Yu Ziqiu, Song Quan, and the others waited anxiously for a long time. When they saw Pang Xiao and Ji Zeyu leading the Huben Army dressed in dark battle robes in formation, the oppressive feeling of great armies approaching with banners unfurled frightened these court officials to their very core.

These men had perhaps at most witnessed the beating of servants, but had never seen the true brutality of a battlefield, let alone faced such imposing opponents head-on when their own side had no power to resist.

It was an overwhelming sense of oppression that left them completely unable to muster even half a thought of resistance.

“Your Highness, Your Grace.”

Everyone called out in unison, once again kneeling in neat rows to pay their respects.

Pang Xiao and Qin Yining shared a single horse. He reined in his warhorse, carefully protecting Qin Yining with one hand, fearing she might come to harm. In stark contrast to his gentle and considerate movements was his tone.

“Lead the way.”

“Yes!”

No one dared say another word. Yu Ziqiu and the others immediately rose and headed into the city.

The city gates stood wide open, but there were no common people on the streets. Occasionally they encountered personnel from the Five Cities Military Commission or the Capital Guard along the roadside. Seeing Pang Xiao and Ji Zeyu leading five thousand soldiers in neat formation entering the city, these people all cautiously hid in corners, not daring to show any sign of threat.

The five thousand-man force formed a long column as it passed through the capital’s main streets. No one made a sound, yet their footsteps were uniform, creating an enormous deterrent effect. Many common folk huddled together with their families, already nearly frightened out of their wits by the unusual silence in the city. When the silence was followed by the sound of synchronized marching, everyone nervously hunched their shoulders and began quietly chanting Buddhist prayers.

Those with more courage pressed against their door cracks to peek outside, just catching sight of Pang Xiao leading his army past. Each member of the Huben Army was a man of imposing stature. Fresh from the Tatar battlefield, they still carried the northern winds and the bloody scent of slaughter – that stern aura unique to frontier troops was completely incomparable to the pampered soldiers in the capital.

The common people had long been shocked into silence, but everyone still had some peace of mind. After all, Pang Xiao had specifically sent word into the city earlier that as long as ordinary citizens stayed properly in their homes, His Highness would definitely not allow anyone to disturb any household.

Now it seemed the Huben Army was simply marching through, with none of the burning, killing, and looting that everyone had worried about, which truly brought great relief.

The procession arrived before the palace gates, where the Imperial Guard and Capital Guard had already ordered the palace gates opened. Yu Ziqiu, Song Quan, and the other officials immediately invited Pang Xiao’s forces to enter the palace.

Pang Xiao nodded to Mu Jinghu following behind him, then exchanged a glance with Ji Zeyu. Each gave instructions to those behind them. Huzi, Tang Xiu, and the other Elite Tiger Guards immediately led their subordinates to deploy the troops. The five thousand Huben Army split into several groups and with extreme speed quickly poured into the palace, occupying key positions.

Seeing the Huben Army enter, the palace guards and servants offered no resistance at all. They all laid down their weapons and were quietly herded together under guard.

Qin Yining sat sideways in front of Pang Xiao, looking down from her elevated position at the scene within the palace gates – silent yet tinged with an aura of killing. Her expression also grew somewhat heavy.

Faced with such a scene, she didn’t know whether to sigh at the success of their plan or at Li Qitian’s failure as a person. The principle that water can both carry and overturn a boat was being verified at this moment – this position was not so easy to occupy.

“Your Highness, everything is secure.” After about half an hour, Huzi and Tang Xiu hurried out to report.

Pang Xiao nodded and leaped down from his horse, extending his hands to receive Qin Yining. However, Qin Yining had already lightly jumped down and steadied herself.

Pang Xiao shook his head with amusement.

Mu Jinghu and Ji Zeyu also dismounted.

Pang Xiao turned back to invite Ji Zeyu: “Alan.”

“You go first.” Ji Zeyu smiled and made a gesture of invitation, indicating for Pang Xiao to take the lead, clearly following his lead.

Pang Xiao had no choice but to walk ahead, with Mu Jinghu on his left, Ji Zeyu on his right, and Qin Yining following behind. Behind the four of them were Jingzhe and three other secret agents.

Yu Ziqiu and Song Quan, along with the other Northern Ji surviving officials, followed behind Pang Xiao’s group with lowered heads as they walked through the palace gates.

In the golden autumn of August, the blazing sun still burned fiercely during the day. The neat floor tiles were warmed by the noon sunlight, and even though it was now late afternoon with the sun slanting westward, one could still feel the warmth of the ground through thin embroidered shoes.

Qin Yining walked with straight shoulders across the tiles one by one. Before her eyes were the azure blue sky and red walls with glazed tiles. Pang Xiao’s tall figure walked half a step ahead of her – so imposing and magnificent, such a heroic man who would turn back to check on her every three to five steps, as if worried she might stumble.

Qin Yining’s mood gradually shifted from the heaviness of being about to witness the changing of a dynasty to calm and peace. Perhaps her worries were unnecessary – this man would not disappoint her.

Along the way, the Huben Army had taken over guard duties on both sides. The group proceeded through the austere atmosphere to arrive before the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

The spacious square here was now completely empty. Looking up, they could see the hall doors tightly shut on the vermillion steps, with only two Elite Tiger Guards standing watch at the entrance. Wooden boards were nailed over the doors and windows – clearly those inside had no hope of escape.

Seeing Pang Xiao, the Elite Tiger Guards respectfully saluted.

Yu Ziqiu said: “Your Highness, the tyrant and his family members are inside.”

Seeing Pang Xiao nod, Yu Ziqiu and Song Quan led the other Northern Ji court officials to retreat and stand to one side. Immediately, Elite Tiger Guards came running in formation to guard these men.

Qin Yining had just stepped onto the first step when Pang Xiao turned back and took her hand. Ji Zeyu and Mu Jinghu followed on Pang Xiao’s other side as the four of them came before the hall entrance.

Pang Xiao ordered: “Open the door.”

“Yes.”

Immediately Huben Army soldiers swarmed forward, found tools, and pried the wooden boards from the door.

Huzi stepped forward and pushed open the hall door, cautiously peering inside.

They all worried that Li Qitian might rush out directly with those women and children.

But after a “whoosh” of wind, what struck them was an overwhelming stench of blood!

“Something’s wrong!” Mu Jinghu immediately leaped in front of Pang Xiao and the others, defensively drawing the soft sword from his waist. Pang Xiao also immediately shielded Qin Yining behind him.

But when they could clearly see the situation inside the hall, even Pang Xiao, Ji Zeyu, and Mu Jinghu, who had witnessed countless battlefield horrors, were stunned into silence.

Inside the hall were corpses strewn everywhere, blood flowing like rivers. The women had been hacked into bloody, unrecognizable masses, even dismembered into several large pieces and carelessly discarded. The overwhelming stench came from the fresh blood and organs.

Li Qitian sat on the dragon throne in the center, clutching a dagger in his hand, his hair disheveled, his entire body covered in blood and filth, his face completely red so that his features were indiscernible. He was looking down at the incomplete corpses of the Empress Dowager and Empress beside him, with a smile still hanging at the corner of his mouth.

“Oh my god!” Qin Yining immediately turned around. No matter how strong her heart was, this scene was like a hellish pool of blood that made one sick.

The Elite Tiger Guards and Huben Army soldiers who heard something was wrong and immediately rushed over also fell silent upon seeing such a scene.

Yu Ziqiu, Song Quan, and the others, sensing something amiss, couldn’t care about protocol and hurriedly came to look.

The result was a vista of blood red that scared them into screaming “Oh mother!” on the spot. Several Northern Ji surviving officials actually fainted from fright.

Yu Ziqiu shouted: “He’s gone mad! He must have gone completely mad!”