After The Mission Failed, The Scumbag Alpha Ran Away - Chapter 56
56: Execution Day (4)
The golden energy shield completely descended, gradually blocking out the rain outside.
Raindrops pattered against the shield as Jiang Youbai darted across the palace rooftops, dodging a hail of bullets as she advanced toward the heart of the imperial palace.
The closer she got to the center, the more patrol guards and drones there were. At a glance, it was clear these guards had been stationed here long-term.
It seemed that at the first sign of trouble, the majority of the capital’s military forces had concentrated in the palace to protect the old emperor’s safety.
A cold laugh echoed in Jiang Youbai’s heart.
When the Human Federation launched a surprise attack on the capital, the old emperor’s first instinct was to protect himself—he hadn’t given a single thought to the safety of the capital’s citizens.
Once, due to her Beta status, she had been denied the right to inherit the throne. Back then, she had stubbornly strived for perfection in everything, just to earn recognition.
In the sixth year of her reign, when the former Crown Princess’s followers rebelled, the young emperor had deployed patrols to guard every street, ensuring the safety of the capital’s citizens, leaving fewer than twenty guards by her own side.
After decades on the throne, the old emperor seemed to have completely transformed into a monster of imperial authority.
People change—sometimes beyond recognition.
If the young emperor of the past were to meet her present self, she would surely be heartbroken.
The increased number of guards slowed Jiang Youbai’s advance toward the palace center, forcing her to fend off attacks from all directions.
She glanced at her position, quickly calculating the distance to the central palace.
With a flick of her laser sword, she cut down several nearby guards and fired a mechanical grappling hook toward the opposite palace.
The guards shouted, “She’s heading to the other side!”
“Quick, stop her!”
“His Highness said to shoot to kill!”
Over a dozen Alpha guards were already stationed on the rooftop of the opposite palace. Using the grappling hook and her own momentum, Jiang Youbai kicked through a glass window, rolled into the palace, and landed inside.
Most of the guards were concentrated around the central palace and the outer perimeter. Jiang Youbai scanned the area—the palace interior was eerily quiet, with almost no guards in sight.
A few guards had already entered the palace behind her.
Jiang Youbai turned and fired a ring-shaped thermal laser from her mech at the ceiling, bringing half of it crashing down. The debris crushed two guards and blocked the path of the others.
The palace’s rooms and corridors were a labyrinth. Guards, who usually only patrolled outdoors within designated areas, easily got lost inside.
With the palace in chaos and most of its power supply cut off, the interior was pitch-black, making it nearly impossible to see under the cover of night.
Jiang Youbai circled around a few times, using the palace’s furnishings and furniture as cover, and easily evaded most of the guards.
Unfortunately, to prevent assassinations, the space between the ceiling and roof in the palace had been minimized, making it impossible for her to crawl through the ceiling to save time.
Soon, Jiang Youbai reached the vicinity of the central palace. Layer upon layer of guards surrounded the study, which was missing a wall. An energy shield enveloped the study, with two aircraft hovering above it.
The old emperor, wrapped in a cloak, sat in a chair, surrounded by layers of guards.
From a distance, Jiang Youbai scanned the area but didn’t spot Lou Huaiche or the others—not even Jiang Qingxian was there.
She frowned and checked the time.
Lou Chuxue had given her only half an hour. Due to the guards’ interference, only a few minutes remained—there was no way to catch up with the main force now.
Since Lou Huaiche wasn’t here, searching within the energy shield’s range would be a challenge.
It’d be better to take the old emperor hostage and force the empire’s forces to help with the search.
Jiang Youbai glanced at her mech’s energy panel—it was down to less than 40%. It could last a while longer, but not indefinitely.
She had been careful to use her laser sword instead of the mech to conserve energy.
After a quick calculation on her personal terminal, Jiang Youbai mapped out the optimal route.
The night appeared tranquil and peaceful, but beneath the veil of darkness, war and unrest raged. Under the golden energy shield, everything and everyone was bathed in a faint golden hue.
The palace steward stood beside the old emperor, bowing obsequiously as he reassured him, “Your Majesty, this shield is a technological marvel beyond our era. Nothing will happen. Besides, with so many guards and patrol drones, and the shield on your person, what could possibly go wrong?”
As soon as he finished speaking, a tiny light flickered in the darkness. Simultaneously, a red dot appeared between the steward’s brows.
Jiang Youbai adjusted the telescopic lens on her goggles and tightened her grip on the laser gun, inhaling sharply.
As expected of Light—unbelievably fast.
Everything happened too quickly. Aside from Jiang Youbai, no one else noticed anything amiss.
The old emperor’s mind was foggy, and the steward’s proximity made him uncomfortable. With a grunt, he raised a hand to push the steward away. “Stay back! Don’t get so close.”
With that slight push, the steward’s body toppled over.
“Assassin! Protect His Majesty! Hurry!” The old emperor shot up from his chair, his face twisted in terror. “It’s her—it’s her—it’s Jiang Youbai—”
The guards barely had time to assume defensive positions before the front row collapsed, throwing the rest into disarray.
No enemy in sight, no weapons detected—their comrades had fallen silently, without warning.
The long-complacent royal patrol immediately lost discipline, descending into chaos.
The old emperor, his mind addled, could only mutter hoarsely, “It’s her… it’s her…”
His voice was so weak and raspy it was nearly inaudible.
A few patrol captains barked orders to restore discipline, but to no avail.
As more and more guards fell, even the captains panicked.
Then, a shadow flickered before their eyes.
Amidst the clamor of the guards, a tall Alpha suddenly appeared before them. Her posture was as straight and elegant as bamboo, her movements graceful and unhurried.
She wore a sleek, full-body suit of unknown material, with half of her left arm encased in mech armor. A helmet and goggles obscured her face, but her silhouette seemed vaguely familiar in the dim light.
The old emperor’s breathing grew ragged.
“It’s her… it’s her… Sister… Sister!”
No one paid attention to his ramblings. The guards at the front all fixed their eyes on the suddenly appeared Alpha.
Jiang Youbai tightened her grip on the laser gun—now with only one shot left—and kicked away a guard in front of her. A beam shot from her mech-armored arm, instantly cutting down over a dozen people.
The guards collapsed where they stood.
In the chaos, the guards gradually fell silent, instinctively retreating, too afraid to approach this mysterious Alpha.
As Jiang Youbai stepped forward, they scrambled back. Someone shrieked, “Monster!”
In sheer terror, the guard fired two shots at Jiang Youbai—but the bullets left no mark.
A deathly silence fell over the guards as they watched the Alpha approach the emperor.
Jiang Youbai rubbed the spot where the bullet had struck, feeling a dull ache, then pressed her gun to the old emperor’s neck. “Your Majesty, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”
The old emperor’s eyes widened in horror, his body trembling uncontrollably. His mind seemed to clear for a moment. “It’s you… You’re really alive? You’re really alive?”