Lan Yan, leading Ruan Yuan, patrolled the paths around the altar, finding no suspicious signs. She frowned and stopped.
"General, what is it?" Ruan Yuan asked, puzzled.
Lan Yan looked towards the altar, separated by a door, and said, "It's too quiet here, which is precisely what's unsettling."
Normally, these paths would be guarded, but as they walked, they hadn't seen a single person.
Ruan Yuan scanned the surroundings and shivered. It was indeed excessively quiet. "General, what should we do now?"
"Divide the forces for patrol." Lan Yan turned and designated three people. "Each of you take a team and guard the entrances and exits. If anything happens, signal with fireworks."
The three immediately stepped forward and shouted, "Yes, General." They departed as instructed.
Lan Yan felt somewhat relieved and then looked at Ruan Yuan. "Ruan Yuan, go to a nearby high vantage point for an overview."
"Yes, General," Ruan Yuan replied respectfully. "And you?"
Lan Yan's gaze deepened. "I'm going to the altar." If something were to happen, the people lurking in the shadows would have significant intentions, likely targeting the Emperor. And beside the Emperor was Jun Yelan.
A sense of unease filled her. After Ruan Yuan left, she headed directly towards the altar.
By then, the area around the altar was already crowded with members of the royal family and ministers.
Lan Yan moved through the crowd, her gaze fixed on the platform where Jun Yelan sat cross-legged before a table, his eyes closed. She wanted to approach but was stopped by the imperial guards. She smiled and said, "General Zhu, I just wanted to say a word to the High Priest."
"No, the Emperor is about to arrive. No one is allowed to approach," General Zhu refused, his face rugged and full of righteous determination.
Lan Yan drooped her head, realizing she couldn't see Jun Yelan. She could only say, "Then, General Zhu, you must be extra vigilant and protect the altar."
Seeing General Zhu ignore her, she didn't dare say more. She cast a reluctant glance at the platform and moved to the side.
She found a spot from which she could see the altar and stood there with resignation.
With the sound of a drum, the Emperor, clad in resplendent attire, ascended the altar and looked out at the gathered crowd.
Jun Yelan stood to the side, holding a written scroll, his gaze also fixed on it.
The Emperor spoke, "Everyone, our Great Yan Dynasty was established amidst chaos, and we are rebuilding from scratch. Today, I hold this sacrifice to inform Heaven and Earth, to honor those who departed before us, and to urge everyone to unite and unify the realm."
"Long live His Majesty, long live, long live, long live!" the crowd below knelt and shouted.
However, at that very moment, a loud explosion erupted around the altar, followed by thick smoke that enshrouded the platform.
Lan Yan reacted instantly, her hand gripping the sword at her waist, and she shouted, "Protect the altar!" She covered her mouth and nose and charged forward, but was intercepted by black-clad figures emerging from the smoke.
"Damn it!" she drew her sword, slashing the arm of a black-clad attacker, and continued to charge forward, only to be blocked by others.
She could only continue to swing her blade, her worry for the altar growing.
The people below the altar, seeing the black-clad figures, scattered and cried out, "Help us!"
The guards responsible for protection also reacted, engaging the attackers. General Zhu, the commander of the imperial guards, directly ascended the platform to escort the Emperor to safety.
Only Jun Yelan remained on the platform, watching the unfolding events with a cold demeanor. Black-clad figures rushed towards him, drawing hidden daggers from their sleeves and delivering swift, fatal blows.
He looked at the fallen figures before him and, noticing the character "Ying" on their sleeves, his brow furrowed.
These were remnants of the Ying Kingdom, the same group that had attacked him and Lan Yan last time. They were clearly not giving up, having infiltrated the imperial city to carry out a larger scheme.
Jun Yelan thought of Lan Yan, his eyes darkening. Lan Yan was patrolling outside the altar today, and the black-clad attackers were focusing their assault here, so she should be relatively safe.
Yet, a flicker of concern arose in his heart. He glanced towards the altar's entrance and took a step forward.
The smoke around Lan Yan grew denser, irritating her eyes to the point of tears. She forced herself to hold them back, resolutely gripping her sword and swinging it at the attackers beside her.
The black-clad figures seemed to know who she was, relentlessly targeting her.
She shouted, "Hey, I'm just a minor figure, why are you so focused on me? I suggest you turn back."
The attackers, their eyes filled with ferocity, ignored her.
Seeing this, Lan Yan knew words were useless. She turned to the others and asked, "By the way, how many of you are there, and where are you all?"
The attackers gave her a look as if she were insane and swung their blades towards Lan Yan. Suddenly, arrows flew from behind them, striking several people. The remaining attackers looked around.
High on the platform, archers were positioned, aiming at them. How could they have deployed so quickly! They looked at Lan Yan with suspicion.
Lan Yan smiled faintly. "Oh my, you've finally discovered me." She had been stalling for time, waiting for Ruan Yuan to complete her preparations.
The black-clad attackers became enraged and attacked Lan Yan with even greater force. But suddenly, insects swarmed around them, accompanied by faint whistling sounds.
Seeing the insects, Lan Yan could only think of one person. She looked around and saw Jun Yelan standing not far from her. She curved her lips. "Now you're all done for."
As she spoke, she raised her sword, and with a downward stroke, the attackers before her fell. She strode past them, running towards Jun Yelan, a smile gracing her lips.
Jun Yelan continued to whistle, a hint of gentleness in his eyes.
This time, no one obstructed Lan Yan. She reached Jun Yelan unimpeded. Just as she was about to praise him, she suddenly saw that Jun Yelan's arm was covered in blood and exclaimed with concern, "You're injured!"
She reached out anxiously, drawing near Jun Yelan, but hesitated to touch him, afraid of causing him more pain.
Jun Yelan shook his head. "It's nothing." He pulled Lan Yan behind him and kicked away an approaching attacker.
From such close proximity, Lan Yan could see the gruesome nature of Jun Yelan's wounds more clearly and felt her heart ache.
This was not the time to tend to wounds. She and Jun Yelan ran forward, taking cover behind the altar to quickly bandage his injuries.
She poked her head out and saw a group of imperial guards rushing in through the entrance, letting out a sigh of relief. "In a while longer, this place will be cleared." Both she and Jun Yelan were exhausted; hiding now was the best course of action.
Jun Yelan looked at their intertwined hands, his eyes flickering, but he remained silent.
Lan Yan watched for a long time. Seeing the black-clad figures being apprehended by the imperial guards, she finally felt at ease. She pulled Jun Yelan to his feet and said, "Let's go join them."
"En," Jun Yelan nodded.
As they walked, Lan Yan wondered, "Jun Yelan, how did you get injured just now?" Jun Yelan was very capable; it was unlikely he would be injured so easily.
Jun Yelan looked at his wound and recalled the events. He had approached the entrance and faintly heard Lan Yan's voice. Seeing Lan Yan being surrounded, he had rushed forward in concern, leading to this.
He stared into Lan Yan's eyes, lost in hesitation.