pappabearbooks Chapter 33 His Majesty also knows martial arts?!
Chapter 33 His Majesty also knows martial arts?!
"A white lotus descends to earth, bringing liberation to the people!"
The actor roared, his spear flashing like a dragon as he thrust it fiercely at Zhu Houzhao.
This sudden turn of events stunned everyone present.
The Eastern Depot, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and the Imperial Guard were all stationed around the perimeter, some distance away from Zhu Houzhao.
Even though they had already noticed the anomaly, it would still take them some time to get to the rescue.
Liu Ningwei's face turned pale instantly. She screamed and backed away, accidentally falling to the ground in her panic.
Empress Dowager Zhang held Zhu Houzhao's hand tightly. Whether she was stunned or for some other reason, she remained motionless, preventing Zhu Houzhao from immediately dodging the actor's attack.
Zhu Houzhao calmly observed the actor, showing no fear whatsoever.
He possesses the ability to be impervious to swords and spears, and immune to all poisons; no human weapon can harm him in the slightest.
Zhu Houzhao stretched out his other hand, ready to take the hit head-on.
But suddenly a figure appeared in front of Zhu Houzhao, spreading his arms to block the actor's path.
"Your Majesty, let's go!"
The spear tip pierced Xia Tianxin's shoulder, startling her with a splash of crimson.
Xia Tianxin looked at Zhu Houzhao, her brows furrowed deeply, her whole body trembling with pain.
But he ignored his own injuries and anxiously looked at Zhu Houzhao: "Your Majesty, let's go quickly!"
"Help! Protect the emperor!"
The actor calmly pulled out the tip of his spear and stabbed Zhu Houzhao again.
"The white lotus emerges to save the world and benefit the people!"
Zhu Houzhao reached out and grabbed the tip of the spear, but the sharp blade could not cause him any harm.
"What?!"
The actor's face finally showed surprise as he looked at Zhu Houzhao in disbelief.
How could such a sharp spear blade not harm Zhu Houzhao in the slightest?
Could Zhu Houzhao also know martial arts?
How is this possible?!
This point wasn't mentioned at all in the intelligence reports!
Moreover, even if a boy of ten or so years old learns martial arts from the womb, he probably couldn't do that, right?
Before the actor could change his move, Zhu Houzhao snatched the spear and kicked over the table in front of him.
The actor had no choice but to retreat, and used his lightness skill to leap out of the Cining Palace.
Suddenly, a figure appeared behind him and attacked with hatred.
"The Righteous Spirit of Heaven!"
Cao Zhengchun struck immediately, breaking both of the actor's arms. Like a swallow with broken wings, the actor crashed to the ground.
"Cao Zhengchun arrived too late to save the emperor; this old servant deserves to die!"
Cao Zhengchun knelt before Zhu Houzhao, his face full of remorse.
Even now, he was still in shock and felt a deep sense of lingering fear.
If Your Majesty hadn't been so discreet, that shot would have struck you squarely in the chest.
If anything happens to His Majesty...
Cao Zhengchun dared not think about it further; he only felt cold sweat pouring down his face and a chill running down his neck.
At the same time, a large number of agents from the Eastern Depot, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and the Imperial Guard sealed off the Cining Palace and took control of the rest of the opera troupe.
The other members of the opera troupe were trembling with fear, kneeling on the ground and kowtowing repeatedly, saying that it had nothing to do with them.
Zhu Houzhao stared expressionlessly at Cao Zhengchun, who trembled and dared not get up.
A moment later, Zhu Houzhao looked away and turned to look at Empress Dowager Zhang beside him.
"Mother, it's alright now, you can release me."
Empress Dowager Zhang seemed to still be in shock when she heard this, and then she suddenly realized what was happening and quickly let go of Zhu Houzhao's hand.
"Ah! Your Majesty, I was so frightened just now that I didn't notice..."
Zhu Houzhao didn't want to listen to Empress Dowager Zhang anymore, so he took two steps forward and picked up Xia Tianxin, who had fallen to the ground.
"Someone, escort Consort Xia back and summon the imperial physician to treat her."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The palace maids and eunuchs, who were stunned, finally came to their senses and quickly took Xia Tianxin from Zhu Houzhao's hands.
"Your Majesty, are you alright...?"
Xia Tianxin was pale and spoke weakly, still worried about Zhu Houzhao's safety.
A rare hint of gentle warmth flashed across Zhu Houzhao's face.
"I'm fine. Just rest and don't think too much. I'll come back to see you when I have time."
"Um……"
After Xia Tianxin was sent away, the surrounding concubines both envied and admired her.
They were all stunned by this sudden turn of events, but Xia Tianxin stepped forward and used her own body to protect Zhu Houzhao.
Honestly, none of them could do that.
Liu Ningwei slumped to the ground, looking at Zhu Houzhao who hadn't even glanced at her once, filled with extreme regret.
Why was she afraid just now? Why did she back down? If only she had been the one standing in front of Zhu Houzhao just now.
But she also realized with disappointment that some opportunities only come once in a lifetime, and once missed, they are missed forever.
Only then did Zhu Houzhao speak to Cao Zhengchun.
"Cao Zhengchun, I ask you, how did the White Lotus Sect thieves manage to smuggle this sharpened spear into my palace through so many security checks?"
"this……"
Cao Zhengchun raised his eyes, glanced at Empress Dowager Zhang with some difficulty, and pondered how to start the conversation.
Empress Dowager Zhang took the initiative to say, "Your Majesty, this is not the fault of Eunuch Cao. This is an opera troupe that I invited."
"The palace guards were afraid of making me miss the performance, which gave the opera troupe an opportunity."
"I also bear some responsibility for this. I will never watch plays again!"
Empress Dowager Zhang wiped away her tears as she sobbed and recounted her story, appearing utterly heartbroken.
Zhu Houzhao's face was gloomy as he walked out of Cining Palace.
"Investigate this matter thoroughly, using every means at your disposal!"
"Otherwise, I will hold you accountable!"
Zhu Houzhao left Cining Palace, but his last words continued to echo in the ears of everyone there.
Cao Zhengchun kowtowed three times in the direction Zhu Houzhao had left.
"Your Majesty, rest assured, this old servant will investigate this matter thoroughly, even at the cost of my life!"
"If this matter is not thoroughly investigated, this old servant will offer his head to Your Majesty!"
Empress Dowager Zhang's face turned slightly pale, and she clenched the embroidered handkerchief in her hands.
The members of the opera troupe collapsed to the ground, utterly exhausted, their faces filled with despair.
Having become involved with the White Lotus Sect, they are likely in grave danger this time.
Only after Zhu Houzhao had completely disappeared from Cining Palace did Cao Zhengchun stand up, turn his head with a gloomy face and a fierce look on his face!
"Eastern Depot, listen to my order! Arrest all these people and I will personally interrogate them!"
"I refuse to believe we can't get you people to talk!"
"And this White Lotus traitor, once he's in our Eastern Depot prison, we'll show him what it means to wish for death but never live!"
"Yes, Master!"
Under Cao Zhengchun's orders, the agents of the Eastern Depot immediately took action, arresting all members of the opera troupe and sending them to the Eastern Depot prison.
Before leaving, Cao Zhengchun gave Empress Dowager Zhang a deep look, then bowed and said, "Your Majesty, His Majesty has given orders; I apologize for my rudeness."
Empress Dowager Zhang waved her hand: "It's alright, important matters come first."
After Cao Zhengchun and the agents of the Eastern Depot disappeared from Cining Palace, a hint of worry finally appeared in Empress Dowager Zhang's eyes.