"I didn't see it either," Jiang Li said.

Chen Mo glanced at Yue Ruyan, who also shook her head.

They all didn't know that King Chong was already dead.

Feeling only that after the Soul Devouring Array was activated, the chaos inside the city was excessive. King Chong, being a Martial Artist in the Divine Power Realm, could easily slip away alone in the confusion without being noticed.

At that time, Chen Mo's attention was entirely on Lu Sheng's side.

Chen Mo furrowed his brows tightly, hoping there was good news from Xiao Jing's side, then immediately said, "Pass the message, find King Chong's whereabouts. He is one of the primary targets in our mission to eliminate the traitorous villain; he can't be allowed to escape."

Everyone nodded.

"Now, let us enter the palace to see the Emperor," Chen Mo said.

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone cheered; the time had come to reap the fruits of victory.

Amidst the army, the torches opened a path, and a group slowly moved forward, escorting Chen Mo to the Imperial Palace. Each step forward was accompanied by cheers piercing the sky.

The torches were made of birch bark and various materials with rich oil content, capable of burning even in the rain.

...

Outside the palace, Chen Army had already surrounded it. Nangong Xian, Diwu Fusheng, Liu Ji, Sun Meng observed Chen Mo approaching and began to discuss the situation inside the palace.

Inside the palace, there are about two thousand Imperial Guards, all loyal to Lu Sheng. Nominally, they are there to ensure the safety of Emperor Yong'an; in reality, they are there to imprison him, not allowing him to leave the palace.

Thus, even as Luonan descended into chaos, the Imperial Guards inside the palace remained immobile.

At this moment, the palace's grand gate - the Vermilion Bird Gate - was tightly shut.

Chen Mo rode forward and raised his horsewhip, as the army surrounding the palace fell silent.

"I am Duke An, the traitor Lu Sheng has been executed. I must see His Majesty, open the gates immediately," Chen Mo commanded.

Under the night sky, with light rain fluttering like willow silk, Chen Mo sat astride on the Snow Dragon Steed. Behind him were thousands of soldiers, alternating between darkness and firelight, casting him in Bright Armor, appearing exceedingly Divine Martial.

Coming to see the Emperor, Chen Mo had changed out of his blood-stained robe.

The Vermilion Bird Gate remained still.

"Who's the officer in charge? Come out now!" Sun Meng shouted when there was no response.

On the city walls, the Commander of the Imperial Guards was pushed forward, trembling.

Wang Suo was Lu Sheng's brother-in-law. Although neither skilled nor capable, and cowardly by nature, he relied on his sister being Lu Sheng's consort to become the Commander of the Imperial Guards. Learning that Chen Army had broken through and even Lu Sheng was dead, he feared being reckoned by Chen Army, so he dared not open the gate, hiding inside the palace.

But now, he was forced to the front by his subordinates.

Apparently, someone wanted to advance.

Looking down at the mass of Armored Warriors under the torches' glow, they appeared exceptionally sinister and terrifying. A bloody scent wafted from afar.

Wang Suo feigned composure, adopting a loyalist stance, though his voice lacked authority: "The Imperial Guards have the duty to protect His Majesty and the palace. Duke An leading troops to the palace at night isn't proper; for His Majesty's safety, please withdraw."

"Damn your nonsense, open the gate, Duke An has traveled miles to support the King, cleanse the court, eliminate traitors. Now the villains are gone, His Majesty must be rescued. By refusing Duke An's audience with His Majesty, what are your intentions?"

As he spoke, Chen Mo drew his sword, "I suspect you are with Lu Sheng. Archers, prepare..."

"Don't, don't..."

Wang Suo hurriedly said, with a hint of desperation in his voice, clearly frightened by Chen Mo's actions, sweat rolling from his forehead, "Please wait, Duke An, I will seek permission..."

Before finishing his sentence, Wang Suo suddenly noticed the two Deputy Generals who pushed him forward had already reached for their sword hilts, frightening him into shouting, "Open the gate."

The heavy Vermilion Bird Gate slowly opened, Wang Suo rushed down from the city walls, and as soon as Chen Mo entered, he knelt with a thud: "Duke An, I surrender, I surrender! Please spare my life."

Chen Mo was momentarily stunned.

Wang Suo's deputy then spoke, "Duke An, this is Wang Suo, Lu Sheng's brother-in-law. He abused Lu Sheng's name and caused much mischief."

Chen Mo glanced at Wang Suo's deputy, 605, a Fifth-Grade Martial Artist.

He then glanced at Wang Suo, 57, an Eighth-Grade Martial Artist. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"What's your name?" Chen Mo asked.

"Yang... Wei," the Deputy General said.

"Yang Wei, hmm, I'll remember you," said Chen Mo, then gestured to Sun Meng, pointing at Wang Suo, "Capture him, find out the whereabouts of Lu Sheng's family."

"Understood."

Sun Meng personally stepped forward and seized Wang Suo.

Chen Mo said to Yang Wei, "This is my first visit to the Capital; I don't know where His Majesty is. General Yang, could you lead the way?"

"Duke An, this way, please," Yang Wei took the lead.

With Yang Wei adeptly leading, Chen Mo and his entourage arrived directly outside Emperor Yong'an's bedroom.

At this moment, a crowd had already gathered outside the Emperor's bedroom.

These people were mostly eunuchs, palace maids, and a couple of old Ministers from the Royalist Faction, looking rather miserable.

The Emperor, now even in such plight.

What Chen Mo didn't know was that even these eunuchs and palace maids were sent by Lu Sheng to monitor Emperor Yong'an, preventing any more situations with the Emperor's Blood Letter.

Seeing Chen Mo approach with Armored Warriors, these eunuchs and palace maids dared not breathe, hurriedly making way, only the two old Ministers from the Royalist Faction tremblingly pointed at Chen Mo: "Who are you, bringing troops into the palace, for what purpose?"

Chen Mo raised his hand; the Armored Warriors behind him promptly halted as he stepped forward with a light smile: "I am Duke An, Chen Mo, coming to the Capital upon learning from Princess Zhaoqing that the traitor Lu Sheng has misgoverned, controlling the court, imprisoning His Majesty. I am here to support the King, eliminate traitors, and rescue His Majesty.

Now that the traitor Lu Sheng and Prince Huai Chu Yi are eliminated, I seek audience with His Majesty."

"If you are here to see the Emperor, why bring so many unrelated people?" The old Minister asked.

"These are heroes of the Song, contributors to the defeat of the traitors, Lu Sheng and Chu Yi," Chen Mo said, then bowing towards the Emperor's bedroom, "As for wearing armor and carrying weapons, it's simply because we've just fought and haven't had time to change; I hope His Majesty understands."

The Emperor's bedroom was brightly lit; given the day's events, Emperor Yong'an was likely sleepless, able to hear the conversation outside.

"Duke An, eliminating this traitor for me, for the nation, is fortunate for the empire, is fortunate for me. I will surely reward the meritorious Ministers handsomely. Minister Su, Minister Xue, let them... come in," came a slightly panicked voice from the Emperor's bedroom.

Upon hearing Emperor Yong'an's words, the two old Ministers reluctantly made way.

Chen Mo turned around, looking at Yue Ruyan and the others, "Yue Ruyan, Wu Yanqing, Jiang Li, Xia Zhining, Nangong Xian, Sun Meng, Diwu Fusheng, Liu Ji, you come with me; the others wait outside."

"Understood."

...

Chen Mo gave face to the Emperor by entering the bedroom without weapons.

Emperor Yong'an sat behind a desk, wearing a Dragon Robe, accompanied by his three concubines.

Since his ascension, Emperor Yong'an had not appointed an Empress.

Seeing Chen Mo and his entourage enter, despite being prepared, he couldn't help showing panic.

"Subject Chen Mo."

"Subject Wu Yanqing."

"Subject Yue Ru Yan..."

"Bow to His Majesty, Long live the Emperor!"

"Rise...," Emperor Yong'an's gaze slowly scanned over Chen Mo and his party, remembering their faces, knowing these would be the future Powerful Ministers of the court.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Chen Mo raised his head and boldly said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the traitors Lu Sheng, Chu Yi, Luo Qingyang, Gongsun Yan, Chu Ce, and Liang Xuan have all been executed. Liang Mu was captured by me and awaits Your Majesty's disposal. King Chong Chu Yan's whereabouts remain unknown, but we are searching diligently.

However, there must be more individuals controlling the court among the rebel faction. Though I am not capable, I request the Holy Decree to remove these traitors and clear the court."