Chapter 2109: Life or Death Struggle

Though Gao Ying had drunk a considerable amount of alcohol that day, as a ninth-grade cultivator, he could easily expel the liquor from his body by circulating his qi.

The moment he realized something was wrong at the palace, he intended to expel the alcohol. But as soon as he circulated his qi, he immediately felt that something was amiss internally. He was still disoriented, and his internal energy flow was intermittent. He instantly knew what had happened.

Gao Ying abruptly looked at Pei You, his expression a mix of disappointment and fury: "I considered you a brother, yet you plotted against me!"

The talk about the Pei family wanting to arrange a marriage alliance with him, inviting him to meet their eligible young ladies – now, it was clearly all a conspiracy.

Pei You's face changed drastically: "It wasn't me, I didn't!"

He then quickly stood up and looked towards his father.

Many at the banquet were bewildered by the sudden turn of events. One moment, everyone was enjoying themselves; the next, they had fallen out.

At that moment, Pei Yi stood up from his seat and clapped his hands. Immediately, a large contingent of guards emerged from the adjacent courtyard, subtly surrounding Gao Ying.

Gao Ying's accompanying guards quickly drew their sabers, forming a protective circle around him.

Other female guests at the banquet screamed and fled their seats, running towards the inner quarters.

"Father, what on earth is happening?" Pei You was both startled and enraged. This scene was far beyond anything he had imagined.

Pei Yi sighed: "You must have guessed it already, why bother asking?"

Pei You's face darkened: "You used me to trick him into coming here?"

Gao Ying sneered from the side: "Act, keep acting!"

As he spoke, he quickly took a porcelain bottle, poured several pills into his mouth, and distributed some to his subordinates.

As the Right Imperial Guard General, and with the Liu family's rising influence, he was naturally equipped with numerous spiritual elixirs and antidotes.

As expected, once the antidote pills were ingested, he immediately felt much better.

Seeing his actions, Pei Yi's expression changed: "Seize him!"

The subordinates shouted and charged at Gao Ying.

"General Gao, quickly escape!" Gao Ying's personal guards urgently shouted.

Every family had its loyal retainers. It was clear this was a trap, and escaping en masse was impossible. As long as they could protect Gao Ying's escape, they would have fulfilled their duty, and their families would surely receive favorable treatment from the Liu family.

The two groups clashed, and blood was drawn almost instantly. In this life-or-death situation, everyone discarded flashy moves, focusing solely on lethal techniques.

Gao Ying's personal guards were naturally hand-picked elites, each with a higher cultivation level than the Pei family's subordinates. However, the overwhelming numerical disadvantage meant their defeat was inevitable.

Gao Ying's eyes were bloodshot. Gritting his teeth, he cut down two Pei family soldiers around him and charged outwards.

His mind raced. His opponents would surely not target him alone. Tricking him here was definitely a diversion. Connecting this to the fire at Yunlong Gate, it was clear their main objective was the imperial palace.

If he could return to the palace, he could mobilize and command the Right Imperial Guards, giving him a chance to turn the tide.

The Pei family members evidently knew this too, swarming him continuously. His subordinates desperately fought to protect him and clear a path, sacrificing themselves and enduring injuries or death just to buy him precious seconds.

In the short distance of just a few courtyards, Gao Ying's personal guards fell one by one; not a single one survived.

But the effect was clear: Gao Ying had reached the Pei family's courtyard wall, on the verge of escaping, when a furious roar echoed: "Where do you think you're going!"

Pei Yi, with a flash, had already positioned himself on top of the wall, forcing Gao Ying back.

Gao Ying gritted his teeth, about to make a move, when Pei You suddenly stepped between them: "Brother Gao, quickly, go! Leave this to me!"

Gao Ying was stunned, but Pei Yi erupted in rage: "Are you mad? Do you know that today's affair could lead to the ruin of our entire family? If he escapes, our family could face total annihilation!"

Pei You gave a bitter smile: "You told me nothing. How could I have known what you were planning? All I know is that I cannot betray a friend for my family's glory!"

After speaking, he immediately shouted: "Gao Ying, what are you waiting for, go!"

Gao Ying gritted his teeth, cupped his hands towards Pei You's retreating back, and then climbed over the courtyard wall, running outside.

Other soldiers attempted to pursue, but Pei You blocked them with a flash of his sword.

"Worthless son!" Pei Yi roared in fury, unable to restrain himself any longer, and lunged at him.

Gao Ying ran out of the Pei residence, and soon over a dozen soldiers surrounded him: "General Gao, what's wrong?"

Gao Ying had always been meticulous; these were the men he had stationed outside the Pei residence. Unexpectedly, they represented a small surviving force.

"The Pei family has rebelled, and there's trouble at the palace! A few of you, quickly go inform the Liu family elders. The rest of you, follow me back to the palace!" Gao Ying rapidly made his arrangements. Soon, the dozen-odd men split into several teams, running in various directions.

Gao Ying, with the remaining seven or eight riders, galloped all the way to Yunlong Gate. However, to his surprise, there was no battle. Instead, soldiers were orderly patrolling the battlements, while others were extinguishing remaining embers by pouring water.

"Who goes there?" The soldiers on the palace gate noticed the approaching figures and became alert. Upon seeing Gao Ying, they visibly relaxed: "It's General Gao."

"What happened here?" Gao Ying asked, puzzled, as it wasn't quite what he had imagined.

"Just now, some demonic cult members attempted a night attack on the palace. We discovered them and have now eliminated them," a general on the battlements replied.

"Demonic cult?" Gao Ying's brows furrowed. When did the Pei family get involved with the demonic cult?

Even if there was a conspiracy, it should have been an all-out, thunderous assault, not something so easily suppressed. Wasn't the Pei family simply seeking their own demise?

He felt something was off. As he walked through the palace gate, he suddenly noticed that the soldiers on both sides looked unfamiliar.

He quickly reined in his horse and stopped: "By the way, why don't I see General Li?"

Li Mian was also a nephew of the Liu family. The Liu family had entrusted him with guarding a vital location like Yunlong Gate and overseeing a portion of the imperial palace's troops.

"General Li was gravely wounded just now fighting the demonic cult rebels. The imperial physicians are currently treating him. General Gao, please come in and see him," the general on the city wall beckoned.

Upon hearing this, Gao Ying's expression changed, and he immediately turned his horse and fled: "Quick, go!"

Seeing this, the imperial palace guards' expressions changed, and they all drew their weapons, attacking him.

Unfortunately, these horses were extraordinary beasts raised by the imperial court since childhood, enchanted with special wind-attribute runes from the academy, making their speed exceptional. Moreover, the guards, fearing their ruse would be discovered, had not shown any hostility until now, so they couldn't possibly catch up in time.

Seeing the pursuers fall farther and farther behind, Gao Ying breathed a sigh of relief.

He was contemplating whether to return directly to the Liu family to find Liu Guang and Liu Yao or to leave the city and find Third Master Liu at the military camp outside when suddenly, a troop of soldiers appeared, blocking his path.

His expression flickered slightly, but he calmly said, "So it's General Zhao. Something happened at Yunlong Gate; please General Zhao, lead your men to provide support."

The middle-aged man leading this troop was Zhao Quan, the Eastern Commandant, who held a very high position within the imperial family; he was even in the generation of Zhao Hao's uncles.

Zhao Quan's father was Zhao Chen, the Grand Tutor and one of the Eight Dukes. His son was Zhao Zai, the Prince of Hexi, who governed the region and had long cooperated with the Prince of Yan.

This family was considered a top noble household in the capital. Unfortunately, there had been recent changes due to their involvement in the conflict between the Meng family, the Prince of Dai, and Zu An. Zhao Chen had been directly killed by Zu An, causing their family to decline somewhat.

Thinking of his own relationship with Zu An, Gao Ying immediately sensed that this encounter was hostile.

At this moment, Zhao Quan said with a sardonic smile, "Isn't General Gao the Left Imperial Guard General, tasked with defending the imperial palace? Why are you fleeing outwards instead of going in?"

Gao Ying, subtly gesturing to his subordinates, replied, "The traitors' plot today is immense. I need to check the situation in other areas."

"Too bad you probably can't leave now." At this moment, the troops from Yunlong Gate caught up.

Gao Ying recognized the leader as Zhao Shun, the Colonel of Changshui, and his heart sank.

Zhao Shun's father was Zhao Huang, the Prince of Yi and the Grand General Who Guards the East, a highly respected figure in the imperial family. Considering this and Zhao Quan opposite him, could it be that these imperial clan members were collectively rebelling?

What was even more troubling was that the Changshui Colonel, commanded by Zhao Shun, was one of the six major field armies near the capital. Now, they had brought troops into the city, yet the Liu family was completely unaware.

He wondered how many of the capital's Six Regiments had already rebelled.

At this point, Zhao Quan said coldly, "If I hadn't arrived in time, they almost escaped."

Zhao Shun grumbled, "This fellow looks honest, but he's as cunning as a ghost. I didn't expect him to spot the flaw."

"It seems Li Mian has already met a grim end," Gao Ying sighed, buying time while trying to devise an escape plan. Unfortunately, no matter how he thought about it, the current situation was a dead end.

"If that Li Mian had your level of alertness, I wouldn't have succeeded so easily. The Liu family truly are good-for-nothings," Zhao Shun said disdainfully.

"As members of the imperial clan, you already possess immense wealth and power. Why conspire to rebel? What is this truly for?" Gao Ying knew he was doomed to die. He took a deep breath, his only wish now to understand why.

"Rebel?" Zhao Quan on the opposite side burst into laughter. "You overestimate yourself. It is clearly you who are rebelling. We are following the Emperor's command to round up the Liu family traitors!"

Gao Ying's expression immediately changed: "That's impossible! The Empress would never issue such an order!"

Back in the secret realm, he and the Empress had fought side-by-side. Moreover, Zu An had a close relationship with the Empress, making it even more unlikely for her to agree to such an order.

"Are you deaf? We are following the Emperor's command, not the Empress's," Zhao Quan sneered.

Gao Ying sighed: "So you have deceived the Emperor. Once the Empress realizes what's happened tomorrow, you will all be held accountable."

"Who is deceiving the Emperor?" Zhao Shun, from behind, suddenly became angry. "What are you Liu family people? You're just a bunch of good-for-nothings, yet you occupy high positions simply by relying on your connection to the Empress Dowager!"

"There's no need to mention those imbeciles Liu Guang and Liu Yao. Even a young junior like you can easily become the Right Imperial Guard General. Do you know how many people strive their whole lives and still can't attain such a position? That Liu Guang would gladly put a dog from your family into the imperial court! Is this empire ultimately our Zhao family's, or yours, the Liu family's?"

Gao Ying sneered: "So, you people are simply jealous."

He secretly sighed inwardly. In truth, he had long anticipated such a situation. He had advised his uncles several times, but they simply wouldn't listen, only focusing on placing Liu family members in key departments. Now, the backlash had finally arrived, and it was fiercer than he had imagined.

"Jealous of you Liu family wastes?" Zhao Shun's face was grim. "We are merely getting rid of you good-for-nothings to make way for the capable."

At this, Gao Ying gave a calm smile: "While the Liu family may lack great talent, you people, with your insidious tricks, are no better than us."

"You're asking for death!" Zhao Shun roared, charging directly at him.

Gao Ying's eyes lit up. He had intentionally provoked his opponent for this very moment. Abandoning all defense, he allowed the opponent's weapon to pierce his chest, while he himself aimed a blade at the opponent's neck.

He knew there was no escape from death today and decided to trade his life for his opponent's.

Zhao Shun was horrified. Subconsciously, he tried to pull out his sword to defend, but the opponent's hand gripped the blade, holding it firmly, making it impossible to withdraw.

He had just thought the opponent would fight like a trapped beast, and given the opponent's ninth-grade cultivation, it wouldn't be easy to wound him. Who knew that a single sword strike would gravely injure the opponent, causing a series of follow-up moves to be aborted?

In a contest between masters, life and death hung by a thread. This single mistake left him staring at approaching death, his eyes filled with regret and despair.

Just then, Gao Ying's head flew into the air. Zhao Quan had arrived in the nick of time from the other side, and Gao Ying had no strength left to guard against an ambush from another veteran master.

A gush of hot blood soared through the air. His eyes were wide open, subconsciously gazing in the direction of the imperial palace.

As a Grandmaster, the Empress Dowager would surely be able to suppress this conspiracy.

Meanwhile, in the Empress Dowager's bedchamber, Liu Ning had already retired for the night when she suddenly sensed the clash of weapons from the direction of Yunlong Gate. She flew directly out of her room, gazing at the distant firelight. Her unease prompted her to investigate, but then she abruptly stopped, looking to her left with a solemn expression.

Under the moonlight, a black-clad woman with flowing long hair stood on the rooftop ridge. The moon above seemed to serve as her backdrop, accentuating her alluring and captivating figure.

As she observed the other woman, the other woman was also observing her, her gaze falling upon Liu Ning's waist and hips, a hint of admiration flashing in her eyes as she thought, "What a big backside."

Gazing at the beautiful yet majestic face, Liu Ning's expression turned grave: "Cloud-in-the-Moon, Leader of the Demonic Cult!"

The woman opposite, with hair reaching her hips, nodded slightly: "It's rare that Her Majesty still remembers me."

Back then, when she infiltrated the palace to assassinate, she met Zu An, that destined devil star, right here.

"With Cult Leader Yun's exceptional grace, no one who sees her once could forget." Liu Ning also recalled that assassination attempt. At the time, she was injured and her cultivation not yet recovered; indeed, Zu An had saved her.

How could she have known then that she would eventually be thoroughly conquered by that man?

A blush simultaneously appeared on both women's faces, and they exchanged curious glances, unable to understand why their reactions were so strange.

Little did they know that they were both thinking of the same man at that moment.

"The demonic cult's wicked ambition never dies. Do you intend another assassination?" Liu Ning said coldly. Having received Zu An's essence, her cultivation was not only fully restored but had advanced to a higher level. She wasn't afraid of Yun-in-the-Moon, especially not in the imperial palace, which was her home ground.

"I have only one task this time: to borrow the Empress Dowager's head," Yun-in-the-Moon said calmly, yet her words were filled with murderous intent.

Liu Ning's eyes narrowed: "I'm afraid the Cult Leader lacks the ability."

Yun-in-the-Moon chuckled softly, wasting no more words. Her figure moved like lightning, attacking Liu Ning directly.

At the same time, a crescent moon suddenly appeared in the void behind Liu Ning, slicing towards her neck.