We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

Li Zhang's whole body stiffened suddenly, and the crazy light in his eyes dimmed in an instant like a extinguished candle.

Li Lin is a professional at sneak attacks.

Not only did the King of Qin fail to react, even the soldiers guarding the gate did not react.

They only saw the King of Yan raise his hand, and the King of Qin, who had just been shouting at the top of his lungs, fell limply to the ground, and was then carried on the back of the King of Yan with a look of disgust.

"Your Highness, you..." the officer stepped forward hesitantly, "Where are you taking His Highness the Prince of Qin?"

Li Lin glanced at him sideways: "Of course I'll take him to see the emperor... What, do you have any objections?"

"I dare not, but..." The officer looked at Li Lin with a stiff upper lip.

Li Lin suddenly realized that these soldiers had obviously received orders to blockade the market.

They probably only knew that the King of Shu was in rebellion, but did not know the specific situation. They were probably mistaken for the King of Shu's accomplices, so they spoke out to stop him.

Li Lin said helplessly: "I am not one of the Shu King's gang."

"This..." The officer still hesitated.

After all, words are not enough, and the ferocious look on Li Lin's face just now did not look like he was saving someone.

It seemed like he wanted to beat the King of Qin to death!

Li Lin was almost laughing out of anger, and said with a straight face: "If you are worried, I will hand over the second one to you."

The officer was about to agree when he heard a series of horse hoofbeats coming from the corner of the street.

Li Lin rode his horse faster and went ahead, and at this time Zhu Chun finally arrived with the soldiers from the Duke's Mansion.

On the eaves of the houses on both sides of the street, night watchmen in night clothes were walking around.

Seeing this group of cavalry, the officer's face immediately changed. He said hurriedly: "This place is not safe either. Your Highness, please take His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin to the palace as soon as possible. I will stay behind to protect you from the thieves."

The officer couldn't tell whether Li Lin was an accomplice of the King of Shu, but he could tell how to save his life.

Regardless of whether Li Lin was good or evil, the group of fierce, fully armored veterans behind him were enough to tear him and the city guards into pieces...

With such little salary a month, why would you work so hard?

Not to mention letting Li Lin take the King of Qin away, even if Li Lin asked them to follow him to attack the palace, the officers would have no choice but to obey.

"Quick! Bring His Highness to the horse!" Zhu Chun looked at the unconscious Li Zhang, his expression finally softening. "Your Highness, the night is long and dreams are many. It is best not to linger here and quickly return to the palace!"

Li Lin nodded slightly, and the guards of the Duke's Mansion quickly stepped forward, carefully lifted Li Zhang up, and laid him horizontally on the horse.

No one dared to delay any longer, so they turned their horses around and galloped towards the palace.

Halfway through the journey, a dazzling burst of fire suddenly appeared at the corner of the long street ahead!

Dozens of Jinyiwei dressed in Feiyu uniforms and with embroidered spring swords on their waists poured out from the streets like ghosts and blocked the streets in an instant.

The torch in his hand flickered, illuminating a number of vigilant and cold faces. His sharp eyes were fixed on Li Lin and his group. His embroidered spring sword was already half-unsheathed, and a murderous aura filled the air.

"Stop!" the leader shouted sternly, "The imperial capital is under curfew. Who is riding a horse so late at night?!"

Li Lin rode forward and, after seeing who was coming, he breathed a sigh of relief: "Old Cao, don't you recognize me?"

The person who came was Cao Yong, whom Li Che personally helped to become the commander.

Hearing Li Lin's familiar voice, Cao Yong asked in surprise, "Your Highness the Prince of Yan?"

"It's me." Li Lin waved his hand. "I have an urgent matter to attend to with my father. Please bring me into the palace!"

Just as Cao Yong was about to agree, his eyes fell on Li Zhang who was lying across the saddle.

Although the dragon robe that represented the prince's status was soaked by the rain, it was still dazzling.

The worst thing was that in order to prevent Li Zhang from running away again after waking up, Li Lin had him tied up on the back of a horse, and tied him up even tighter than those death warriors.

Although Li Lin's original intention was to do good for Li Zhang, it was completely different from the perspective of Cao Yong and the Jinyiwei.

It was a dark, windy, rainy night, a murderous night. The Prince of Yan, wearing armor and carrying a sword, was accompanied by so many elite soldiers, and he was holding the unconscious Prince of Qin hostage...

This person is clearly a traitor!

Cao Yong's pupils suddenly shrank, and his right hand instantly pressed on the hilt of the knife. His voice suddenly rose: "Your Highness Prince of Yan, Your Highness Prince of Qin, what is this?!"

Dozens of Jinyiwei behind him simultaneously unsheathed their half-drawn Embroidered Spring Swords with a "swish".

The blades formed a cold light under the firelight, and the atmosphere instantly became tense!

Li Lin's heart trembled. He also knew that if he couldn't explain it clearly at this moment, it would be a big trouble.

He quickly reined in the reins, raised his hands to signal his non-hostility, and said, "Old Cao, I say this is a misunderstanding, do you believe me?"

Cao Yong looked at Li Lin with complicated eyes.

Li Lin immediately understood. Of course people wouldn’t believe it!

Just as Li Lin was hesitating, he laid down his weapons and bet that Cao Yong was loyal to His Majesty, and not an accomplice of the King of Shu, would he take him into the palace?

Or is it time to fight the Jinyiwei and take your fate into your own hands...

Cao Yong suddenly threw the knife back into its sheath with a clang, stepped forward, and spoke rapidly, "Your Highness, are you acting on the orders of His Royal Highness the Prince?"

"Ah?" Li Lin looked confused.

Cao Yong's face was filled with excitement. "Is His Royal Highness Feng Wang ready to take action? Or... after tonight, should he call His Majesty?"

"Your Highness, rest assured. The brothers I brought with me are all people I know well and are loyal to Your Highness the Prince!"

"If you have any errands, Your Highness will give the orders!"

Li Lin was numb.

Bad news: Cao Yong and the Embroidered Uniform Guard are not loyal to Your Majesty.

Good news: they are loyal to Lao Liu!

"Lord Cao, wait!" Li Lin interrupted Cao Yong before he could utter any more rebellious words. "Things are not as you think. Second Brother was assassinated by the King of Shu's assassins and was seriously injured. I, the Duke of Wei, and Commander Qiu Bai of the Feng Palace arrived in time to save the King of Qin."

"I'm about to escort my second brother to the palace to meet the emperor and report the details. These are the captured Shu King's assassins!"

He stepped aside and pointed at several black-clad warriors who were being closely guarded by the palace soldiers and tied up like dumplings.

Zhu Chun also rode forward and said in a deep voice, "I, Zhu Chun, can testify for His Royal Highness the Prince of Yan!"

Cao Yong was slightly stunned, perhaps because the reversal happened too quickly, and he didn't have time to retract the disappointed look on his face.

His eyes quickly swept over the unconscious Li Zhang and the assassins whose jaws had been removed, and he finally understood the current situation.

After pondering for a moment, Cao Yong whispered a few words to a Jinyiwei behind him.

The man immediately turned around and disappeared into the darkness like flying, apparently going to report the news and verify it.

"Ahem." Cao Yong looked at Li Lin awkwardly, "Your Highness, I misunderstood...what did I say just now?"

Li Lin said seriously, "What did you say? I didn't hear anything just now."

Cao Yong smiled faintly: "It doesn't hurt to hear it. Your Highness and His Highness Feng Wang are of one mind. I trust you!"

Li Lin was dumbfounded.

Lao Liu, Lao Liu, what kind of magic power do you have? What have you changed the commander of the Jinyiwei into?

After whispering to Li Lin, Cao Yong clasped his fists towards Zhu Chun and the others and said, "It's my duty. I apologize for the offense!"

Then he raised his hand to signal his men to put away their swords and make way.

"Your Highness the Prince of Yan, the Duke of Wei, and the Prince of Qin, please follow me into the palace. His Majesty has decreed that martial law has been declared in the imperial capital. No one is allowed to move without permission!"

He glanced at Qiu Bai and the others and said, "Everyone in the Prince's Mansion, our duties have been fulfilled. Please return. The palace is well protected by the Jinyiwei."

Qiu Bai looked at Li Lin expressionlessly.

Obviously Cao Yong knew Qiu Bai's true identity, and he also knew that it was best not to let Emperor Qing know about the existence of the Night Watch.

Seeing Li Lin nod, Qiu Bai clasped his fists and said, "I'll take my leave."

With a wave of his hand, he and the night watchmen retreated quickly as if blending into the night.

The Jinyiwei team immediately split into two groups, one group clearing the way in front and the other escorting from the back, closely protecting Li Lin and others in the middle and rushing towards the palace.

It was late at night in the imperial capital, and the streets were deserted except for teams of armed Jinyiwei and imperial guards patrolling with torches.

There were many traces of fighting and destruction along the way, and dark red blood stains on the walls.

The direction of the Shu King's Palace was surrounded by heavy troops. The torches were bright as day, and faint cries and scolding could be heard.

The Jinyiwei's actions were swift and thorough, and the Prince of Shu and his cronies were likely to be guilty.

The heavy palace gate slowly opened in the night, like a giant beast opening its mouth.

Li Lin and others were escorted by the Embroidered Uniform Guards all the way to the spacious square outside the East Palace. The square was brightly lit, and the imperial guards were wearing bright armor and carrying swords and spears like a forest.

Although the defenses were tight, Li Lin did not see any signs of fighting. Obviously, no matter how brave the King of Shu was, he had never thought of attacking Emperor Qing, so he left a way out for himself.

With the support of several Jinyiwei, the unconscious Li Zhang was half-lifted and half-carried, following Li Lin and Zhu Chun, step by step onto the royal steps of the Eastern Palace.

Inside the East Palace, the lights were brilliant, but too bright to be glaring.

Huge golden pillars with coiled dragons support the tall and wide roof of the hall. Candles burn quietly in the glass lamps, illuminating the hall as bright as day.

Emperor Qing sat high on the throne. He was wearing a simple casual suit. His figure was hidden in the wide shadow of the throne, and his face could not be clearly seen.

Only those eyes, like a bottomless cold pool, looked down calmly and without ripples.

An invisible pressure permeated the entire hall as if it were a substance.

And on the cold ground, a dozen steps away from the throne, a person was kneeling alone.

It was Li Huan, the King of Shu.

His princely robe was torn to shreds, stained with dust and dark red blood. His hair was disheveled, his face was bruised and purple, and there was still blood at the corner of his mouth.

Seeing this, Li Lin's mouth corners slightly raised and his mood became relaxed.

It seems that while there was chaos outside, Emperor Qing did not forget to personally give the King of Shu a "massage", trying to awaken this rebellious son with family affection and fatherly love.

The King of Shu glanced at Li Lin and his group, and his expression became increasingly stiff, but more of a cold chill.

He was not hysterical, nor was he furious. He just knelt quietly on the ground, as if his soul had been completely taken away, leaving only a corpse-like body.

The King of Shu understood the principle of "the victors are the kings and the losers are the bandits" better than anyone else.

Li Lin withdrew his gaze and walked to the bottom of the throne, bowing and saluting:

"Your son, Li Lin (your servant, Zhu Chun), pays homage to your father (Your Majesty)!"

The voice echoed in the empty and silent hall, appearing unusually clear, yet unusually...small.