Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

As He Mu’s words fell, many in Xiao Yunqi’s army shuddered. Although this was his army, many did not wish to rebel; they joined because they were unaware of the truth and Xiao Yunqi had the Holy Decree.

Xiao Yunqi’s face also turned grim. He then shouted, ”I thought you were a loyal minister, but didn’t expect you to collude with traitors and coerce His Majesty. Since that’s the case, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

He waved his large hand, ”Kill!”

Those unaware of the truth who got involved found it too late to retreat. This was a rebellion; they would die if they didn’t advance. Despite knowing He Mu’s loyalty to the Imperial Family, it no longer mattered; as long as he was in their way, he was their enemy.

”Kill!”

The battle broke out completely. Wanting to capture quickly, Xiao Yunqi flew directly onto the city wall, engaging in combat with He Mu.

Xiao Teng and a group of innate martial artist retainers cultivated by the Xiao Family also flew up to the city wall to deal with those who shot hidden arrows at Xiao Yunqi.

”Rebels and traitors, today I shall cut you down here.”

With a thunderous shout from He Mu, a silvery streak flashed across the city wall, slicing through from the left to the right. An innate martial artist who had followed Xiao Yunqi was decapitated by He Mu and fell amidst the chaotic troops below.

Xiao Teng, who followed behind, narrowed his eyes, a thought flashing through his mind: the blade is still sharp despite age.

The knife in He Mu’s hand was a scimitar, with a gleaming blade that showed no trace of blood. After killing one of Xiao Yunqi’s innate martial artists, the personal guards on the city wall erupted in cheers and fought even harder.

Xiao Yunqi’s face grew darker, so he decided to kill a few lowly soldiers first to build momentum. With blood staining his weapon, he then lunged at He Mu.

Though He Mu was old, his vast fighting experience gained over many years surpassed that of Xiao Yunqi.

Both were top-notch experts; after clashing, surprisingly, there was no immediate victor.

Several rounds followed.

Both sustained injuries, their unarmored parts bleeding profusely.

The clash of blades and spears ensued; alas, He Mu was old, and his stamina was gradually waning.

Xiao Yunqi sneered coldly, ”Old ghost He, I’ll give you one more chance. Swear allegiance to me, and I shall spare your life. You can continue as an instructor...”

”Pah,” He Mu spat out a mouthful of blood before Xiao Yunqi could finish, almost splattering it on his face had he not dodged swiftly.

”Rebel,” He Mu cursed through clenched teeth.

”What has Zhao Ji promised you? He makes an old ghost like you fight so hard. Tell me, and I’ll give you ten times more,” Xiao Yunqi taunted while thrusting his spear toward He Mu’s chest.

He Mu dodged and cursed angrily, ”Dog thief, traitor, rebel...”

”Your teeth are still good at this age.” Xiao Yunqi twisted his spear in the middle, breaking it in two. ”If you won’t take my offer, then you can go on your way.”

Xiao Yunqi attacked He Mu from above and below, the burst of True Qi shattering the stone tiles beneath them.

He Mu struggled to fend it off.

”Master, be careful...” A general battling Xiao Teng seemed to sense something and shouted urgently.

Swish!

The sword hummed like thunder, drowning out the surrounding battle cries across the city walls.

A stream of inky darkness shimmered from behind He Mu. He Mu, hearing his disciple’s warning, quickly dodged.

Even so, his sword-bearing right arm was severed by a slice.

The immense pain made He Mu clench his teeth tightly, cold sweat dripping from his forehead. Seeing who attacked him, he squeezed out through gritted teeth: ”Shi Si, you...”

”Pfft!”

Before he could finish, Xiao Yunqi’s spear penetrated through He Mu’s battle armor, piercing his chest. An era’s veteran fell.

”Grand Commandant, we must hurry. The Emperor’s forces are already returning to aid. If we don’t wrap up inside quickly, we’ll be the ones dying.” Shi Si, clad in black clothing, with eyes reflecting malice, watched He Mu’s death with an eerie calm.

Xiao Yunqi nodded, using True Qi to behead He Mu. He raised the head, declaring, ”The traitor is executed. Surrender, and you shall not be harmed.”

”Surrender, and you shall not be harmed!”

”Surrender, and you shall not be harmed!”

”...”

The army shouted in unison, shaking the heavens.

As the Personal Guard Department looked at the slain He Mu and Xiao Yunqi’s overwhelming forces, they realized more of their own were blocking others outside, unable to enter.

With tens of thousands under the Infantry Department, some might not even set foot on the Imperial City’s slate tonight because Xiao Yunqi occupied the main road to the outer city first.

They lost the will to fight, dropping their weapons in surrender.

Yet, many still resisted to the end.

As news of He Mu’s death reached the Taihe Palace, the ministers inside huddled together, trembling like sieves, the hall filled with panic.

Meanwhile.

Outside the South Gate, corpses lay strewn. Gao Qiu’s forces had reached the South Gate and started their assault.

At the same time, inside the South Gate, Chen Mo and his team faced attacks from Imperial Guards surging through other gates, filling the entire street.

However, most who entered the city gathered on the streets outside the Imperial City to escort the Emperor and clashed with Xiao Yunqi’s forces.

Officials and civilians climbed the towering buildings of Bianliang City, anxiously watching the distant battle.

At this moment, they saw another disturbance erupting from the direction of the South Gate.

Having watched for so long, they realized that Chen Hong was now guarding the South Gate.

On the city wall above the South Gate.

Chen Mo breathed a bit easier since Xu Dabang had arrived with reinforcements, launching a surprise attack on Gao Qiu’s Imperial Guard from behind and dispersing the army’s formation.

”Open the gate and charge with me!”

Chen Mo’s time guarding the South Gate had met Xiao Teng’s demanded duration. Now, with the other gates broken, holding the South Gate was meaningless.

Better to break through, join Xu Dabang’s forces, and rush to aid Xiao Yunqi.

...

”Something’s happened. Stay put, I’ll go see what’s going on.”

On a hill outside Bianliang City, Jiang Ruoqing and her group halted, having been delayed by mountain bandits en route, reaching here by night.

Jiang Ruoqing saw the distant flames and heard the battle cries, instantly recognizing a significant event was unfolding.

Luo Zhen nodded.

Stealthily, Jiang Ruoqing approached but didn’t come near, remaining quite distant.

She saw many people clad in battle armor, wielding weapons, engaged in brutal combat.

”Someone brought an army to attack the Capital City?” was Jiang Ruoqing’s first thought.