Chapter 325 Rebellion

Huo Ting's words were like a bucket of ice water, extinguishing the joy of the triumphant army below the city.

The previously high morale below the city walls instantly froze, and a suppressed anger spread through the silence.

The Xuanjia cavalrymen gripped their weapons tightly, their eyes fixed on their emperor, awaiting his command.

Jiang Huan heard everything clearly inside the carriage and was so angry she almost jumped up.

Good heavens, what a shameless bastard.

She's making a mountain out of a molehill, calling him a spy from the Northern Barbarians. She thinks Huo Ting is the biggest spy!

Jiang Huan lifted the carriage curtain, jumped down nimbly, and stood beside Huo Lin, standing shoulder to shoulder with him.

She raised her head, meeting the gaze from the city wall without fear, her voice clear and her demeanor imposing.

"Huo Ting, stop spouting nonsense! It's already impolite of the officials not to welcome the Emperor upon his triumphant return. What are you up to by keeping the city gates tightly shut!"

Her appearance was like a bright pearl thrown into the dull night, instantly attracting everyone's attention.

When Huo Ting saw Jiang Huan come out from the city tower, his eyes lit up instantly. He looked Jiang Huan up and down, as if he wanted to strip her naked with his eyes.

"Your Highness Consort Zhuang, oh no, perhaps soon you won't be anymore."

He licked his lips and let out a chilling chuckle.

"Your Majesty is still as eloquent as ever, and your stunning beauty... tsk tsk, it's such a waste for you to be with the Emperor."

He paused, his tone becoming increasingly lewd and shameless: "How about this, once I ascend the throne, the Empress can stay in the palace, and I will certainly cherish you and let you taste what true bliss is..."

This blatant humiliation and provocation caused all the loyal soldiers below the city to turn pale with rage, and anger burned in the hearts of every one of them.

Sun Zheng and his guards had already placed their hands on the hilts of their swords, waiting for Huo Lin's order to tear this arrogant traitor to pieces.

The moment Huo Lin heard Huo Ting's words, his face froze completely, and the murderous aura emanating from him almost materialized, causing the guards around him to subconsciously take a half step back.

The veins on the back of his hand, which was gripping the reins, were bulging, and his knuckles were white from the force he was using.

[You're asking for it!]

[If he dares to harbor such thoughts, I will crush and trample him to pieces!]

Today, his reign as a prince has come to an end!

Jiang Huan was so angry at Huo Ting's disgusting words that she trembled all over, and the sticky gaze she received gave her goosebumps.

However, Huo Lin did not immediately erupt in anger.

He took a deep breath; his extreme anger actually made him calmer.

He raised one hand and made a gesture, and the somewhat agitated army behind him immediately quieted down.

"Huo Ting, I'm giving you one last chance. Open the city gates, kneel down and beg for forgiveness, and I might spare your life." He looked up, his gaze fixed on Huo Ting's face, twisted with madness, his voice icy.

Upon hearing this, Huo Ting seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world, and burst into wild laughter.

"Hahaha, leave me a whole corpse? Huo Lin, look at the situation clearly. The capital is already under my control. What can you do to me with these exhausted troops?"

As he spoke, his smile vanished, and a ferocious expression appeared on his face.

"If you know what's good for you, obediently hand over the military tally, bind your hands, and enter the city. I might then grant you a proper burial. Otherwise, with a single command from me, ten thousand arrows will be unleashed, and you and your pack of lackeys will all perish here!"

He became more and more agitated as he spoke, waving his arms like a madman: "This throne should belong to me! I am the one destined by Heaven! You, Huo Lin, are nothing but a lucky good-for-nothing! Do you even deserve to possess the empire and the beauty? What a joke!"

Jiang Huan rolled her eyes at him, really wanting to yell at him.

It's destiny's will? It's destined for that thing with an underdeveloped brain and a completely undeveloped cerebellum.

If Huo Lin is a good-for-nothing, he's not even as good as a good-for-nothing's toes.

As Huo Lin listened to Huo Ting's insane ramblings, the murderous intent in his eyes reached its peak.

He looked at Huo Ting, who had leaned out halfway out in excitement and was completely unprepared, and a cold, cruel smile curled at the corner of his lips.

In an instant, he snatched the bow from the guard beside him, the arrow was nocked, and it was ready to be released.

call out--

A streak of dark light, like lightning tearing through the night sky, shot away at a speed too fast for the naked eye to perceive.

Before Huo Ting's maniacal laughter could subside, he felt a chill in his throat, followed by a sharp pain.

An arrow pierced his throat with pinpoint accuracy, its tip protruding from the back of his neck, dripping with bright red blood.

He opened his mouth wide, trying to make a sound, but could only let out a hoarse, leaky sound. The madness and smugness in his eyes were instantly replaced by boundless fear.

He reached out in vain to pull out the arrow, but his body tilted backward uncontrollably, and he fell off the city wall with a thud. He convulsed a few times and then fell silent.

Even in death, he didn't understand what gave Huo Lin the confidence to shoot him so rashly.

Both on and below the city walls, there was utter silence.

Everyone was stunned by the precise and ruthless arrow, especially the defenders on the city wall.

With their commander-in-chief killed, the group was leaderless and plunged into chaos.

Huo Lin slowly lowered his hand, as if he had only done a trivial matter.

His cold gaze swept over the panicked defenders on the city wall, and his voice boomed.

"The traitor Huo Ting has been executed. Do you still wish to resist? Lay down your weapons and open the city gates. I will forgive your past transgressions, but those who resist will be killed without mercy!"

Just as he finished speaking, shouts of killing suddenly erupted throughout the capital.

Another well-equipped and imposing army poured out from all the streets and alleys of the city and quickly took control of all the key roads and palace gates.

The leader, clad in black armor, with a calm and resolute face, was none other than Jiang Huan's elder brother, Xu Xiuyuan.

Xu Xiuyuan led his troops to quickly stabilize the situation inside the city gate, and the heavy city gate was slowly pushed open.

He strode out of the city gate, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed to Huo Lin, who was sitting upright on his horse, his voice steady.

"Your subject, Xu Xiuyuan, has been ordered by secret decree to quell the rebellion in the capital and welcome His Majesty and His Majesty back to the palace!"

Huo Lin rode forward and came to Xu Xiuyuan, nodding slightly: "You've worked hard."

Xu Xiuyuan calmly replied, "It's my duty, I won't complain about the hardship."

Jiang Huan breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Xu Xiuyuan.

Huo Lin's gaze swept over Huo Ting's corpse, his eyes showing no emotion whatsoever.

Huo Ting is nothing but an impatient fool who jumped out; there must be someone behind him fanning the flames and providing support.

Otherwise, given his capabilities and resources, he would never dare to be so blatant.

It seems the waters of this capital city run deeper than I imagined.

[But it doesn't matter, I have plenty of time. I'll slowly pull out all these rats hiding in the gutter, one by one.]