Xu Yuehuai and Qi Guze stood in the courtyard, their eyes filled with determination and doubt. The house appeared calm and quiet, as if time had stood still, yet they knew that countless secrets might be hidden beneath this tranquil exterior.
"There must be something amiss here, search—!" Qi Guze gave the order.
Accompanied by their bodyguards, they entered the mysterious mansion. They searched the dark corridors, their footsteps light yet firm, their torches illuminating their surroundings. Their eyes were sharp, leaving no corner unchecked.
Suddenly, they discovered something that looked like evidence under a dilapidated desk. Their hearts raced, and joy spread across their faces.
"Boom—!"
However, at that moment, the ground suddenly trembled, and a thick plume of toxic smoke billowed out from the ground.
Xu Yuehuai and Qi Guze reacted immediately, holding their breath and taking out the gas masks they had prepared beforehand. The guards also quickly put on their masks, their eyes filled with vigilance and tension.
However, the poisonous smoke wasn't their only threat. The ancient wooden machines seemed to come alive, suddenly attacking them from all directions. Their blades gleamed coldly, each swing carrying immense force.
Xu Yuehuai and Qi Guze led their guards in a fierce resistance, their figures moving swiftly amidst the flashing blades, each attack precise and decisive. However, the sheer number of wooden machines seemed endless, and they were locked in a bitter struggle.
Just when they were about to give up, Qi Guze suddenly shouted and swung his long sword, sending a powerful sword aura towards the wooden machinery.
Xu Yuehuai followed closely behind, her movements as nimble as a swallow, her short sword like a venomous snake, fiercely stabbing at the machines.
The guards, inspired by their momentum, fought back fiercely and finally defeated the wooden machines. However, before they could catch their breath, the entire house suddenly collapsed, turning into ruins.
They stood amidst the ruins, their eyes filled with disappointment and helplessness. All the evidence had vanished with the collapse of the house, and their efforts seemed to have been in vain.
However, Qi Guze did not give up. He stood on the ruins, took a deep breath, and said, "Don't worry, we will find the truth eventually."
Xu Yuehuai looked at him, her eyes filled with trust and admiration. She knew that no matter how great the difficulties, Qi Guze would not give up. They would continue to search for evidence and uncover the secrets of this house.
As they left the ruins, they did not look back. Their figures faded into the night, leaving only the ruins standing silently in the moonlight.
...
Deep within the bustling capital, Xu Yuehuai and Qi Guze led their secret guards, moving silently through the streets and alleys like cheetahs in the night. Their target was the secrets hidden in the shadows, the crucial evidence that could reveal Zhao Wuji's true nature.
After countless days and nights of searching and surveillance, they finally found a clue in a secluded courtyard.
Xu Yuehuai's eyes sharpened. She gently picked up a torn piece of paper from the ground, on which some unreadable information was written in cryptic ink. A strong premonition welled up in her heart; this might be the breakthrough they had been searching for.
Qi Guze stood to the side, his face filled with seriousness and focus. He held a finely crafted dagger in his hand, his signature weapon and his most trusted companion in battle. He was always ready, and at the slightest sign of trouble, he would rush forward without hesitation.
They led their guards cautiously into the courtyard, making sure no corner or crack in the door escaped their notice.
Finally, in an inconspicuous study, they found an account book that detailed Zhao Wuji's dealings with some mysterious figures.
Xu Yuehuai and Qi Guze exchanged a glance, their eyes flashing with shock and anger. This evidence not only proved that Zhao Wuji had unknown accomplices, but also that their motives were far more complex and dangerous than they had imagined.
They decided to return to the palace immediately and reveal the truth to the public.
In the main hall of the palace, Xu Yuehuai and Qi Guze stood on the high steps, with bright candlelight behind them and high-ranking officials and members of the royal family in front of them.
Xu Yuehuai took a deep breath, her voice firm and powerful: "Today, we have brought evidence of Zhao Wuji's accomplices and their conspiracy. These ledgers and notes were collected by our secret guards at great personal risk."
As she spoke, she brandished the evidence in her hand. A murmur of surprise rippled through the hall, with people discussing the matter and their faces filled with disbelief.
Zhao Wuji's accomplice?
How is that possible?
Were they kept in the dark the whole time?
Xu Yuehuai continued, "Zhao Wuji not only formed cliques and deceived his superiors, but also colluded with foreign enemies and plotted treason! Their goal is far more than a simple power struggle; they want to overthrow the entire Four Kingdoms and endanger all living beings!"
Her words struck like a thunderclap in the hall. Shocked, people began to feel anger and unease. They finally understood how right and necessary Xu Yuehuai and Qi Guze's unwavering commitment and beliefs had been.
Qi Guze stood to the side, his gaze sharp as a knife, sweeping over everyone present. His very presence was a deterrent, preventing those with ill intentions from making any rash moves.
The atmosphere in the main hall was tense and solemn. Xu Yuehuai knew that the road ahead was long, and they must continue their efforts to uncover more of the truth. But she also believed that as long as they worked together with one heart and one mind and remained steadfast in their beliefs, they would surely overcome all difficulties, uncover the truth, and seek the well-being of all people.
At this tense moment, hurried footsteps sounded outside the hall, like the rumble of thunder before a storm.
A guard rushed into the hall in a panic, his face as pale as paper. He knelt down and his voice trembled: "Your Majesty, Your Lordships, Zhao Wuji's accomplices have learned of this and are gathering men to assassinate the emperor in the palace!"
These words caused an uproar in the hall. Everyone exchanged bewildered glances. How dare Zhao Wuji's accomplices so brazenly attempt an assassination? Were they not afraid of the imperial army?
Xu Yuehuai and Qi Guze exchanged a glance, a resolute and determined glint in their eyes. They knew this was a crucial moment to test their faith and resolve. They had to stand on the front lines, vowing to protect the safety of the royal family and their ministers with their lives.
The two men swiftly drew their swords, gripped their daggers tightly, and led the guards toward the palace gates. Their figures flickered in the candlelight, sharp and resolute like unsheathed swords.
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