Chen Mo traveled southwards, spreading news of driving the Desolate Kingdom out to the people along the way.

The people, upon hearing this news, and even knowing that the Queen of the Desolate Kingdom had been captured by Chen Mo, applauded and cheered one after another.

Consequently, Chen Mo’s prestige further ingrained itself in their hearts.

After all, Chen Mo’s arrival meant that many hooligans and robbers who took advantage of the chaos were beheaded, and his soldiers undoubtedly became a just royal army.

His arrival was like a stabilizing force, causing all officials and powers to want to pledge their allegiance and curry favor. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

After frenzied riding for a few day-nights covering nearly a thousand miles, the army behind Chen Mo was exhausted.

After resting at the original spot for half a day, they continued their journey.

Upon reaching Nanyang, Chen Mo didn’t enter the city to meet Jiang Ruoqing and the others but went straight towards Bianliang.

However, it wasn’t long before they encountered the obstruction of the Yellow Turban rebels.

Their number was considerable, forming a dense throng.

But Chen Mo’s troops had just fought the formidable Loulan army, and dealing with this rabble was like squashing ants.

With one charge of the battle array, the seemingly powerful Yellow Turban rebels were thrown into chaos, wailing and fleeing in all directions.

Li Weiqiu perked up and said, "My lord, these Yellow Turban rebels are too weak, even inferior to the bandits we encountered on the road. It seems like they aren’t even intent on opposing us. Could this be a trap?"

Zhao Qianyi also frowned, feeling that something was off and advised Chen Mo to be careful.

Chen Mo also sensed something amiss, thinking that the enemy wanted them to drop their guard, there might be an ambush later, so he began to simulate it in his mind.

After understanding the reason, Chen Mo waved his hand and said, "Don’t bother with them; just a bunch of rabble, keep moving forward."

Moments later, the sound of horns echoed, horses galloped back and forth, and countless soldiers kicked up a dust storm that darkened the sky.

Men like dragons, horses like tigers, over two hundred thousand heroes fresh from the battlefield wielded their blades and headed for the Capital City Bianliang of the Great Song Dynasty.

...

Bianliang City.

Yong’an Palace.

"Your Highness, it’s not good. King Yan has not responded to us. Other forces have indicated they dare not offend Chen Mo and do not wish to get involved. The only ones who agreed were the Yellow Turban Army, who sent just a hastily assembled peasant force that fled after minimal fighting. In less than a day, Chen Mo will be leading an army to the city gates."

Die Wu knelt on one knee before Hu Mei’Er, speaking anxiously.

Upon hearing this, Hu Mei’Er was momentarily struck, her pretty face paling as she slumped to the ground, "It’s over, everything is over."

At this moment, she could clearly see that the Yellow Turban Army that promised to intercept was only trying to trick her into promises and had no intention of really stopping Chen Mo, sending just a temporary ragtag band of refugees unworthy to be called an army.

Now, her power lost and her wealth swindled away by the Yellow Turban Army.

The hope of restoring the kingdom was gone forever.

Years of effort vanished in an instant.

Hu Mei’Er sorrowfully sank as if her heart had died.

Seeing the opportunity, Die Wu advised, "Your Highness, retreat; as long as you are alive, there remains hope for restoring the kingdom. When the green hills remain, there’ll be wood to burn."

As Hu Mei’Er hesitated.

A Black Shadow hurriedly appeared before Hu Mei’Er and said, "Your Highness, it’s bad, Chen Mo is already outside the city. Our people are resisting; the lord urges Your Highness to leave quickly."

"What?!" Die Wu’s complexion changed: "How could he arrive so quickly?"

...

As it turned out, after defeating the Yellow Turban Army, Chen Mo didn’t stop along the way.

Thus, by the time the news reached Bianliang, Chen Mo, with his light cavalry, had already closely followed and reached Bianliang City.

On the city tower, Hua Yi, the general defending the city and a member of Hu Mei’Er’s faction, glanced at the dense figures below and couldn’t help but break out in a cold sweat. Forcing himself to muster courage, he asked rhetorically, "Who’s below the city?"

"Blind fool, can’t even recognize my lord?" Gao Zheng rebuked on Chen Mo’s behalf.

Feigning blindness, Hua Yi rubbed his eyes and said, "So it’s Lord Chen, I apologize for my oversight, forgive my offense, forgive my offense."

"Cut the nonsense, open the city gate quickly," Chen Mo commanded.

Hua Yi smiled ingratiatingly, "Then, Lord Chen, please rest for a moment while I seek instructions."

He was stalling for time.

Annoyed, Chen Mo scolded: "Seeking instructions? Could it be that returning to the court you won’t even let me, Chen Mo, enter Bianliang City?"

"My lord jests..." Hua Yi muttered as he hid from view, fearing hidden arrows, still speaking in diplomatic tones, "Lord Chen, my official position is quite humble; this is beyond my authority."

He was still stalling.

Seeing this, Chen Mo decided not to waste more words. Just as he prepared to attack forcefully.

The city gate had already been pushed open from inside by someone beneath Hua Yi.

Even though this Western Shu army had Hu Mei’Er’s people inserted at various levels among its commanders to ensure its basic operation, those below didn’t truly obey these people’s orders.

"Who told you to open the city gate, close it quickly." Hua Yi’s face changed dramatically. As soon as he spoke, he suddenly realized the ominous look on the faces of several soldiers who approached him with their heads down.

Chen Mo’s prestige was too deep; these lower-level soldiers did not want to oppose Chen Mo at all.

Seeing the gates open, Chen Mo realized the implication immediately. Leading his troops into the city, he ordered someone to deal with the defending general and then headed straight for the Imperial Palace with the remaining force.

Horseshoes clattered atop the city’s cobbled streets, drawing the attention of the citizens.

Upon seeing Chen Mo, one by one they understood what had occurred.

In fact, after Chen Mo’s matters stirred the city some time ago, they knew this day would eventually come; Chen Mo isn’t someone easily manipulated.

They had become numb to it; how many times had such things occurred?

The last time blood was spilled in the city; it hadn’t even dried yet.

As Chen Mo entered the city, the ten-thousand-strong army within instantly submitted to Chen Mo without a trace of resistance, allowing Chen Mo to proceed unhindered.

Just when Chen Mo was reaching the Imperial Palace, someone claiming to be Mo Bingtai, holding Quan Qiyang’s token, informed that Hu Mei’Er had already fled with Your Majesty from the palace, specifying the direction they headed.

After confirming it was indeed Quan Qiyang’s token, Chen Mo immediately divided his forces into two; one to head to the palace, another to chase Hu Mei’Er, wary it was Hu Mei’Er’s strategy to divert and distract.

Sure enough, the group that pursued Hu Mei’Er discovered they were chasing someone in disguise.

The real Hu Mei’Er had already reached the Genyue, through Yong’an Palace’s tunnel, with Shi Si, Hu Sheng, and several Black Shadow people, they changed into Imperial Guard uniforms, intending to leave Bianliang amidst the chaos.

But upon reaching the gate, they were surrounded by a group.

"Empress Dowager Hu, Lord Shi, Prime Minister Hu, where are you planning to go?" Chen Mo asked with a smile, a glint of golden light flashing in his eyes.