The Liangzhou generals who charged forward put a lot of pressure on Liu Xie. Although his martial prowess had been significantly improved after the system's modifications, otherwise it would have been difficult for him to succeed in assassinating Dong Zhuo earlier, the ferocity of the Liangzhou generals should not be underestimated.
"Traitor, prepare to die!" Liu Xie shouted, leaping onto the table and swinging his Fish Intestine Sword with all his might.
With a flash of sword light, the Liangzhou army general dropped his longsword, clutched his bleeding throat with both hands, and collapsed to the ground with a thud.
At this moment, Liu Xie exuded a fierce aura. He was originally a high and mighty emperor, but he had been suppressed by Dong Zhuo before. However, his status was not to be underestimated.
"Do you all intend to rebel?" Liu Xie shouted from the head of the table.
If Liu Xie's previous assassination attempt on Dong Zhuo was a fluke, the methods he displayed now shocked the soldiers present. Who would have thought that the seemingly frail Liu Xie would have such a formidable side?
Lu Bu snorted coldly and stepped forward. The series of changes tonight had left Lu Bu overwhelmed. As a general under Dong Zhuo, although he was filled with mixed feelings, he knew that if he surrendered at this time, he would definitely suffer.
After surrendering to Dong Zhuo, quite a few officials in the court died at his hands. Otherwise, it would have been extremely difficult to gain Dong Zhuo's trust.
Liu Xie suddenly felt as if he were being stared at by a tiger, and he involuntarily tightened his grip on the Fish Intestine Sword. Lü Bu was a fierce general who was the bravest in the army. When the warlords joined forces to attack Dong Zhuo, many warlords and generals died at Lü Bu's hands.
"Slay the traitors and protect the Emperor!" A loud shout came from outside the palace. Zhang Liao, covered in blood, entered the hall with a hook-and-sickle in hand, followed by heavily armed soldiers.
"Retreat!" Lu Bu ordered.
Now that things have come to this, Lü Bu has no desire to be implicated because of Dong Zhuo's death.
The hundred-odd soldiers, who were initially at a loss, dared not disobey Lü Bu's orders and gathered around him.
Lu Bu gave Liu Xie a deep look, then led his soldiers toward the palace gates.
Liu Xie secretly breathed a sigh of relief. The assassination attempt on Dong Zhuo was fraught with danger with Lü Bu by his side. If Dong Zhuo had seized the opportunity, not only would the assassination have failed, but Liu Xie himself would have been in mortal danger.
By using the pretext of abdication to lure Dong Zhuo here, there was no way out for Liu Xie. No matter what, he could not back down.
"Zhang Liao, how dare you betray me?" Lü Bu asked Zhang Liao, turning his gaze to him.
"Lu Bu, you betrayed Governor Ding and joined the old traitor Dong Zhuo, aiding and abetting evil. Everyone has the right to kill you!" Zhang Liao swung his hook-sickle, and armored soldiers stepped forward.
Lu Bu sneered, "If you want my life, let's see if you have the means."
With a halberd in hand, Lü Bu swiftly and decisively killed several soldiers who charged forward!
The soldiers following behind Lü Bu charged forward and engaged Zhang Liao and his men in battle, creating a chaotic scene.
"Your Majesty, we must leave this place immediately," He Yong said urgently as he stepped forward.
The sudden clash within the palace threw the palace into chaos, with palace maids and eunuchs running around shouting, instantly enlivening Chang'an.
Lu Bu never intended to fight Zhang Liao for long. After Dong Zhuo's death, all he needed to do was leave as soon as possible, otherwise he would be in danger.
Liu Xie was the emperor of the Han Dynasty, while Dong Zhuo had a terrible reputation in Chang'an. There were quite a few officials who wanted to kill Dong Zhuo. If Dong Zhuo died, it would be a nightmare for the soldiers under his command.
Lu Bu was incredibly brave, and no one could get close to him. In just a short while, more than ten soldiers fell to Lu Bu's hands.
Seeing this, Zhang Liao commanded his soldiers to advance towards Liu Xie, for in the midst of the chaos, Liu Xie's safety was of paramount importance.
Liu Xie said solemnly, "I am the Son of Heaven. What do I have to fear from these treacherous ministers and rebels?"
He Yong's body trembled. The nine-year-old emperor gave He Yong the feeling that he was not to be trifled with.
Killing Dong Zhuo was the dream of countless loyal ministers, yet it was realized by the emperor himself—something unimaginable in itself.
"This humble general, Zhang Liao, has arrived late to save Your Majesty. Please punish me!" Zhang Liao knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in salute.
Liu Xie turned his gaze to Zhang Liao, feeling an indescribable satisfaction. Zhang Liao's appearance was very timely; otherwise, the threat posed by Lü Bu and others alone would have been considerable.
"General Zhang, please rise. Execute the traitors, and afterwards reward those who have rendered meritorious service," Liu Xie said.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will proceed to the palace gates immediately." Zhang Liao rose and strode away.
Inside the palace, a hundred soldiers remained to guard the palace. Zhang Liao led the rest of the soldiers toward the palace gate.
It is true that Dong Zhuo died, but there were many of his soldiers in Chang'an. What would these soldiers do after hearing the news? It would not be enough for Zhang Liao's soldiers alone to kill the traitor and incorporate him into Dong Zhuo's forces.
Liu Xie was naturally aware of this, but successfully killing Dong Zhuo was still a good start.
"Mission complete. Please check your rewards." The system notification sounded.
Liu Xie then had time to check the system.
After a quick check, Liu Xie's expression changed, for the system already had two tasks completed, both after killing Dong Zhuo.
"Congratulations, host, on completing the mission of killing Dong Zhuo and driving away Lü Bu. The system reward has been issued. Please check it." The system's notification was so pleasant.
"Three pills of Shennong Dan can cure all diseases."
"The Heavenly Dragon City-Breaking Halberd is said to have belonged to Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King."
"Red Shadow, one of the divine steeds, can travel a thousand miles a day."
"Master of riding!"
The successive rewards greatly surprised Liu Xie, who never expected to receive such generous rewards after successfully assassinating Dong Zhuo and driving away Lü Bu.
"The shop is now open. Please check it out yourself." The system notification sounded again. "Emperor's Mission: Stabilize Chang'an City. If you do not refuse within one minute, it will be considered that you have accepted."
"Accept!" This is a critical moment for the safety of the palace. If stability cannot be achieved in Chang'an, the assassination of Dong Zhuo, even if successful, will be a failure.
Of course, even if Chang'an stabilizes after this incident, it will be devastated, but it will still be better than when Dong Zhuo controlled the court.
Liu Xie believed that with the system's assistance, it was entirely possible for him to achieve something significant in Chang'an.
So what if the emperor is young? The warlords of Guandong have other ideas, and Liu Xie will make them experience a nightmare.
"He Yong?" Liu Xie asked.
After recovering from the shock, He Yong solemnly bowed and said, "Your subject He Yong greets Your Majesty."
Liu Xie nodded and said, "Chang'an is in grave danger right now. Go and assist General Zhang Liao."
"Here you go." He Yong hurriedly left.