Droplets of blood fell one after another onto the dragon-headed coronet of the Observatory. The Money Sword of the Taoist traced an arc through the air before shattering on the ground, the copper coins engraved with the four characters "Shun Tian Tong Bao."
"West Factory Thousand Households Chen Zunming, why have you taken up arms to rebel?!"
The Overseer of the Observatory, his hair white as frost, wore a face darkened with anger. The Money Sword in his hand was reduced to half its length.
"Elder Lin has treated me with grace deeper than the mountains. He is also a pillar of the nation. Now the Empress Dowager intends to destroy the Great Wall herself—how could I not rebel?"
Chen Yi's tone was calm as he spoke,
"The Empress Dowager's authority has come to an end. I urge all in the Observatory to cooperate, or else you may all perish here."
At these words, the Eastern Factory men behind Chen Yi pressed forward another step.
