“Yes, Your Majesty.” Several people stood up to accept the order. Liu Liu nodded in agreement. This was the only option left. They were exposed while the enemy was hidden, putting them in a very passive position. They could only wait for the enemy to make a move and strike unexpectedly to achieve victory.
“Good, you all may withdraw.” Feng Xie waved his hand, and the few people filed out. Only Feng Xie and Liu Liu remained in the study. They looked at each other. Feng Xie’s expression softened. Regretting his earlier impulsiveness that had ruined things, he spoke softly, “I was too rash earlier.”
“Let’s wait for their next move. I suspect there will be some significant action tomorrow. We should rest early to prepare for it.”
Liu Liu stood up. What could she say at a time like this? Feng Xie opened his mouth to call her back, but he decided it was best not to bother her further. Besides, their son was in Weiyang Palace, and if anything happened to him, he wouldn’t forgive himself.
“Liu’er, get some rest early,” Feng Xie said softly from behind, his gaze following Liu Liu’s receding figure, a hint of loneliness on his face.
Along the long corridor, palace lanterns flickered, swaying in the cold wind. Liu Liu, accompanied by Hong Xiu and a few young eunuchs, walked towards Weiyang Palace. Hong Xiu, following closely behind her, spoke lightly, “Your Highness, tonight’s events are quite strange.”
Liu Liu stopped. She also found it somewhat odd but couldn’t pinpoint why. Hearing Hong Xiu’s words, she paused and calmly asked, “Hong Xiu, what do you find strange?”
“Does Your Highness know? Besides the study, the Empress Dowager’s Cining Palace was also damaged by these people. Fortunately, the martial arts alliance leader Zhan Yun led some martial arts experts in hiding, preventing those people from succeeding. Why would the Empress Dowager’s Cining Palace be targeted, yet the Empress’s Weiyang Palace remains untouched? Isn’t that very strange?”
Hong Xiu’s gentle voice echoed in the moonlit night, carrying a chilling breeze.
Liu Liu’s heart trembled, her fingers turning cold. Could Nangong Yue be among the Thirteen Eagles? Only Nangong Yue would hesitate to harm her. Or was Hua Wuyou among them?
Which of them was it? Because they knew where she lived, they didn’t attack Weiyang Palace? The thought of this possibility felt like a dagger piercing her heart. Why must these people always fight? When would there be peace?
“Could it be him?”
Liu Liu and Hong Xiu spoke at the same time. Liu Liu raised an eyebrow, unsure whom Hong Xiu suspected. She asked in a clear voice, “Who are you referring to?”
“Hua Wuyou. Wasn’t it said earlier that he disappeared? Could he have joined the Thirteen Eagles, or is he the leader? Otherwise, why wouldn’t they touch Your Highness’s Weiyang Palace?”
Hong Xiu knew that Hua Wuyou was deeply devoted to the Empress. If he were indeed among the Thirteen Eagles, he would never harm the Empress. Liu Liu did not commit to an answer and spoke softly.
“There’s another possibility, that person could be Nangong Yue.”
“Nangong Yue? That’s impossible. He’s like a banished immortal, and his heart isn’t bad. How could he commit such a heinous act of killing without batting an eye? I don’t think he’s among the Thirteen Eagles.”
Hong Xiu dismissed the idea outright. Nangong Yue, in her eyes, was a kind-hearted, nation-saving handsome man, albeit sometimes cold.
But she couldn’t believe that a man who seemed like a worldly immortal would kill without batting an eye. It was the complete opposite of his previous image.
Hearing Hong Xiu’s words, Liu Liu also felt it was unlikely. Although Nangong Yue had disappeared and had been a bit agitated that night, how could she suspect him of being among the Thirteen Eagles? He was a man of principle. Looking at herself, did she still consider him a friend?
How could one easily suspect a friend? Liu Liu gave a self-deprecating smile and turned back towards Weiyang Palace. After Hong Xiu’s words, she actually felt a sense of relief. She was afraid Nangong Yue was among the Thirteen Eagles. Such a divine person should be kind, how could he be associated with those bloodthirsty villains?
“Alright, let’s go back. I was overthinking. But I still feel that someone among the Thirteen Eagles knows me, otherwise, why would they not attack Weiyang Palace?”
“Perhaps that person is Hua Wuyou.”
Hong Xiu said with exasperation. It was Hua Wuyou’s past record that bothered her. He was originally a wicked person, so it wasn’t strange for him to be among the Thirteen Eagles now. However, the thought of him being with the Thirteen Eagles made her angry. They had all treated him like a friend before, but now he was revealed to be part of the Thirteen Eagles. What should they do about him?
Should they kill him to eliminate a scourge for the people, or let him continue to harm others?
“It’s probably not him either. Hua Wuyou was manipulated by Feng Luo. Feng Luo should be a different faction from the Iron Blood Thirteen Eagles. If they were the same faction, why did the Iron Blood Thirteen Eagles only appear after Feng Luo had been active for so long?” Liu Liu analyzed calmly and found it reasonable. But who among the Thirteen Eagles was familiar with the Empress?
“Your Highness, it’s getting late. You should go back and rest early,” Ming Yue said respectfully. The night was already deep, and Liu Liu felt the chill seeping into her skin. She looked up at the long corridor outside. The night was getting darker and heavier with dew, and winter was fast approaching.
“Alright, let’s go back.” The group quickened their pace towards Weiyang Palace.
The next morning, the entire capital was in chaos, plunged into frenzied panic. No one dared to go out, even in broad daylight. More than a dozen human heads were hung on the tall poles of the city gates, blood staining the railings all the way down to the city walls, turning a dark brown. The bloody scent hung heavy in the air, and the sky was covered with dark, ominous clouds.
During the day, there wasn’t a soul on the streets of the capital. The wind whipped the signs on the sides of the streets back and forth, and fallen leaves swirled everywhere. Even with the doors closed, the sounds of crying could be heard from within.
At the morning court, the ministers’ faces were pale with fear, not knowing who would be next to die. The heads that were taken down turned out to be half from court officials and half from prominent wealthy families in the capital. When this news spread, the common people felt relieved, while the officials and the wealthy panicked.
However, the Iron Blood Thirteen Eagles were elusive and unpredictable, making them impossible to guard against. The Ministry of War dispatched a large contingent, but despite patrolling all night, the culprits had still succeeded.
This terrifying force spread through the capital like a plague, and it was feared that it would spread even faster. Even if the Iron Blood Thirteen Eagles were eliminated, a significant portion of the capital’s population might be lost. What could be done? The Emperor sat high on his dragon throne, demanding that the ministers come up with a plan immediately.
The officials standing below looked at each other, none of them able to come up with a solution. Prime Minister Liu Ting frowned.
“Your Majesty, I believe that last night, the Minister of War personally led the patrols of the capital, yet they still managed to succeed. I suspect that within the Thirteen Eagles, there must be someone who is extremely familiar with the capital, so much so that they are privy to the movements of the authorities.” As soon as the Prime Minister finished speaking, the court erupted like an explosion. Ministers looked at each other, each suspecting the person next to them of being a spy, of being that wicked individual.
The hall was filled with incessant noise and pointing fingers. Feng Xie, with a dark and stern expression, exuded killing intent, like a living Asura. He slammed his hand on the dragon throne and spoke coldly, “Now is the time to quickly devise a strategy, not to be constantly bickering.”
The Emperor’s words silenced the hall once more. Everyone lowered their heads, saying nothing, because they had no solutions. Everyone wore a mournful expression. Just then, a eunuch’s voice was heard from outside the hall: “The Empress has arrived.”