Everyone in the hall became alert, their expressions turning grave and their gazes sharp.
Without an imperial order or permission, a large force approaching the Emperor's sleeping quarters under cover of night was abnormal no matter the circumstances.
"Put out the lights!" Zhang Yuanqing ordered his teammates, then gave Red Chicken Bro a look. "Ready your defensive artifacts. Go out and take a look."
Little Round, the Palace Lord, and the others swiftly blew out the candles in the sleeping quarters and outer hall, plunging the palace into darkness.
Red Chicken Bro's expression was grave. Without needing Zhang Yuanqing's reminder, he took out a set of vine armor and put it on. He quickly passed through the curtains and outer hall, stopping before the tall lattice doors.
He then took out a stone stele and held it in his left hand. In an instant, his shoulders sank slightly, as though a mountain were weighing upon him. With some effort, he raised his right hand and pushed open the lattice doors.
Looking out, he saw a detachment of Imperial Guards carrying torches, racing along the lakeshore toward the square outside the sleeping quarters.
Leading them were Zheng Wenhan, a sword hanging at his waist, and a lean middle-aged general.
Red Chicken Bro stood behind the threshold and shouted sternly:
"Stop!
"This is His Majesty's sleeping quarters. You dare barge in armed with weapons—are you trying to rebel?"
As soon as the words fell, the high-ranking general removed his bow, drew it, and fired.
Whoosh!
The arrow, brimming with sword qi, ripped through the air with a shrill whistle. Yellow light swelled in the darkness, forming a spherical barrier.
The next second, the barrier shattered. At the critical moment, Red Chicken Bro ducked, avoiding his heart. The arrow pierced his shoulder, its