Huanzhu Time Travel: Yan Luo's Unbreakable Love in the Yong Dynasty

The news brought by Xiao Jian instantly plunged the palace into a state of tense preparedness. The Imperial Guards quickly assembled and deployed at all entrances and key locations of the palace. The generals, with serious expressions, directed their soldiers to check weapons and equipment to ensure everything was in perfect order.

"Your Majesty, the Imperial Guards are all in position, awaiting the Shadow Cult's attack," a general reported to Hongli.

"Alright, we must hold the palace firmly and not let the Shadow Cult members set foot inside!" Hongli said with a determined look in his eyes.

Meanwhile, Yongqi, Erkang, Qing'er, and Xiaoxiaoyanzi, who remained in the western valley, were still closely monitoring the movements of the Shadow Cult.

"They seem to be getting ready to set off," Little Swallow said, pointing to the black-clad soldiers lining up in the valley.

Sure enough, a moment later, at the leader's command, the black-clad soldiers began to march towards the capital.

“Let’s follow them and see if we can find an opportunity to disrupt them,” Yongqi said.

The four of them cautiously followed behind the group of soldiers in black, looking for the right opportunity.

When the soldiers in black arrived at a narrow valley passage, Yongqi felt that his opportunity had come.

“The terrain here is narrow, so we can set up an ambush here and launch a surprise attack to disrupt their formation,” Yongqi said.

“Alright, Yongqi and I will take charge of the frontal attack, while Qing’er and Xiao Xiao Yanzi will throw stones from both sides to create chaos,” Er Kang said.

The four acted swiftly. Yongqi and Erkang hid behind the boulders on either side of the passage, and once the black-clad soldiers entered, they suddenly rushed out and attacked them.

"Kill!" Yongqi and Erkang shouted, wielding their swords with fierce speed.

Qing'er and Xiao Xiao Yanzi were throwing stones forcefully from the hillsides on either side. Stones rained down on the black-clad soldiers, and the passage was instantly thrown into chaos.

"There's an ambush!" the soldiers in black shouted in panic.

Seeing the sudden chaos in the ranks, the leader of the Shadow Cult roared, "What's the panic! Keep them calm and take care of these people!"

Under the leader's reprimand, the soldiers in black gradually regained their composure and began to fight back against Yongqi and Erkang.

Although Yongqi and Erkang were highly skilled in martial arts, they gradually found themselves struggling due to the large number of black-clad soldiers.

"This can't go on, we have to think of something," Yongqi shouted.

Just then, Little Swallow noticed some dry branches nearby. A brilliant idea struck her, and she exclaimed, "Let's use fire!"

Qing'er immediately understood what she meant, and the two quickly gathered some dry branches and piled them at the entrance of the passage.

"Yongqi, Erkang, you two come back first!" Qing'er shouted.

Upon hearing the shouts, Yongqi and Erkang retreated while fighting, eventually reaching Qing'er and Xiao Xiao Yanzi's side.

Little Swallow took out a tinderbox and lit the dry branches. The fire spread rapidly, blocking the entrance to the passage and trapping the black-clad soldiers inside.

"Damn it! These people ruined our plans!" The cult leader said through gritted teeth, staring angrily at the raging fire in the passage.

"Master, what do we do now?" a man in black asked.

"Take a detour and go to the capital via another route!" the cult leader ordered.

Although Yongqi and the others temporarily halted the Shadow Cult's attack, they knew that the Shadow Cult would definitely try to reach the capital via other routes.

“We need to hurry back and tell the Emperor that the Shadow Cult might attack from another route,” Er Kang said.

The four of them immediately rushed towards the capital.

Meanwhile, at the palace, the Imperial Guards stood ready. Hongli and Xiaoyanzi stood atop the city wall, gazing into the distance, their hearts filled with worry.

"Your Majesty, why hasn't the Shadow Cult arrived yet? Could something have gone wrong?" Little Swallow asked.

"No matter what, we cannot let our guard down," Hongli said.

Just then, a guard ran up the city wall: "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! A scout has reported that the Shadow Cult has bypassed their original route and is heading towards the palace via a small path in the eastern suburbs!"

"Immediately dispatch a portion of the Imperial Guards to defend the eastern suburbs!" Hongli decisively ordered.

On the eastern outskirts of the palace, a fierce defensive battle is about to begin. Can the Imperial Guards withstand the Shadow Cult's relentless attack? Will Yongqi and the others be able to return to the palace in time to provide support? Everything remains uncertain…

This chapter concludes here. Stay tuned for the next chapter.