You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Chapter 168 The Incident at Shangyang Gate

Shangyang Gate.

Both doors are closed.

Zhou Zhi and the people from the three major families were trapped inside the palace walls of Shangyang Gate.

Zhou Chen, standing on the palace wall, remained silent for a moment, then glanced at Zhou Zhi below and asked, "Ninth Brother, where is Mother?"

Although Zhou Chen knew that Zhou Zhi wouldn't do anything to the Empress Dowager.

But seeing that it wasn't the Empress Dowager inside the imperial carriage, Zhou Chen couldn't help but feel a little worried.

Zhou Chen wasn't worried about Zhou Zhi, but rather about the people from the three powerful and influential families.

Zhou Zhi might not do anything to the Empress Dowager, but that doesn't mean the three great families wouldn't try to take advantage of her.

"The Empress Dowager is resting at the Prince of Shu's residence."

"Brother, you don't think I'd do anything to Mother, do you?"

Zhou Zhi took a deep breath, glanced at Zhou Chen on the palace wall, and said, "Although I, Zhou Zhi, am interested in the throne, I will not use the Empress Dowager as a pretext."

"Your Majesty can rest assured about this."

At this point, Zhou Zhi no longer needed to hide his thoughts.

Because everything before his eyes already explained what he wanted to do.

Moreover, Zhou Chen on the palace wall had already seen through his and the three great families' scheme, so what need did he have to keep hiding it any longer?
Hearing Zhou Zhi's words, Zhou Chen breathed a sigh of relief.

The Empress Dowager can stay at the Prince of Shu's residence.

Zhou Chen had already sent the Eighth Prince to the Shu Prince's residence.

Zhou Chen could not possibly be careless about the Empress Dowager's safety.

Zhou Chen believed that Zhou Zhi wouldn't do anything to the Empress Dowager, but Zhou Chen trusted himself even more.

The safest course of action would be to bring the Empress Dowager out of the Prince of Shu's residence.

Zhou Chen hesitated for a moment, then looked at Zhou Zhi below; "Ninth Brother, I'll give you one more chance."

"If you now bow your head and confess your sins, step aside, I will spare your life for the sake of the Empress Dowager."

"I don't want my mother to be sad, that an old woman should send off a young man with black hair."

"I already knew about your involvement with Wu She in those things in the palace that were meant to poison me."

"The reason I haven't taken any action against you is to give you another chance, hoping that you can turn back from the wrong path and be a peaceful King of Shu."

"But you have disappointed me. Not only did you not stop, you also colluded with these people to usurp the throne."

"I'm giving you a second chance now."

"This is also the last chance I'm giving you."

"If you remain obstinate, then don't blame me."

Zhou Chen spoke calmly from the palace wall.

Zhou Chen knew that Zhou Zhi would not do as he said and bow his head to apologize.

But Emperor Zhou Chen had to say something about this kind of talk about taking the moral high ground.

This is the complexity of politics.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhi laughed and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you for the opportunity you gave me earlier."

"However, Your Majesty, you will be disappointed if you expect me to confess. I will not bow down and admit my guilt."

“Your Majesty, I also feel that I have committed no crime at all. The throne was originally a chance for anyone, but Father did not give us princes any chance.”

"In that case, I will have no choice but to take it myself."

Zhou Zhi looked at Zhou Chen on the palace wall and said loudly.

He bowed his head and begged for forgiveness.

What a joke.

Their plan has progressed to this point.

Success seemed within reach.

How could Zhou Zhi possibly give up the throne that was within his grasp and bow his head to beg for forgiveness!
"It seems that Ninth Brother, you really want to go down this dark path."

"Since that's the case, then I have nothing more to say."

Zhou Chen waved his hand.

"Wow..."

Countless imperial guards armed with bows and crossbows immediately appeared around the walls of Shangyang Gate.

These imperial guards, armed with bows and crossbows, aimed at Zhou Zhi and his men below.

As long as Zhou Chen gives the order, these imperial guards will not hesitate to pull the trigger of their crossbows and shoot Zhou Zhi and his men below.

At the same time, the two doors, which were tightly closed, opened instantly.

Squads of imperial guards rushed out from the front and rear gates, surrounding Zhou Zhi and his men in formation.

Seeing the Imperial Guards rushing out to surround them, Zhou Zhi showed no surprise whatsoever.

From the moment Zhou Chen appeared on the wall of Shangyang Gate, Zhou Zhi already knew that there was an ambush at Shangyang Gate.

Therefore, Zhou Zhi was not surprised at all by the appearance of these imperial guards.

Similarly, the heads of the three great families showed no surprise whatsoever. Even Ji Wusheng could guess in advance that Zhou Chen already knew about Zhou Zhi's plot to collude with the three great families.

Not to mention the three great families, which have been passed down for generations.

The patriarchs of the three great families had already guessed that Zhou Chen might know about their plans.

Therefore, it is only natural that Zhou Chen took precautions in advance.

Zhou Zhi looked up at the dense array of crossbow bolts surrounding the palace walls, then turned to Zhou Chen; "Your Majesty, you don't think these Imperial Guards can handle your younger brother and the three great families, do you?"

It wasn't that Zhou Zhi underestimated the Imperial Guards.

The Imperial Guards were indeed the most powerful elite force in the Great Zhou Dynasty, with many experts among them, even surpassing the Divine Martial Guards.

However, the people from the three great families who accompanied Zhou Zhi into the palace this time were all true masters from the three great families.

Even the weakest among them are third-grade grandmasters.

They were not someone the Imperial Guards could easily deal with.

Zhou Chen, standing on the palace wall, didn't want to waste any more words and said coldly, "Kill them all, leave no one alive, wipe out these treacherous officials who dared to infiltrate the palace."

Since Zhou Zhi has made his choice and is stubbornly determined to stick to his guns to the end, then Zhou Chen doesn't need to be polite anymore.

With Zhou Chen's command.

The imperial guards on the palace wall immediately pulled the triggers on their crossbows, firing at Zhou Zhi and his men who were surrounded.

"Do it."

Members of the three great families also stepped forward to deflect the crossbow bolts and charged towards the imperial guards surrounding them.

At the same time, the three clan leaders and the grandmasters of the three great families all leaped up and rushed towards Zhou Chen on the palace wall.

Catch the thief first to catch the king.

Everyone knows this.

The members of the three great families did not enter the palace to fight against the Imperial Guards, but to help the King of Shu usurp the throne.

Once Emperor Zhou Chen is captured, the objective will be achieved.

"Hmph, you traitorous scoundrel, die before I, the commander!"

Seeing the grandmasters of the three great families leap up, attempting to rush onto the palace wall, Jin He also flew up, wielding his broadsword towards these grandmasters from the three great families.

As Jinhe made his move, dozens of figures rushed down from the palace wall to meet the experts from the three great families.

The dozens of figures rushing down the palace wall represent the royal family's strength and resources.

Although the royal family has declined, it still has some foundation, except for Zhou Rushan.

Zhou Chen summoned all the royal family's resources to wipe out the experts from the three major families.

"kill."

The imperial guards surrounding Zhou Zhi and his men also began to slaughter the experts from the three great families in formation. At this moment, the great battle completely broke out.

The patriarchs of the three great families and the grandmasters who leaped up to rush over the palace walls were all stopped, and a fierce battle broke out below.

King Zhou Zhi of Shu also held a long sword and fought with the imperial guards.

The entire Shangyang Gate was engulfed in a fierce battle that shook the heavens.

Nearby, Zhou Rushan and Yuan Tianshu, both half-step Celestial Realm experts, were already engaged in a fierce battle.

"Yuan Tianshu, if you dare to infiltrate the palace and commit treason, then you won't be leaving today," Zhou Rushan said coldly.

"Hmph, Zhou Rushan, it's still uncertain who will emerge victorious."

"I, Yuan Tianshu, have long wanted to meet you, the number one half-step Celestial Being."

"Today, let's see who's the best."

Yuan Tianshu snorted coldly and engaged in a fierce battle with Zhou Rushan.

Judging from their exchange, Yuan Tianshu is also very strong and should not be underestimated.

On the palace wall, Zhou Chen watched the battle below and sat on the dragon throne.

Two figures stood guard on either side of Zhou Chen.

A figure dressed in the robes of a Grand Eunuch was standing there; who else could it be but Cao Shaoqin?
The other figure was dressed in full armor; it was none other than Dian Wei, another commander of the Imperial Guards.

The area was also surrounded by imperial guards and imperial soldiers.

Zhou Chen sat on the dragon throne, coldly watching the battle below, a sneer curling at the corner of his mouth.

This Shangyang Gate is the burial ground that Zhou Chen prepared for these experts from the three great families.

If all the experts from the three great families are wiped out, then three of the seven great families of the Great Zhou will have been essentially destroyed, losing 70% of their power.

All that's left are some small fish and shrimp.

Despite the formidable strength of the experts from the three powerful families below, they still suffered numerous casualties under the onslaught of the Imperial Guards.

Perhaps the Imperial Guards were indeed no match for the masters of these aristocratic families in one-on-one combat.

However, the Imperial Guards could form military formations to fight the enemy.

Under the power of the military formation, even several grandmasters from the three great families were entangled.

Zhou Zhi swung his sword and killed two imperial guards. Looking at his current situation, his expression became somewhat grave.

Zhou Zhi never expected that the royal family would have so many grandmasters.

This was something Zhou Zhi didn't know before.

Zhou Zhi originally thought that Zhou Chen would not be able to stop their forces, but he did not expect the royal family's strength to be so unexpected.

Even Zhou Zhi, the King of Shu, had not truly figured it out before.

"Without a tongue."

"Charge with me!"

Since the grandmasters of the three great families have attracted all the experts around Zhou Chen, Zhou Zhi can take this opportunity to make his move.

Zhou Zhi said something to the old eunuch, then leaped and rushed towards Zhou Chen on the palace wall.

The old eunuch was visibly taken aback when he saw Zhou Zhi suddenly unleash the power of a Grandmaster.

When did Zhou Zhi break through to the Grandmaster level?
Or is he in the late stage of Grandmaster?
How can this be?

The old eunuch looked incredulous and puzzled. How could Zhou Zhi's strength be at the late stage of Grandmaster?
However, the old eunuch had no time to think about it and immediately leaped up, following Zhou Zhi to the palace wall.

After deflecting a barrage of crossbow bolts from the Imperial Guards, Zhou Zhi and the old eunuch leaped onto the palace wall.

Seeing Zhou Zhi and the old eunuch leap onto the palace wall, the imperial guards on the wall were about to charge forward, but Zhou Chen stopped them with a gesture.

After leaping onto the palace wall, Zhou Zhi glanced at Cao Shaoqin and Dian Wei beside Zhou Chen, then looked at Zhou Chen sitting on the dragon throne and said, "Brother, you only have Cao Shaoqin by your side now, he shouldn't be able to stop the two of us."

Zhou Zhi was aware of Cao Shaoqin's formidable reputation.

However, Zhou Zhi did not recognize Dian Wei, who was standing next to him.

Zhou Zhi thought Dian Wei was just an ordinary commander of the Imperial Guards.

Therefore, they automatically ignored Dian Wei and didn't take him seriously at all.

Zhou Chen glanced calmly at Zhou Zhi and said, "Ninth Brother, I didn't expect you to be a Grandmaster. That surprises me."

“Cao Shaoqin can’t stop the two of you, but he can kill both of you.”

Zhou Chen gave Cao Shaoqin a meaningful glance.

Cao Shaoqin immediately understood, took a step forward, and the soft sword at his waist was already drawn.

A sword aura shot straight at the faces of Zhou Zhi and Wu She.

Zhou Zhi and Wu She's expressions changed, and they quickly turned and dodged Cao Shaoqin's sword energy.

But then, Cao Shaoqin rushed in front of the two of them, and his soft sword stabbed at Zhou Zhi and Wu She in a strange manner.

After just three moves.

Zhou Zhi and Wu She were forced off the palace wall by Cao Shaoqin.

Cao Shaoqin also leaped down, plunging straight down.

“Your Highness, you are of noble status, but since His Majesty has spoken, I, the Chief Eunuch, will be offended.”

Cao Shaoqin's soft sword, wielding itself like a snake spitting mist, stabbed eerily towards Zhou Zhi.

"Hmph, Cao Shaoqin, I underestimated you."

"I didn't expect your combat strength to be so strong."

Even with Zhou Zhi and Wu She working together, they faced numerous dangers under Cao Shaoqin's unpredictable soft sword.

After only a few exchanges, Zhou Zhi and Wu She both had several wounds on their bodies.

"Puch"

The soft sword pierced through Zhou Zhi's shoulder.

"Your Majesty."

Wu She was startled, and her attacks became even more ferocious, directly targeting Cao Shaoqin's face.

"puff."

Blood droplets danced in the air.

Zhou Zhi was knocked to the ground by Cao Shaoqin's sword, tumbling several times before rolling to the side.

Cao Shaoqin drew his sword and thrust it at Wu She again.

Meanwhile, the patriarchs of the three great families had all severely injured their opponents and leaped towards Zhou Chen on the palace wall once again.

Meanwhile, six or seven grandmasters defeated their opponents and followed the patriarchs of the three great families as they charged toward Zhou Chen on the palace wall.

Because Zhou Chen on the palace wall is their ultimate target.

As Zhou Zhi watched the patriarchs of the three great families and six or seven grandmasters rush onto the palace walls, a hint of joy flashed across his face.

Now, all the royal family's top experts have come out, and Cao Shaoqin has also come down.

There were no more expert guards protecting Emperor Zhou Chen on the palace walls; only some imperial guards and secret police remained, which were simply no match for these grandmaster-level experts.

If they can capture Emperor Zhou Chen, then their plan will be a success.

Even Yuan Tianshu, who was fighting Zhou Rushan, smiled when he saw the more than ten grandmasters from the three great families rush onto the city wall.

"Zhou Rushan, the emperor on the palace wall is about to be captured by our people. Is it still necessary for us to continue?"

"The King of Shu is also the son of the late emperor. What's the difference between him inheriting the throne and Zhou Chen becoming emperor?"

Why do you have to stop me?

Yuan Tianshu said this while fighting Zhou Rushan.

In Yuan Tianshu's view, Zhou Chen was already trapped and could not escape their grasp.

Little did they know that what is imagined is often beautiful, but reality is often cruel.

No sooner had Yuan Tianshu finished speaking than the patriarchs of the three great families and the six or seven grandmasters who had leaped onto the palace wall were sent flying back down, crashing heavily to the ground.

(End of this chapter)