AWB Chapter 191 Xu Maogong's Grand Gift, Assassins Attack
Chapter 191 Xu Maogong's Grand Gift, Assassins Attack
Countless people look up at the lights, and countless people look up at the spot where he stands.
In that instant, a feeling he had never experienced before seemed to rise in his heart.
That feeling was indescribable, yet it inexplicably excited me.
"If that's impressive," Yang Guang scooped up Lü Zhen and laughed, "then I'll let you have some more next year!"
"Okay!" Lü Zhen replied loudly.
Yang Guang hoisted him onto his shoulders, gazed at the fiery red night sky, and suddenly began to recite.
"The Dharma wheel turns in the heavens, and the Brahma sound comes from the heavens."
The lamp tree has thousands of light, and the flowers bloom with seven branches.
The moon's reflection lingers on the flowing water; the spring breeze carries the scent of night-blooming plum blossoms.
Banners flutter on golden ground, bells ring on crystal platforms.
His voice was old but full of energy, and every word clearly reached the ears of those around him.
Lü Zhen listened intently, and when Yang Guang finished reading, he suddenly exclaimed, "Grandfather, you truly are the most talented emperor!"
Yang Guang was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, his beard trembling with laughter.
"My maternal grandfather really liked that!"
He lifted Lü Zhen even higher, placing him on his neck, and steadily walked down the city wall.
Seeing this scene, Lü Xiao opened his mouth, as if to say something.
But he swallowed the words back down his throat.
Never mind, last time Yang Guang made Lü Zhen ride a big horse, and he was scolded for trying to stop him.
This time, he really learned his lesson.
The crowd followed Yang Guang and slowly made their way along the streets of Dongdu.
On both sides of the street, people bowed and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"
Yang Guang nodded in greeting from time to time, a rare warm smile on his face.
Lu Xiao became increasingly wary as he walked.
The surrounding crowd grew denser, shoulder to shoulder, a sea of heads.
The cheers, blessings, and noise gradually took on a different meaning in his ears.
He remembered Xu Maogong's letter.
"Tonight, I will also present my brother with a great gift."
That old Taoist priest wasn't just talking.
Since he dared to write it, he must have had some ulterior motive.
"Your Majesty," Lü Xiao stepped forward quickly and said in a low voice, "There are too many people around, let's go back to the palace first."
Yang Guang paused, looked at the surging crowd around him, and nodded slightly.
"Um."
With uprisings constantly erupting in various places, it's hard to guarantee that no one will infiltrate the Eastern Capital.
Especially tonight, as he revels with the people, it is the perfect time to carry out the assassination.
With Lü Xiao around, he wasn't worried about his own safety, but there were so many people around; what if he got accidentally injured...?
"Return to the palace."
Yang Guang gave the order.
The group was preparing to change direction.
"Look! The lampshade has fallen over!"
Suddenly, someone in the crowd let out a gasp.
Lü Xiao suddenly turned his head.
The enormous lamp wheel, the tower of lights that had just illuminated the entire city, was slowly tilting.
The frame creaked under the strain, and countless lanterns swayed violently, their flames flickering erratically.
The people below screamed and scattered in all directions, and the scene instantly descended into chaos.
"What?!"
Yang Guang's expression changed drastically.
The lampshade is knocked over?
This is the highlight of the year, a symbol of appeasing the people and demonstrating national power.
If the lamppost falls, it will not only injure countless people, but also cause panic!
This was a fatal blow to both the Sui Dynasty and Emperor Yang Guang!
"Quickly, evacuate the people!"
Yuwen Chengdu shouted loudly and led the Imperial Guards towards the direction of the lantern wheel.
But they hadn't even run a few steps.
"tyrant!"
A furious roar erupted from the crowd.
Immediately afterwards, shouts rose and fell from all directions:
"Kill the tyrant!"
"Overthrow the dog-like regime!"
"Brothers, let's kill the tyrant and rid the people of this scourge!"
Countless figures rushed out from the crowd, some holding short knives, others gripping daggers.
Some even carried wooden sticks, and they surged in from all directions, heading straight for Yang Guang's location!
"Protect His Majesty!"
Yuwen Chenglong reacted the fastest, suddenly spreading his arms wide to block Yang Guang.
"General Tianbao, take His Majesty and leave first."
Lu Xiao's voice pierced through the noise and clearly reached Yuwen Chengdu's ears.
The chaos around them intensified, and the flames from the collapsed lamplight illuminated half the sky.
Screams and cries could be heard everywhere.
Countless figures moved about in the firelight, indistinguishable as civilians or assassins.
"good!"
Yuwen Chengdu shouted loudly and led the Imperial Guards to clear the way.
He brandished his phoenix-winged gilded halberd, and wherever he went, assassins fell to the ground.
But his heart felt like it was being scorched by a raging fire, filled with shock, anger, and deep self-reproach.
He was responsible for inspecting the eastern capital and maintaining order during the New Year's Eve celebrations.
But tonight's riot was a result of his dereliction of duty.
No matter how many reasons there are, no matter how meticulously the assassin plans, it cannot change this fact.
If Yang Guang were to make any mistake, even if he were to die a thousand deaths, he would still be held responsible!
"Yuanqing, you come with me, you don't need to stay here."
Lu Xiao's voice rang out again.
Yang Guang had Yuwen Chengdu to protect him, but Yang Ruyi and others also needed to be arranged for personal protection.
"Big brother, be careful!" Pei Yuanqing shouted, "I'll go protect our younger brother and His Majesty!"
He quickly caught up with Yuwen Chengdu and the others, and soon disappeared into the chaotic crowd.
After Yang Guang and his entourage left, the people scattered, leaving only assassins wielding daggers and patrolling soldiers who had rushed to the scene.
They formed a circle, warily watching their surroundings, the firelight casting flickering shadows on their faces.
Lu Xiao, sword in hand, strode forward. "I'm going elsewhere."
Before he could finish speaking, a figure rushed in from the side.
The man, wielding a dagger and with a ferocious expression, lunged straight at Lü Xiao!
brush.
The dagger stabbed, swift and ruthless.
Lu Xiao dodged to the side, and the dagger grazed past his robe without touching a single hair.
At the same time, his right hand reached out and gripped the man's neck like an iron clamp.
Click.
With a gentle twist, the man's neck was contorted at an unnatural angle.
His eyes were wide open, and before he could even scream, he collapsed limply to the ground.
"Your Highness, the sword."
Li Jing arrived with the Red Valiant Army and threw a long sword from afar.
The sword twirled in the air, its blade gleaming coldly in the firelight.
Lu Xiao reached out and caught it, then swung it forward.
puff!
An assassin who had just rushed up was severed by the neck, and blood gushed out.
"Capture him alive!" Lü Xiao shouted.
"Yes!" The soldiers of the Crimson Valiant Army responded in unison, putting away their killing moves and using the backs of their swords and knives instead, trying their best not to harm the enemy.
As night deepened, the firelight gradually died down.
As the last assassin was subdued and the riots gradually subsided, the sky began to lighten with the first hint of dawn.
Lu Xiao stood in the middle of the messy street, looking around.
The huge lamp wheel lay there, crushing several houses and killing countless people.
The fire had died down, leaving only wisps of smoke rising.
The streets were littered with bloodstains, scattered shoes, and crushed lanterns.
Cries, wails, and groans rose and fell.
"Count the number of civilian casualties," Lü Xiao said to Li Jing, "and give me the list."
"Yes." Li Jing accepted the order and left.
The situation is under control; he no longer needs to stay here.
We must hurry back to the palace to see if Yang Guang and the others are safe.