The Imperial Forest Guard soldiers immediately drew their longswords and charged at the Imperial Guards.
The Imperial Guards refused to be outdone, raising their spears to strike back.
The two armies began slaughtering each other on the street before the Chancellor's Residence. Blades flashed and swords danced as blood sprayed through the air.
Taking advantage of the chaos, Wei Wuji led the residence guards in breaking out of the encirclement, only to run straight into the arriving Cui Zhi.
Seeing the chaotic scene, Cui Zhi immediately ordered the Ministry of Personnel officials to mobilize the constables, hoping to bring the situation under control. But how could mere constables stand against an army? They were swiftly swept into the melee.
For a time, the entire imperial city descended into chaos.
The Imperial Guards, the Imperial Forest Guard, constables, residence guards, and even street thugs taking the chance to cause trouble all fought and killed in the streets.
Blood dyed the bluestone roads red, corpses piled up like mountains, and the common people hid in their homes, too afraid to step outside. They could only listen to the cries of battle outside and tremble in fear.
Zuo Wushang, Li Xuan, and Wei Wuji each led their men in a fierce struggle outside the Purple Gold Hall. None was willing to yield. All wanted to seize the throne that symbolized supreme power amid the chaos.
Just as the three forces were locked in an inseparable battle and the imperial city was about to fall completely, the distant sky suddenly darkened.
A dense aura of darkness surged in like a tide. Wherever it passed, the fighting soldiers froze, terror appearing on their faces.
Immediately afterward, a force completely shrouded in black robes rushed out of the darkness. They wielded black longswords, moved with lightning