Watching the Fire From the Other Shore

Watchtower.

Standing tall on the northeast corner, three stories high, it offers a commanding view of the Heavenly Prison.

According to the rules set by the imperial court, prison guards are stationed in the watchtower day and night in shifts to prevent martial arts experts from sneaking in or escaping.

Now, with military preparedness lax, most prison guards are drawing pay for no work, and naturally, no one goes to the watchtower.

Zhou Yi opened the iron gate of the watchtower and walked all the way to the top along the narrow stairs, only to find a figure already standing there.

"Lord Lei, what are you doing here?"

"Watching the show!"

Lei Siyue nodded slightly, looking in the direction of the imperial palace.

Lines of torchlight connected into a line, extremely conspicuous in the dark night, with faint shouts of killing echoing in the night sky.

Zhou Yi feigned a look of horror: "Someone is leading troops to attack the imperial palace, are they rebelling?"

"Don't try to hide your abilities in front of me."

Lei Siyue said bluntly: "It is Chancellor Long leading troops to attack the west gate of the imperial palace. The leading generals are the commander of the Five City Garrison, as well as the three major gangs and ten major martial arts schools in the capital."

The Five City Garrison is responsible for guarding the inner city of Shenjing and patrolling the one hundred and eight wards.

The Azure Wolf Gang, Flying Eagle Gang, and Golden Sand Gang, the three major gangs in Shenjing, control brothels, gambling dens, and cart and horse businesses respectively, with thousands upon thousands of gang members and thugs under their command.

The ten major martial arts schools seem to have the fewest people, but they are all martial arts experts, most suitable for leading the assault.

"..."

Zhou Yi murmured: "Adding all of them together, that's at least thirty to fifty thousand people. The imperial palace guards are only three to four thousand. Is the world going to change today?"

Chancellor Long has been the chief minister for thirty years, and almost all the officials in the court are his people. He has also placed many confidants in the army, and local state and county governments are full of officials from the "Dragon Faction."

Tonight, if they break through the imperial palace and seize control of the capital and its surroundings, they can follow the example of the Sima family.

For stability, they can choose a young ruler to ascend the throne, and Chancellor Long can continue to control the government.

More aggressively, they can directly declare themselves emperor and change the era name. Officials of the Dragon Faction can also maintain a stable transition of the dynasty.

"Chancellor Long may have fallen into the Emperor's trap!"

Lei Siyue shook his head and said, "A few days ago at the gathering, Chancellor Long said that the Emperor was in good health and could live for at least three or four more years..."

"Could it be that the Emperor faked his death?"

Zhou Yi raised an eyebrow. This dog Emperor has long since stopped caring about his reputation, and it is possible that he abandoned his dignity to fake his death and fish for Chancellor Long.

"The Emperor hasn't attended court for thirty-six years, and Chancellor Long's power dominates the court, with influence spreading inside and outside the imperial palace. How could he not be sure of the news?"

Lei Siyue pointed in the direction of the south gate of the imperial palace: "The deputy commander of the Brocade Guard tried to cooperate from the inside to break open the south gate, but fell into a trap and is now fighting with his colleagues."

The Brocade Guard is the Emperor's personal army, and the deputy commander actually conspired with Chancellor Long to rebel!

Zhou Yi felt a faint sense of pleasure in his heart. The dog Emperor is isolated and betrayed, that feeling must not be good.

Lei Siyue said: "Chancellor Long confirmed this morning that the Emperor was indeed dead, and left an edict to pass the throne to Prince Qin. In a hurry, he summoned his troops to attack the imperial palace."

After the former crown prince failed in his rebellion, Emperor Chongming had not established an heir, and Prince Qin was the third son.

Zhou Yi tutted and said, "Neither establishing the eldest nor the youngest, so the Emperor foresaw this day?"

Lei Siyue praised: "In this Heavenly Prison, you are the only smart one."

"Lord Lei, you flatter me. I usually like to go to brothels and listen to storytellers."

The storyteller Zhou Yi mentioned is named Niao Niao, who is the most popular courtesan in the Chunfeng Tower these days.

"When I was young, I also frequented brothels. My mother scolded me every day for dishonoring my ancestors and losing the Lei family's face. Later, I realized that a real man should make contributions, so I joined Chancellor Long's command, and in just over ten years, I took charge of the Heavenly Prison."

Lei Siyue murmured: "If I were just a playboy who only knew how to eat, drink, and have fun, and stayed in the Heavenly Prison as a lieutenant, perhaps... I could avoid the crime of having my family confiscated!"

Hearing the first half of the sentence, Zhou Yi retreated a few steps without leaving a trace, his palm pressed against the cloth bag at his waist.

The bag contained lime powder, mixed with a potent poison taught by a certain death row prisoner. Even the top martial arts experts in the world would have their strength greatly reduced if they smelled it.

"You're too cunning, kid. I'm opening my heart to you, but you're wary of me everywhere!"

Lei Siyue said: "With such a cautious and careful nature, no wonder you've been delivering meals for ten years and still refuse to be promoted."

"I'm naturally stupid and can't understand the calculations of the big shots, so I'd rather be a prison guard."

Zhou Yi said with a smile: "When I get old, I'll pass the prison guard job to my son, and my son will pass it on to his grandson. Generations of us will have an iron rice bowl, and no matter who's in charge of the imperial palace, we won't go hungry!"

"That's the real smart person!"

Lei Siyue slowly said: "This morning, it wasn't the palace that sent the message, but Chancellor Long's steward, who ordered me to falsely convey the imperial decree and lead the Heavenly Prison's forbidden army to attack the imperial city. At the same time, open the prison gates and release all the prisoners to wreak havoc on Shenjing!"

"Why would you, my Lord..."

Zhou Yi looked puzzled, wondering why Lei Siyue would disobey Chancellor Long's orders.

On the surface, Chancellor Long's momentum is already established, and a change of dynasty is imminent. Following the trend would bring meritorious service for supporting the new regime.

Moreover, Lei Siyue rose to power relying on Chancellor Long's influence, and has taken care of the Long family members who committed crimes over the years.

Once Chancellor Long is defeated, the new emperor will definitely not spare Lei Siyue when he purges the court in the future.

Lei Siyue gazed in the direction of the capital. The light of torches briefly reached the city walls, then quickly faded, indicating a fierce battle.

"This official has a premonition that Chancellor Long will lose to His Majesty. So, defying orders in the face of battle and holding firm to the Heavenly Prison to prevent any trouble will reduce the punishment from execution of the entire family to exile!"

Zhou Yi said, "Lord Lei, if you mobilize the Heavenly Prison's forbidden army and launch a surprise attack on Chancellor Long from behind, perhaps you could achieve a great merit?"

"What if this old man's premonition is wrong? Chancellor Long has been building his power for thirty years, and he may not be inferior to His Majesty's plans!"

Lei Siyue sighed, "When I was young, I would definitely fight for it. Now I'm old, even if I achieve great merit, I won't be able to enjoy it."

Zhou Yi cursed inwardly, Indeed an old fox. As long as Lei Siyue keeps the Heavenly Prison stable, he can retreat unscathed no matter who wins.

Just as he was about to continue speaking.

Suddenly.

A rumble of horse hooves came from the distance.

The ground of Shenjing trembled, and countless black-armored cavalry emerged from various city districts, orderly gathering together and charging towards the rebels attacking the palace.

"Kill!"

A long roar was like a thunderclap, drowning out even the sound of the horses' hooves.

Lei Siyue said in surprise, "When did a Martial Grandmaster appear in the army? His Majesty has hidden it well; Chancellor Long is bound to lose!"

"Martial Grandmaster!"

Zhou Yi's eyes lit up, and he looked in the direction of the sound.

Unfortunately, it was too far from the palace, and it was only vaguely visible, but it seemed a silver-armored general was leading the charge, breaking through the enemy formation.

The torches attacking the palace stopped. With the palace guards shooting arrows from the front and a Martial Grandmaster leading troops to charge from the rear, they were under attack from both sides.

After several charges back and forth, the cavalry forcibly cut the rebels, a coalition of three forces, into several isolated groups fighting their own battles.

The silver-armored general roared again, "Long Tu is already dead! Those who surrender will not be killed!"

The rebels, without a leader, immediately collapsed and scattered.

On the watchtower.

Zhou Yi, hearing these words, immediately beamed with joy.

"Tomorrow, the Heavenly Prison will have guests. Those with grievances, seek revenge; those with hatred, settle scores!"