Chapter 583: By Order of the Emperor
"Ah..."
"Pfft."
Suddenly, the sounds of fighting erupted from below. The barrage of arrows weakened, and in the blink of an eye, the sky-full of sharp arrows ceased. Down below, a fierce battle was underway.
"How dare you kill men from the military headquarters! Are you trying to defy an imperial edict?" Yuan Yintang’s face turned ashen when he saw the newcomers. It had been a close call; if they had been any later...
"You dare try to kill our young master? We don’t care who you are!" a guard shouted.
Zhan Chi steadied himself and caught his breath. Hearing the voice, a flicker of joy appeared in his eyes. "It’s my family’s men."
"Just in time," Qian Fanji said, gasping for breath while clutching his shoulder.
Gu Shuo had also nearly exhausted his strength.
"You can put me down now. We’re safe," she said, reaching out to wipe his forehead.
Gu Shuo glanced around before setting her down beside him, his breathing heavy.
Ye Qianning’s gaze fell upon Ying Yuan’s body not far away. Her heart ached with emotion, and she slowly got to her feet.
"Where are you going?" Gu Shuo instinctively reached for her.
"Don’t," Ye Qianning said, pushing his hand away. She limped slowly toward Ying Yuan.
"Young Miss," Ying Ge said, her eyes red-rimmed.
Ye Qianning knelt and raised her small hand to close her eyes. "Rest now. The ones who hurt you will pay the price."
Sang Zhi stumbled over to Ye Qianning’s side and knelt. His gaze fell on the deceased Ying Yuan, his eyes turning red as he tightly gripped Ye Qianning’s arm.
Seeing that the Qian family’s men were also arriving, Yuan Yintang became furious. "You dare defy an imperial edict! Men, kill them! Kill them all!"
"Mr. Yuan, we cannot kill them! We cannot kill without a specific decree from the Emperor!" Captain Zhang came up with a group of his own men.
"The Emperor’s order was to kill everyone on sight, with the exception of the Eighth Prince! These people dare to interfere. They show no respect for the Emperor. Their crime is heinous!"
"Mr. Yuan, if they are guilty, we should escort them back to the capital for now. We should report this to the Emperor and let him decide." Captain Zhang knew the power of the families involved and didn’t dare act rashly.
"You..."
"A mere martial sect dares to pass judgment on relatives of the imperial family? Who gave you the audacity? The Emperor? When this old man returns to the capital, I will be sure to ask His Majesty if the world is about to be renamed ’Yuan’!" Zhan Yi stepped out from the crowd.
Yuan Yintang gritted his teeth so hard they bled. "I am acting on the Emperor’s orders. If Old Master Zhan has any doubts, feel free to ask the Emperor yourself."
’If I don’t kill these people today, they will surely become obstacles for my junior sister in the future.’
"Mr. Yuan..."
"Captain Zhang, you were sent by the Emperor to assist me," Yuan Yintang cut him off.
Captain Zhang was in a difficult position.
"Men, seize these traitors!" At Yuan Yintang’s command, the five or six hundred soldiers moved.
"Fine, fine! This old man will fight you to the death today! Men, if he dares to harm a single hair on my children and grandchildren, the Zhan family will fight him to the bitter end!" Zhan Yi was completely unafraid.
The government soldiers, the Zhan family guards, and the newly arrived Qian family guards clashed once again.
Yuan Yintang turned, picked up a bow and arrow, and commanded, "Kill them! Leave no one alive except the Eighth Prince!"
With the order given, the archers rushed forward.
The sharp arrows rained down again.
"Watch out!" Gu Shuo wanted to rush forward, but it was too late. He was blocked by the rain of arrows.
Ye Qianning pushed Sang Zhi away and rolled, dodging the sharp arrows.
"Young Miss!" Ying Ge shielded her with her own body.
Sang Zhi scrambled to his feet and was about to move forward.
"Stay where you are! Don’t come over here!" Ye Qianning snapped.
Sang Zhi sniffled and turned to face Yuan Yintang. "If you want to kill her, you’ll have to kill me, this prince, along with her! You will never get what you want!"