Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

The maple forest in autumn was dyed with blood, and Liu Cheng stepped into this land of death surrounded by a group of death warriors.

His gilded combat boots made a rustling sound as he stepped on the fallen leaves. He looked proudly at Liu Xiu who was tied under the ancient maple tree.

"Prince Chenliu!"

Liu Cheng's voice was filled with deliberate regret: "His Majesty just died on the front lines, and you can't wait to go to Chang'an to ascend the throne. Isn't this a shameful way to behave?"

Liu Xiu slowly raised his head. Although his clothes were torn and his hair was disheveled, his eyes were still as clear as a spring:

"If we don't stabilize the government soon, are we going to wait for scoundrels like you to wreak havoc on the country?"

His voice was calm, but every word was heart-wrenching.

Liu Cheng's smile froze on his face, and the jade ring creaked in his palm. "How dare you! I was personally appointed the King of Qinghe by the late emperor, and you..."

"If the late emperor knew what you did today," Liu Xiu suddenly raised his voice, "I'm afraid he would execute you personally!"

His eyes were like torches: "You privately raised assassins and killed your clan members. How is that different from treason?"

"you!"

Liu Cheng was so angry that he was shaking all over. He pointed around fiercely and said, "These are the standard equipment of the border troops! It's obvious that you are colluding with foreign generals to plot something bad!"

Liu Xiu suddenly chuckled, his laughter particularly clear in the silent maple forest: "Border army equipment?"

He struggled to his feet, his chains rattling. "Then you know that the Duke of Protectorate issued an order three days ago that all border troops must not leave their garrisons without permission?"

Liu Cheng's face suddenly changed, and he subconsciously looked at the assassin beside him.

There seemed to be a strange flash in the eyes beneath those ghost masks.

"Sweet words and flattering manner!" Liu Cheng forced himself to remain calm: "Huo Quji is far away at the border, how could he..."

"How do I know what you're doing?"

Liu Xiu interrupted him and suddenly said in a loud voice: "Because from the day you secretly transferred the border troops' equipment, the Protector of the Country has been targeting you!"

The autumn wind picked up the fallen leaves, swirling them in the air.

Zhou Chen suddenly noticed that the way those "death warriors" held their swords was clearly a habit unique to the border troops!

"Your Highness!" Zhou Chen hurriedly tugged at Liu Cheng's sleeve, "I'm afraid these people are not ours."

"Shut up!"

Liu Cheng flung him away, pointed at Liu Xiu's nose and cursed, "Stop spreading lies and misleading the people! You are nothing but my prisoner!"

"Prisoner?"

Liu Xiu suddenly spoke up, his eyes full of sarcasm: "It's better than that scum who levied heavy taxes, raped women, and even forged weapons and armor privately in his fiefdom!"

These words exploded like thunder.

Liu Cheng's face turned pale instantly - if these charges were proven true, his entire clan would be implicated!

"You...you are so slanderous!"

Liu Cheng angrily snatched the guard's sword and said, "Today, I will clean up the mess for the late emperor!"

A cold light flashed, and the sharp blade pierced Liu Xiu's heart!

At this critical moment, the sound of breaking air suddenly rang out!

Three feather arrows shot in the shape of a "品" (a character). One of them knocked the sword out of Liu Cheng's hand, and two of them pierced his feet.

"Protect the prince!" The "death squad" who were originally standing quietly around suddenly jumped up, and the blades turned towards Liu Cheng's guards!

"You guys!" Liu Cheng stared at the sudden change in front of him in amazement.

What terrified him even more was that after these "death warriors" took off their masks, they revealed the resolute faces of border troops!

At this time, outside the maple forest, the sound of killing was deafening, and Huo Guang and Wang Lei each led a team of elite cavalry to attack.

The originally evenly matched battle instantly turned into a one-sided massacre.

The whistling sound of the sharp arrows breaking through the air has not yet dissipated, and the murderous intent in the maple forest has already erupted!

"Protect the prince!" Liu Cheng's chief guard roared angrily, and his heavy sword barely blocked the three swords that were coming at him.

Sparks flew from the collision of metal, illuminating his horrified face.

But the more terrifying killing move comes from behind.

The two ghost-faced men who were originally "guarding" Liu Xiu suddenly jumped up, and the chains in their hands wrapped around the neck of the nearest guard like poisonous snakes.

There was a crisp "crack" sound, and the guard's neck was broken!

"You are... traitors?" Liu Cheng's eyes were bloodshot as he staggered backward, his beaded brocade boots stepping into a pool of blood.

Zhou Chen hurriedly drew his sword to protect him, his old body trembling with fear.

His answer was an even more violent attack.

The ghost-faced people suddenly changed their formation, forming groups of three into the "Three Talents Killing Formation" unique to the border army.

The sword lights were like flying snowflakes, and the coordination was seamless.

Although Liu Cheng's guards were all the best fighters picked from hundreds, they were like lambs to be slaughtered in front of such a battle formation!

"Ah!" A guard was pierced through the chest by a spear, and the tip of the spear came out of his back with his shattered internal organs.

The other man just blocked the frontal blow, but was hit by a sword from the flank and half of his head was cut off.

Brain matter and blood splattered on the maple tree, making the red leaves even more eerie.

Liu Xiu had somehow broken free from his shackles and was watching the massacre coldly.

Two "ghost-faced men" protected him on the left and right, and their attacks were ruthless and tricky, clearly the skills of veterans on the battlefield.

"Your Majesty, please leave!"

The last three bodyguards formed a human wall and used their bodies to block the incoming swords.

One man had his arm cut off at the shoulder, but he still roared and rushed towards the enemy, biting the opponent's throat with his teeth.

At this moment, the sound of killing outside the maple forest shook the sky!

Huo Guang was the first to break through the defense line, and the swing of his long spear brought up a rain of blood.

Wang Lei led the cavalry archers to roam around the periphery, shooting every arrow accurately and specifically killing the enemies who tried to break through.

"No——!" Liu Cheng roared in despair.

He watched helplessly as the last of his personal soldiers was hacked to pieces, his intestines spilling all over the floor.

Chen's sword had long been broken, and the old strategist used his body to block his master, with seven or eight feather arrows stuck in his back.

The battle gradually subsided amid screams.

Amidst the corpses scattered all over the ground, only Liu Cheng was left standing there alone.

The luxurious dragon robe was torn to pieces, the golden crown fell somewhere, and the messy hair was stained with blood and brain matter.

A maple leaf fell on his shoulder, dazzlingly red.

Liu Xiu walked slowly, and the soles of his boots made a sticky sound as they stepped on the pool of blood.

He stopped in front of Liu Cheng and reached out to brush the fallen leaves off his shoulders.

"I get it now?"

Liu Xiu's voice was eerily calm. "From the day you secretly transferred the military equipment, the Duke of Protectorate has been playing this trick with you."

Liu Cheng suddenly looked up, his eyes full of madness: "You...you already knew it?"

"I've been waiting for you to fall into my trap."

Huo Guang sneered and threw a head - it was the head of the "leader of the death squad", with his eyes still wide open, showing the horror before death.

The autumn wind swept through the maple forest, carrying the smell of blood, and brought the sound of bells from the distant Chang'an City.

The sound is melodious, as if tolling for the end of an era

When the last maple leaf fell, only Zhou Chen and three blood-soaked personal soldiers were left by Liu Cheng's side.

He stared blankly at the corpses scattered all over the ground, muttering to himself, "How could...how could this happen?"

"Because of your so-called death warriors..."

With the help of his soldiers, Liu Xiu unlocked his shackles and said, "I killed them long ago. These people are just my men pretending to be me!"

The autumn wind howled, carrying with it a strong smell of blood.

Liu Cheng collapsed to the ground, and the jade ring rolled into the grass and broke into two pieces.

"Take him back to Chang'an City!" Liu Xiu snorted coldly, ready to enter Chang'an City as a victor!