Fierce fighting erupted within the palace walls. Just as Luo Qingyi broke through another blockade with his men, Feng Yinwan's urgent voice rang out from behind him.
"Uncle, be careful!"
He instinctively swung his saber, its tip piercing the chest of a surprise attacker. A stream of blood sprayed down, and Luo Qingyi frowned as he looked back at Feng Yinwan.
"Why are you still in the palace?"
According to the plan, she should have already left.
Before he could ponder further, he waved her aside and gravely said, "I'll arrange for someone to escort you out of the palace immediately."
Chaos reigned around them; it was almost impossible to distinguish friend from foe.
Feng Yinwan shook her head. "It's too late."
Luo Qingyi was about to furrow his brow at her words but then heard her continue, "Uncle, let me stay and help you."
With Feng Jin Chen gone, she had no lingering attachments and nothing could stop her now.
Knowing her determined nature, Luo Qingyi's expression grew serious for a moment before he tacitly agreed to her request.
As he turned to inquire about the surrounding situation, Feng Yinwan had already taken a sword from a guard. Luo Qingyi paused slightly at the sight, instinctively speaking out.
"Get the young lady a different saber."
The guard was about to step forward to make the exchange, but Feng Yinwan drew the sword and shook her head. "No need."
She was not unfamiliar with swordsmanship; in fact, her sword techniques had once been personally taught by Ye Ting Lan.
Although she hadn't used them for a long time due to her status, the memories were etched into her very bones, impossible to forget.
Seeing her insistence, Luo Qingyi said no more and turned to the guard beside him, asking, "Has any news come from General Le Mi?"
Tonight, they had split into two groups. Within the palace, Luo Qingyi led the main operation, while outside, General Le Mi, a former subordinate of Prince Qi, was responsible for the flanking and support.
It was now past the agreed-upon time.
The guard shook his head. "The palace is in utter chaos right now. It's difficult for any message to get through."
The extent of the turmoil tonight had exceeded their expectations.
Luo Qingyi frowned and pondered for a moment before ordering, "Let's head to Yue Ming Palace first."
Yue Ming Palace was the sleeping quarters of the Emperor of Yue.
Upon their arrival at Yue Ming Palace, Ye Ye also appeared with a group of Xuanmen disciples.
Luo Qingyi ordered the palace gates to be rammed open, only to find the interior empty, devoid of any figures.
Frowning, he was about to order his men to search when a figure ran hurriedly from a side path. Feng Yinwan looked up and saw the young attendant Luo Qingyi had previously ordered to escort her out.
Without time for explanation, he rushed to speak, "Your Highness, things seem to be a bit off."
After parting ways with Feng Yinwan, he had returned here as ordered, but Yue Ming Palace was deserted. The Emperor of Yue was nowhere to be found.
He searched a few other nearby locations, but still found no trace, only then realizing something was amiss and quickly returning to report.
Luo Qingyi's face darkened upon hearing this and he immediately asked, "Have you seen those four great masters tonight?"
The royal palace of Yue harbored four highly skilled imperial guards who rarely showed themselves. Besides the Emperor of Yue, very few people knew their whereabouts.
Despite the palace's chaos tonight, these four had not been seen along the way. It was initially assumed they were guarding the Emperor of Yue, but now, with Yue Ming Palace also empty, something was indeed wrong.
A moment of grim realization struck him. He immediately ordered them to charge out of the palace, but as they took their first few steps, flaming arrows began to rain down from the sky.
Flames cut through the night sky, tearing gaping wounds in the thick darkness.
Luo Qingyi's eyes widened sharply at the sight, and he was pulled forcefully by Feng Yinwan.
"Uncle, be careful!"