Because in the end, they would still have to face the city gates. Given the direction they were running, it was already impossible to reach Anding Gate; the nearest option was Dongzhimen, or they could head south to Chaoyangmen. But no matter which gate they chose, the Shun army had already taken control. After Abraham Lincoln surrounded all the gates of Beijing, the outer city gates were breached, then Paul Cooper entered from the south, while the northern army entered through Desheng and Anding gates. Although the east was not the main attack direction, it was not left unguarded either.

"Why don't you come down after all!"

Henry Clark said gloomily.

"All my family died in the plague, I have nowhere to go. Even if it means certain death, I am willing to serve Your Majesty."

The young girl said softly.

"But... following me is a near-certain death!"

Henry Clark said.

"We can leave the city through the Water Gate."

The girl said.

"Yes, Your Majesty, there's no way out through the city gates. It's better to try the Dongzhimen Water Gate. Although there's an iron grille at the Water Gate, with Your Majesty's divine strength, maybe you could even lift it."

Old Harris said from behind.

That was indeed an option.

At this moment, the Shun army had just entered the city, so there was certainly no defense at the Water Gate. And since it was early spring, there was barely any water there. Although there were usually three iron grilles blocking the way, Henry Clark was fairly confident when it came to those iron bars. To say he could lift a thousand catties was not an exaggeration at this point. As long as those iron grilles weren't as heavy as the massive gate at Zhonghua Gate, he could probably open them. It was just a bit embarrassing to crawl through the sewer.

But right now, there was no time to worry about that.

"Let's go, to the Water Gate!"

Henry Clark said resolutely.

Chapter 004: His Majesty is Possessed by the Great Ancestor!

Dongzhimen.

Henry Clark gazed gloomily ahead.

"Dog Emperor, you really came!"

On top of the towering city wall, a young general was looking at him smugly. On either side of this fellow stood rows of Shun soldiers armed with bows and muskets, all ready to fire at any moment and turn him into a beehive. In addition, there were several Ming soldiers who had just been beaten by his spear, now bowing and scraping like puppet troops beside Japanese devils. Clearly, these bastards had sold him out completely.

Henry Clark took a deep breath, urged his horse forward a few steps, then looked at the general and said proudly, "This is my empire—where can I not go?"

"Your empire?"

The general sneered, "Too bad it's under new management now. Look at you, still wearing the dragon robe—can't bear to take it off? If you took off that robe and crawled into a rat hole, maybe I'd have a hard time finding you. But you actually want to escape Beijing dressed like that? You really are stupid enough—no wonder you couldn't hold onto your throne. Get off your horse and surrender. The Chuang King might even reward you with a little courtyard to keep you in."

"I am the true Son of Heaven—how could I stoop to the ways of you bandits? Do you even know what it means to be an emperor? Things have come to this—if you have the guts to slay your sovereign, then go ahead. The Emperor of Great Ming would never surrender to traitors."

Henry Clark said.

At the same time, he swept his gaze around. The surrendered Ming soldiers were all silent.

"Are you not subjects of Great Ming? When has His Majesty ever treated you unfairly? Even I, an old eunuch, know to be loyal. The nation has nurtured scholars for three hundred years—why is there not a single loyal minister? It's true that His Majesty's poor governance has brought famine, but which of you has not long enjoyed imperial favor? Who among you is not wealthy? Who is Chuang the traitor? Just a bandit and a thief! You abandon the Son of Heaven of three hundred years to follow bandits—are you not opening the gates to thieves? Do you not know that a thief is always a thief! I will die today, but in the afterlife, I will watch as your children and riches are swept away in a single day!"

Edward Harris shouted explosively.

"Die, you old eunuch!"

The general snatched a bow and arrow from a nearby soldier and, without hesitation, shot an arrow at Old Harris.

Old Harris did not move.

But just as the arrow was about to reach him, Henry Clark's hand shot out like lightning, instantly catching it. Before anyone could react, the arrow whistled as it was flung back as if shot from a powerful bow. The general hurriedly dodged, and the arrow grazed his ear, striking a soldier behind him, burying nearly half its length in the man's body.

Gasps of shock came from both sides.

"His Majesty is possessed by the Great Ancestor! Our Great Ming will rise again!"

Old Harris shouted madly.

"Fire!"

The general roared.

Instantly, a rain of arrows flew from the city wall.

Henry Clark suddenly leapt from his horse. Almost at the same time, as the arrows streaked down like meteors, a flash of white light appeared before him, and a nearly ten-meter-long lamppost materialized in his hand. In midair, he spun it into a curtain of light, deflecting the arrows from the wall. However, a few bullets still made it through, one of them hitting his shoulder. But Henry Clark, as if unfazed, took advantage of the soldiers reloading their arrows, let out a roar, and, like a pole vaulter, planted the lamppost at the base of the wall and vaulted himself up, landing directly atop the city wall.

But at that very moment, the fastest archers released their bowstrings.

Three arrows plunged into Henry Clark's chest and abdomen.

Yet he seemed not to notice, swinging the lamppost with a whoosh, sweeping the archers away.

"His Majesty is possessed by the Great Ancestor! His Majesty is possessed by the Great Ancestor!"