Defying Orders

King Yue Yao's Silver Armored Army had been ignited by the death of their prince, but what they had charged into was a vast coalfield already smoldering beneath the surface—the Imperial Guard soldiers were launching an even fiercer rebellion.

The newly appointed Grand Commandant, Turshan, stood at the entrance with a group of princes and officers, staring in astonishment at the soldiers filling the camp, acting without orders. They were too stunned to speak.

Gu Shenwei reacted first. He plunged into the crowd, dragged someone out, and ran toward his tent.

"Pass down the order: everyone stays where they are!" Turshan wanted to find out what was going on first.

"King Yue Yao's soldiers are killing people everywhere. We can't let them run wild," A Zheba reminded the Grand Commandant.

"The Tenth Army will mount up and engage them. Everyone else stays where they are." Turshan immediately revised his order. The Tenth Army was already under his command, so they should be the most likely to obey.

Shangguan Ru and the others were guarding the entrance to the tent. They had only a vague idea of what was happening outside, but their swords were drawn and they remained on alert.

Gu Shenwei shoved the person he had dragged over to Fang Wenshi, then went straight to Shangguan Ru. "Mount the Flame Colt and return to camp immediately."

"But everyone..."

"Don't argue with me. The women soldiers of Xiangji Kingdom must be protected."

Shangguan Ru nodded. The Flame Colt was tethered just outside the tent, and she headed for the horse.

"Old Man Mu, go with her." Gu Shenwei designated one of his bodyguards.

"Huh?" Old Man Mu wasn't too keen on the idea. Given the choice between a chance to kill someone and a chance to save someone, he would