Embers of Sword

Chapter 644 Cage
The Great Chu Imperial City.

Today, Yong'an Street was completely blocked, filled with ordinary people holding placards and marching in protest, their shouts as loud as gongs and drums.

The Imperial City Guard's spies were ordered to block the road, even deploying cavalry to block it with spears and lances.

But these "commoners" were extremely fierce, pushing the iron cavalry forward and even attempting to attack the Imperial City Guard.

The demonstrations in the capital city these past few days have been quite a spectacle.

Apart from the demonstrations on Yong'an Street, all other demonstrations were violently suppressed by the Imperial City Guard.

But here is an "exception".

Yong'an Street is a gathering place for the aristocratic families of Beijun. The so-called commoners who are marching here are actually servants of the powerful families of Beijun. This grand demonstration is Beijun's "protest" against the Imperial City Guard. After Chen Jingxuan resigned and left the Imperial City, Jiang Qihu also resigned from his position as the second-in-command of the Imperial City Guard. He did not return to Qingzhou, but came directly to Yong'an Street and gathered many of his former subordinates to stay at Chen's residence.

Everyone knows that this march was orchestrated by Jiang Qihu.

These servants of the powerful families of Beijun are not easy to kill.

"No one is allowed to move without my order."

The newly promoted Special Envoy Xuanwu rode his horse at the end of the long street, his expression grim as he stared at the scene before him. Beside him, wisps of murderous aura seemed to solidify into a tangible form, and several young secret service leaders were intimidated by this aura, daring not to speak... They exchanged glances.

Since the Chief returned, Xuanwu, who was originally imprisoned in the "dungeon," has inexplicably been given an important position.

Judging from the case files left by the clerk... this guy is a survivor of the Qujiang incident. Logically, he should be imprisoned in the dungeon and severely interrogated. However, perhaps because of "Copper Bone's" betrayal, the Chief no longer trusts his former subordinates and thus promoted this guilty man out of turn. But this "promotion" was not a misjudgment. In recent days, Xuanwu has cleanly and efficiently completed several tasks in the Imperial City Guard. He also personally took charge of suppressing the protests a few days ago. Today's battle on Yong'an Street is the "toughest battle" after the undercurrents erupted.

Once Yong'an Street is under control.

The arrogance of these young scions from the aristocratic families of Beijun was hard to reignite.

Xuanwu clutched the token, silently awaiting Yuan Jimu's orders.

These days.

The capital was in an uproar, and many things were brought to the forefront.

Some say that the Empress Dowager, blinded by greed, resorted to any means to cut off the dragon vein, luring Qin Zu to Renshou Palace and killing him.

Some people say that the Holy Empress has already achieved her goal of winning over the Taoist sects, and only the Great Sui Sword Palace has not yet submitted.

Some even say... that the Holy Empress is not human at all, but a great demon! Because of the Emperor's benevolence, she was taken in and allowed to take advantage of the situation to wreak havoc on the world, all to benefit the demon kingdom. That's why she took such absurd actions as "dismissing the northern border"!
These rumors are actually not important.

In this struggle, the words of "outcasts" are the least important thing...

Xuanwu neither believed nor cared about these rumors.

All he knew was that the Empress hadn't shown her face for a long time, and the Imperial City Guard dared not forcefully kill these Northern County aristocratic servants because they lacked the approval of their master. Xuanwu awaited Yuan Jimo's orders, Yuan Jimo awaited the Empress's message, everyone was waiting, including these seemingly arrogant Northern County servants.

Many "important figures" in the capital city knew about it.

Today, Renshou Palace, located deep within the Imperial Palace, has truly vanished.

The Empress Dowager mobilized almost the entire imperial city's resources, personally leading all the officials and subordinates of the Imperial City Guard onto a treasure ship and sailing south to the Great Sui Sword Palace...

just now.

All the waiting is for a result.

Xuanwu clutched the token.

A buzzing sound.

The token gave a crisp response, and Xuanwu's eyes lit up. Yuan Jimu only transmitted one word.

"kill!"

One word is enough.

Xuanwu brandished the token, and the spies, upon receiving the order, immediately became gloomy.

"By order of the Chief, immediately suppress the rioters on Yong'an Street!"

Xuanwu raised his token high and shouted sternly, "Anyone who disobeys will be executed on the spot!"

Falling with the sound.

"Boom!"

The Imperial City Guard's iron cavalry, shields in hand, pressed forward, forcing the crowds on Yong'an Street to retreat inch by inch.

The powerful family retainers were instantly scattered by the immense impact, their previously solidified formation shattered.

The iron hooves pounded the ground, powerful and majestic.

Dozens of riders emerged from behind Xuanwu and blocked all the entrances and exits of the streets and alleys.

Dark clouds loomed overhead.

The sound of a sword being drawn was piercing, and the light of the sword pierced through the shadows.

Just then, a tall and strong young figure slowly emerged from the end of the shadowy alley.

Jiang Qihu removed his official robes from the Imperial City Guard and Black Scale Guard, and instead donned a silk robe typical of a spoiled young master. The robe was loose, but the lapel was embroidered with fierce tigers. He placed one hand on his waist, and although the long sword was not drawn, it exuded a powerful and oppressive aura.

He alone is worth a thousand troops.

The crowd, scattered by the iron cavalry, quickly bowed to the "tiger" and made way for it.

The young scions of the prominent families of Beijun followed behind Jiang Qihu, each with a solemn expression.

Even the iron cavalry of the Imperial City Guard were intimidated by this powerful aura... Although they were acting on the orders of the chief, they dared not make any rash moves. After all, the person in front of them was the deputy chief of the Imperial City Guard, and his so-called "resignation" had not yet been approved by the imperial edict. In the eyes of these iron cavalry, Lord Jiang was just taking a temporary break, and he might be reinstated and take up his post again tomorrow or the day after.

Da da da.

The sound of horses' hooves was initially chaotic, but gradually became more orderly...

Jiang Qihu approached Xuanwu and said softly, "Has your master finally given the order?"

He has not shown his face during the recent conflict between the Imperial City Guard and the Northern Prefecture.

Jiang Qihu... is also waiting.

"Jiang Qihu, what are you doing—"

Xuanwu showed no respect to the former second-in-command. He displayed his token and coldly asked, "You dare disobey the order of the head of the Imperial City Guard?"

"..."

Jiang Qihu merely chuckled as he watched this scene.

"The unrest in the capital these past few days is inextricably linked to you... Now that you have shown yourself, I advise you not to resist."

Xuanwu said expressionlessly, "Come with me back to the Imperial City Guard for interrogation. If you take another step forward, don't blame me for being ruthless."

"What a magnificent sight..."

The burly Jiang Qihu was almost the same size as Xuanwu, who was riding on horseback.

He looked at the person in front of him and suddenly said, "Didn't you ever think that, given your master's personality, if he really had the victory in his grasp, why would he be absent?"

Xuanwu paused for a moment.

No sooner said than done, Jiang Qihu stepped forward.

"You dare!"

Xuanwu drew his sword, but Jiang Qihu was faster. His long sword drew a rainbow from his waist, and the young and strong deputy head of the Imperial City Guard took only one step forward before drawing his sword and beheading the newly appointed special envoy on the horse. Blood splattered, and several young secret agents beside Xuanwu were so frightened that their faces turned pale.

In the blink of an eye, Jiang Qihu sheathed his sword and returned to his original position. He even had a moment to twirl his sword, and his silk tiger robe remained completely unstained by blood.

"Sorry, I also received the message..."

He coldly watched as Xuanwu's headless corpse fell from his horse, and said in a deep voice: "The wicked empress has brought ruin to the country and has been executed at the Great Sui Sword Palace! Yuan Jimo, the former head of the Imperial City Guard, was an accomplice of the wicked empress and should be strangled for treason!"

The sound is like thunder.

The entire Yong'an Street was completely silent; you could hear a pin drop.

Both the servants of the powerful families of Beijun who were in charge of the parade and the iron cavalry of the Imperial City Guard who were responsible for the suppression were stunned by these words.

"This decree was passed down by my master... The past ten years have truly been a disgrace to the Great Chu!"

Jiang Qihu continued speaking, waving his sleeve to summon the image transmitted from the Ruyi Token secret scroll using his divine sense—

The Holy Empress was pinned to the Immortal Tree by a flying sword, revealing her demonic form while displaying her divine countenance, with phoenix feathers trailing behind her.

Chen Jingxuan has an excellent reputation.

Almost as soon as Jiang Qihu announced the gentleman's name, everyone believed the news to be true or false.

In reality, this scene is no longer important. Now that the outcome of the Great Sui Sword Palace battle is decided, whatever Jiang Qihu convicts at this moment is considered "ironclad evidence."

For a while.

The Imperial City Guard cavalry hesitated.

"My fellow colleagues, it's not too late to regret being deceived by the wicked queen..."

Jiang Qihu coldly said, "Anyone who is willing to follow me into the palace now to cleanse the court of corrupt officials and kill the remnants of the demonic faction will not only be pardoned but will also receive a reward!"

Say it.

Another cut.

The heads of several spies next to Xuanwu were thrown into the air at the same time!
These people who followed Yuan Jimu were already guilty beyond redemption, and even if they surrendered, they would not be useful.

The two slashes seemed to resonate with the heavens and earth, causing the wind and clouds to change color.

The Yong'an Street, which was originally shrouded in dark clouds, suddenly became clear, and the blazing sunlight pierced through the clouds and shone down.

One of the iron-clad cavalrymen dismounted with lightning speed, knelt on one knee, and shouted, "Lord Jiang! This humble servant is willing to follow Lord Jiang to slay the demons!"

Jiang Qihu glanced at the iron cavalryman.

Then came the second and third rounds.

"Master Jiang!"

"Master Jiang!"

Along the entire long street, a large number of the motorcycle cavalry originally responsible for suppressing the demonstrations knelt down.

……

……

After several days of turmoil, the capital of Da Chu enjoyed a brief period of peace.

What followed was even more intense turmoil.

A wildfire started on Yong'an Street and quickly spread to every street and alley, and the entire imperial city.

News of the wicked empress's demise and destruction spread far and wide. This time, it wasn't just the servants and advisors of the powerful families of Beijun, but countless ordinary people of Dachu who learned the truth. Out of anger, they spontaneously took to the streets. These most "minor," most "humble," and most "insignificant" little people came together and unleashed an unimaginable force.

The Imperial Palace Guards did not resist or suppress the protests; instead, they joined the march.

Thus, an absurd and ironic scene unfolded: the heavily guarded main gate of the palace, before it could even be assaulted, was breached by its own iron cavalry.

How are you... feeling?

In a teahouse directly opposite the palace, on the second floor of a private room, two young people stood silently by the window, watching this absurd scene unfold.

"An unprecedented feeling of comfort."

The girl with waist-length hair rested her hands on the windowsill, looking relaxed and speaking in a relaxed and comfortable tone.

"After all, this is the place you've lived in for so many years..."

The young man carrying the umbrella-sword paused for a moment, "I thought you would feel a little reluctant to part with it..."

"What's there to be reluctant about?"

Chu Yin shook her head with a smile: "This is the place I hate the most. When I was bored before, I often thought, 'I wish this palace could be smashed to pieces someday.' I never imagined back then... that this scene would actually happen..."

For most people.

The Da Chu Imperial Palace is exquisitely decorated and its magnificence is beyond description. To be able to step into this place is a blessing earned through three lifetimes of good deeds.

But for Chu Yin...

This is just a cage.

"..."

Chu Guo fell silent. He could feel his sister's pain, but he didn't quite understand why.

It's rare to find true empathy in this world.

He lived on the streets of a foreign country, suffering hardships from childhood to adulthood, but the only thing he never lacked was freedom.

Chu Yin, on the other hand, lived a life of luxury, but had no freedom.

Actually, I envy you.

Chu Yin sighed and said softly, "From childhood to adulthood, I could go wherever I wanted... I could only stay in the palace. The farthest place I've ever been is the Jade Sea Hunting Ground in the northern suburbs."

"Is that so?"

Chu Guo lowered her eyes and asked in a low voice, "Where does sister want to go?"

"do not know."

Chu Yin shrugged: "I'm not interested in the position of 'emperor.' I just want to leave here, leave the palace, leave the capital, and get as far away as possible..."

"The farther the better?"

Chu Guo paused for a moment, feeling a bit ironic: "It can't be Li Guo, can it..."

"If I can survive, leaving the country doesn't seem so bad."

Chu Yin smiled and said, "The palace is the biggest prison in the world. It not only imprisons me, but also many other people. I really don't know what those guys are thinking. They have obtained the most precious things, yet they are desperately trying to squeeze into this cage. Are wealth, glory, gold and silver really that important, more important than freedom?"

At this point, the expression on her face darkened again.

Today, this cage has been broken.

It's certainly something to be happy about.

but……

The real cage is never that wall.

The real "cage" has never disappeared.

It was a wall, a chair, a title above all others, and an invisible imperial power that ruled over the vast territory of the Great Chu Dynasty.

After today.

She remains a caged bird, still deprived of freedom.

The Great Chu needs an emperor.

"..."

Chu Guo glanced at the broken and collapsed palace, then at the girl's pale face beside him, lost in thought.

He was just about to say something.

Suddenly, a flurry of frost and snow swept through the teahouse.

Chu Yin turned around and saw a slender figure standing vaguely in the frost and snow.

The figure bowed respectfully, his voice trembling with emotion: "Your Majesty... are you alright?"

It was indeed the Snow Lord.

"Don't worry, I'm fine."

Chu Yin waved his hand, forced a smile, and quickly asked, "How is everything on your end, sir? At Yanyun Lake... was there anything unexpected?"

"Nothing will happen where you are, sir."

The Snow Lord said respectfully, "He refused me, so I returned to take care of His Majesty."

After returning to the capital from Beihai, Chen Jingxuan went straight to the library.

He refused the Black Scale Guards' offer to follow him and also refused the Snow Lord's help, insisting on meeting "Smoke Demon" alone.

Just a few days ago.

Before the outcome of the battle had been reversed, the two had met in this manner.

We meet again now.

There were still two people.

It is still Yanyun Lake.

(End of this chapter)