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Outside the palace gates, time ticked away as Yuan Shao furrowed his brow, his gaze growing increasingly dark. He tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword and spoke in a low, anxious voice, "It's taking too long. Why hasn't He Jin come out yet?"
Cao Cao stood beside him, his eyes cold as he scanned the palace gates. There was a hint of unease in his calm tone. "This isn't normal. If the Empress Dowager summoned him, it should have ended by now. We may need to prepare for the worst."
Just as Yuan Shao was about to respond, a dull thud echoed, drawing everyone's attention to the palace wall. In the next moment, a bloodied object rolled off the wall and fell to the ground. Yuan Shao focused intently and his face turned ashen—there lay He Jin's severed head, blood still fresh and eyes wide with terror.
Then, a eunuch appeared on the wall, announcing sharply, "He Jin has rebelled and has been executed. Any remaining attendants who did not participate in the conspiracy will be pardoned!"
"He Jin is dead!" Yuan Shao's eyes blazed red as he drew his sword and shouted furiously, "How dare the eunuchs murder a minister of the court! All loyal subjects of the court, follow me to slay these traitors and quell this internal strife!"
His roar was like thunder, and He Jin's general Wu Kuang was the first to respond. He ignited a pile of wood outside Azure Lock Gate, flames leaping up instantly and thick smoke billowing into the sky, turning it crimson.
"Charge in!" Yuan Shu donned his armor and brandished a spear as he led soldiers to break open the palace gates. The firelight illuminated his helmet, making him appear fierce and resolute. Soldiers armed with swords and spears surged into the palace, mercilessly slaughtering any eunuchs they encountered. Screams, cries, and the clashing of metal filled the air as blood stained the marble floor.
Yuan Shao and Cao Cao led the rear troops to hack open the second palace gate and pressed into the inner courtyard. Cao Cao's gaze was sharp as he scrutinized every corner where eunuchs might be hiding, wielding his sword with ruthless precision—each strike was deadly accurate.
In front of Cuihua Tower within the palace, several fleeing eunuchs found themselves surrounded by soldiers. Zhao Zhong, Cheng Kuang, Xia Yun, and Guo Sheng had nowhere left to escape; they knelt on the ground trembling and pleaded for mercy. "Spare us! We were only following orders!"
Yuan Shao's face was filled with murderous intent as he sneered coldly. "You venomous snakes! How you have harmed loyal subjects in the past; today you shall taste your retribution!" He drew his sword sharply towards them and commanded fiercely, "Chop them up!"
The soldiers raised their weapons; glints of cold steel flashed as blood splattered everywhere. In less than a moment, all that remained on the ground was a pool of mixed blood and flesh. The flames illuminated this brutal slaughterhouse while the air was thick with a strong metallic scent.
However, amidst the chaos, Zhang Rang, Duan Gui, Cao Jie, and Hou Lan seized the opportunity to take Empress He, Emperor Shao, and King of Chenliu hostage. They fled through a secret passage towards the Northern Palace while urging their companions along the way: "Hurry! Don’t delay or we’ll be caught by pursuers!"
The Empress Dowager held the terrified Emperor Shao tightly, her body trembling violently. "Where are you taking us? Let us go! If this continues, the court will surely fall into chaos!"
Zhang Rang walked alongside them, forcing a deceitful smile. "Rest assured, Your Highness. As long as we are here, the Emperor will be safe! This place is no longer secure; we are here to protect you!"
Flames engulfed the palace, thick smoke rising into the air. Soldiers searched everywhere for the eunuchs, unaware that the most important figures had already slipped away quietly.
Lu Zhi stood beneath the palace eaves, his face ashen, the cold wind sweeping past him. He gripped his spear tightly, his gaze sharp as a blade. Though he had resigned from his post, witnessing the chaos within the palace compelled him to don armor and stand before the hall, determined to prevent further disaster.
In the distance, a commotion erupted as Duan Gui hastily approached with Empress He in tow. Protecting the Empress Dowager behind him, he frequently glanced back in vigilance, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead. Lu Zhi recognized him at once and shouted thunderously, "Duan Gui, you traitor! How dare you take the Empress Dowager hostage and plot to disrupt the realm! Stand down at once, and I may spare your life!"
Duan Gui was startled; seeing Lu Zhi blocking his path with his spear raised like a divine being made it clear that no one dared approach him from behind. Gritting his teeth and cursing under his breath, he quickly turned and fled towards another secret passage.
Lu Zhi immediately pursued him. Just as Duan Gui's grip loosened, Empress He seized the opportunity to break free and leaped out of the window without hesitation. Lu Zhi rushed forward in a swift motion, catching her as she landed precariously. "Your Highness need not panic; I will ensure your safety!" he gasped as he quickly led her to a secure location.
In the inner courtyard, Wu Kuang charged in with soldiers at his side, blood staining the ground wherever they went. His gaze swept across the chaotic scene within the palace until it landed on He Miao, who was hiding behind a pillar with a sword in hand, looking terrified and anxious. Anger flashed in Wu Kuang's eyes as he pointed his sword at He Miao and shouted loudly, "He Miao! You conspired with the eunuchs to harm your brother He Jin! How can you still have the face to live after such treachery?"
He Miao trembled all over and tried to defend himself. "It wasn't me... This is all a misunderstanding!"
However, Wu Kuang paid him no heed and advanced with his sword drawn, his gaze icy. "Everyone! He Miao has aided traitors today; who among you is willing to join me in slaying this villain?"
The soldiers responded in unison, "Kill the traitor! Clear General He’s name!"
He Miao turned in terror to flee but found himself surrounded by soldiers on all sides. Amidst flashing blades and clashing steel, he let out a wretched scream before collapsing into a pool of blood. Wu Kuang's expression remained grim as he sheathed his sword. "From this day forth, there shall be no more venomous snakes like this in our court!"
At this moment, Yuan Shao coldly observed the chaotic palace. He ordered his soldiers to storm the residence of the Ten Eunuchs in waves, mercilessly slaughtering all family members, regardless of age or gender. In an instant, the entire city of Luoyang was engulfed in a bloody turmoil, with even some individuals without beards mistakenly killed as eunuchs.
Cao Cao worked to control the flames, moving through the raging inferno with his armored soldiers. With one hand he wielded his sword to clear a path, while with the other he directed the rescue efforts, his face displaying calm determination. Upon seeing Lu Zhi rescue the Empress Dowager, he immediately stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, the situation is critical. Please take charge of state affairs for now to stabilize the hearts of the people."
Empress He appeared flustered and tear-streaked but managed to nod in agreement. "Everything will be arranged by General Cao. We must find His Majesty and restore peace to the realm."
Cao Cao turned around, his gaze sharp and commanding as he ordered, "Immediately dispatch the Elite Troops to pursue Zhang Rang and his accomplices! Those who hold the Emperor must be killed without mercy!"
The firelight illuminated his profile as the palace gradually regained order under his meticulous command. However, the sounds of shouting and killing outside the palace gates continued to echo loudly, and Zhang Rang, along with Emperor Shao and the King of Chenliu, had long since vanished into the thick night.
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