Xu Wanzhi’s face darkened.
He naturally understood Xu Ping’an’s abilities and knew that once Xu Ping’an reached the Palace and the Emperor regained consciousness, this entire plan would be completely ruined.
Yet he had no confidence in stopping Xu Ping’an.
Because he also knew just how unfathomable Xu Ping’an’s methods were.
“Mister, once you go this far, I fear it will be very difficult for you to return to that little courtyard again.”
He could only try to apply some psychological pressure on Xu Ping’an from this angle.
Though he held no hope, he still wished Xu Ping’an would turn back and stop moving forward.
Xu Ping’an smiled faintly, said nothing further, tightened the strap of the Medicine Box on his shoulder, and without looking back, walked steadily toward the Palace.
Seeing this, Xu Wanzhi’s expression grew even darker.
“I never expected that the one truly wanting to make a move on Mister would actually be you…”
“Considering our past ties, I won’t kill you today. But if there’s a next time… I will take your head for sure.”
Xu Wanzhi said no more. He stared long and hard at the receding figures of Xu Ping’an and Han Wujin, then let out a long sigh.
“Inform the Chief Helmsman, this plan has failed. Withdraw all our people.”
Just as he finished speaking, another figure emerged from the dark alley.
“Xu Sir, are you really going to give up just like that? This was our closest chance yet to reach the Target. Are you really going to change the entire Plan just because of this one person?”
Xu Wanzhi shook his head, his gaze fixed on the disappearing figure.
“You don’t understand… That person’s methods are beyond what you and I can handle. Even if we threw all our forces into this meeting today, I’m afraid we still couldn’t stop him.”
“Then… what about the Third Prince?”
At these words, Xu Wanzhi suddenly chuckled softly.
“Hmph, that son of the Li Family who murdered his father and plotted against the Emperor? What does that have to do with us?”
Upon hearing this, the other person gave Xu Wanzhi a deep look, then glanced toward the direction Xu Ping’an had gone, before retreating back into the shadows.
The wind rustled, and the figure disappeared.
Xu Wanzhi shook his head again, snapped his folding fan shut, and turned to leave.
Since this plan had failed, it was time to activate the next one.
“Great Qi, Great Qi, today you have lucked out, but next time, when she moves, you might not be so fortunate.”
No matter what Xu Wanzhi was about to do next, Xu Ping’an continued steadily toward the Royal City.
The journey was surprisingly calm, with almost no resistance encountered.
But when they reached the foot of the city gates, the entire area flanking both sides was littered with dead soldiers.
Clearly, a small-scale battle had taken place here not long ago.
And the fallen were all clad in Great Qi armor.
“Mister, the Palace gates are wide open. I fear someone has broken in.”
Han Wujin glanced at the gate; even the walls had almost no guards remaining.
Whoever forced their way in was clearly prepared to risk everything, likely gambling it all. They hadn’t even left soldiers to defend the gate.
“Hmm, let’s go in and take a look. I’ve lived in Great Qi for twenty-six years but have never once seen what the Royal City looks like.”
The metallic scent of blood in the air didn’t unsettle Xu Ping’an, but the bodies certainly made him uncomfortable.
As a Doctor, he could hardly bear seeing the dead. Though it was a frequent sight in his profession, every time still left a bitter feeling inside.
Perhaps it was because he had been a Doctor for too short a time and had limited exposure to corpses.
Or maybe all Doctors felt this way.
Of course, there were also some who simply didn’t care.
People could never fully understand one another.
They passed through the city gates, and inside, more bodies were scattered. The blood on these corpses had yet to fully congeal.
Judging by the state, at most half an hour had passed since the fight.
If nothing unexpected had occurred, these rogue soldiers had already reached the main hall.
“Strange… Where’s Li Yu?”
They hadn’t seen Li Yu’s carriage on the road, nor anyone attending to him.
Since Li Yuer had only left eighteen minutes earlier, could it be… that girl was captured?
If so, the situation was complicated.
Xu Ping’an didn’t want to see a beautiful woman perish so soon, nor did he want his patient to be slaughtered before even recovering.
For a Doctor like him, this was nothing less than an insult.
“Wujin, stay alert.” Xu Ping’an proceeded up the steps.
Inside and outside the Royal City were two different worlds.
Passing through the gates, they saw a vast plaza paved neatly with one-meter square Dàyòu stones, aligned so perfectly that even the seams were filled.
Not a single dent was detectable by foot or by hand.
This made sense. The Palace was the face of the nation.
Even though Great Qi was in decline, the facade still had to be respectable.
Scattered corpses lay at the roadside.
Normally, such a vast Palace would confuse any outsider, but Xu Ping’an need not worry; following the trail of bodies would inevitably lead him to the Emperor.
Just as he thought this, another massive hall appeared ahead, with three large characters hanging above the entrance:
Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Also called Golden Luan Hall.
Its grandeur rivaled that of the Forbidden City he had once seen.
The entire building was immaculately maintained, every color fresh and vibrant without a trace of fading.
Approaching the hall, more bodies appeared on the ground, including Palace Maids and True Eunuchs.
Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the vast space was empty and desolate. Some decorations and items had been casually thrown to the floor, evidence of a hasty departure.
“Mister, there’s someone ahead.”
Han Wujin said quietly, his hand already on the hilt of his Sword.
Behind the hall, a massive cluster of glimmers gathered.
These glimmers were stained with a sinister red-black hue.
Clearly, the color signified recent bloodshed.
Judging by the concentration, there were at least five thousand people.
Xu Ping’an reached the rear entrance of the Hall of Supreme Harmony and glanced ahead.
Just as he had guessed, the square between the Hall of Supreme Harmony and the Hall of Central Harmony was filled with soldiers clad in armor.
They looked well-equipped—not heavy armor, but fine enough to mark them as elite troops.
At the forefront stood a young man in a pale yellow long robe, roaring:
“Zhennan King, you poisoned Father and seized control of the court, plotting to usurp the realm! Everyone knows this! Even now, you refuse to repent! Do you really think the Royal Sword is dull?”
At this moment, a circle of soldiers guarded the Hall of Central Harmony, where the Zhennan King stood solemnly before its great doors, eyes grave.
“Third Prince, I have never harbored disloyalty. Now you slander me baselessly and lead your troops to storm the Royal City. Who is the true traitor and rebel? Let future generations decide!”