After serving wine and food to Emperor Xiao An and Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun, the two exchanged a glance. Xiao Jingyun understood immediately and nodded slightly. Shen Ziyan and the other quickly retreated to the rear hall.
From the rear hall, it was just a few steps to exit the Qinzheng Hall. Afterward, the two could leap onto the roof of the Qinzheng Hall. This was the highest point in the entire imperial palace, offering an unobstructed view of the surroundings.
Everything unfolded as expected. After observing for a while, the Black Wolf Guards hiding on the roof issued the order to attack. With a sharp whistle, dozens of figures in black descended from the rooftops.
Meanwhile, the officials below, who were feasting, all squatted down in unison. Some hid under the tables, others pressed themselves against the table legs, all doing their best to protect themselves and leave the space for the Imperial Guards.
The Imperial Guards, who had been lying in ambush, also emerged from various rooms, surrounding the area tightly with hundreds of men.
At this moment, the Lotus Cult Master and Shen Ziyan also ascended to the roof. As soon as they landed, they noticed two other black figures had not yet descended. It seemed the Black Wolf Guards had indeed left a backup.
Evidently, the two Black Wolf Guards on the roof sensed someone approaching from behind and immediately turned to engage the Lotus Cult Master and Shen Ziyan.
The two attackers were skilled, fighting Shen Ziyan and the Lotus Cult Master for over ten rounds without a clear winner. The Lotus Cult Master grew anxious. Feigning a weakness, she seized an opportunity during the enemy's attack to suddenly raise her hand, unleashing two flying needles. At such close range and in the darkness, the opponents were caught off guard. They felt a sharp pain in their eyes, and then could see nothing. Seizing the moment, the Lotus Cult Master surged forward and struck one of them directly in the chest with her palm.
This person fell from the rooftop like a kite with a broken string, plummeting to the ground.
Then, the Lotus Cult Master lunged towards Shen Ziyan's opponent.
One against one, this person could still hold his own. But against two, he had no chance. After a few exchanges, Shen Ziyan struck the back of his head with her palm, ending his life.
Having dealt with these two, Shen Ziyan and the Lotus Cult Master stood side by side, looking at the chaotic melee below. Shen Ziyan sighed, "If we hadn't been prepared, these officials of Da Cang might have all perished."
Hearing Shen Ziyan's words, the Lotus Cult Master smiled faintly. "Don't say it, Chen Xiaobei's idea was quite brilliant. It resolved dozens of people in one go. I reckon there won't be many Black Wolf Guards left, and they won't be able to cause any more trouble."
Shen Ziyan nodded. "Indeed, it was a good plan."
As they spoke, they saw several dark figures ascending the roof.
Clearly, the Black Wolf Guards realized the situation was dire and wanted to retreat. But where could they go? The Lotus Cult Master and Shen Ziyan moved almost simultaneously, each taking one flank and unleashing flying needles.
Cutting through the mess like a swift blade, they preferred to resolve issues with hidden weapons rather than engaging in close combat, unless absolutely necessary.
These few figures in black, just as they were about to land on the roof, were suddenly attacked. In mid-air, they had nowhere to brace themselves, nowhere to dodge, and nowhere to hide. They could only grit their teeth and bear it. After being struck by the hidden weapons, they all fell to the ground with cries of pain.
The Black Wolf Guards on the ground understood immediately that escape was impossible. Only one path remained: to fight to the end.
By now, the confusion in the main hall had intensified. It was evident that the Black Wolf Guards knew the high-ranking officials were inside the hall, so many of them charged in.
However, the guards in the main hall were even more stringent. The Imperial Guards fought desperately, three against one, four against one, even five against one, forming an impenetrable wall and blocking the frenzied Black Wolf Guards.
Zhou Quan and Bai Han, leading their most elite subordinates, protected Emperor Xiao An, Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun, and Liu Xiangnan. As they fought, the two marveled, "No wonder the Black Wolf Guards instill such fear. The Imperial Guards are the elite of the entire Da Cang army, yet it takes four or five of them to fend off one Black Wolf Guard."
But regardless, it was good that they could hold them back.
The battle lasted for about an hour. The Black Wolf Guards were gradually reduced in number and finally broke under the onslaught. The remaining seven or eight Black Wolf Guards were trapped in a small encirclement. Their leader looked around at the layers upon layers of Imperial Guards. He knew that the plan for today was impossible to achieve.
With this thought, he put his hand to his mouth and blew a whistle.
Upon hearing the whistle, the Black Wolf Guards immediately shifted their formation.
Their formation contracted. Three men leaped onto the shoulders of their companions. Then, the whistler leaped onto the shoulders of these three. In a flash, they formed a human tower. The two men at the bottom bent their bodies in unison, then straightened up. Like a spring mechanism, the person at the very top was propelled outward, lunging towards Xiao An, who was the furthest away.
So that's how it is. Chen Xiaobei, hiding in a corner, couldn't help but be impressed by this scene. This human catapult was quite powerful.
Fortunately, Zhou Quan and Bai Han had anticipated this. Seeing the enemy trapped in the encirclement, they had returned to Emperor Xiao An and Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun earlier. When they saw the man in black charging, Bai Han's saber danced in a dense defense, protecting Xiao An.
Seeing that his attack had failed, the man in black twisted his body in mid-air and directly breached the rear hall, crashing through the window.
He had escaped.
Only then did Bai Han stomp his foot, realizing he had been tricked. The attack on Xiao An was a diversion; escape was the real goal. He couldn't believe the Black Wolf Guard had pulled off such a feint.
He quickly led his men in pursuit.
But there was no trace of the man in black anywhere.
On the rooftop, Shen Ziyan and the Lotus Cult Master saw a dark figure fleeing. They exchanged a look, and Shen Ziyan immediately gave chase. Su Dan Novel Network.
This Black Wolf Guard's movement technique was not weak. Shen Ziyan pursued for dozens of yards, maintaining a distance of about two rooftops from the enemy. This distance was awkward: too far for hidden weapons, but too close to abandon the chase.
Shen Ziyan gritted her teeth and continued. After pursuing for a while longer, she suddenly had a realization. It seemed she remembered something. She shouted loudly into the distance, "Jiang Shang Piao, is that you?"
Hearing the shout, the man in black paused for a moment, but then continued forward. That brief hesitation was enough for Shen Ziyan to have her answer. She then shouted, "Jiang Shang Piao, it's me, Ziyan! Weren't you dead? How did you end up as a Black Wolf Guard in Da Tu Kingdom? Do you know you are aiding the wicked?"
Seeing that the other party still showed no signs of stopping, Shen Ziyan continued to shout, "Jiang Shang Piao, if you want to leave, I, Shen Ziyan, cannot catch you. But what about your senior sister, the Lotus Cult Master? Aren't you going to watch over her?"
Hearing this, the fleeing figure suddenly stopped. He turned around and waited quietly for Shen Ziyan to catch up.