Chapter 705: Open the City Gate

On the city wall, Li Qiong was still trying to win over the Left and Right Ministers, completely unaware that danger was drawing near.

Then, a sentry on the watchtower suddenly cried out in alarm.

“The Xuanjia Guards! The Xuanjia Guards are here!”

Everyone was startled, and they all whipped their heads around to look outside the city.

They saw a countless tide of Xuanjia Guards surging toward them, an oppressive force that felt like a storm cloud about to break and crush the city.

The number of Xuanjia Guards was staggering, yet they moved with perfect discipline. Their formations were neat and orderly, with not a single soldier falling out of line—a clear testament to their rigorous training.

A powerful, murderous aura washed over them.

The sight left the defending soldiers on the wall utterly stunned.

Although they were the year-round defenders of the Celestial Capital, their posts were largely ceremonial. Many of the gate guards would go their whole lives without ever killing a man.

But the Xuanjia Army was different. They had carved their way out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood; they were a true iron-blooded army, fierce and unafraid of death. Their murderous aura could be felt even from a great distance.

With the two armies facing off, the Celestial Capital’s defenders were already completely outmatched in presence alone.

Li Qiong, who had been talking nonstop just moments ago, was now pale-faced, his sword hand trembling slightly.

Hua Dingzong cried out in terror, “What do we do? What do we do now?”

The Left and Right Ministers were also starting to panic.

Then, they spotted a war chariot in the very center of the Xuanjia Guards’ formation.

Standing ramrod straight on the chariot was a man, a large banner fluttering in the wind behind him. On the banner were the words “Xuan Armor.”

The night was hazy, and Princess Ningyang could not yet make out the man’s features clearly, but his familiar figure was enough for her to recognize him.

She cried out in delight.

“It’s Duke Zhen!”

The Left and Right Ministers immediately widened their eyes to get a better look.

Gradually, they too recognized him. The general standing on the war chariot was indeed Duke Zhen!

It seemed the Regent King hadn’t been lying—Duke Zhen was truly alive.

The last shred of hope in Li Qiong’s heart was extinguished.

As if all strength had been drained from his body, he swayed and collapsed to the ground.

Princess Ningyang purposely found a high vantage point to stand on. Heedless of her image, she raised both hands high in the air.

Li Liao had been keeping a close watch on the movements on the city wall.

Upon seeing Princess Ningyang’s gesture, he immediately ordered the attack to be halted.

Princess Ningyang immediately gave an order to the commander of the defending forces.

“Open the city gates! I will personally welcome Duke Zhen!”

The military general glanced at the two Ministers.

The Left and Right Ministers urged, “Go on!”

‘At this point, it was nearly impossible for them to win this battle.’

‘Since they were going to lose in the end anyway, it was better to just open the gates and let the Xuanjia Army in. Doing so would also reduce casualties.’

Hua Dingzong took Mu Qing to the nearest clinic for treatment, while Princess Ningyang descended from the wall with the Left and Right Ministers and waited quietly behind the city gates.

The soldiers turned the cranks, the mechanism pulled the chains, and the heavy city gate was slowly lowered.

Princess Ningyang held her breath, ready to welcome the Xuanjia Army at any moment.

However, the moment the gate touched the ground, a clamor of shouts erupted from behind them.

“The rebel army has broken into the city! Everyone, run!”

Princess Ningyang’s heart skipped a beat. ‘This is bad,’ she thought.

She spun around and saw that all the city’s commoners were running out into the streets.

They were terrified the enemy would rush in to burn, kill, and plunder. Petrified, none of them even stopped to grab their belongings; they simply dragged their families along as they swarmed toward the city gate, desperate to escape before the enemy army got inside.

Princess Ningyang shouted, “Quick, stop them!”

But it was too late.

The soldiers had barely begun to move when the panicked commoners had already reached the city gate.

The Left and Right Ministers had no choice but to pull Princess Ningyang aside to the edge of the road.

The commoners poured out of the city gate like a flood.

「In an inn.」

A military general was reporting to Ah Qi.

“I have followed your orders. I had our moles among the city defenders create chaos and attempt to assassinate Princess Ningyang. I also had men spread rumors throughout the city about the Xuanjia Army’s cruelty and inhumanity. The area by the city gate is now in turmoil.”

Ah Qi said, “Then let’s move out.”

He pulled up the hood of his cloak, the large hood obscuring most of his face.

Then he bent down, gently lifted Manman into his arms, and walked steadily outside.

Carrying Manman, he slipped into an unremarkable carriage.

The carriage headed for the city gate.

At this moment, the area around the city gate was filled with panicked commoners, with many horses and carriages mixed in.

Therefore, when Ah Qi’s carriage appeared, it didn’t attract anyone’s attention.

The carriage blended into the stream of people, slowly approaching the city gate.

Just then, Li Ji, with the Three-colored Cat, vaulted over a courtyard wall, landed on the ground, and made a beeline for the city gate.

He saw the chaotic scene near the city gate. ‘The one who stole Manman must be in that crowd,’ he realized.

He channeled his Inner Strength and let out a great roar.

“CLOSE THE GATE!”