Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

The reason why the city gate could be opened.

Was entirely because Chen Mo, leading his troops to the city, was so imposing. The bundled torches, with their dazzling sparks, made it impossible to see how many people there were, as if a thousand troops and horses had arrived.

Add to that Chen Mo holding the Holy Decree, and the Defender General at the South Gate was also persuaded by Xiao Yunqi’s people. The troops stationed at the South Gate were infiltrated by Xiao Yunqi’s men. Despite many doubts, the sword was already at their necks, and people couldn’t be sure if those around them were allies or foes. In a panic, they had to open the gate.

Chen Mo led his army through the South Gate and took over the gate’s defense.

As for the reason for the lack of manpower, it turned out that a long time ago, they were either coerced or lured with high-ranking positions and substantial rewards, to bribe officials of various levels responsible for the South Gate’s defense. Chen Mo just needed to take over this force.

Over thirteen thousand Imperial Guards were stationed to defend the South Gate.

Of course, these thirteen thousand troops were still in the Capital Camp.

After entering the city, aside from those corrupted officials, the neutral or unaware leaders, large and small, were all killed by Chen Mo’s men, with his trusted followers taking over their positions and troops.

After completing these steps, Chen Mo controlled everyone, ordering them to extinguish the torches, minimizing movement, and waited quietly for Xiao Teng to arrive with reinforcements.

In less than two quarter-hours, Xiao Teng arrived with his troops, entering the city amid the crowd’s support.

Tens of thousands of troops poured in like a long dragon, and even after half an hour, the end of the army was not in sight.

Countless torches lit up the streets of Bianliang, the chaotic clatter of hooves disturbed the sleeping citizens, and curious ones who opened their windows quickly shut them tight after just a glance.

People, so many, all carrying weapons.

The citizens leaned against their windows, trembling in fear.

And those soldiers who carelessly opened the South Gate, upon seeing this massive crowd, wiped the cold sweat off their foreheads, secretly relieved.

Luckily, luckily...

Otherwise, they would have already lost their heads.

At this moment, South Main Street of Bianliang was already a sea of torches, with endless troops pouring in.

Given the enormous commotion, naturally, the camps of the Imperial Guard were alerted.

On behalf of Gao Qiu and Cai Si, many officials and leaders rushed over, informing them of the news.

Upon learning that Xiao Teng had entered with his army, and under the pretense of removing treacherous ministers, the two long-serving officials immediately understood what had happened.

They hurriedly ordered the Drum of Summoning Generals to be beaten, while also dispatching people to mobilize the troops outside the city.

Gao Qiu and Cai Si rushed towards the Imperial Palace at the earliest opportunity, with only a few guards protecting them, knowing full well Xiao Teng’s proclaimed reason ”to eliminate treacherous ministers,” and who those ministers were. If they didn’t leave at once and waited for Xiao Teng’s forces to arrive, they would surely be surrounded and could only retreat to the Imperial Palace for protection.

While they sped towards the Imperial Palace, the Imperial Guards of the Capital Camp were quickly mobilized, as numerous commanders emerged from wherever they had been, disregarding their women’s pleas, donning armor to escort the Emperor in the Capital City.

Anyone with half a brain knew that this was a military coup.

However, in most eyes, it was thought that Xiao Yunqi was desperately fighting to avoid implicating others, as he was believed to be on the brink of death.

After all, the storm of opposing Xiao had been swirling for days.

When the cunning rabbit dies, the running dog is cooked.

Once Xiao Yunqi was dead, anyone closely associated or who maintained ties with him would meet a grim fate, so they had no choice but to take a gamble.

But what they hadn’t expected was that the rumor of Xiao Yunqi’s poor health was entirely false. When Xiao Teng led his troops into the city, Xiao Yunqi, with his household generals, burst out, eliminating all those monitoring them and rushed towards the Imperial Palace.

As they advanced, they shouted the old slogan: ”Eliminate the treacherous, cleanse the Emperor’s side!”

With Xiao Yunqi leading the shout, more and more people joined in, shaking the entire city of Bianliang. The streets were packed with people, as if they would pierce the heavens.

Xu Liang, carrying the message of victory, encountered the men sent by Chen Mo halfway back.

It turns out, upon receiving the letter from Xu Liang, Chen Mo immediately sent people out.

The dispatched men, after proving their identity, only uttered three words.

”Cleanse the Emperor’s side.”

Xu Liang shuddered, and, quick-witted as he was, understood immediately. After a brief pause, his eyes turned blood-red, and he roared like a gambler: ”Brothers, march at full speed, eliminate the treacherous, cleanse the Emperor’s side!”

Those Jianghu forces that had been pacified had long held grudges against the Imperial Court, only accepting pacification out of necessity, ready to rebel when given the chance.

And now, freshly reduced to lackeys, upon hearing such words, their blood boiled with excitement.

This was true rebellion...

Despite some difficulties, Chen Mo was still deeply concerned about his woman, and after securing the South Gate’s defense, he immediately had Gao Zheng take men to guard the Chen Mansion.

As for the secondary residence, Chen Mo sent someone to notify them to hide.

Before long, the entire Imperial City was surrounded by Xiao Yunqi’s forces.

His personal guard was distinctive, uniformly clad in golden armor, exceptionally thin, exuding a cold gleam, clearly all Profound Tier treasures.

Moreover, the general strength of these personal guards was at the Sixth Grade.

One to two thousand of them were even of the Fifth Grade.

This was Xiao Yunqi’s elite and most trusted army.

Simultaneously, the most loyal force.

Because their clothing and equipment, even their families, were all supported by the Xiao Mansion, with their children being educated at their expense.

Additionally, this group was battle-tested.

Inside Taihe Palace, Zhao Ji’s face was dark, his body trembling uncontrollably, whether from fear or rage, or both.

Although he had long known of Xiao Yunqi’s ambitions, even anticipating rebellion, he didn’t expect it so soon.

”Prime Minister, Grand Commandant, have your men arrived?”

Cai Si, Gao Qiu, and officials from their faction, along with some loyal ministers, were all crowded into Taihe Palace, discussing strategies.

Upon hearing the Emperor’s words, they all replied that they were making their way there.

Unlike others, Cai Si and Gao Qiu understood that this was absolutely under Xiao Yunqi’s direction, otherwise Xiao Teng wouldn’t dare be so bold.

At that moment, Wei Xian hurriedly entered Taihe Palace, delivering grave news.

”Your Majes... Your Majesty, it’s bad, Master Shi let people open the outer gate of the Imperial Palace, and the rebel army has entered.” Wei Xian finished and immediately knelt down.

”What?”

Zhao Ji completely collapsed, leaning weakly against the long table behind him, even his lips trembling uncontrollably.

How could this be? How could this be?

The Master Shi referred to by Wei Xian was named Shi Si.

A First Grade Martial Artist, recommended to Zhao Ji by Noble Consort, claiming to be her maternal uncle.

Zhao Ji had entrusted him with part of the Personal Guard Department, responsible for guarding the outer city of the Imperial Palace.