Qiang Jin Jiu (Author : Tang Jiuqing 唐酒卿)

Chapter 23 : Downpour

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A gale assailed across the grass of the hunting grounds. The instant the flame leaped, the sudden sound of blades colliding against one another erupted.

The feast was thrown into chaos. Hai Liangyi climbed up from the ground. With a burst of unexpected energy, he slammed headlong into Pan Rugui and bellowed, “Castrated traitor! Don’t hurt my Lord!”

Li Jianheng was on the horse, trembling all over as he watched the glinting and flashing display of cold steels. Clinging on to the horse’s neck, he closed his eyes and cried out, “Ce’an! Ce’an, save me!”

All of a sudden, Xiao Chiye kicked Ji Lei back into a retreat. Without even looking back, he backhandedly stabbed the Imperial Bodyguard who was attempting to launch a sneak attack behind him and snuffed the life out of the latter. Warm blood spattered over half of his body. He pulled out Langli Blade, took two steps forward, and struck the Eight Great Training Divisions soldier charging at him to the ground.

Chen Yang had already flipped atop the horse. He hauled Li Jianheng up, whistled at the top of his voice, and shouted to Prince Chu’s guards, “Follow me to protect His Highness. We’ll break through the siege towards the east!”

Before the horses could move, Ji Lei said in a cold voice, “Stop him—”

Ji Lei had yet to finish his word when he saw a blade slashing down on him. He held up his blade horizontally to block it. The next moment, both his arms sank down heavily as Xiao Chiye’s blow pained and numbed them. A sound escaped from Ji Lei’s throat as the impact sent him staggering. Astonished, he looked before him. 

Xiao the Second! 

“You played dumb to exploit the situation for your own ends.” Ji Lei crouched abruptly with legs astride and forcibly lifted his blade. He bellowed in fury, “I’ve misjudged you!” 

A gust of wind assaulted from the side, and Xiao Chiye turned his head to dodge the attack. He swept the edge of his blade in a diagonal arc on his right, and a stream of glistening blood followed in its trajectory. Following right after, his blade collided with Ji Lei’s once again. 

Lang Tao Xue Jin charged in, knocked over the table, and dragged the tablecloth along with it as it galloped through the bonfire. In that moment, the fire surged, setting tents and withered grass on fire. The very instant Lang Tao Xue Jin brushed past him, Xiao Chiye flipped atop its back. With the back of his blade, he swatted the buttocks of the horse Prince Chu was on and said a deep voice, “Go!”

“Protect His Majesty!” Xue Xiuzhuo strode over to pull Hai Liangyi away. “Elder Hai! Let us go to protect His Majesty!” 

Emperor Xiande gasped for breath. His lips and face were pale. Xue Xiuzhuo squatted down to hoist Emperor Xiande over his shoulder and fled from the fire along with the other civil officials.

Xi Gu’an wanted to give chase, but Hua Siqian pointed directly at Prince Chu and said, “His Majesty’s fate is sealed, so there’s no need for us to kill or not kill him. But Prince Chu must die tonight! If he escapes, then you and I will be labeled as the traitorous party! Ji Lei, gather the Imperial Bodyguards and join forces with the two thousand Garrison Troops in the City of Tuancheng to surround the hunting grounds. You must kill Prince Chu! Xi Gu’an, hurry back to the capital at top speed! The Eight Great Training Divisions will take charge of protecting Qudu!”

By the time he spoke to this point, he had calmed down. 

“We have the imperial heir in our hands, and the Empress Dowager in command. As long Qudu doesn’t fall into chaos, even Qi Zhuyin herself will not be able to act rashly if Prince Chu dies! As for the Xiao Clan, there will be plenty of opportunities to deal with them in the future!”