Consort Li Slain

The Four Guards of Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Lightning saw that Lihua Palace looked somewhat different from what they had expected.

Rain stepped forward, looking a little embarrassed, and said:

"My lord, this was our oversight. We have the incident during the previous morning court to blame. An enemy spy disguised as a guard suddenly struck, staining the palace hall with blood and killing many palace guards."

"Therefore, at the National Teacher's request, the Imperial Guards were increased throughout the palace."

Zhao Han hadn't expected that his earlier actions would have consequences later on.

It seemed that his forceful intrusion into Yun Ling'er's Dreamscape had alerted the National Teacher—that was to say, the Nightmare.

Yun Ling'er didn't know him, but the Nightmare did. The Nightmare, who was also the National Teacher, would certainly have made thorough preparations.

The four had been right earlier. Going after the National Teacher first was definitely out of the question.

Looking at the massed Imperial Guards, Thunder thought for a moment, then advised him, "My lord, Lihua Palace is so heavily defended. I think we should withdraw for now and come back another day, after this storm has passed."

Lightning also tried to persuade him. "That's right, my lord. Killing Consort Li should be a piece of cake. There's no need to risk it. If we get ourselves killed, it'll hardly be worth it."

Zhao Han didn't see it that way. Instead, he smiled and said, "You're all too afraid of trouble. If you act like this, you'll never get anything done. How can you serve my sister?"

"Since we're already here, I won't be satisfied unless I kill Consort Li."

"Here's what we'll do: the four of you draw the Imperial Guards' attention while I slip in from the side and make the kill