You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Chapter 34 Damn it, she got away.
Outside the palace.

A petite figure was running away at high speed, with four figures in hot pursuit.

If the people in the palace saw those four figures, they would immediately recognize their identities.

Eagle suit.

Crescent blade.

Jade belt.

For the past two weeks, the Eastern Depot and its guards have been a source of fear throughout the entire palace.

The petite figure being relentlessly pursued by the four imperial guards was none other than Wan'er, the personal maid of Empress Wu Ying.

Wan'er never expected that, despite her careful and secret departure from the palace on the orders of Empress Wu Ying, she would still be spotted by the Eastern Depot's guards.

They hadn't gone far from the palace when they were pursued by the Eastern Depot's guards.

If it weren't for Wan'er's decent strength and fast movements, she probably would have been captured by the Eastern Depot's guards just now.

Seeing the four imperial guards chasing closely behind, Wan'er wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, her face pale, and ran towards the street not far away.

Wan'er knew that if she continued to escape like this, it wouldn't be long before the Imperial Guards caught up with her.

Although she had just escaped from the clutches of four imperial guards, she still suffered serious injuries.

Therefore, she had to find a way to get rid of the four guards who were chasing her as soon as possible.

As luck would have it, the street ahead is one of the most bustling and crowded streets in Luoyang.

Once you escape into that street, with so many people around, it won't be difficult to shake off the four people behind you.

The four guards who were chasing Wan'er saw her running towards the street not far away and guessed her intention.

The four of them quickened their pace and chased after her with all their might, but they were still a step too slow, and Wan'er escaped into the street.

Amidst the throng of people, Wan'er's figure vanished from the sight of the four imperial guards in an instant.

"Damn it, she escaped." The four guards chased into the street but couldn't find Wan'er. Their faces turned grim.

Cao Zhengchun had previously given the Imperial Guards a strict order: they were only allowed to enter the palace, not leave, and not even a fly was allowed to get out.

But now that a living person has flown out of the palace, they don't know how to explain it to Cao Zhengchun.

The thought of Cao Zhengchun's chilling methods filled the four of them with fear.

"Keep searching, make sure you find her. I'll go back and report to the Chief Supervisor right away." One of the leading guards said this and turned to leave.

……

The location of the Eastern Depot.

Cao Zhengchun sat in his supervisor's chair, looking at the imperial guards who had returned to report to him kneeling before him with a grim expression; "Useless! You can't even catch a woman. What are you good for?"

Cao Zhengchun struck casually.

The guard was sent flying and crashed to the ground.

"Master, spare me! Master, spare me!" the guard pleaded as he got up.

Cao Zhengchun's face was ashen as he said in a cold voice, "Do you know that letting that woman escape from the palace will ruin the Emperor's important plans?"

"If it weren't for the fact that the Eastern Depot is short-staffed, I would have killed you with one blow today."

Cao Zhengchun truly wished he could chop this useless thing in front of him to death with one palm.

Four elite imperial guards were unable to stop a single palace maid.

They really disgraced the imperial guards.

Cao Zhengchun could deduce that Wan'er's escape from the palace at this time must have been on the orders of the person in Qingfeng Palace.

Could it be that the one from Qingfeng Palace discovered something?
Cao Zhengchun's expression turned serious. He glanced at the kneeling guards and said, "Immediately go and guard outside the General's Mansion. If you find her, you must not let her into the General's Mansion."

Cao Zhengchun knew that if Wan'er left the palace, the most likely place she would go was the General's Mansion.

Currently, the Eastern Depot is short-staffed, with only two hundred guards.

Cao Zhengchun simply didn't have enough manpower to search for Wan'er.

Besides, at this critical moment, he can't afford to do anything.

Then we can only send people to keep watch outside the General's Mansion.

Hope it's not too late.

"Yes, Master Chang."

"Even if I die, I will never let her enter the General's Mansion," the guard said firmly, secretly relieved that he had escaped death.

"Humph."

"If you mess this up again, I'll skin you alive."

Cao Zhengchun warned the guard.

"Go!"

"There are many experts in the General's mansion, so be careful not to be discovered."

Cao Zhengchun waved his hand.

Finally, he didn't forget to give that factory guard a reminder.

After the guard left, Cao Zhengchun immediately left the Eastern Depot's headquarters and entered the palace.

At this critical and sensitive moment, a palace maid serving Empress Wu Ying escaped from the palace. Cao Zhengchun quickly went to the palace to report to Zhou Chen.

Let's see if it will affect our next steps.
To avoid any mishaps.

……

Cining Palace.

The Empress Dowager sat in a chair, with an elderly eunuch with graying hair serving her beside her.

"Your Majesty, the Imperial Guards in the West Garden have increased their vigilance today; they are all always in armor and with their swords in hand."

"The four gates of the palace are all closed. You can only enter, but you are not allowed to leave. The number of imperial guards has been doubled."

"Just now, the Eighth Prince, the Minister of War, and the Marquis of Weiwu also entered the palace, and left the palace half an hour later."

The old eunuch spoke as he served the Empress Dowager.

It seemed as if they were telling some strange and interesting stories, just to amuse the Empress Dowager.

Listening to the old eunuch's words, the Empress Dowager muttered to herself, "It seems that my son can't hold back any longer."

The unusual atmosphere in the palace today could not be hidden even from the Empress of Qingfeng Palace.

How could this possibly escape the notice of the Empress Dowager, who had been navigating the inner palace for decades?

"I wonder how confident he is. He dares to make a move before the Grand Tutor returns to court. This is not a good opportunity."

"You must know that the general is not someone to be trifled with. He commands the Six Divine Guards of the Southern Camp. Even if the Grand Tutor were here, he wouldn't dare say he'd be absolutely certain of victory."

The Empress Dowager said softly.

His tone was both worried and something else, quite complex.

"Your Majesty, the Lü Bu and Cao Zhengchun by His Majesty's side are no ordinary people. They are no less capable than this old servant. With these two around, His Majesty should have a great chance of success."

"Let's talk again."

"Isn't there that person from the Imperial Clan Court as well?"

"The Eighth Prince has also been invited into the palace. If anything unexpected happens, that person shouldn't ignore it!"

The old eunuch comforted the Empress Dowager.

Despite his advanced age, this old eunuch is no less capable than Cao Zhengchun or Lü Bu.

Clearly, he is very confident in his own abilities.

It's just unknown whether the old eunuch would still have such confidence after learning that Cao Zhengchun and Lü Bu were both at the half-step Celestial level.

"Too."

"I don't know where my son found such a master; he is truly rare."

"Ever since the Zhang De incident, he has changed somewhat, to the point that even I dare not recognize him."

The Queen Mother nodded.

"Wu She, let Cining Palace be closed for a few days!"

"Keep an eye on what's going on outside."

Upon hearing this, the old eunuch immediately bowed and said, "Yes, Your Majesty."

"From Lao Nu Province."

(End of this chapter)