Chapter 1003

Chapter 1003: Change of Weather (Part 1)

Under Wang Chen’s orders, Mingyu Palace immediately entered a state of full alert.

The Yulin Guards swiftly occupied the key points of the palace and set up heavy crossbows.

Mingyu Palace was built for the emperor’s border inspections, and although it was located in the center of Hanhai City, its defenses were far from weak, making it a city within a city.

Surrounded by tall and sturdy city walls, Mingyu Palace had particularly strong front and back city gates, along with facilities like arrow towers and armory, everything one could ask for.

With proper defensive measures in place, the 3,000 elite Yulin Guards could hold out for a long time.

The only trouble was that, although there were wells inside the palace, the granary was completely empty; relying solely on the supplies brought by the marriage convoy would not sustain them for long.

Thus, as long as the enemy surrounded Mingyu Palace, in time, the Three Thousand Yulin Guards would surely collapse without a fight!

However, this situation could only arise if the Hanhai army truly defected.

Due to unclear circumstances, Wang Chen and Sun Zhengheng did not act rashly by rushing to the Hanhai County government to demand justice.

Instead, they focused on organizing the palace’s defenses while starting to interrogate the detained chefs and miscellaneous workers.

However, these people knew nothing, trembling in fear, their faces streaked with tears as they cried out their innocence!

"My lord!"

During the interrogation, a Yulin Guard hurried into the side hall, anxiously saying, "A large number of soldiers have appeared outside the palace; we are surrounded!"

Wang Chen and Sun Zhengheng exchanged a glance, their hearts sinking.

The worst situation had come to pass!

"Lord Sun, you stay here to guard."

Wang Chen decisively said, "I’ll go take a look!"

Sun Zhengheng nodded, "Be careful!"

Mingyu Palace being surrounded could only be done by the Hanhai army, and the situation couldn’t get any worse.

In such circumstances, if something happened to Wang Chen, Sun Zhengheng had no confidence he could protect Princess Qingyun.

He suddenly grabbed Wang Chen’s arm and gritted his teeth, saying, "Taibao Wang, if things seem hopeless, I’ll lead the Yulin Guards out to lure the enemy while you take the princess to escape."

Sun Zhengheng’s intention was to sacrifice himself and the Three Thousand Yulin Guards to buy Wang Chen and Princess Qingyun a chance to break free.

With Wang Chen’s strength to fight against thousands, this chance was indeed significant!

"Don’t rush."

Wang Chen patted the arm of the Yulin Guards leader and said, "We will act according to the situation."

He left the side hall and quickly arrived at the city wall at the front gate of the palace.

He saw countless torches raised around Mingyu Palace, the flickering flames illuminating disciplined soldiers clad in armor, their serious expressions reflecting a deadly atmosphere that soared to the sky.

It was undoubtedly the Hanhai army!

As the only natural barrier in the western territory of Dayan, the importance of Hanhai City was undeniable. Although Dayan and Dayan had not engaged in conflict for ten years and maintained a good relationship, their vigilance against each other never faded.

To ensure the safety of Hanhai City, Dayan stationed a legion of up to fifty thousand troops within the city.

The Hanhai army was not the local border army but was mostly composed of members rotated in from the northern regions, having undergone brutal wars against Great Qi, and thus possessed rich combat experience.

With Dayan’s substantial investment in weaponry and equipment, the elite status of this army was undeniable.

Most importantly, the Hanhai army was led by a truly remarkable figure!

"I am the Taibao of the Crown Prince, the marriage envoy Wang Chen!"

Standing atop the city wall, Wang Chen called out in a deep voice, "General Shangguan, are you present? Please step forward to speak!"

Shangguan Wuji, the commander of the Hanhai army, was a sixth-level martial honor!

This general, known as the "General Who Stabilizes the West," was one of the most distinguished figures within the Dayan military hierarchy.

Born into a powerful family and trained under military masters, he had joined the army at the age of fifteen. Since then, he had fought countless battles and achieved extraordinary feats, commanding the Hanhai army for over ten years, making him the undeniable soul of this border force.

No action by the Hanhai army could bypass this general!

As Wang Chen’s words echoed, dozens of bright lanterns suddenly illuminated the main street, casting light over the entire road.

Banners were raised in unison, surrounding a majestic war chariot drawn by four powerful horses.

On the chariot stood a tall military official clad in armor.

From hundreds of steps away, his gaze locked with Wang Chen’s!

The military official cupped his hands toward Wang Chen from a distance and said, "So it is Taibao Wang. I am Shangguan Wuji."

"Tiger!"

Before he could finish speaking, the Hanhai soldiers roared in unison, their voices shaking the surroundings and stirring up a whirlwind!

The battle array of the army could condense immense battle intent, possessing the power to intimidate the enemy and obliterate all forms of resistance—so much so that even the most formidable monsters would not dare confront it directly.

Once powerful martial artists were caught within the formation, their cultivation levels would be severely suppressed, making it nearly impossible for them to unleash their full strength.

The Yulin Guards stationed on the city wall visibly paled.

As the elite of the military and the emperor’s personal guards, they naturally carried themselves with pride.

Yet, facing the overwhelming battle intent emanating from the Hanhai border army, they felt stifled and uneasy even before any combat had begun!

Their courage and battle intent were significantly diminished.

"General Shangguan, may I ask why you have surrounded Mingyu Palace with your troops?"

Wang Chen shouted sternly, "Do you intend to rebel?"

The Yulin Guards around Wang Chen let out a collective sigh of relief, feeling a weight lifted from their shoulders.

The battle intent from the Hanhai army was instantly dispersed by more than half!

"Rebel? I have no such intention," Shangguan Wuji replied, giving Wang Chen a penetrating look. "I am acting under orders. The reasons can be explained directly to Her Highness the Princess. Taibao Wang, please refrain from making baseless accusations."

"Acting under orders?"

Wang Chen was momentarily taken aback, then retorted, "So you poisoned the meat given to the troops under orders as well?"

Shangguan Wuji firmly denied, "As the honorable General Who Stabilizes the West, how could I stoop to such petty deeds!"

Wang Chen sneered, "If you have nothing to hide, do you dare come in and explain directly to Her Highness the Princess?"

"What do I have to fear?"

Shangguan Wuji clapped his hand on the chariot shaft and commanded, "Proceed into the palace at once!"

The soldiers driving the chariot flicked the reins, and the four powerful horses surged forward, pulling the chariot toward the palace gate.

A squad of fully armed, fierce knights followed closely behind.

"Open the gates!"

Seeing that Shangguan Wuji was indeed entering, Wang Chen immediately ordered the palace gates to be opened.

The Yulin Guards hesitated briefly but ultimately complied with his command.

With a creaking groan, the heavy palace gates swung open, and Shangguan Wuji’s war chariot led the way through the entrance, followed by over a hundred warhorses.

At that moment, the Yulin Guards stationed at the palace gate were on edge, fearing that the Hanhai warriors might suddenly turn hostile.

Yet, no such incident occurred.