Blue Gold

藍 金『 ii 』forewarned apologies

Outside the palace, the guards laughed as they drunk alcohol in celebration. While it was a shame they couldn't go home to their families, the high-ups were kind enough to allow them to drink on the job since it was new years.

A green-uniformed soldier laughed, standing up, saying that he had to walk a bit to sober himself. Passing by the fluttering flags bearing the phoenix emblem of the Tiên Kingdom, he looked out onto the misty mountains and greenery down below.

Just as he was about to head back, a single arrow hit his neck, killing him instantly.

The other guards rushed towards him and as they did more arrows suddenly seemed to come from the hidden mists, killing most of them.

"Quick! Call for reinfo─!!" One of the guards shouted before another soldier drew his sword, stabbing it into the man.

━━━━

The Princess Liên quietly exited the hall, with her maid following close behind. Sharply watching them leave from the corner of her eye, a young noblewoman frowned annoyedly as she waited for a few seconds and then got up as well, following the Princess and leaving the festivities.

━━━━

"Don't let them reach the palace!" One of the head imperial soldiers shouted, gathering his men around him in an attempt to stop similarly uniformed men from entering the palace. Swords clashed as the confused soldiers did not know who was friend or enemy, being dressed all the same.

The sound of a horse neighing was heard as a man dressed in general's attire sat atop the horse, reigning it to a stop to oversee the fight. Seeing the defending soldiers being slaughtered, he grinned victoriously.

"Onwards!" He shouted, as the palace gates were broken and the soldiers streamed in.

━━━━

The dancer's twirled as their audience clapped appreciatively, cheers filling the hall. The Emperor and Empress watched from above with nods and smiles before an arrow hit the dancer, making her collapse with blood streaming from her neck.

Panic settled upon the celebration as soldiers entered the spacious room, the erhu stopping immediately, though the golden-eyed Prince of Lóng poured himself another cup of wine, unbothered.

"Who dares enter the palace hall unbridled!" The captain of the royal guard shouted angrily, unsheathing his own sword. Other members of the royal guard quickly stood in front of the emperor and empress to protect them.

The intruding soldiers moved aside to allow their general to enter the room. He stood before the hall, clasping his hands and bowing respectfully.

"Your Majesty. General Trach has come to humbly invite you to abdicate." He addressed the emperor, sending waves of murmurs and angry whispers.

When the captain gave a nod towards the emperor, the general raised an eyebrow.

"Your majesty, you needn't wait for the rest of the royal guard to arrive, as they have already met with the wrath of the heavens."

Another wave of murmurs went through the guests, this time of fear at his words. It was true that the guards should have already arrived in support, however, none arrived.

"As is the symbol of our blessed nation, the phoenix must die in order for a rebirth to occur. We shall ask you to honourably surrender the throne to protect this country and ensure a hundred years of prosperity."

The emperor's face darkened with anger. "And you believe that you shall be the one to usher in 'a hundred years of prosperity?'"

"Not at all," The general corrected. "I have chosen Lóng Qi Gongsun, crown prince of the south to inquire after the northern mountain lands." He rose a hand to gesture towards the quiet visiting prince, who sipped his cup calmly.

"He is the descendant of the great dragon lord of the south, having both ability and wisdom, just as a scion of the noble dragon should have."

The emperor turned towards Lóng Qi, who was completely unaffected by the whole scene, with a stunned look before turning his head down angrily and clenching his fists.

"I see ─" He spoke slowly. "I did not know I was going to marry my beloved daughter to a two-faced man such as this."

The young prince Ahn, sitting beside Lóng Qi, seemed unable to speak at the development. 'Elder Sister...' He could only seem to think the single thought, glowing blue eyes wide. 'Elder Sister does not know...'

The general placed his hand on the hilt of his sword's sheath. "Your majesty, as long as you send away the royal guard, things needn't go difficulty."

"Am I a fool enough to trust a traitor such as yourself?" The emperor glared, his authoritative aura silencing all. "We shall not shame our phoenix lineage by not putting up a fight, even with the risk of death while we are capable of doing so."

The general gritted his teeth and gripped his hand around his sword's handle, although still not withdrawing it.

Lóng Qi paused before taking another sip, setting the cup down and rising to a stand, making everyone turned towards him.

He had on his normal gentle, kind face as he gave a look once around the room before sighing and closing his eyes. When he opened them, his golden eyes flared and his face was devoid of any gentleness.

"If you won't surrender, then all I can offer is death."