Li Yao walked past the young man and picked up the sword Li Heng had dropped in the blood, pressing his abdomen as he exited the alley.
He was weaker than before, but fewer people dared to meet his gaze now. As he walked forward along the street, people coming towards him would avoid his path.
By the time he reached the palace gate, he hardly recognized the place.
The outer walls had been washed by fire and blades, large bloodstains sinking into the cracks of bricks and stones. In the winter, it was difficult to wash away with water, so the stains had simply accumulated. Entering through the palace gate, he saw a mix of different attire; palace maids and eunuchs bustling, men in blue, purple, and armored with spears stood together, most with a silent and anxious expression on their faces.
