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Outside the palace gates, time ticked away as Yuan Shao's brow furrowed deeper, his gaze growing increasingly dark. He gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, his voice low yet filled with agitation. "It's taking too long. Why hasn't He Jin come out yet?"
Cao Cao stood nearby, his eyes cold as he scanned the palace gates. There was a hint of unease in his calm tone. "This isn't normal. If the Empress Dowager had summoned him, it should have concluded by now. We may need to prepare for the worst."
Just as Yuan Shao was about to speak, a dull thud echoed through the air, drawing everyone's attention to the palace wall. In the next moment, a bloodied object rolled off the wall and fell to the ground. Yuan Shao focused intently and his face turned ashen—it was He Jin's severed head, blood still fresh and eyes wide with terror.
Then, a eunuch appeared atop the wall, his voice shrill as he announced, "He Jin has committed treason and has been executed. Any remaining attendants who did not participate in the rebellion will be pardoned!"
"He Jin is dead!" Yuan Shao's eyes burned red as he drew his sword and shouted furiously, "How dare these eunuchs murder a minister of the court! All loyal subjects, follow me to eradicate these traitors and quell this internal strife!"
His roar was like thunder, and He Jin's general Wu Kuang was the first to respond. He ignited a pile of wood outside Azure Lock Gate; flames erupted instantly, smoke billowing into the sky and turning it crimson.
"Charge in!" Yuan Shu donned his armor and brandished a spear, leading soldiers to break through the palace gates. The firelight reflected off his helmet, making him appear fierce and resolute. Soldiers armed with swords and spears surged into the palace, slaughtering every eunuch they encountered without mercy. Screams, cries, and the clash of metal filled the air as blood stained the marble floors.
Yuan Shao and Cao Cao led the rear guard in cutting through the second palace gate, advancing into the inner courtyard. Cao Cao's gaze was sharp as he scrutinized every corner where eunuchs might be hiding; his sword struck with ruthless precision, each blow deadly accurate.
In front of Cuihua Pavilion within the palace, several fleeing eunuchs found themselves cornered by soldiers. Zhao Zhong, Cheng Kuang, Xia Yun, and Guo Sheng had nowhere left to run; they knelt trembling on the ground, pleading for mercy. "Spare us! We were only following orders!"
Yuan Shao's face was filled with murderous intent as he sneered coldly. "You venomous snakes! How you have harmed loyal subjects in the past; today you shall taste your retribution!" He raised his sword sharply towards them and commanded fiercely, "Chop them up!"
The soldiers swung their weapons high; glints of cold steel flashed before blood splattered everywhere. In mere moments, all that remained on the ground was a gruesome puddle mixed with chunks of flesh. The flames illuminated this horrific slaughterhouse while the air thickened with a strong scent of blood.
However, amidst the chaos, Zhang Rang, Duan Gui, Cao Jie, and Hou Lan seized their chance to take Empress He, Emperor Shao, and King of Chenliu hostage. They fled through a secret passage towards the northern palace while urging their companions along frantically. "Hurry! Don’t delay! If we’re caught by pursuers, it will be over!"
The Empress Dowager held the terrified Emperor Shao tightly, her body trembling violently. "Where are you taking us? Let us go! If this continues, the court will surely fall into chaos!"
Zhang Rang walked alongside them, forcing a deceitful smile. "Rest assured, Your Highness. As long as we are here, the Emperor will be safe! This place is no longer secure; we are here to protect you!"
Flames engulfed the palace, thick smoke rising into the air. Soldiers searched everywhere for the eunuchs, unaware that the most important figures had already slipped away quietly.
Lu Zhi stood beneath the palace eaves, his face ashen, the cold wind sweeping past him. He gripped his spear tightly, his gaze sharp as a blade. Though he had resigned from his post, witnessing the chaos within the palace compelled him to don armor and stand before the hall, determined to prevent further disaster.
In the distance, a commotion erupted as Duan Gui hastily approached with Empress He in tow. Protecting the Empress Dowager behind him, he frequently glanced back in vigilance, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead. Lu Zhi recognized him at once and shouted thunderously, "Duan Gui, you traitor! How dare you take the Empress Dowager hostage and plot to disrupt the realm! Stand down at once, and I may spare your life!"
Duan Gui was startled; seeing Lu Zhi blocking his path with his spear raised like a divine being made it clear that no one dared approach him from behind. Gritting his teeth and cursing under his breath, he quickly turned and fled towards another secret passage.
Lu Zhi immediately pursued him. Just as Duan Gui's grip loosened, Empress He seized the opportunity to break free and leaped out of the window without hesitation. Lu Zhi rushed forward in a swift motion, catching her as she landed precariously. "Your Highness need not panic; I will ensure your safety!" he gasped as he quickly led her to a secure location.
In the inner courtyard, Wu Kuang charged in with soldiers at his side, blood staining the ground wherever they went. His gaze swept across the chaotic scene within the palace until it landed on He Miao, who was hiding behind a pillar with a sword in hand, looking terrified and anxious. Anger flashed in Wu Kuang's eyes as he pointed his sword at He Miao and shouted loudly, "He Miao! You conspired with the eunuchs to harm your brother He Jin! How can you still have the face to live after such treachery?"
He Miao trembled all over and tried to defend himself. "It wasn't me... This is all a misunderstanding!"
However, Wu Kuang paid him no heed and advanced with his sword drawn, his gaze icy. "Everyone! He Miao has aided traitors today; who among you is willing to join me in slaying this villain?"
The soldiers responded in unison, "Kill the traitor! Clear General He’s name!"
He Miao turned in terror to flee but found himself surrounded by soldiers on all sides. Amidst flashing blades and clashing steel, he let out a wretched scream before collapsing into a pool of blood. Wu Kuang's expression remained grim as he sheathed his sword. "From this day forth, there shall be no more venomous snakes like this in our court!"
At this moment, Yuan Shao coldly observed the chaotic palace. He ordered his soldiers to storm the residence of the Ten Eunuchs in waves, ruthlessly slaughtering all family members, regardless of age or gender. In an instant, the entire city of Luoyang was engulfed in a bloody storm, with even some innocent individuals without beards mistakenly killed as eunuchs.
Cao Cao worked to control the flames, weaving through the raging inferno with his armored soldiers. With one hand he swung his sword to clear a path, while with the other he directed the rescue efforts, his face a mask of composure. Upon seeing Lu Zhi rescue the Empress Dowager, he immediately stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, the situation is critical; I implore you to temporarily take charge of state affairs to stabilize the people's hearts."
Empress He appeared flustered, her face streaked with tears, but she managed to nod in agreement. "Everything will be arranged by general Cao; we must find His Majesty and restore peace to the realm."
Cao Cao turned around, his gaze sharp and commanding as he ordered, "Immediately dispatch elite troops to pursue Zhang Rang and the others! Those who hold the Emperor must be killed without mercy!"
The firelight illuminated his profile as the palace gradually regained order under his meticulous command. However, the sounds of shouting and killing still echoed from outside the palace gates, as Zhang Rang had already disappeared into the thick night with Emperor Shao and the King of Chenliu.
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