Chapter 143 - 141: The Blood-Red Palace
Nanyang County City, Gu Residence.
Clad in a deep purple wide-sleeved brocade robe, his head adorned with a jade crown.
Gu Wenhui sat in the study, tossing the letter he had just read into the brazier.
He slowly stood up, calmly tidying his attire, and walked out of the study.
"Everything is ready." Outside the study, Lu Zheng heard the sound of the door opening, turned around, and looked at Gu Wenhui who was walking out, speaking in a deep voice.
Behind him, in the courtyard, stood a group of fully armed elite armored warriors.
These armored warriors had indifferent expressions, their gaze unwavering, as if they were unconcerned with anything other than receiving orders.
These were death warriors that Gu Wenhui had meticulously cultivated over the years, loyal only to him, absolutely obedient to orders.
Even if ordered to die, to draw their blades and commit suicide, they would not hesitate, a second of delay would be a betrayal of him.
Moreover, each of these death warriors exuded powerful auras, their martial Tao skills undoubtedly remarkable.
Who knows how much money and silver resources Gu Wenhui had poured in to cultivate this group of elite death warriors.
Just looking at the budget for Song Changming’s cultivation journey, for one martial artist, it was like this; for a group of martial artists, the cost must be astronomical.
However, Gu Wenhui did not feel distressed. He knew that if today’s matter succeeded, all previous investments and years of laborious planning would be worthwhile.
As long as today’s matter succeeded!
Thinking of this, a slight gleam of excitement appeared in Gu Wenhui’s eyes.
The imperial authority of the Chu Family, rooted deeply for nearly a thousand years in the Da Han Dynasty.
Today, he would challenge this authority and tell the world.
This world belongs to all the people of the world!
"Begin, do not disappoint me." Gu Wenhui raised his hand and said slowly.
The death warriors in the courtyard instantly changed their gaze, showing coldness and murderousness.
In the city, the Imperial Yu Army camp.
"By the order of the Great King, the Imperial Yu Army will immediately depart the city to assist Muye County, quelling the unrest within three days!"
"Yes, I accept the order!"
Upon receiving the Fifth Prince’s order and confirming it, General Su Muxin of the Imperial Yu Army had his doubts, couldn’t help but ask the messenger, Eunuch Li, "Eunuch Li, isn’t this somewhat inappropriate? With the Imperial Yu Army leaving the city, who will protect the Great King’s safety?"
"General Su, that’s not for you to worry about. This is a personal order from the Great King, just follow it. Nanyang County City is very safe, there’s no need for concern over a mere three days." Eunuch Li said sternly.
"Understood." Su Muxin agreed, asking no further questions.
"General Su, you must act quickly. The Great King doesn’t want to see the county in unrest three days later." Eunuch Li reminded before leaving.
"Rest assured, Eunuch Li, dealing with a mere county unrest doesn’t need three days!" Su Muxin replied confidently.
As the city’s troops departed, the leading general under the Fifth Prince also left.
As dusk approached, the four city gates of Nanyang County City were inexplicably closed early.
A strange atmosphere permeated within the high walls.
The palace where the Fifth Prince resided was splendid and magnificent as if built with bricks of gold and tiles of jade.
The music from instruments played enchanting melodies, drifting from the palace.
The Fifth Prince sat high on the throne, beauties in his arms, indulging in pleasures.
Below him were civil servants and military officers, clinking glasses and exchanging pleasantries.
Today was the Fifth Prince’s birthday banquet, and they were all present to celebrate.
This included Gu Wenhui, who sat smiling behind a desk, neither touching his chopsticks nor drinking.
"Gu Qing, do the food and wine not suit your taste today?" The Fifth Prince laughed.
"The food and wine are delicious, but I am feeling a bit unwell today, which might dampen the Great King’s mood; please forgive me." Gu Wenhui bowed and said.
"Haha, no worries, no worries. Gu Qing, take good care of yourself. From now on, I need you by my side to strategize as I conquer the kingdom."
It was evident that the Fifth Prince was in high spirits today.
And it was no wonder.
Currently engaging the imperial court’s army in battle, the Fifth Prince’s army had more victories than failures, and so far, the Seven Commanderies had lost only a few small counties, which was insignificant.
Being able to drag the court’s army to this point was a success for him.
After all, the only one truly worried would be the new emperor on the throne, his third brother.
Until the world is unified, the new emperor can never sit comfortably.
The longer the delay, the more chaotic the court will become, and the court’s military resources will deplete until exhausted.
Gu Wenhui exchanged a few words, watching the Fifth Prince’s various high officials and ministers surrounding him, continually flattering him amidst the scene, the strange emotions surging within him grew ever stronger.
He was even a bit impatient.
Until after three rounds of drinks, as the people became more intoxicated, and the maid beside the Fifth Prince wore less and less, without any warning, the palace doors were kicked open.
Numerous armed armored warriors rushed in, without a word, pressing their blades against the throats of the civil servants, prohibiting them from making any move.
The drunkenness in their minds was instantly scared away.
"Audacious!" A military officer slammed the table and stood up, about to explode in rage, but felt his body weak and powerless, easily subdued by the armored warriors.
Only then did they realize that the wine and food had likely been spiked with drugs in advance!
And to have an effect on martial artists, these must not be ordinary drugs.
"Whose subordinates are you, attempting rebellion!" The Fifth Prince also erupted in anger, suddenly rising to shout.
A powerful aura, as if naturally born of the Imperial Family, emanated from him, full of oppression, yet failed to intimidate these death warriors.
Seeing a crowd of death warriors, armed with weapons, stepping up the stairs towards him, the Fifth Prince finally became somewhat flustered.
"Protect the sovereign! Protect the sovereign!"
Outside the door, no guards responded to his call, only a few members of his personal guard, standing behind the throne, drew their swords to shield the Fifth Prince.
"Your Highness! This place is not safe to linger, let’s leave first!"
A personal guard made a decisive decision, pulling the loosely dressed Fifth Prince to retreat.
But in the next moment, Lu Zheng led a group of elite armored warriors from the back of the palace, blocking the Fifth Prince’s last retreat.
Even though these personal guards had astonishing martial prowess, they were still unable to resist the death warriors’ relentless and fearless offensive.
Moreover, needing to focus on protecting the Fifth Prince, they couldn’t fully engage in battle.
Although they barely managed to fight their way out of the palace, they were soon blocked by more armored warriors outside.
After much commotion, the disheveled Fifth Prince was escorted back.
"Who is it! Who has betrayed me!" The Fifth Prince shouted hoarsely.
Today’s upheaval was beyond his imagination.
Why, under such a favorable situation, did he come to this outcome!
He scanned all the armored warriors present, suddenly fixing his gaze at one spot.
There sat Gu Wenhui, calm and composed, the only one without a blade on his neck.
"You! It was you!"
The Fifth Prince was not entirely witless; at this moment, he finally noticed Gu Wenhui’s anomaly.
Gu Wenhui dusted off his clothes and slowly stood up.
The soldiers along the way did not stop him in the slightest.
He thus walked up to the Fifth Prince, overlooking him with a calm demeanor.
"Thank you, Great King, for your assistance. Without the banner of your Imperial Family, occupying these Seven Prefectures would have been no easy task."
"What are you saying?!" The Fifth Prince was shocked, his heart in turmoil.
"Now, under your governance of the Seven Prefectures, the people’s grievances are numerous and their cries resounding. Overthrowing your rule is well in line with popular sentiment, most appropriate indeed." Gu Wenhui said, a smile of gratitude appearing on his face.
As if truly thanking the Fifth Prince for his contributions.
"You’ve been using me all along!" The Fifth Prince seethed with hatred.
"Of course, in Yunling City, it was your incompetence and obscurity that convinced me to pledge allegiance to you. If you were truly wise and mighty, how could I dare to plot anything..."
Seeing the situation settled, Gu Wenhui relaxed, taking his time.
In reality, for caution, he had laid numerous backup plans, but the unexpected smoothness made many of his preparations redundant.
With one banquet, he gathered most of the core ministers of the Fifth Prince under one roof, allowing him to catch them all in their moment of greatest relaxation.
Such an opportunity comes but once a year.
The Fifth Prince could not accept such a pathetic end, succumbing to hysteria.
But his power had unknowingly been completely eroded by Gu Wenhui beside him, leaving him no possibility of resistance.
In future historical records, he would become the most valuable stepping stone in the history of the Da Han Dynasty, aiding Gu Wenhui’s rise, for him to step into the world as a chess player.
Gu Wenhui took a long saber from an armored warrior beside him, stepping on the Fifth Prince’s head with one foot.
"The winner is king, the loser a bandit, Chu Hong, let’s send you on your way first. In the future, your brothers will join you."
Finally, Gu Wenhui dropped all pretenses, not even referring to him as Great King, and swung the saber.
The Fifth Prince, bearing the blood of the Emperor, was decisively beheaded.