There is an old saying: you must never misjudge your opponents, otherwise you would land into trouble very easily!
When Fang Zhengzhi arrived, the Throne Room had already been reduced to dust. Hence, he did not witness the sheer power of King Xieluo's initial attack. Furthermore, Qian Wu cottoned up to him immediately after he arrived. This led him to assume that all the problems would be solved as long as he slaughtered Qian Wu.
But after he saw King Xieluo's strength, he finally understood … he was targeting the wrong person this whole time! And this bears severe consequences.
This was as if you entered the bridal chamber after your marriage and have sex with your wife's younger sister instead of your wife, and when you raised your head, you see your wife standing at the door with a knife in her hand.
Shocking!
And after the shock, it was naturally time to run, since you have no way of explaining yourself, and no time to explain.
Fang Zhengzhi similarly made the wisest choice. He grabbed Ping Yang with one hand and Yan Xiu with the other, and dashed into the distance without any hesitation.
The reason for his swift escape was definitely not the inability to explain why he had sex with his sister-in-law, but because he misjudged his opponent's strength.
With the combined forces of the Dragon Protection Squad, the Royal Guards and the Palace Guards, coupled with Lin Mubai and Chen Feihua's strength, how could such a formidable team be no match for these few 'assassins'?
Who would believe this?
Fang Zhengzhi did not believe this at first, but now he did. He realized why the Dragon Protection Squad and the Royal Guards refused to budge. He also realized why the Throne Room could be reduced to a pile of rubble even with the combined strength of the three squads, the Emperor and his Royal Concubine.
Because Qian Wu has a 'monster' named King Xieluo on his side. He was too strong!
Fang Zhengzhi fled without any emotional baggages because he witnessed these techniques before, and he knew very well the sheer level of strength required to execute these techniques.
Anyone below the Rebirth State would be instantly slaughtered.
And Fang Zhengzhi would definitely punch any idiot who claims that King Xieluo was only in the Rebirth State to death.
"Ah!"
"Ah …"
"..."
Waves of pitiful screams reverberated through the palace as the various Palace Guards and Royal Guards watched the speedily expanding green light, their faces flushing white.
They wanted to flee but they couldn't, because they were soldiers.
As soldiers, there was only one way they could die - to die in battle. Once they fled, they would definitely be labelled as a deserter and never be able to redeem themselves.
But then … they saw someone dragging two others away, fleeing away quickly past them as fast as they could.
"..."
The Palace Guards and Royal Guards could clearly see that it was Fang Zhengzhi leading the escape, dragging Ping Yang and Yan Xiu behind with him.
Naturally, none of them would object to Ping Yang escaping, but … Fang Zhengzhi? Escaping? That scoundrel is escaping!
They could clearly remember Fang Zhengzhi's righteous and stern disposition just a moment ago, and his sentence "What are all of you standing there for? Kill him!"
"Kill him!"
"Kill him! What are all of you standing there for?"
What a rousing and exhilarating speech. But now … Fang Zhengzhi was fleeing, and with such speed.
"Continue your attacks, I'll protect Her Highness!" A voice travelled from the direction he was fleeing towards, and drifted into the ears of the Palace Guards.
"..." The Palace Guards and Royal Guards were rendered speechless once again.
Can someone really be this shameless?
The Palace Guards and Royal Guards were enraged yet resigned to their fate. But worse still, Lin Mubai and Chen Feihua, who were both being forced back despite the Dragon Protection Squad's defenses, did not express any sort of astonishment or objection after hearing Fang Zhengzhi's words.
"Fang Zhengzhi, you must protect Ping Yang!" Chen Feihua's voice drifted into the Palace Guards and Royal Guards, seemingly overwhelmed with gratitude.
"..."
The difference in treatment was simply too stark..
The Palace Guards and Royal Guards understood this point, and all they could do was to defend their Emperor to the death. However, they were completely helpless against the impending green light.
"Get down!"
"Get down quickly!"
Without knowing who yelled this warning, the Palace Guards and Royal Guards finally reacted and all of them fell to the ground at top speed. However, those who could not dodge the green light in time released waves of pitiful screams as they collapsed to the ground, shaking the souls of the survivors.
Too strong!
In an instant, many strong warriors in the Supernatural State were decapitated. The Demonic Man King Xieluo was certainly not an opponent that these ordinary soldiers could deal with, even if they were labelled as the most elite soldiers.
Lin Xinjue also leapt to the ground, seeming quite pitiful. He wanted to flee too, but could he? Of course he couldn't, because he was King Duan.
And more importantly, he was unwilling to forsake this chance.
"That cruel Fang Zhengzhi, if not for him fanning the flames, would I be in such a pitiful state now?" Lin Xinjue gazed across the battlefield stained with the corpses of Palace Guards, then turned to see Fang Zhengzhi fleeing into the distance. He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.
With that thought in his mind …
He then realized that Fang Zhengzhi suddenly turned back.
Eh? He's coming back!
He actually came back!
As he watched in suspicion, Lin Xinjue realized that Yan Xiun and Ping Yang were returning along with Fang Zhengzhi, and behind them were thousands of people in black.
"F*ck!" As a prince who grew up in a royal family since young, he rarely cursed, but he could not control his urge to hurl a vulgarity in this moment.
He obviously knew the identity of the men in black.
They were the same bunch as the people he met at the entrance of the Imperial Palace.
Back then, he heeded Fang Zhengzhi's advice and ordered the Palace Guards to break into two parties, allowing the people in black to become hidden dangers.
But now … these dangers have exploded in full force! And worse still, at such a critical moment.
At first, his greatest advantage was his strength in numbers, but once these people in black enter the battlefield, his sole advantage was no longer existent. Yet, this was obviously not the worst part.
The worst part was that, Fang Zhengzhi knew the situation they were in, and yet he still led the people in black over? How was this any different from pouring a pot of oil into a raging fire?
Hatred overwhelmed Lin Xinjue's heart.
As he watched the thousands of people in black approach them, he finally came up with an idea.
"Switch sides!"
Lin Xinjue clenched his fist. If he revolted now, defeating a few hundred soldiers in the Dragon Protection Squad and a few thousand Royal Guards would not be a problem with the force of his ten thousand Palace Guards coupled with the thousands of people in black from the Northern Barbarian army.
And most importantly, his Palace Guards still controlled the four gates of the Imperial Palace. Under such circumstances, no word of his mutiny would leak out to the world.
Lin Xinjue's eyes shimmered radiantly. It was difficult to make this decision, but once he decided to switch sides, it meant that he would still be the Northern Barbarian's puppet to manipulate the Great Xia Empire despite ascending the throne.
Should he still fight?
No, he can't fight anymore!
How could he win the thousands of Northern Barbarian soldiers in black under such circumstances. They were elite soldiers that could not be defeated by his ten thousand Palace Guards. Coupled with the strength of Qian Wu and the Demonic Man King Xieluo, how could Lin Xinjue possibly win?
What could he do? What exactly could he do?
Was he really fated to be a mere puppet?
Lin Xinjue was indignant. He held it in for too long, and finally found a splendid chance after much difficulty, only to become a puppeted emperor. How could he be satisfied?
"No, there's definitely a way out once I take the throne!" Lin Xinjue bit his lips hard as images of the former emperors flashed through his mind.
How many emperors were manipulated by their officials when they first ascended the throne? But what happened afterwards? Many of them executed those treacherous officials and severed the chains that bound their rule, finally becoming eternal emperors respected by all.
The throne. There will definitely be a way out once he ascends the throne.
Without the throne, everything would just be empty talk. Everything would be too late once Qian Wu controls the situation and finds a replacement emperor.
"Hahaha … Fang Zhengzhi, did you think you could really run away? Kill! Kill them all! The Dragon Protection Squad, Royal Guards and the Palace Guards, don't leave a single survivor!" Qian Wu's laughter erupted as he turned towards Fang Zhengzhi, Ping Yang and the thousands of people in black behind them. He chuckled maniacally.
"Wait, Qian Wu. Is your offer still valid?" Upon hearing what Qian Wu exclaimed, he blurted his question out, unable to hold back any longer.
"Oh? Has Your Highness finally thought it over?" Qian Wu was slightly stunned as he sized up Lin Xinjue who just stood up, wearing an arrogant smile.
"Yes!" Lin Xinjue gritted his teeth.
"Your Highness!"
"No, Your Highness!"
"The Northern Barbarians have immense greed, and will never fulfill their promise!"
"Please reconsider, Your Highness!"
One by one, the Palace Guards advised him without hesitation, completely astounded by Lin Xinjue's words.
The Dragon Protection Squad and Royal Guards not far away were also extremely astonished.
King Duan wanted to switch swides?!
Even though they could understand where Lin Xinjue was coming from, merely holding the thought and actually executing a revolt were two entirely different matters.
"Your Highness, are you sure you wish to be part of the Northern Barbarian Empire?" Qian Wu ignored the cacophony and the shocked glares of the crowd, and continued probing with a smile.
"Yes, I've made my decision!" Lin Xinjue gritted his teeth again and replied with conviction.
"No, Your Highness, this is treason. We are …" A Palace Guard commander stepped out but he could not finish his sentence - because a sword stabbed his throat.
"Ow, ow …" His hands held onto Lin Xinjue's suit of silver-white armor tightly. His eyes glared boldly, and he wanted to say something, but he was no longer able to utter a word.
"This is my order to the Palace Guards. Anyone who defies my order will be met with death!" Lin Xinjue raised one hand to issue the order as he pulled out the sword from the commander's throat with the other hand.
An arrow of blood poured out from his body, making him look unbelievably pitiful.
After the ten thousand Palace Guards witnessed this sight, each of them glanced at each other in hesitation.
"Your Highness has treated us kindly all these years. I'm willing to follow Your Highness!"
"So am I!"
"Be loyal to King Duan and heed the order!"
"Anyone who defies the order shall be executed!"
Voices erupted from the army. Shortly afterwards, a few Palace Guard commanders quickly knelt down and bowed to Lin Xinjue. Upon seeing their commanders kneel, over 90% of the entire force knelt down in unison.
The remaining Palace Guards were furious.
"I'll only listen to His Majesty!"
"Protect the Great Xia Empire to the death!"
"I'll never betray my country!"
These voices blasted from their mouths, and as they pledged their allegiance to the empire, the Palace Guards who were kneeling down began to hesitate again.
After a moment, a few Palace Guards rose up again.
"Kill them!"
"Slaughter these traitors!"
"Ah! I'll take you on …"
"Slash …"
After the cacophony died down, the entire battlefield descended into a ghastly silence. All the Palace Guards knelt before Lin Xinjue. Lin Mubai shivered as he witnessed this sight.
"Traitor, traitor!"
"Be calm, Your Majesty. His Highness may be in a state of delusion …" Chen Feihua's lips were stained with blood but her hands grabbed onto Lin Mubai tightly.
Qian Wu gazed at the approaching horde of people in black as well as Fang Zhengzhi and Ping Yang in front. With that, he finally turned towards Lin Xinjue and the sea of kneeling Palace Guards.
"Isn't it a little late for Your Highness to be doing this? My Northern Barbarian army has arrived. What use does your few Palace Guards have?" Qian Wu sneered.
"Such a small group of Palace Guards is indeed useless, but the four gates of the Imperial Palace are still under my Palace Guards' control. And don't forget, I'm not just the commander-in-chief of the Palace Guards, but also the Chief of the Great Xia Empire's military. If the Flame Capital City is attacked, the opponent's forces would definitely surround the city. How can you handle such an attack without me?" Lin Xinjue gritted his teeth and explained after hearing Qian Wu's words.
"That does make a little sense!" Qian Wu nodded as he cracked a friendly smile. "In that case, shall Your Highness kill your father along with me?"
"Of course!" Lin Xinjue clenched his fist. He definitely knew the meaning behind Qian Wu's words, but at this stage, he had no other choice.
With the way things are going, he could only endure the pain if he wanted to reinvigorate the Great Xia Empire again!
After he ascends the throne and abolishes the control of the Northern Barbarian Empire, all these sacrifices would be worth it, even if it means bearing the sin of murdering his father with his own hands.