CHAPTER 973: CHAPTER 106: CAGE_2

Jiang Qihu stood before Xuan Wu and whispered, "Your master finally gave the order?"

In recent days, amidst the confrontation between the Imperial City Department and the Northern County, he had not shown himself.

Jiang Qihu... was also waiting.

"Jiang Qihu, what are you going to do—"

Xuan Wu showed no respect to this former Deputy Director as he brandished his Token and spoke coldly, "An order from the Imperial City Chief, do you dare to defy?"

"..."

Jiang Qihu watched the scene and merely let out a scornful laugh.

"This recent turmoil in the Imperial City is not unrelated to you... Now that you’ve shown yourself, I advise you not to resist."

Xuan Wu remained expressionless, "Come back to the Imperial City Department with me and face interrogation. If you take another step forward, don’t blame me for being ruthless."

"Such arrogance..."

The burly Jiang Qihu was almost the same size as the mounted Xuan Wu.

He looked at the man before him and suddenly spoke, "Have you not considered, given your master’s personality? If he truly had victory in hand, why would he be absent?"

Xuan Wu froze for a moment.

In the blink of an eye, Jiang Qihu stepped forward.

"How dare you!"

Xuan Wu drew his sword, but Jiang Qihu was faster, a streak of light flashed from his waist as he drew his long sword, and this young, robust Deputy Director of the Imperial City slashed down, severing the head of the newly appointed Special Enforcement Officer, blood spattering, scaring the young heads of the spies beside Xuan Wu pale.

In just an instant, Jiang Qihu sheathed his sword and returned to his original spot, managing even to twirl his sword smoothly, his silk tiger robe untouched by any blood.

"Sorry, I too received the Communication Order..."

He coldly watched as Xuan Wu’s headless body fell from the horse, speaking in a deep voice, "The Demon Queen’s endangerment has been executed at Da Sui Sword Palace! Former Imperial City Chief Yuan Jimo, being the Demon Queen’s ally, is to be executed for treason!"

His voice was thunderous.

Yong’an Street fell silent, a pin drop could be heard.

Whether it was the gatekeepers from the Northern County Gate Valve responsible for the parade or the iron cavalry of the Imperial City Department responsible for suppression, they were all stunned by these words.

"This order was passed by my gentleman... The past ten years have truly been a disgrace to Great Chu!"

Jiang Qihu continued, waving his sleeve to summon images from the Ruyi Order’s Secret Scroll—

The Holy Empress was nailed to the Immortal Tree by the Flying Sword, revealing her demon body while displaying divine presence, with Phoenix Feathers trailing.

Chen Jingxuan’s reputation was exemplary.

Almost as soon as Jiang Qihu uttered the gentleman’s name, everyone believed the truth of this news.

In fact, this image was no longer important.

Since the outcome at Da Sui Sword Palace was already decided, any crime Jiang Qihu defined at this moment would be seen as "ironclad evidence."

In an instant.

The Imperial City iron cavalry began to hesitate.

"Fellow colleagues, it is not too late to repent from being deceived by the Demon Queen in the past..."

Jiang Qihu coldly stated, "Those willing to follow me into the Imperial Palace to clear the court and slay the remaining demon party shall not only be pardoned but shall receive rewards!"

Having said that.

Another slash.

The heads of several spies beside Xuan Wu flew simultaneously!

These people beside Yuan Jimo were unforgivable in crime, even if they defected, they could not be used.

Two slashes issued, as if the heavens responded, the winds and clouds changed.

Originally shrouded in dark clouds, Yong’an Street suddenly cleared up, intense sunlight pierced through the clouds and shone down.

A cavalryman swiftly dismounted, his reaction rapid, kneeling on one knee, shouting loudly, "Mr. Jiang! I am willing to follow Mr. Jiang to slay the demon party!"

Jiang Qihu glanced at this cavalryman.

Immediately followed by the second, and the third.

"Mr. Jiang!"

"Mr. Jiang!"

The entire long street, the cavalry originally responsible for suppressing the parade, knelt down en masse.

...

...

After days of unrest, the Great Chu Imperial City welcomed a momentary tranquility.

Then came even greater upheaval.

A wildfire, igniting from Yong’an Street, rapidly spread through the alleys and streets, engulfing the entire Imperial City.

News of the Demon Queen’s downfall and execution spread everywhere, this time not only the gatekeepers and advisors of the Northern County Gate Valve but countless Great Chu citizens who knew the truth, who took to the streets out of anger. These "most insignificant," "most humble," "least noteworthy" individuals united, unleashing an unimaginable great power.

The Imperial City Department did not resist or suppress; instead, joined the parade.

Thus an absurdly ironic scene unfolded—the heavily guarded front gate of the Imperial Palace, yet to face the onslaught, was first breached by its own cavalry.

"You... how are you feeling?"

From a tea house facing the Imperial Palace, in a private room on the second floor, two young people silently stood by the window, watching this absurd spectacle.

"Unprecedented relief."

The long-haired girl placed her hands on the windowsill, her expression relaxed, and her tone sounded easy and carefree.

"After all, this is where you’ve lived for so many years..."

The boy with the umbrella sword hesitated, "I thought you might feel a little reluctant..."

"What’s there to be reluctant about?"

Chu Yin smiled and shook her head, "This is the place I hate the most. Back when I was bored, I often thought, what if one day this Imperial Palace could be smashed to pieces? I never thought... this scene would really happen..."

To most people.

The Great Chu Imperial Palace, with its intricate carvings and paintings, is extremely valuable, to be able to step in here is a blessing earned over three lifetimes.

But to Chu Yin...

This place was just a cage.

"..."

Chu Guo fell into silence, he could feel his sister’s pain but could not quite understand the reason.

There’s hardly true empathy in the world.

Living on the streets of the Li Kingdom, he endured hardships from childhood, lacking everything except freedom.

While Chu Yin was the opposite, blessed with riches and luxury, yet lacking only freedom.

"Actually, I envy you."

Chu Yin sighed softly, "Since childhood, you could go wherever you wanted... I could only stay in the Imperial Palace, the furthest place I have been to is the Jade Sea Hunting Ground at North Suburb."

"Is that so?"

Chu Guo lowered his gaze, asking softly, "Where does sister want to go?"

"I don’t know."

Chu Yin shrugged, "I’m not interested in the position of ’Emperor’, I just want to leave this place, leave the Imperial Palace, leave the Imperial City, go as far away as possible..."

"As far away as possible?"

Chu Guo froze for a moment, feeling a bit ironic, "Couldn’t be as far as the Li Kingdom..."

"If I can survive, perhaps the Li Kingdom isn’t bad either."

Chu Yin laughed, "The Imperial Palace is the biggest cage under the sky, trapping not only me but many others. I really don’t know what those guys are thinking, having obtained the most precious thing, yet they strive desperately, sharpen their minds, trying to squeeze into this cage, honors and wealth, gold and jewels, are they really that important, more important than freedom?"

Speaking of which, her face darkened again.

Today this cage was broken.

Certainly, it is worth rejoicing.

But...

The true cage is never that wall.

The true "cage" has never disappeared.

It is a wall, a seat, a false fame above thousands, and the invisible imperial power that governs the Da Chu Dynasty over a vast territory.

After today.

She remains the caged bird, still unable to be free.

Great Chu needs an Emperor.

"..."

Chu Guo looked at the shattered and collapsed Imperial Palace, then at his sister’s dim face, pondering.

He was about to say something.

Suddenly inside the tea house, a flurry of frost and snow arose.

Chu Yin turned to look, a graceful figure stood amidst the frost and snow.

That figure respectfully saluted, voice excited, "Your Majesty... are you alright?"

It was none other than the Snow Master.

"No need to worry, I am fine."

Chu Yin waved her hand and forced a smile, hurriedly asking, "Is everything okay on Mister’s side? Nothing happened at Smoke Cloud Lake, right?"

"Where Mr. is, there will be no accidents."

The Snow Master said reverently, "He declined my assistance, so I returned to look after Your Majesty."

After returning to the Imperial City from the North Sea, Chen Jingxuan headed straight for the Book Tower.

He rejected the company of the Black Scale Guards and the aid of the Snow Master, insisted on meeting "Yan Xie" alone.

Just days ago.

When the outcome was not yet turned, the two of them had met like this before.

Now meeting again.

It is still the two of them.

Still at the Smoke Cloud Lake.