Chapter 38: Chou Zui

The secret passage twisted endlessly, disappearing into the darkness as they advanced deeper with the dim light of torches. Zhao Yan’s body gradually shed the heat of summer, leaving only a bone-chilling coldness as they proceeded.

The walls were damp, and strange rocks hung overhead, occasionally dripping water into puddles below.

Squatting down, Gu Xing ran his hand over the puddles on the ground, investigating for a moment before raising his eyes to stare directly into the darkness ahead. “The footprints are fresh, about a dozen people have passed through here. There must be an exit ahead.”

The group trod cautiously through the uneven path, walking a hundred steps further. The narrow passage gradually widened, leading to a natural cavern, where the dampness thickened.

Gu Xing, leading the way, suddenly stopped, raising his hand to signal the others to be cautious. “The footprints have disappeared. Beware of an ambush.”

As he spoke, several shadows flickered across the stone wall, followed by the sudden twang of a bowstring as several crossbow bolts flew towards them.

“Protect His Highness!” Gu Xing shouted, lifting his sword to deflect two arrows.

The other two guards also drew their swords, well-trained and ready. Zhao Yan pressed her body against the protruding rock wall at the corner, hearing only the clashing of arrows and blades, sparks flying in the darkness.

In order to pass through the stone door they encountered earlier, the guards had shed their armor for agility, putting them at a disadvantage against the barrage of arrows.

Gu Xing threw his torch into a puddle, panting, “Your Highness, stay hidden and don’t move.”

Zhao Yan nodded, gripping her short sword as the torch went out, plunging the surroundings into total darkness.

The assailants, unable to locate their target, fired a few more stray arrows before retreating into silence.

Aware that they hadn’t left but were lurking in the darkness like beasts, waiting for their prey to reveal themselves, Zhao Yan’s clothes soaked with the dampness seeping from the walls. Holding her breath, she sensed faint footsteps approaching in the darkness and immediately raised her short sword!

“It’s us, Your Highness,” Gu Xing whispered as he approached.

Relaxing slightly, Zhao Yan listened as Gu Xing spoke in a hushed tone, “The crossbow bolts can’t turn corners. It’s temporarily safe behind the corner of the wall.”

One of the guards, injured by an arrow, was slightly disoriented. “They will find their way here sooner or later.”

This situation couldn’t be confronted head-on. Having come this far and with no light to guide their way back, retreating was not an option. In the extreme darkness and silence, Zhao Yan’s mind recalled vividly the scenes of learning military strategy from Wen Renlin in the Chongwen Hall.

She calmed down and said softly, “Right now, everyone is blind. It’s uncertain who will kill whom.”

“Use stones as bait to lure the enemy closer. Then, we strike back.”

Once their eyes adjusted slightly to the darkness, Gu Xing picked up a stone and threw it into a nearby puddle. In the darkness, the sound was amplified, echoing crisply off the stone walls.

The nearest assassin heard the noise and immediately moved to attack. But before he could reach, two guards who had been waiting nearby rushed forward, subdued him, and swiftly snapped his neck.

Gu Xing intentionally stepped on the puddle again to make noise, coordinating silently with his subordinates. They used the same method to deal with the second and third assailants in succession.

The remaining two assassins realized the situation was turning against them and remained hidden, no longer exposing themselves.

The injured guard also recognized this and volunteered, “Let me act as bait to draw out those two.”

Worried, Zhao Yan said, “You’re injured, it’s too dangerous.”

“Your Highness, rest assured. I’ve followed Captain Gu for many years. We have this understanding. Being able to fight alongside Your Highness makes my life worthwhile!”

With that, the guard stepped forward briskly, lighting a torch he had taken from one of the assassins’ bodies and shouted loudly, “I surrender, don’t kill me!”

Two more arrows were shot, narrowly missing the guard, who continued to lure the enemies.

As two more arrows were fired, Gu Xing saw the direction of the arrows clearly and quietly approached with his sword.

The crossbowman hiding in the dark raised his arm again, aiming his arrow at the weakening guard below, completely unaware that Gu Xing had climbed onto the stone platform and circled behind him.

Feeling a cold sensation on his neck, the crossbowman’s eyes widened as he fell from the platform, silenced forever. The last assassin, seeing the situation had turned against him, immediately turned and fled towards the exit.

Knowing that if he escaped, he would surely return to report and call for reinforcements, Zhao Yan couldn’t help but call out softly, “Gu Xing!”

Gu Xing threw his sword, the blade cutting through the air, and the man fell with a cry.

With the obstacles cleared, they moved forward. Not far ahead, the air gradually became fresher, and a faint blue light appeared in the distance.

Supporting herself against the stone wall, Zhao Yan emerged from the secret passage, feeling the hot mountain wind blowing in her face. By the faint moonlight leaking through the thick clouds, she realized they had traversed the depths of the mountain and arrived in an unfamiliar outskirts.

The wind rustled through the trees like mocking laughter as several figures sat around a campfire, resting on the ground.

Seeing Zhao Yan and her group emerge safely, Zhao Yuanyu was shocked and panicked, scrambling to his feet and running away.

Gripping the lotus-patterned jade pendant at her waist tightly, Zhao Yan said hoarsely, “Stop!”

Zhao Yuanyu didn’t dare to stop. Leading the few remaining guards, he ran wildly and disappeared into the dilapidated streets at the end of the road.

A heavy rain was imminent, with no stars or moonlight to be seen. A broken lantern, blown down by the wind, smashed onto the cracked boundary stone at the roadside, faintly revealing the words “Liu’s Charity Inn.”

The Liu family, a once prominent clan, had already fallen during last year’s rebellion. The dilapidated charity inn on the street was deserted, perfect for rats to hide.

Gu Xing protected Zhao Yan in front, holding his sword. “Your Highness, the enemy’s tracks disappeared as soon as they entered the inn. They must be hiding in the darkness.”

As if confirming his words, there came a faint sound of twigs breaking behind them.

Zhao Yan turned around and saw Zhao Yuanyu, who had just fled moments ago, smirking as he advanced, maliciously crushing the broken lantern underfoot.

“You really dare to come after me. When did you become so bold?” 

Zhao Yuanyu raised his hand, signaling, and guards from the Prince Yong’s Mansion surrounded them from all sides, their eyes glinting with malice.

On the second floor of the charity inn, Wen Renlin stood with his hands behind his back, overlooking the scene from the broken window rattling in the wind. He had hurried here upon noticing the tracks, just in time for this spectacle.

Seeing that the young prince was clearly outnumbered and his luxurious attire slightly disheveled from the journey, Zhang Cang couldn’t help but ask, “Your Highness, shall I send someone to help…”

Before he could finish his sentence, Cai Tian nudged him with his elbow, shaking his head as a warning not to say more.

Outside, the wind howled, but Wen Renlin remained still in the darkness. His face was as calm as water, his jet-black eyes coldly fixed on the slender figure confronting them, devoid of any emotion.

Zhang Cang inexplicably shuddered, swallowing the rest of his words: this time, it seemed that His Highness was truly angered.

Zhao Yan quickly assessed the situation, counting the men around Zhao Yuanyu, about six or seven in total. A gamble might still offer a chance of survival. But letting him go would be akin to letting a tiger return to the mountains, inviting endless trouble.

Zhao Yan asked Gu Xing, “Can you still fight?”

Gu Xing and the others didn’t hesitate. “We are willing to go through fire and water for Your Highness!”

“Good.”

Zhao Yan’s eyes were determined as she took a step forward, facing the guards from Prince Yong’s Mansion. “Assassinating the Crown Prince is a crime punishable by extermination of nine generations. You all should not only think of yourselves but also your wives, children, and loved ones. I know you brave men are forced to follow Zhao Yuanyu due to circumstances. As long as you drop your weapons and help me capture this traitor, there will be a hefty reward!”

These guards were not assassins. Hearing Zhao Yan’s words, a few of the more timid ones began to waver.

“He’s lying, he’s not the Crown Prince!”

Seeing the guards take a step back, Zhao Yuanyu panicked, drew a guard’s sword, and pointed it at Zhao Yan, saying harshly, “Kill the imposter! Once I become the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace, you will all be my loyal subjects, rewarded with titles and land! Only I can give you everything you desire!”

In this situation, it all depended on who could offer the most enticing benefits. Obviously, the delusional Zhao Yuanyu had reached the peak of selling titles and ranks.

As the blades clashed, a downpour suddenly descended.

On the second floor of the inn, Wen Renlin listened to the sound of rain hitting the eaves, his brow furrowing imperceptibly. He slowly caressed the jade ring on his index finger with his thumb, his eyes unmoving.

Having rushed here all the way, Wen Renlin had thought of hundreds of ways to punish the disobedient princess, wishing he could lock her by his side so she could no longer lie or roam freely…

But now, seeing her stand up to Zhao Yuanyu with such frailty, he calmed down.

Beneath his calm exterior was a surging storm that couldn’t be quelled. Wen Renlin actually wanted to see how much courage Zhao Yan had to defy him and get involved in this matter, and how long she could endure without regretting or crying.

By then, he would casually step forward and enjoy the sight of her beautiful, vulnerable face, tear-streaked and miserable.

Boom!

Thunder roared, tearing open a grim white crack in the rainy night.

Gu Xing was momentarily distracted, turning back to cut down an enemy rushing towards them, and shouted towards Zhao Yan not far away, “Your Highness!”

Amidst the overwhelming sound of rain, Zhao Yan stood with clenched fists, letting the rain roll down her cheeks and drip off her jawline.

Another bolt of lightning struck, illuminating Zhao Yuanyu’s terrifyingly grotesque face in stark white.

Zhao Yan lifted the lotus-patterned jade pendant from her waist and held it up before Zhao Yuanyu, who was approaching step by step. She asked, “How did this end up in your hands?”

Zhao Yuanyu fixed his gaze on it, subconsciously reaching for his now empty waist. With everything laid bare, he no longer hid the truth. He grinned wickedly, “Why… Zhao Yan, do you truly not understand or are you pretending not to? You act like a weakling, panting every three steps, resting every five, yet just because you’re the Emperor’s only son, everyone coddles and indulges you. The position of Crown Prince falls into your lap effortlessly, how unfair!

As for me, I have to seize what I want with my own abilities. This trophy, as well as the position of heir apparent, are earned through prowess!”

“…Trophy?”

Zhao Yan keenly caught onto the key word and asked in a deep voice, “So, you’re the one who attempted to assassinate the Crown Prince?”

“It’s me, so what!”

Zhao Yuanyu wiped the rainwater from his face, his expression dark and sinister. “If you were content to be a short-lived vessel for medicine, it would have been fine. But no, you had to reform land taxes, elevate commoners, dismiss the noble, putting on a facade of a benevolent and virtuous monarch. You wanted to be above me here and suppress me there, wishing to trample my dignity underfoot, flaunting your power with your cronies!”

Zhao Yan pursed her lips. “You couldn’t stand the rising power of the Crown Prince in the Eastern Palace, so those scholars about to take the palace exam at the Mingde Hall, you had them killed too?”

With an indifferent and contemptuous look, Zhao Yuanyu sneered, “Besides getting rid of so many nuisances, who knows which one you’re referring to?”

Growing impatient and agitated, Zhao Yuanyu raised his sword with a roar, “Blame yourself, Zhao Yan! You should’ve… died on your way back to the palace!”

Lightning flashed, shadows gathered.

Zhao Yan reached for the hilt of her short dagger at her waist, her voice hoarse as she asked, “So, you killed them.”

“Trying to buy time, huh? Too bad this isn’t the palace route. There’s no one here to die for you. Last year, I didn’t finish you off, but it’s never too late to strike now!”

Zhao Yuanyu laughed heartily, swinging his sword fiercely towards Zhao Yan’s neck.

Surrounded by several assailants, unable to break free, Gu Xing could only shout in agony, “Your Highness, run!”

In Zhao Yuanyu’s mind, the Crown Prince Zhao Yan was powerless and feeble.

Therefore, when that slender figure raised the sword to block his fatal blow, Zhao Yuanyu stood dumbfounded in place. In Zhao Yan’s eyes, gleamed the cold light of the blade, as if magma surged beneath an icy surface.

Though her hand numbed from the impact, she seemed oblivious, her mind echoing a single thought: Kill him!

Kill Zhao Yuanyu, avenge her brother!

“The Crown Prince lacks inherent strength, victory lies in agility of technique. With no room for retreat, when forced to fight to the death, strike decisively at the opponent’s weakness, never giving them a chance to catch their breath…”

The slow and precise movements of Wen Renlin’s disassembly in the rear courtyard of the Chongwen Hall were still vivid in her mind.

She held her breath, swirling the short dagger in her hand viciously towards Zhao Yuanyu!

On the upper floor of the inn, Zhang Cang and Cai Tian wore expressions of astonishment. They never expected that at this critical moment of life and death, the exhausted and frail young boy could unleash such strength.

“Long blade against short weapon, odds are against him.”

Zhang Cang shook his head with a sigh, “The Prince of Yong is intentionally provoking and humiliating, the young prince is a bit impulsive.”

Moisture glistened in Wen Renlin’s eyes, but he remained silent.

Every strike from Zhao Yan was within his expectations, yet each time she swung her blade with determination and resilience, it exceeded his expectations.

He recognized the techniques Zhao Yan employed, and he recalled a rainy night many years ago when a boy, not yet sixteen, lay amidst a pile of rotting corpses, desperate and resentful as he identified the bodies of his father and brothers one by one.

Zhang Cang commented that the young prince was too impulsive, unaware that he had never experienced the agony of losing loved ones.

Wen Renlin had forgotten what initially fueled his anger.

The rain was too heavy, he couldn’t see Zhao Yan’s expression clearly, unaware if the young princess was in pain enough to cry.

He was getting a bit tired of this boring bystander role.

Wen Renlin took a step forward, his hand resting on the windowsill. Suddenly, he paused, and his dark, icy gaze pierced through the rain curtain, straight towards the opposite building.

As fellow hunters, he detected the foul odor of a wild beast.

…

No slackening, no hesitation! Zhao Yan steeled herself and swung the short dagger in her hand.

One strike, two strikes, a continuous onslaught of moves like a fierce storm, blades clashing, rain splashing, Zhao Yuanyu was forced to retreat repeatedly by the chaotic and enraged attacks, barely managing to defend himself. The contempt in his eyes turned to astonishment, then to fear!

His blade quickly developed notches and eventually, with a crisp snap, broke into two pieces under Zhao Yan’s relentless assault. Deprived of his weapon, Zhao Yuanyu was like a toothless stray dog, whimpering as he fell to the ground.

“You… you’re not Zhao Yan?”

He finally realized this, the “young boy” before him showing no hint of timidity or kindness, but instead, calm determination. Like Zhao Yan, yet not like Zhao Yan.

As if seeing a ghost, Zhao Yuanyu screamed and struggled to crawl forward, but Zhao Yan kicked him down, leaving him futilely flailing.

“No, don’t…”

Trembling, Zhao Yuanyu looked back, his pupils shrinking.

In the thunderstorm, without hesitation, Zhao Yan raised the short dagger in her hand—the dagger of Zhao Yan—and stabbed viciously towards Zhao Yuanyu’s back.

Lacking strength, her hand trembled violently, and Zhao Yuanyu managed to wrestle free, the blade only leaving a bloody gash on his filthy body.

But that didn’t stop her from raising the second blade.

Zhao Yuanyu screamed in agony, tears streaming down his face as he reached out as if seeking help from a hidden demon in the darkness. “Save me, save me…”

His face filled with fear, he shouted hoarsely, “What are you waiting for, Chou Zui—!”

Boom! Thunder roared.

Along with the deafening sound, there fell before him a figure over nine feet tall and lean.

He crouched in front of Zhao Yuanyu, splashing muddy water everywhere, his long arms and legs stretched out. Beneath his tattered bamboo hat, an old scar stretched from his left eyebrow across his hawk-like nose to his right cheek, his eyes radiating a numb silence.

Zhao Yan only glanced at those silent eyes and heard the familiar name, unable to suppress her trembling.

In the shadows lurked Zhao Yuanyu’s trump card.

Chou Zui…

The Chou Zui rescued from the death row by her brother…

“Chou Zui, kill him! Kill him for me!” Zhao Yuanyu shouted behind him.

Chou Zui scratched the criminal tattoo on the back of his neck, raised his hand to push down the worn bamboo hat, covering the piercing on his forehead, then stood up and walked towards Zhao Yan.

His shadow cast on the wall, like a lurking beast, yet also like a flickering ghost.

The urgent footsteps approached, and Zhao Yan, like a deer caught by the throat, widened her eyes, her body losing the strength to stand.

She heard the clattering noise for a long time before realizing that it was coming from herself—she was trembling so violently that the short dagger in her hand kept hitting the ground, making a continuous trembling sound.

It was an absolute suppression of death, and Zhao Yan could even feel the thick smell of blood emanating from him, stimulating her soul to tremble. Enveloped in shadow, Chou Zui looked down at her, his silent gaze stirring slightly. Finally, his hands slowly moved behind his back, gripping two curved knives wrapped in tattered cloth.

Gritting her teeth, Zhao Yan raised the short dagger in her hand, but Chou Zui remained silent for a moment, then flicked his fingers lightly.

The dagger in her hand lost its strength and flew to the side, embedding itself into the crack in the ground.

At almost the same moment, a figure leaped down from upstairs, striking towards Chou Zui’s chest with a palm.

The fierce wind shook, raindrops shattered.

Chou Zui widened his eyes, instinctively crossing his arms in front of his chest to block, but the tremendous impact forced him to retreat repeatedly, his back banging against the wall, cracking it like a spider’s web.

Chou Zui pulled himself out of the sunken earth wall, cracked his neck with a twist of his arm, and spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva. The figure in red robes gracefully stopped, lifted his hand to remove the dark cloak from his body, and draped it over Zhao Yan, who was trembling behind him.

Wen Renlin picked up the little princess’s short dagger, dealt with two guards from the Yong Prince’s Mansion who rushed over, and then carefully wiped the bloodstains off the blade before returning it to Zhao Yan’s cold hand.

“It’s okay now.”

Wen Renlin crouched down, half kneeling, carefully wiping the rain from the corner of Zhao Yan’s eyes with his thumb, gesturing softly, “Breathe.”

Zhao Yan stared blankly, her stagnant breath finally starting to work, the air rushing into her mouth and nose along with the rain, causing her to cough and wheeze. Wen Renlin closed his eyes, pulling her trembling and exhausted slender body into his arms, gently patting her back to help her breathe.

“Prince… Prince Su.”

Zhao Yuanyu knew that the arrival of the revered and terrifying god could not be provoked. He hurriedly urged Chou Zui, “Let’s go, hurry!”

“Don’t run!”

Gasping heavily, Zhao Yan shouted sternly, “Don’t run!”

She mustered her last ounce of strength and threw the short dagger in her hand towards Zhao Yuanyu with all her hatred!

Chou Zui leaped onto the earth wall with Zhao Yuanyu in his arms, disappearing into the dark night in a few movements. The dagger only managed to graze Chou Zui’s rough inked arm, leaving a trace of blood as it lodged into a crack in the earth wall.

Zhang Cang and Cai Tian immediately went in pursuit.

Just one step away, just one step!

“Capture him…”

With eyes red and moist, Zhao Yan grabbed onto Wen Renlin’s meticulous clothes like a drowning person, almost despairingly shouting, “Grand Tutor, help me kill him!”

It sounded like a shout, but due to extreme exhaustion, only fragmented sounds came out.

Finally, the string that had been holding up her heart broke, and the noisy rain fell silent.

The last thing Zhao Yan felt was the faint woody scent in Wen Renlin’s embrace.

Her vision darkened, and she lost consciousness.

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