Don’t keep the guests waiting.”

The officials acknowledged and followed, surrounding the King as he walked out.

“Keep an eye on the capital,” the King of Zhongshan still whispered an instruction to someone beside him.

He had a prediction: there would be unrest in the capital.

Perhaps it would be a good opportunity.

The person beside him acknowledged.

A moment later, they arrived at the front hall. The gathered guests immediately called out in unison, “Welcome, Your Highness.”

The front hall of the King of Zhongshan’s palace was vast, now filled with guests, with people even standing on the steps outside. They all bowed and called out together, like a tidal wave.

The King of Zhongshan was momentarily lost in thought, imagining that this must be what it would feel like when he ascended the throne and held court in the future.

The King of Zhongshan looked past everyone toward the distance, smiled slightly, and returned his gaze. He sat down first, then said to everyone: “Please, no more formalities.”

Everyone rose and came forward one by one to pay their respects. The King of Zhongshan chatted and laughed with them, creating a joyful atmosphere in the hall.

“Report—” a palace servant called out loudly, entered, and bowed. “Your Highness, His Majesty’s birthday gifts have arrived.”

The hall instantly fell silent.

The King of Zhongshan sat in a wide white jade chair, gently smoothing his sleeve. His face bore a smile, but he said nothing, as if he hadn’t heard about the Emperor’s gifts but rather about something trivial.

Just as everyone in the hall began to feel suffocated, the King of Zhongshan finally spoke.

“It’s good that my grand-nephew has this sentiment,” he said with a smile. Today, the people have gathered in the streets to spontaneously celebrate my birthday. Distribute these gifts among them, let everyone enjoy themselves.”

Not only did he not respectfully receive the imperial gifts, but he directly gave them to the common people, and referred to the Emperor merely as his grand-nephew. Some in the hall felt a chill, some felt fear, but most felt excited. The King was openly disregarding the Emperor!

Though this had been the case for some time.

But to announce it publicly now was a clear statement of intent.

Standing beside the King of Zhongshan, Ning Kun said softly: “Your Highness, the Crown Prince’s gift came together with the court’s—”

Reminded, the King of Zhongshan suddenly realized and instructed the palace servant: “Bring in Xun’er’s gift first.”

The servant hurriedly acknowledged and also conveyed the King’s wishes regarding the Emperor’s gifts. A moment later, those in the hall heard curses and commotion from outside.

A palace servant entered, carrying a scroll.

“The court officials were disrespectful,” he said casually with a smile. “This servant has ordered people to take them away to cool down.”

The King of Zhongshan naturally didn’t care. Seeing the scroll in the servant’s hands, he rose from his chair and personally received it.

“Let’s see what gift Xun’er has for me,” he said, then added with a smile, “I hope he’s not going to frighten me again.”

Most people in the hall knew about Xiao Xun’s leap from a high pole to celebrate the King of Zhongshan’s birthday years ago, and they all laughed.

“It’s a pity the Crown Prince couldn’t come in person,” they said one after another.

The King of Zhongshan took the scroll and opened it, laughing heartily: “It’s the character for ‘longevity.'”

Hundreds of tiny “longevity” characters formed one large “longevity” character.

He examined it carefully, looking at each character, almost pressing his face to it.

“The ‘longevity’ characters are quite varied,” he said with a smile, then turned his hand to show everyone. “With such small characters, Xun’er must have strained his eyes.”

The people in the hall were about to agree when sudden commotion and shouting came from outside. What was happening? Was it so difficult to take away one court official?

People in the hall couldn’t help turning to look. The King of Zhongshan also looked over. In his view suddenly appeared a young man. His hair was somewhat disheveled, his clothes covered in dust, looking almost like a beggar. But even so, the King of Zhongshan recognized him at first glance.

“Xun’er—” he exclaimed in surprise.

The Crown Prince? The people in the hall were shocked. Was it real? They stared at the beggar-like young man—

The young man rushed toward the hall.

“Father—” he shouted.

The King of Zhongshan laughed heartily: “Xun’er, your birthday gift has again descended from the sky, frightening your father again!”

There was not a trace of joy on the young man’s face, only terror—

“Father, throw it away quickly—” he shouted, reaching forward as if trying to grab something.

Throw what away? The people in the hall were stunned, instinctively following Xiao Xun’s outstretched hand to look at the King of Zhongshan.

The King of Zhongshan was holding the longevity scroll, his face still laughing, but blood slowly began to flow from his mouth, nose, and eyes.

Blood.

Blood?

Blood!

The hall instantly erupted with screams, like a tidal wave.