"Nobody admits it?"
The city guard called out Chen Zhennan's name, clearly recognizing him. Upon hearing this, Yan Shiyu slowly brought his long sword close to the guard's neck, the blade slicing through the skin, and a trickle of blood slowly seeped out.
"Try saying it again if you dare." Yan Shiyu's voice was icy, like a messenger from hell.
The city garrison commander's chest heaved, and after a moment's pause, he hurriedly shouted, "Take them down! All of them..."
However, before he could finish speaking, Yan Shiyu's long knife had already slashed across his neck, and blood spurted out, staining Yan Shiyu's collar red.
The city guard's body slowly collapsed, his eyes wide open. No one expected Yan Shiyu to act so decisively.
The soldiers on the city wall stirred at the sight, but they dared not fire their arrows, for Chen Zhennan had already raised his submachine gun and aimed it at them on the city wall.
At the city gate, Chen Zhennan looked up at the guards on the city wall. Their figures were somewhat blurry in the morning light, but the tense atmosphere was clearly palpable.
Chen Zhennan snorted lightly, his voice carrying a hint of disdain.
"Shiyu, open the city gates."
Yan Shiyu did not hesitate at all. He strode forward, the long sword in his hand gleaming coldly in the sunlight.
The city gate's chains snapped under his blade, and the heavy gate slowly opened, creaking and groaning like the low growl of an ancient beast.
Chen Zhennan led two hundred special forces soldiers into Beirong City in a grand procession.
The people in the city lined both sides of the street, curiously observing the unexpected procession.
Chen Zhennan was dressed in golden armor, which shone brightly in the sunlight, clearly the attire of an emperor.
However, the people in the city had never seen Chen Zhennan before, and did not kneel down to pay their respects.
Chen Zhennan didn't care about this and even enjoyed it. He couldn't stand the people kneeling before him because it wasn't out of genuine respect, but simply out of fear.
What he wants is the hearts of the people, not their knees.
...
In front of the palace gates, the six ministers gathered together, with hundreds of officials from the capital standing behind them.
On the palace walls, more than three thousand archers were already in ambush, arrows nocked, waiting for the order to fire.
Minister of War Fang Qian stood at the front of the crowd, his eyes sharp as an eagle's, fixed on the distant horizon.
He gripped the hilt of the sword at his waist tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force.
Ren Jie and Cao Kedi, who were standing beside him, also had solemn expressions. Their eyes kept lingering on Fang Qian, as if they were waiting for his decision.
Just then, accompanied by the sound of hooves, a cavalryman rode up at full speed, the rapid and powerful sound of his hooves breaking the tense silence.
The cavalryman dismounted and knelt down, panting as he said, "Reporting to Your Excellency, Chen Zhennan's convoy will be arriving soon."
Minister of Works Xiang Hao clenched his fists, his palms sweating, so nervous he could almost hear his own heartbeat.
He looked at Fang Qian, his voice tinged with urgency: "Lord Fang, we must not hesitate. When Chen Zhennan arrives, we must order the arrows to be fired and wipe them all out. Then, the Great Yan can be restored, and we will have performed an unparalleled feat!"
Ren Jie and Cao Kedi echoed their sentiments, their voices carrying a hint of determination.
"That's right, if we show any mercy, we'll be the ones who die!"
"Lord Ren is right. When the Great Yan Kingdom is restored, you will be the foremost hero. If we miss this opportunity, we will lose everything, including our lives."
Fang Qian was still somewhat undecided, but after listening to what the people around him were saying, he made up his mind, gave a heavy "hmm," and a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes.
"When Chen Zhennan arrives, I will shoot him dead immediately!"
Just then, the sound of horses' hooves approached from afar, and Chen Zhennan's group came into view.
Under the sunlight, Chen Zhennan, clad in golden armor, rode a horse, looking majestic and awe-inspiring.
The six ministers felt a sudden tightness in their chests; the moment that would decide their fate was about to arrive.
Fang Qian took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on Chen Zhennan, and slowly raised his right hand.
Chen Zhennan had already sensed something was wrong, and his gaze suddenly sharpened.
"He dares to wait for me here, it seems he intends to kill me. Shiyu, tell the brothers to get ready. If Fang Qian dares to make a move, kill him immediately!"
Yan Shiyu nodded slightly, then quietly turned around and relayed Chen Zhennan's order.
Song Yunyang pulled on the reins, and the horse nimbly approached Chen Zhennan. She whispered a reminder: "Brother Nan, Fang Qian has served as Minister of War for ten years, controlling all military forces inside and outside the capital. It's best to be careful."
Chen Zhennan nodded slightly, his gaze deep. Suddenly, he reached out to signal the car convoy to stop and looked straight at the palace gate.
He coughed to clear his throat, then shouted towards the palace gate, "Lord Fang! As the Emperor of the Great Yan, why do you not come out of the city to greet me?"
His question was like a heavy hammer blow, directly disrupting Fang Qian's plans.
Chen Zhennan's position was too far away; the archers on the palace wall couldn't reach him at all.
Xiang Hao frowned slightly, a hint of anxiety flashing in his eyes. He whispered to Fang Qian, "Lord Fang, just pretend you didn't hear that. Wait until Chen Zhennan's position is within the archers' range before firing."
Fang Qian nodded slightly, remaining standing in place, pretending not to have heard Chen Zhennan's words.
Although he was nervous inside, he tried his best to remain calm on the surface.
Chen Zhennan couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth; he knew without a doubt that Fang Qian was deliberately pretending to be deaf and dumb.
Turning to look at Yan Shiyu, Chen Zhennan smiled slightly: "Shiyu, go ask Fang Qian why he didn't come out of the city to greet me. Tell them to come and receive me."
Song Yunyang frowned upon hearing this and hurriedly objected, "Brother Nan, if Fang Qian really intends to kill, wouldn't Shiyu be in danger if he went there?"
Chen Zhennan thought for a moment, then shook his head and explained, "Yunyang, don't worry, their target is me. As long as I don't go there, Shiyu will be fine."
Yan Shiyu nodded, dismounted, and strode toward the palace gate, each step seemingly challenging Fang Qian's bottom line.
Fang Qian's face grew even uglier. He hadn't expected Chen Zhennan to send Yan Shiyu over, which put him in a dilemma.
Yan Shiyu arrived at the palace gate and scanned the crowd in front of him.
"My lords, His Majesty has asked why you did not come out of the city to greet him. He is very displeased. My lords, please hurry over to receive him."
Fang Qian broke out in a cold sweat. If he didn't answer well, it might arouse Chen Zhennan's suspicion.
Forcing a smile, he quickly explained, "General, you misunderstand. We were just preparing for the welcoming ceremony. Since His Majesty has requested to receive him, we will go now."
Yan Shiyu snorted and said coldly, "It had better be that way, otherwise, His Majesty's wrath would be something you can't handle."
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