You, a tyrannical ruler, roam the heavens; you cannot understand my joy.

Upon hearing Liu Qi's words, which were filled with fear and pleading, Huang Yaoshi was slightly taken aback. Then, a rather strange, bitter smile appeared on his face, and he shook his head.

"General Liu."

"You probably... don't know just how powerful the current emperor really is, do you?"

Liu Qi was taken aback by these words, puzzled: "What do you mean by that, sir?"

"His Majesty……"

"Your Majesty is naturally the Son of Heaven, and we, your subjects, swear to serve you to the death..."

Huang Yaoshi waved his hand, interrupting him, without offering any further explanation.

Should he tell this loyal general that the young emperor, who seemed to live deep within the palace, actually possessed astonishing martial arts skills?

His level of understanding was so profound that even he, the "Eastern Heretic," found it unfathomable.

This matter is too unbelievable. If one does not see it with one's own eyes and feel it personally, it would be hard to believe if one said it, and there is a risk of revealing His Majesty's secret.

"The reasons are not convenient to explain in detail."

Huang Yaoshi said calmly, "But General, you only need to know that His Majesty is not as much as you think, someone who needs to worry about his safety all the time."

"However, what you are concerned about is indeed of great importance. It involves an internal traitor and is also related to the very foundation of the Imperial Guard. It must be reported to the Emperor immediately."

He glanced at the still-shaken Lady Liu and said to Liu Qi, "You should go to the palace immediately to see the Emperor and report to His Majesty everything that happened tonight, including your speculations."

"As for your wife's safety..." He paused, "With me here, you can go without worry."

Upon hearing this, Liu Qi still had many doubts in his heart. What ability did His Majesty have that made this master of martial arts so confident?

Seeing Huang Yaoshi's solemn expression and his willingness to protect his family, it was already an immense favor.

Without further hesitation, he bowed deeply to Huang Yaoshi once more, expressing his gratitude: "I entrust my wife to you, sir!"

After saying that, he gripped his sword tightly, turned around and strode out of the house, rushing towards the palace. He had only one thought in his mind: he had to see the emperor immediately!

......

Inside the imperial study, candlelight shone brightly.

Lu Zuo had just put down the secret letter that Han Shizhong had sent by express courier, his brows furrowed.

The letter stated that over a hundred esoteric Buddhist masters from the Jin army camp had headed south, their movements elusive, and their target was likely Yingtian Prefecture!

This is definitely not good news. These lamas are skilled in martial arts and are adept at assassination and espionage. If they infiltrate the city and cause chaos, they will pose a great threat.

"Over a hundred Tantric masters... what is their purpose in heading south at this time?"

Lu Zuo tapped his fingers lightly on the table, lost in thought.

Is it targeting pro-war ministers in the central government?

Or is there another motive?

Just then, a eunuch outside the palace hurriedly reported: "Your Majesty, General Liu Qi, the commander of the Imperial Guards and Cavalry of the Palace Guards, has an extremely urgent matter to discuss and is waiting outside the palace for your permission!"

Liu Qi? He rushed into the palace late at night?

Lu Zuo's heart skipped a beat, a vague sense of foreboding creeping in: "Summon him in!"

Liu Qi rushed into the imperial study almost at breakneck speed, still in his armor, carrying the chill of the night wind and a faint smell of blood.

He knelt down with a thud, disregarding all formalities, and cried out urgently, "Your Majesty!"

"Your humble servant Liu Qi has an extremely urgent matter to report!"

"Speak," Lu Zuo said in a deep voice.

Liu Qi took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, but his voice was still urgent: "Just now, on my way back to the manor, I was ambushed by more than ten masked experts dressed in black!"

"Fortunately, a mysterious swordsman in green robes came to my rescue, and I was able to escape danger."

"Those assassins were all Tibetan Buddhist lamas in disguise!"

"The attack was ruthless and the target was clear: to take the lives of this humble general and his wife!"

"A Tantric Lama?!"

A cold glint flashed in Lu Zuo's eyes, and he abruptly stood up!

The intelligence in Han Shizhong's secret letter immediately matched the information about Liu Qi's attack!

One hundred esoteric Buddhist masters infiltrated Yingtian and, as expected, began their operation!

Moreover, the first target was a high-ranking general of the Imperial Guard!

"How did they know your whereabouts? The location of your residence?" Lu Zuo pressed, his tone icy.

"This humble general...this humble general does not know."

"But the chivalrous man who saved me analyzed that this was by no means a simple act of revenge by the Jin invaders. It was likely that there was a high-ranking traitor within the Imperial Guard, who was colluding with the Jin invaders from within, with the intention of..."

"Intending to harm His Majesty and disrupt the defenses of the imperial city!" Liu Qi laid out his and Huang Yaoshi's speculations.

After listening, Lu Zuo slowly sat back on the dragon throne, his face calm as still water, but a storm was brewing in his eyes.

A traitor within the Imperial Guard...

To be able to pinpoint the exact time and route of a commander's return home...

It wasn't just the Imperial Guards!

Such a large-scale infiltration, lurking, and precise assassination by Tantric masters would have been impossible without the protection and intelligence provided by high-ranking officials in the court who colluded with foreign powers!

Qin Hui...

Historically, he was a notorious traitor who colluded with the enemy, betrayed his country, and framed loyal officials.

In this world, he would probably have already pledged allegiance to the Jin Dynasty!

His targeting of the Imperial Guard generals was an attempt to purge dissidents, install his cronies, and ultimately seize control of the Imperial Guard.

Once the Imperial Guards fall into his hands, wouldn't he be able to control Yingtian Prefecture and the Imperial Palace at will?

At that time, he will hold the emperor hostage to command the feudal lords...

The key issue is that I don't know which members of the Imperial Guard, or even the entire court, are truly loyal to the Song Dynasty and to me.

Who are Qin Hui's faction, or are they opportunists who waver between two sides?

The enemy is in the dark while we are in the light; that's the most troublesome part!

In a flash, Lu Zuo had grasped the situation. He looked angrily at Liu Qi, who was still kneeling on the ground, his face filled with anxiety and lingering fear: "General Liu, you've been in the Imperial Guard for many years. Who are your colleagues who share your interests, are also devoted to resisting the Jin, and are loyal to the king?"

In a flash, Lu Zuo had grasped the situation. He looked angrily at Liu Qi, who was still kneeling on the ground, his face filled with anxiety and lingering fear: "General Liu, you've been in the Imperial Guard for many years. Who are your colleagues who share your interests, are also devoted to resisting the Jin, and are loyal to the king?"

Liu Qi shuddered, looked up abruptly, his face paled even more, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

Why did the emperor suddenly ask this?

Could it be... could it be that they suspect me of forming a faction?

At this sensitive time, this question is absolutely scathing!

"Your Majesty! This humble general...this humble general..." He was speechless for a moment, not knowing how to answer, his heart filled with shock and fear.

Lu Zuo saw his expression and knew he had misunderstood, so he softened his tone: "General Liu, there is no need to panic. I do not doubt you."

"There are still more than eighty of those esoteric Buddhist monks lurking in the shadows."

"If you were the mastermind behind this, would you also target other generals who might be loyal to the court and hinder your control of the Imperial Guards?"

Liu Qi was no fool. He was just frightened by the emperor's question. But now, after Lu Zuo pointed it out, he was enlightened and broke out in a cold sweat!

Yes!

The traitor and the Tantric master's goal was to purge the loyalists from the Imperial Guard.

Then there are those colleagues who befriended him and longed to resist the Jin and recover their homeland...

Wouldn't we all be in imminent danger?

If all these people die...

With numerous vacancies in the mid-level command of the Imperial Guard, these positions will inevitably be filled by those above.

At that time, the spies will be able to seize the opportunity to install their cronies and gradually take control of key departments of the Imperial Guard! The safety of the capital and His Majesty will be in the hands of these treacherous officials!

Having understood this, Liu Qi was filled with both fear and anger. Without further hesitation, he immediately kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise!"

"It is because this humble general is foolish and dull."

"Among those with whom I have frequent interactions and share common interests are Zhao Zhe, Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard Cavalry; Wang De, Commander of the Infantry Division; Li Bao, Commander of the Left Guard of the Palace Guard; and the Commander of the Right Guard..."

He named seven or eight people in a row, all of whom were mid- to high-ranking officers in the Imperial Guard known for their bravery and good reputation.

Lu Zuo listened quietly, memorizing these names.

This may be the core of the Imperial Guard that has not yet been fully infiltrated by Qin Hui and that he may be able to win over.

"it is good."

After Liu Qi finished speaking, Lu Zuo said in a deep voice, "General Liu, I am now entrusting you with a secret mission."

"Immediately select capable and reliable individuals from among your absolutely trusted confidants and subordinates, divide them into several teams, and secretly protect the colleagues you just mentioned and their families."

"Remember, it's about protecting them covertly, closely monitoring the area around their residence, and immediately alerting them if you spot any suspicious individuals or unusual activity. If possible, capture them."

"If not, then ensure the safety of the target and report to me immediately!"

He stared intently at Liu Qi: "This matter concerns the very foundation of the Imperial Guards, and even more so, the safety of the nation. We must be extremely cautious and absolutely cannot let a single word slip by, lest we alert the enemy!"

"Can you do it?"

Liu Qi clasped his hands in a deep fist salute: "This humble general obeys the decree and will certainly not fail Your Majesty's trust!"

"I will protect my colleagues with my life and never let the treacherous succeed!"

"Go ahead." Lu Zuo waved his hand.