"Xu Ming, Ye Xiaohou, heed my command!" "Yes!" Both Xu Ming and Ye Xiaohou stood up and responded. "I order you to proceed with the original plan: first, organize the undercover members to spread out across the outskirts of the capital, using your inherent advantages to prevent Ye Han's forces from advancing a single step further.

Should you find yourselves unable to hold the line, do not engage in a direct confrontation; retreat step by step!" Yang Yi instructed. "Understood!" "The Ten Armies, heed my command!" "We are here!" Long Yiyi and the others responded.

"I command you and the Crown Prince's faction to establish a fortified perimeter at the central hub of the capital, utilizing your strengths to block Ye Han's forces from closing in on the Forbidden City. You differ from Xu Ming; while he retreats, you advance, and upon meeting up with him, launch a massive counterattack!" "We accept the order!" "Xiaoyao Wuqing, Xuanyuan Bing, Fatty Lin, heed my command!" Yang Yi swept his gaze over them and stated, "The two of you are responsible for coordinating the forces rushing in from the periphery.

Upon seeing Mu Qingfeng, convey my order: surround the entire Forbidden City; do not let a single fly escape!" "Understood!" "Good, that covers the main points. As for me...!" Yang Yi turned around, took a deep breath, and a strange smile touched the corner of his mouth: "Watch your backs, move out!" "Yes!" The sound in the conference room was deafening, and every person present wore an expression of sheer excitement.

For many, a battle of this magnitude might be the only one of their lives. They were thrilled, deeply agitated.

Simultaneously, on the other side, this location was the central nerve center of Zhongnanhai. "Old Wen!" Qin Feng called out after entering an office.

Wen Long, who was reviewing documents, immediately stood up upon hearing the voice and quickly inquired, "Old Qin, how is the situation progressing?" "It's arranged. It was even announced in tonight's capital news, staging a military defense drill, requiring cooperation from the citizens to remain indoors tonight.

The entire route towards the Forbidden City is now being secured entirely by the military!" Qin Feng reported. "Good, very good.

How is the cleanup operation proceeding?" "That has also been handled. I'm not worried about those aspects; I'm worried about what might happen tonight...!" "Alas, there's no helping it.

The underworld remains a major, persistent threat to the nation, yet they cannot simply be eradicated. Moreover, Ye Han's forces are all affiliated with foreign underworld organizations; we must be fully prepared for this," Wen Long sighed.

"Mm... then the rest depends on him." "Haha, that kid Yang Yi is indeed remarkable; he understands the bigger picture.

No wonder Old Qin always spoke so highly of him to me." Hearing this, Qin Feng's old face flushed slightly. "Come, Old Wen, let's have some tea and play a game of Go, how about it?" "Done!" It was now eight o'clock in the evening.

Back with Yang Yi, anticipating the rendezvous at the Forbidden City. Yang Yi couldn't tell if he felt nervous, excited, or simply thrilled.

He was currently bathing and changing his clothes. The recent deluge of events had caused him to somewhat neglect his age; he was twenty-two, and perhaps due to the constant deep thinking, a scattering of stubble had sprouted beneath his jaw.

After shaving, Yang Yi washed up and wrapped a white towel around his waist. Looking at his reflection, he seemed to be contemplating the difference between the man he was a few years ago and the man he was now.

A few years ago, Yang Yi might have been a callow, utterly brazen rogue. But now it was different.

Polished by countless incidents, refined through layered experiences, and having skirted the edge of death several times, the current Yang Yi had gained profound depth. The arrogance of the rogue was contained deep within his bones, the rogue's temperament subdued in his belly, and the rogue's wisdom had been sublimated to a higher degree.

"Perhaps, this young master is merely a rogue with refinement." "Even a rogue needs refinement?" Xiu'er, seemingly having overheard his self-admiration from outside the door, couldn't help but tease with a smile. "Of course.

Being a petty rogue is easy; being a great rogue is difficult!" Yang Yi finished dressing and opened the bathroom door, stepping out. Xiu'er saw that Yang Yi’s hair was still wet, water droplets still tracing paths down his body.

She immediately pursed her lips into a smile, walked up to him, and began drying his hair while laughing, "Then doesn't that make my husband a high-grade rogue?" "Precisely, this young master is a high-grade rogue!" Yang Yi smiled slightly and extended a large hand. Suddenly, the towel wrapped around his waist slipped loose, and a sharp chill swept over his lower region.

In his momentary shock, he glanced at Xiu'er, only to see her face turned away, completely crimson. Yang Yi quickly rewrapped the towel.

However, just as he secured it, his heartbeat suddenly accelerated. Because at that moment, Xiu'er looked utterly captivating.

Naturally possessing the aura of a femme fatale, she was undeniably a sight to behold right then. Dressed in a thin, sheer blouse, emitting a bewitching, intimate fragrance, the most lethal factor was the burning flush on her cheeks, which made Yang Yi feel as if the color might drip off her face.

"Husband!" Xiu'er also felt the atmosphere abruptly shift to one of intense ambiguity. Under this heady tension, she suddenly felt her own body growing weak.

Seeing her wobble as if about to collapse, Yang Yi instinctively lunged forward to support her. But, most fatally, the towel slipped off again.

The reflexive action caused him to pitch forward with Xiu'er, tumbling toward the ground. As their eyes locked, both felt a tremor run through them.

It seemed this was the legendary electric current. Feeling something substantial pressing against her, Xiu'er’s face became utterly shy.

"Husband, if you... if you want...

want Xiu'er, Xiu'er won't... mind!" "Xiu'er!" Yang Yi suppressed the desire raging inside him and called out softly before asking, "Aren't you afraid you'll regret this?" "Mmm, mmm!" Xiu'er shook her head.

"Xiu'er is your wife; serving my husband is the natural order of things. Xiu'er will not regret it!" "Sigh...

you are just too devoted," Yang Yi sighed deeply, looking at the pitifully lovely Xiu'er. He closed his eyes, inhaled sharply, and slowly lowered his lips.

A searing kiss was undoubtedly the spark for everything that followed. To ascend into the blue of desire—why not seek a single day of exquisite pleasure?

Perhaps only this phrase could represent them now. Because Yang Yi didn't know if he would ever see the sun rise again.

He didn't know if he would survive the battle at the Forbidden City tonight, nor could he predict what kind of world would emerge after this night passed... Perhaps life was simply this unpredictable!

The transition from maiden to mature woman happens in an instant; once certain barriers vanish, she naturally becomes seasoned. Xiu'er was already well-endowed with potential; after the baptism of intimacy, she naturally gained an added layer of intoxicating allure.

"Third Brother, when do you think they will make their move?" Ye Xiaohou stood before a window, pulling back the half-drawn curtain to look outside. It was nearly nine o'clock that night.

Pedestrians on the capital streets were sparse; even a stray cat seemed to sense the pervasive aura of impending bloodshed hanging over the city, especially toward the Forbidden City! "I don't know, but it should be soon.

It's five minutes until nine now. The meeting between the Boss and Ye Han is set for nine.

They will surely choose that moment," Xu Ming said, his eyes shadowed with intensity. Ye Xiaohou agreed with a nod and asked, "Third Brother, in a direct fight between the Boss and Ye Han, who do you think has the better chance of winning?" "This..." Xu Ming pondered for a moment, then admitted helplessly, "I truly don't know!" "Alas, one is my elder brother, and the other is my Boss.

I genuinely don't wish to see them clash!" "Fourth Brother, things have come to this; there is no other choice. After all, even with your counsel, Ye Han may not be willing to turn back to the righteous path." Ye Han sighed softly and shook his head, falling silent.

Meanwhile, only five minutes remained until nine o'clock. At the Forbidden City, the residence of emperors from the ancient era, it was heralded as a primary national cultural treasure.

Normally, entry required specific passes, or one had to wait for the general public visiting hours during the day. But now, in the grand plaza of the Forbidden City, several figures had appeared—or rather, two distinct groups.

Unmistakably, one group belonged to Ye Han; he was accompanied by Tian Si and several clansmen from the Heavenly Ghost lineage, all around the Great Grandmaster level. The other group was Yang Yi's; he was flanked by Xiu'er, who had just experienced womanhood, and the 'Six Paths of Reincarnation,' the personal bodyguards of the Dragon Lord.

The two groups halted just a meter apart. Ye Han scanned the people accompanying Yang Yi with a cold sneer.

"Yang Yi, surely you didn't come empty-handed? Why bring such a small band of clowns?" "Heh heh," Yang Yi replied, meeting Ye Han's gaze without concern, smiling lightly.

"My apologies for making you wait."