Martial Cultivator

Tonight, there was no moon, not even stars. If not for the myriad lights of the Divine Capital, tonight would have been shrouded in utter darkness.

Near the city gates, a squad of twenty foot soldiers from the Patrol Camp responsible for patrolling, marched down the silent long street carrying lanterns.

The defense of the Divine Capital was traditionally handled by the Patrol Camp and the Left and Right Guards. The Patrol Camp consisted mostly of regular soldiers, even if there were some martial artists, their cultivation realms were not high either. As such, their role was largely symbolic. Rather than truly patrolling the Divine Capital, they essentially served as scouts for the Left and Right Guards.

After the events of that fateful night, Marquis Zhongyong, Zhang Yu, the former commander of the Patrol Camp, had been restored to his post despite his prior failings. His reinstatement was due to the Emperor’s boundless grace. As an old minister who had accompanied His Majesty through thick and thin in earlier years, Zhang Yu’s loyalty was beyond question.

This evening, Zhang Yu continued to oversee the Patrol Camp from its headquarters. Yet as he sat in the brightly lit hall, this Marquis Zhongyong felt a lingering unease.

Unable to remain seated after only a short while, Zhang Yu rose and stepped into the courtyard. He glanced at the pitch-black sky above, then turned and asked, “What hour is it?”

“Marquis, it’s roughly the third watch,” someone replied softly.

An official nearby asked gently, “Marquis, would you like to rest for a while?”

Zhang Yu shook his head, rubbing his temples with a weary expression. “I keep having a feeling something major will happen tonight. Send more men on patrol, don’t let down your guard.”

The official nodded slightly and left to make the arrangements.

At the same time, in the Right Guard’s office, Song Lian was also feeling somewhat uneasy.

A few days ago, he was still the Commander of the Left Guard. However, after the Commander of the Right Guard, who had conspired with the Deposed Emperor, was executed that fateful night, he became the new Commander of the Right Guard. With his seniority within the warden faction, there was naturally no question of him being under-qualified. In fact, after taking over as Right Guard Commander, he essentially held authority over both the Left and Right Guards of the Divine Capital.

After all, the current Left Guard Commander, Chen Chao, not only had a good relationship with him but was also frequently absent from the Divine Capital. As a result, the person managing the Left Guard became Weng Quan, who incidentally happened to be his nephew....

“Yao Dao!”

Song Lian suddenly called out, saying with a frown, “Go to the Left Guard and inform Weng Quan to be more vigilant tonight and conduct extra patrols near the Imperial City.”

Yao Dao was considered to have protected personal interests and stayed out of trouble on that night. After an investigation found no issues with this Deputy Commander of the Right Guard, he retained his position.

“Your Excellency, is there any news?”

Yao Dao was taken aback and immediately turned to Song Lian. He was well aware that this new superior was vastly different from his previous superior. Song Lian had clearly enjoyed the trust of the Lord Warden Commander years earlier, and was on a completely different level compared to Ye Dayuan. Now that the Lord Warden Commander had been reassigned to the Northern Frontier as Great General, Song Lian had effectively become the most important figure within the warden faction.

It was perfectly reasonable that Song Lian might know things others did not.

Song Lian shot a glance at Yao Dao and did not speak.

”This subordinate misspoke.”

As a seasoned bureaucrat who had navigated the officialdom for many years, Yao Dao immediately realized his error. Without daring to say another word, he bowed and withdrew.

Song Lian was silent for a moment, then looked at the other deputy commander of the Right Guard and instructed, ”You stay here. This official will personally go take a look at the Imperial City. If anything happens, immediately send someone to the Imperial City to find me.”

That deputy commander said hesitantly, ”Your Excellency, if you’re not here and something major happens, it may cause delays.”

Song Lian furrowed his brows slightly, realizing that this man had a point.

”Indeed, that’s true.”

Song Lian looked up at the night sky, dismissing the thought, but still felt a sense of unease in his heart.

……

……

The night was dark, and the wind was strong - a perfect time for murder.

Several figures moved quietly through the night, eventually crossing most of the Divine Capital and arriving at the gates of the Imperial City.

The Imperial City had a total of four gates, and on ordinary days, officials would enter through the Xuanhua Gate for court sessions. But tonight, these figures gathered at the Yong’an Gate.

This palace gate was typically used by palace servants and eunuchs to leave the palace for family visits, as well as for the transportation of goods in and out of the Imperial City. It was located in the northernmost part of the palace, in a relatively remote area.

The commander stationed at this palace gate was named Pei Shan. He had joined the military at a young age and had fought in the Northern Frontier. As he grew older, he was transferred back to the Divine Capital and appointed as commander for one of the four palace gates of the Imperial City, a position he had held for several years.

At this moment, this General Pei stood with the palace gates wide open, waiting for the figures emerging from the night.

Although the Imperial City had been purged not long ago, it did not mean it had been thoroughly cleansed. There were still fish that slipped through the net like Pei Shan, and he was certainly not the only one.

”Family Head.”

Pei Shan saw the person in the lead and finally spoke, his voice hoarse.

Pei Shan’s original surname was not Pei but Wei.

This relationship was known to no one except the Wei Family Head.

The Wei Family Head glanced at Pei Shan, patted his shoulder, and praised, ”You’ve worked hard.”

Pei Shan said softly, ”I’ve arranged everything in the palace. From this point on, all the way to White Dew Garden, there will be no patrols or guards.”

Pei Shan took out a map, which was a map of the Imperial City, with a route marked on it.

The Wei Family Head asked, ”He’s not in his bedchamber, nor in the Imperial Study?”

Pei Shan shook his head and said, ”Today is the Empress’ birthday. He must be over there.”

The Wei Family Head smiled and remarked, ”This emperor of ours truly hasn’t changed; always a romantic.”

After saying this, the Wei Family Head did not hesitate and led his men toward the palace.

What was to be done tonight had already been decided, so there would be no hesitation.

The situation in the Divine Capital had already been arranged by him.

Following the markings on the map, the Wei Family Head showed little nervousness. He simply looked at the faint lights in the Imperial City and shook his head, saying, ”Utterly small-minded, what foundation does it even have?”

His words carried a tone of mockery.

The Wei Family had existed far longer than Great Liang, so in a way, there did not seem to be any problem with this statement.

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