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

Several days later, in Yingtianfu City, at the Beggars' Sect's stronghold.

"Chief! Elder Lu! We've made progress!"

A disheveled Beggar Clan disciple rushed in, his face filled with barely suppressed excitement, and reported to Hong Qigong and Lu Mang, who were discussing matters inside.

"Speak quickly!" Hong Qigong perked up and immediately stood up.

His internal injuries were 80-90% healed, and he was holding back a lot of energy.

The disciple caught his breath and spoke rapidly, "The brothers have practically turned Yingtian Prefecture upside down these past few days!"

"Following the clues provided by the three Wang brothers, we traced their trail further and discovered traces of the lamas, now dressed as Han Chinese, in various locations including carriage shops, secluded inns, and abandoned houses!"

"We've now basically figured it out: this group of wicked monks has split into four groups, hiding in an abandoned brick kiln in the south of the city, a dilapidated courtyard of the Dragon King Temple in the west of the city, a hamlet next to the livestock market in the north of the city, and a smaller group hiding on a wrecked cargo ship near the water gate in the east of the city!"

"They're not far apart, so they seem to be in contact!"

"Good! Well done!" Hong Qigong clapped his hands and laughed, his eyes gleaming. "Finally, we've dug out this bunch of cowardly rats! Reckless!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

"You must immediately make a trip to the palace and meet with His Majesty. Inform him of the location of the thieves and request his decision: either send troops to surround them or issue another decree!"

As Hong Qigong spoke, he handed Lu Mang a gold plaque that Lu Zuo had previously bestowed upon him, which allowed him to easily enter and leave the palace and make communications.

"Yes!" Lu Mang took the gold medal without delay and turned to leave.

Hong Qigong then instructed another capable old beggar, "Elder Chen, you're fast on your feet, go find Huang Yaoshi quickly!"

"Tell him we've found the bald monk's den, and ask him to meet us at the brick kiln south of the city. I'll go and see them first!"

"Yes, sir!" Elder Chen accepted the order and disappeared outside the door in a flash.

Hong Qigong surveyed the other Beggars' Clan members in the room, who were eager to fight, and waved his hand with an air of heroic grandeur: "The rest of you, follow me!"

"Let's take down the biggest thief's den in the south of the city first!"

"Remember, capturing them alive is best; those who resist should be killed without exception!"

"We absolutely cannot let these scourges get away again!"

"Yes!" the crowd responded in unison, their voices filled with murderous intent.

Hong Qigong took the lead, leading more than ten elite members of the Beggars' Clan, like a sword drawn from its sheath, heading straight for the abandoned brick kiln in the south of the city.

He calculated that with his restored skills and the help of his capable subordinates, he could easily capture one of the lamas when they were off guard. Once Huang Yaoshi and the soldiers arrived, they could wipe them all out in one fell swoop!

Things went exceptionally smoothly at first. The seven or eight Tantric lamas hiding in the brick kiln in the south of the city had no idea they would be suddenly cornered in their lair and were forced to hastily prepare for battle.

Hong Qigong's Dragon Subduing Palm technique was incredibly powerful and unparalleled. Without any recklessness, he unleashed his full power. Coupled with the Beggars' Clan's superior numbers and excellent teamwork, they managed to defeat all the lamas in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, crippling their martial arts and binding them tightly.

"Bah! A bunch of foreign monks, daring to cause trouble in my Central Plains!"

Hong Qigong spat, feeling a surge of satisfaction. But then he looked up at the sky and frowned slightly: "Why haven't Lu Mang and Huang Yaoshi arrived yet?"

"Judging by their pace, there should have been news by now..."

.....

Meanwhile, outside the Xuande Gate of the Imperial Palace

Lu Mang, holding the gold medal, rushed to the palace gate, only to be stopped by a squad of imperial guards in gleaming armor and with cold expressions.

"Halt! This is a restricted area of ​​the palace; unauthorized personnel are not permitted to trespass!"

The leader of the team was pointing his sword and shouting, his eyes warily scrutinizing the ragged but imposing-looking Lu Mang.

Suppressing his anxiety, Lu Mang revealed his imperial warrant: "I have an extremely urgent military matter that requires an audience with His Majesty!"

"This is a golden token personally bestowed by His Majesty; release them immediately!"

The team member received the gold medal and examined it carefully. It was indeed genuine, but instead of making way, they whispered, "Our superior has ordered that the palace is under strict security these days. In these extraordinary times, without the Prime Minister's order or the decree of the Commander of the Palace Guards, no one..."

"He is not permitted to enter the palace to report on matters."

"What?"

Lu Mang was taken aback, almost doubting he had misheard: "His Majesty's imperial decree is here; what military intelligence could be more important than an audience with the Emperor?"

"Get out of the way immediately! Can you bear the consequences if this delays important national affairs?"

The captain's expression shifted, but he remained blocking the doorway, his tone hardening: "This is a strict order from above, and I am merely following orders! Please return!"

Lu Mang's heart sank suddenly!

His Majesty's gold medal has become invalid?

When did the palace guards become so disregardful of even the emperor's orders?

His sharp gaze swept over the imperial guards before him, noticing their shifty eyes, their reluctance to meet his gaze, yet their hands gripped their sword hilts tightly, subtly forming a defensive encirclement.

wrong!

This is no ordinary example of a heavily guarded palace!

This is……

Deliberate obstruction indicates a change in the Imperial Guards!

Lu Mang, a seasoned veteran, instantly sensed an extremely dangerous atmosphere.

His mind raced. He knew that forcing his way in would inevitably lead to conflict. His own life was a small matter; what mattered was delaying his message to His Majesty!

Moreover, alerting the enemy could have disastrous consequences.

He suppressed his anger and feigned resentment, letting out a huff: "Fine! Fine, so you're just following orders!"

"In that case, farewell!"

Having said that, he snatched back the gold medal, turned around and left. His steps seemed calm, but in reality, they were as fast as the wind. He disappeared around the street corner in a few leaps, leaving the group of imperial guards looking at each other in bewilderment, but also letting out a sigh of relief.

Instead of returning to the Beggars' Sect's stronghold, Lu Mang immediately turned around and rushed towards where Huang Yaoshi might be staying.

Instead of returning to the Beggars' Sect's stronghold, Lu Mang immediately turned around and rushed towards where Huang Yaoshi might be staying.

The palace gates are guarded by Qin Hui's men, and His Majesty's condition is unknown. We must find Huang Yaoshi and Qi Gong as soon as possible and make a long-term plan!

The world is about to change!

.....

At the same time, inside the Palace Guard Office

Liu Qi, dressed in military attire, was about to muster a squad of personal guards to patrol the gates of the imperial city as usual.

He was still preoccupied with the task His Majesty had entrusted to secretly protect his colleagues, and the list that made him vaguely uneasy.

"Chief Zhang, Chief Li, muster the men and come with me on this inspection tour!" Liu Qi habitually called out to his two usually quite capable subordinates.

"Yes, General!" Zhang and Li responded and stepped forward.

However, just as Liu Qi turned to walk towards the yamen gate, a sudden change occurred!

A fierce glint flashed in the eyes of the constable, and he suddenly pounced from behind, grabbing Liu Qi's arms!

At the same time, Li Dutou swiftly pulled out the cowhide rope he had prepared beforehand, skillfully looped it around Liu Qi's wrist, and tightened the knot instantly!

"What are you doing?!"

Liu Qi was both shocked and furious. He struggled desperately, but although he was skilled in martial arts, the incident happened suddenly, and he was ambushed by two experts. He was unable to break free for a while.

The other soldiers around them watched coldly, and some even subtly surrounded them, blocking their way!

"General Liu, I'm sorry."

Zhang, the head constable, leaned close to Liu Qi's ear, lowered his voice, and said with a hint of mockery, "Didn't expect that, did you?"

"Brothers... are Qin Xiang's men."

Li, the head constable, also sneered, "Prime Minister Qin appreciates your talent and specifically instructed that your life be spared."

"As long as you are sensible, you will surely be rich and powerful in the future."

Liu Qi was struck dumb, and instantly understood everything!

He looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar faces around him, and felt a chill in his heart.

Zhang Kui, Li Sheng...

They were all Qin Hui's men?

I was completely unaware!

And these soldiers...

Just how much of the Palace Guard and the Imperial Guards have been infiltrated by Qin Hui?

The palace gates were seized, and I was captured...

Qin Hui is about to make his move!

His target... is His Majesty!

Your Majesty is currently in the palace; isn't that like a turtle in a jar?

God!

I...I have failed His grace!

Liu Qi was instantly overwhelmed by boundless regret and worry.

He hated himself for being blind and failing to recognize the treacherous officials sooner; he was even more worried that the emperor in the deep palace was now surrounded by dangers!

"Qin Hui...you traitor to the nation!"

"If anything happens to Your Majesty, I, Liu Qi, will haunt you even in death!"

Liu Qi's eyes were bloodshot as he roared, but a rag was stuffed into his mouth, and he could only make muffled sounds. Zhang and Li dragged him roughly toward the yamen prison.

……

Meanwhile, in Qin Hui's mansion, in a secret room

Qin Hui's face, which was usually gentle and refined, but now revealed a hint of excitement and ambition, was illuminated with an uncertain light and shadow.

Zhao Zhe and Wang De sneaked in through the back door again. This time, the fear on their faces from the previous days was gone, replaced by a tension that came with accomplishing something important and a barely concealed excitement.

"Your Excellency!"

Zhao Zhe clasped his hands in a fist salute, his voice low but carrying a fierce edge: "I have not failed in my mission!"

"All the key gates of the Palace Guard, the crucial sentry posts throughout the palace, and the brothers we've spoken to in the cavalry and infantry guards are all in position!"

"Liu Qi has been apprehended, and his loyal followers have either been captured or... have already 'shut up'."

"Currently, our people have replaced those at seven or eight out of ten of the nine gates of the imperial city and throughout the palace passages and halls!"

Wang De added from the side, his tone tinged with cautious excitement and a slight, almost imperceptible tremor: "Yes, Your Excellency."

"Although I dare not say that it is foolproof, the officers on duty and the patrol teams are all our people, either bribed or already loyal to the Prime Minister."

"Your Majesty... even if Your Majesty has noticed something now, I'm afraid his decree will hardly leave the palace."

As Qin Hui listened, his fingers unconsciously tapped lightly on the smooth rosewood armrests of the chair, starting slowly and then gradually increasing in speed, revealing the turmoil in his heart.

Years of patience, countless efforts, planting, bribing, infiltrating, coercing and enticing...

Like weaving an invisible net, now it's time to finally tighten it!

He slowly raised his head, his eyes no longer able to conceal their burning light, and a smug, almost sinister smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

"Good! Good! Good!"

He said "good" three times in a row, then suddenly stood up and paced a couple of steps in the not-so-spacious secret room, as if to vent his long-suppressed, boundless ambition.

"The palace gates are closed, the henchmen have been eliminated, the imperial guards are trapped..."

Qin Hui stopped and turned to face Zhao Zhe and Wang De. His voice was slightly hoarse with excitement, but it carried an undeniable determination.

"The time has come! The arrow is on the bowstring, and it must be released!"

He took a deep breath, as if to imprint this decisive moment deep into his very being, and spoke each word with unwavering resolve:

"Tonight! This old man will go and have a proper 'showdown' with our emperor!"

Upon hearing this, the air in the sealed room seemed to freeze.

Although Zhao Zhe and Wang De had expected it, hearing the words "showdown" uttered by Qin Hui still sent a shiver down their spines, and a cold sweat instantly broke out on their backs.

Tonight... they're going to make their move?

This is a heinous crime of plotting to usurp the throne, which is tantamount to rebellion!

Zhao Zhe's Adam's apple bobbed, and his palms were covered in sticky sweat.

But there's no turning back once the arrow is released. From the moment they sided with Qin Hui, participated in the conspiracy, and took control of the Imperial Guards, they had already tied the lives and fortunes of their entire clan to this boat.

Now that the boat is in the middle of the river, with strong winds and high waves, is there any way to turn back except to grit our teeth and forge ahead?

Wang De's heart was in turmoil; he thought more and was more afraid than Zhao Zhe.

Palace intrigues are fraught with peril since ancient times. Even with control of the palace at this moment, is His Majesty truly unprepared?

Unlike the fear of the two men, Qin Hui was filled with ecstatic joy and arrogance at the prospect of ascending to the pinnacle of power.

Years of planning, step by step!

He planted his own protégés, infiltrated the Six Ministries, befriended eunuchs, and most importantly, firmly grasped the hilt of the sword guarding the palace!

Zhao Gou, do you think that by promoting a few people like Liu Qi, you can contend with me?

Do you think you can rest easy by hiding in the deep palace?

ridiculous!

After tonight, the power of the Great Song Dynasty will be entirely in my hands!

Whether to abolish or establish, whether to fight or make peace, is all up to me!

Hmph, when the time comes, whether I will be king or emperor, having conquered Jiangnan and commanded a powerful army, remains to be seen!

He seemed to already see himself sitting on the dragon throne, with all the officials bowing down, and with the splendor of Jiangnan under his control.

"Zhao Zhe!"

Qin Hui suppressed his overly expressive emotions, regaining some of his usual gloomy composure: "You go personally and ensure the palace gates are absolutely secure!"

"Without my written authorization, no one is permitted to enter or leave, especially not figures like Huang Yaoshi and Hong Qigong—kill them without mercy!"

"Wang De!"

He then looked at the other: "You will be stationed at the Palace Guard Command, keep Liu Qi under control, and suppress any possible disturbances!"

"At the same time, send people to keep a close eye on the residences of those generals who haven't fully expressed their stance yet. If there's any unusual activity, you know what to do!"

"Yes! Your subordinate obeys!" The two suppressed their distracting thoughts and replied in unison. There was no turning back now.

Qin Hui straightened his clothes; his purple prime minister's robes looked particularly solemn and dazzling in the candlelight.

"Prepare the carriage."

……

In the Imperial Study, in the afternoon.

Sunlight streamed through the carved window frames, casting long, slanted patches of light onto the polished gold-brick floor.

Lu Zuo stood with his hands behind his back by the window, gazing calmly out the window.

In the distance, the glazed tiles of the palace gleamed warmly in the setting sun, while in the nearby courtyard, the ancient trees were lush and verdant, with the occasional bird song drifting by; everything seemed peaceful and serene.

Has the Imperial Guard been infiltrated?

Are the palace gates guarded?

Is the message being blocked?

Qin Hui, you schemed and plotted for years, thinking you had everything under control.

But all you rely on is power politics, intrigue, and the tangible weapons and armor you can see and touch.

But you overlooked the most crucial point...

In this world, the true foundation is never the illusory authority and the hearts of men, but absolute power!

With a slight thought, he felt the immense power within his body that seemed capable of tearing apart mountains.

The three thousand jin of divine strength brought by the perfected thirteenth level of the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill, coupled with the formidable physique honed through numerous martial arts training, and the ever-growing foundation...

At this moment, the pure power contained within his body was approaching five thousand jin!