Eight Hundred It Is, a Showdown at Xuanwu Gate

Wang Zitao was really going all out.

As a former leader of the Literati and an important official of the court, he looked down on those roughnecks Jianghu.

But now, for Your Highness's greater cause...

He humbled himself, disregarded his pride, and treated these two Jianghu with the utmost respect, as honored guests.

He also personally promised him high-ranking official positions and generous salaries.

Seeing that His Highness the Imperial Eldest Grandson actually questioned their professionalism,

Qiu Qianyue immediately stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting.

"Your Highness, may I borrow the paperweight on your desk?"

Xiao Chengchen nodded.

He also wanted to see what these two so-called Jianghu masters were really capable of.

Qiu Qianyue walked over, picked up the paperweight from the desk, and then, in front of the Imperial Eldest Grandson, slightly clenched his fist.

The paperweight made of Qingtian Stone immediately cracked and crumbled, then turned into powder and scattered between Qiu Qianyue's fingers.

Xiao Chengchen slowly rose from his chair, his eyes shining as he looked at Qiu Qianyue's unusually thick hand.

"Impressive, impressive! The name 'Iron Palm' is truly well-deserved."

"Your Highness flatters me."

Seeing that the esteemed Imperial Eldest Grandson was impressed by his move, Qiu Qianyue was filled with pride and joy.

Although he was the leader of the Iron Palm Gang

He was renowned throughout the Jianghu.

But in the eyes of these high-ranking officials and noble families, they were nothing more than commoners, bandits and scoundrels, who could never be considered respectable.

No matter how strong one's martial arts skills are, they cannot surpass the imperial army.

No matter how great one's reputation is in the Jianghu, without an official identity recognized by the government, one's descendants cannot take the imperial examinations and become officials, and their descendants will still be unable to hold their heads high.

Going ashore and surrendering to the imperial court was tantamount to gaining a new layer of protection, ending the life of living on the edge, and preserving one's life and family.

Fame and status are things the Jianghu cannot offer.

By joining the imperial court, one could obtain official positions, titles, and official ranks.

From outlaws to high-ranking officials of the imperial court, they gained real power, a salary, and protection from the law, bringing glory to their ancestors and enabling their Lineage to rise in status.

So after being recruited by Wang Zitao,

Qiu Qianyue agreed without hesitation.

For the sake of the Lineage, for the sake of future generations, and for his own sake,

Strive for a bright and promising future.

After Qiu Qianchi finished her performance, everyone's attention turned to Ding Buxiu.

Ding Buxiu, carrying Miao Saber on his shoulder, shrugged. Before anyone could react, the Miao Saber was drawn, and a cold, sharp light flashed across the room.

Immediately, a crisp crack was heard, and the desk broke in the middle, the two halves of the desk collapsing in the middle with a crash, and the things on it fell to the ground with a clatter.

The Imperial Eldest Grandson Xiao Chengchen, gasped instantly, feeling a chill run down his neck.

If that blow had been delivered to him instead of the desk, he would be decapitated by now.

"Amazing, amazing!"

Xiao Chengchen clapped his hands in praise, his eyes filled with surprise and excitement.

"Having you two is like having gained a sleeping dragon and a phoenix chick. With your assistance, how can I not succeed in my great undertaking?"

Upon hearing this,

Qiu Qianyue immediately knelt down and bowed.

"I swear to serve Your Highness to the death."

Ding Buxiu simply said lazily:

"I only care about money, not people. Give me money, and I'll do things for you."

Despite Ding Buxiu's arrogance and rudeness, the Imperial Eldest Grandson Xiao Chengchen, showed no displeasure.

"You two can rest assured. As long as you storm the palace, capture the Eldest Princess alive, and help me accomplish my great cause, whether you want official positions or wealth, I will grant your request and will absolutely not let you down."

At this moment, all the worry in Xiao Chengchen's eyes disappeared, leaving only confidence and pride.

"Storm the palace and capture the Eldest Princess alive? Isn't that tantamount to rebellion?"

Ding Buxiu suddenly interjected.

"What rebellion? I am the rightful Crown Prince of the Liang Kingdom. Tonight's matter is to apprehend the traitors, punish the rebels, and restore order."

Upon hearing this, the Imperial Eldest Grandson, Xiao Chengchen, reacted like a cat with its fur standing on end, retorting with unusually agitated emotions.

"Your Highness misunderstands. I meant that the money you're offering isn't enough for such a dangerous task; we need to pay more."

Imperial Eldest Grandson Xiao Chengchen: "..."

The rain in the Capital was getting heavier and heavier.

It was accompanied by thunder and lightning.

Xuanwu Gate of the Imperial City

In the pitch-black night, it resembled a giant beast lying prone in slumber.

Outside the city gate,

On the long street,

Countless armored, wielding sharp weapons, dark figures are rapidly approaching.

With a chilling killing intent and an indomitable spirit.

Having changed into a magnificent set of armor, Xiao Chengchen rode a tall horse, his usual gentle demeanor replaced by a solemn expression and a murderous aura.

At that moment, he felt like his grandfather, the emperor, from back then.

With a mere eight hundred warriors, they staged the Xuanwu Gate Incident.

They ultimately achieved a resounding victory and seized control of the country.

If my grandfather could do it back then, then I, Xiao Chengchen, can do it tonight too.

A true man lives between heaven and earth; how can he remain subservient to others for long!

Eight hundred it is.

Xiao Chengchen wanted to prove to the whole world that he was the true Son of Heaven of the Daliang Kingdom.

The enemy is at the city gates.

Xuanwu Gate, however, remained tightly shut, eerily quiet.

Xiao Chengchen suddenly felt a little uneasy, so he turned his gaze to Wang Zitao was also riding a horse and carrying a sword.

"Your Highness, please calm down. Your humble servant has made all the arrangements and guarantees that everything will go perfectly."

After saying that,

He then blew the signal at the top of his lungs towards Xuanwu Gate.

"Coo coo... coo coo..."

The hooting of owls echoed through the rainy night, sounding extremely unpleasant.

Xiao Chengchen frowned slightly.

Could we please use a different bird's call instead of the agreed-upon signal? This owl's call sounds so gloomy and not cheerful at all.

Although the cries were unpleasant and disheartening, the gates of Xuanwu Gate slowly opened.

Xiao Chengchen was overjoyed and extremely excited.

Overwhelmed with excitement and fervor, he could no longer contain himself and drew his sword from his waist, raising it above his head.

He shouted with an excited and impassioned voice:

"Brave warriors, follow me and charge forth! Now is the time to achieve great deeds and secure the nation's stability!"

The eight hundred elite soldiers, who had been waiting in battle and were poised for battle, responded to the order from the Imperial Eldest Grandson.

His Qi and Blood rushed to his head, his eyes reddened, and he raised his weapon, braving the wind and rain.

Facing the wide-open Xuanwu Gate,

They charged forward.

"Kill them..."

However,

They were dumbfounded when they all rushed through the city gate.

Inside the Imperial City,

They were not eunuchs or palace maids fleeing in panic.

They were not accomplices of the Imperial Guards who were there to meet them.

Instead, it's a wall.

A steel wall forged from countless shields and swords.

Armored soldiers stood like mountains, swords and spears like a forest, a dark mass that gleamed coldly in the rainy night.

Suddenly another loud bang came from behind.

The wide-open city gates slammed shut with solid wooden gates, completely blocking the passage and separating the inside from the outside.

Xiao Chengchen, who was leading the way, had already frozen on the face.

All that remained was a chilling sensation throughout my body.

This is a trap.

It was a deadly trap that had been set up long ago, waiting for him to walk right into it.

He was still foolishly dreaming of ascending the throne and becoming emperor, completely unaware that he was plunging headlong into it.

"Nephew, it's been a long time!"

Suddenly, a clear, calm voice came from behind and above, revealing neither joy nor anger, yet exuding an imposing aura.

Xiao Chengchen turned his head and looked up.

Then they saw a familiar figure standing on the city wall of Xuanwu Gate.