He rose and began to search for the switch to the secret chamber, and it wasn’t until an hour later that he managed to open it. He took out a piece of paper from the space, with a few simple lines of text on it, and placed it into Xiaobai’s ear.

"Xiaobai, go find Chen and hand this paper to him," he patted Xiaobai’s head.

"Okay," Xiaobai darted out of the secret chamber, glanced back at Sister Feng, then turned and ran off.

The courtyard of the Prince Mo Residence was turned upside down, but the future princess was nowhere to be seen.

Dugu Chen’s complexion grew paler, his aura more malevolent, his eyes, like those of a dead man, fixed on Dugu Mo.

The four guards and the Hidden Guard surrounding Dugu Mo encircled him in the middle, very alertly watching Dugu Chen.

Dugu Chen gritted his teeth and whispered softly, "Kill, bloodbath the Prince Mo Residence."

"You wouldn’t dare," the Emperor exclaimed upon hearing the command.

"That’s impossible."

"This cannot be." 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

The Crown Prince and Jueqing both jumped out to stop Dugu Chen’s mad act. Feng Xuxu was still in Dugu Mo’s hands; if Dugu Mo died, wouldn’t Feng Xuxu also be unable to survive?

"Dugu Mo, hand over my cousin immediately," Jueqing yelled across the guards at Dugu Mo.

Dugu Mo stroked his chest and shakily stood, coldly sneering, "I haven’t seen the person you’re talking about."

"Dugu Chen, I command you to withdraw your troops immediately, or don’t blame me for being rude," the Emperor said, his veins bulging, the lines on his face deepening.

Dugu Chen merely glanced at the Emperor and, with a wave of his hand towards the soldiers behind him, watched as they drew their swords and struck at those wearing the Prince Mo Residence’s insignia.

The ministers and their families, in panic, started looking for a way out, colliding with each other like headless flies. In an instant, the air above the Prince Mo Residence was filled with all sorts of screams, the stench of blood pervading everyone present.

The common people gathered outside the gates of the Prince Residence, curious as they saw it surrounded by heavy troops. They craned their necks to glance at the tightly shut gates, and upon hearing a scream, they shuddered even more, growing curious about what had happened inside.

As the people were discussing curiously, a series of urgent footsteps approached in the distance, accompanied by the neighing of horses. Seeing this, the crowd scattered like birds, running away from the Residence. Those with more courage hid with only their heads exposed, watching as a large group of soldiers hurried past them. Those with fainter hearts ended up passing out after their hearts could no longer bear it.

Governor Fang Nian, upon learning that the Emperor was trapped in the Prince Mo Residence, quickly mobilized the palace guards, and even called over the nine Governors.

Governor Fang Nian and Governor He Yiyuan dismounted together, leading their guards to surround Dugu Chen’s Iron Cavalry Army.

Fang Nian stepped forward and shouted, "Dugu Chen, you are surrounded by us. Release the Emperor immediately."

The shout reached the Emperor’s ears, yet he remained unmoved, still staring at the insolent man before him, a sinister glint flashing in his eyes as he looked up at the sky and shouted, "Where are the Dragon Guards?"

"At your service," about fifty men appeared as one, kneeling before the Emperor, their aura fierce, swelling rapidly.

"I’m curious to experience the legendary Dragon Guards," Dugu Chen narrowed his bloodshot eyes, his gaze ferocious like that of a wild beast, and ran his tongue over his cracked lips, ready to spring into action.

Xuan Yue, Huang Yi, Tian Yi, and Di An all gripped their weapons tightly, their icy gazes sweeping over the fifty Dragon Guards on the ground.

"Hmph, overestimating yourselves, today you will see what the Dragon Guards are truly capable of, show no mercy," As the merciless order was issued, the people on the ground turned into shadows, entangling with Dugu Chen’s Hidden Guard, the sounds of the windhowling and blades clashing filling the air, their figures a blur in the sky.