Chapter 3 Bai Muge, Assistant Minister of the Dali Court!

“Dead...dead?”
Li Chen’s face was filled with shock.

He stared at Hai Dafu, the burly figure not far away, then glanced at the ground, where the Prince of Southern Suppression lay, blood streaming from the crown of his head. Li Chen’s mouth twitched.

His imperial uncle, Prince Li Xian, was at least one of the top masters in Great Tang. Yet after only a brief exchange with Hai Dafu, he was dead? Did this mean Hai Dafu’s martial skills were extraordinary? Such a hidden supreme master—how had Li Chen, as the emperor, never encountered him before?

Unconvinced, Li Chen walked over, crouched down, and checked Li Xian’s breath himself. Placing his finger at Li Xian’s philtrum, Li Chen found that Hai Dafu had indeed not lied; the Prince of Southern Suppression was truly dead.

Only then did Li Chen rise, fixing his gaze on Hai Dafu, who stood within arm’s reach, scrutinizing him repeatedly.

Looking at Hai Dafu now, Li Chen was both astonished and bewildered.

“Old Bai,”
The young Prince Tang, Li Chen, went over to Bai Muge and lowered his voice by his ear. “Such an unparalleled master—where did you find him? His martial arts are so profound! Even my imperial uncle, a first-rate master of Great Tang, is no match for him?”

Bai Muge naturally understood the implication behind Li Chen’s words. It was true: if such a master had been at Bai Muge’s side all along, and had been revealed earlier, ‘they’ wouldn’t have had to endure two years of hardship.

Yet Bai Muge could only sigh inwardly in helplessness.

“Second Brother,”
He sighed gently in his heart, leaned closer to Li Chen’s ear, and whispered, “I happened upon him yesterday on the street. I saw he possessed remarkable martial arts and, being a eunuch, decided to bring him into the palace for a trial. Who would have guessed he would truly slay the Prince of Southern Suppression!”

“Is this the truth?” Li Chen frowned, sensing Bai Muge was hiding something.

“Do you not believe me, Second Brother?” Bai Muge retorted with a frown.

Li Chen, seeing Bai Muge answer so calmly, his gaze unwavering, finally set aside his doubts. The two had been close since childhood, growing up together; Bai Muge had no reason to deceive him. Besides, Bai Muge had nothing to gain from lying.

Quickly, the young Prince Tang, Li Chen, regained his composure and shouted toward the door, “Attend me! Summon all ministers for an immediate court session!”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the eunuch outside replied, hurrying to pass on the command and sound the bell.

Just then, Princess Li Shixuan, who had been hiding behind the screen, ran out, covering her mouth. Her body trembled slightly, clearly still shaken. She instinctively clung to Bai Muge’s arm and asked softly, “Is the Prince of Southern Suppression finally...dead?”

“He’s dead,” Li Chen nodded, relieved.

With the prince dead, he need no longer be a puppet emperor; he could gradually reclaim military power. Bai Muge and all loyal ministers would be free of this burden as well.

Yet when he saw Li Shixuan clinging to Bai Muge’s arm, Li Chen cleared his throat. “Little sister, your brother is right here!”

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“Hmph!” Li Shixuan snorted, refusing to let go, and even pouted at Li Chen.

Bai Muge, watching this, could not help but smile wryly. He gently patted Li Shixuan’s head, soothing her, “Don’t be afraid, Shixuan. The prince is dead now; we need not fear him anymore.”

“Mm.” Li Shixuan nodded, finally relaxing a little. Yet when she looked at Hai Dafu, she shrank back, continuing to hide behind Bai Muge as if only there she could feel safe.

She had witnessed the recent confrontation clearly.

Bai Muge glanced at Li Chen; the two exchanged a knowing smile, then Bai Muge called out to Hai Dafu, “Master Hai, please begin your performance!”

“Understood!”
Hai Dafu clasped his hands, then raised his palm and smashed the door of the imperial study, clutching his chest and feigning injury as he fled.

He turned and hurled a fierce threat: “You scoundrels, we’ll see about this. I’ll be back!”

At the same time, Li Chen caught on and dramatically rolled his eyes upward, collapsing to the ground. Bai Muge, seeing this, tightly embraced Li Shixuan and, with a look of panic, shouted toward the door:

“Help! Someone!
There’s a rebel attempting to murder the Prince!
A rebel seeking to assassinate His Majesty!”

Instantly, a swarm of guards and several eunuchs rushed into the imperial study.

Seeing the Prince of Southern Suppression bleeding from his forehead, the ruined state of the study, and the fallen young Prince Tang, Bai Muge immediately barked,

“Why are you all just standing there?
Go summon the imperial physicians!
Hurry and apprehend the murderer—do not let him escape the palace!”

“Uh…yes…”

The guards snapped out of their daze, turned and shouted orders, rushing to pursue Hai Dafu, while the eunuchs hurried to summon the imperial doctors.

Meanwhile, spies loyal to the prince hurried to report the incident to his subordinates…

Half an hour later, in the Great Tang Imperial Palace.

The Hall of Supreme Harmony.

The assembled ministers noticed the Prince of Southern Suppression absent from court, but his two generals present. Their faces showed anxiety.

Prime Minister Cao Zhen and Minister of Revenue Bai Zhan wore expressions of anger but did not speak rashly, lest they draw attention.

The ministers all speculated anxiously, wondering who would be the unlucky victim today… For the Prince had governed for two years, while the young Prince Tang, Li Chen, was merely a puppet—everyone knew it.

Moreover, this display suggested the prince was about to purge his enemies once more.

Soon, outside the court, a eunuch’s shrill voice rang out—

“His Majesty arrives!”

The ministers saw the young Prince Tang, Li Chen, with his head wrapped in white cloth, approaching from outside, his expression dull and lifeless. Bai Muge followed close behind, also with white cloth around his head, his face mournful.

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But behind them walked a stranger, dressed somewhat like the legendary Lord Guan.

—This was none other than Hai Dafu in disguise.

“???” The ministers exchanged confused glances.

“Why is the Prince of Southern Suppression absent today?”
“Yes, something seems amiss…”
“Normally, the prince would never miss court at times like these…”
“Why are both His Majesty and Bai Muge wearing mourning cloth—what has happened?”

While the ministers whispered, the prince’s two generals frowned at Li Chen, their faces filled with fury, ignoring Bai Muge.

“Your Majesty!”
As soon as Li Chen entered the court, a general surnamed Dong strode forward, glaring at Li Chen with rage.

“How did the prince come to be attacked in the imperial study? Surely Your Majesty knows the circumstances?”

General Dong glared, his eyes nearly blazing, hand at his sword, ready to draw at any moment.

“General Dong, it is all my fault!”
Li Chen burst into tears, his eyes flooded with sorrow, saying in grievance, “Just now, I was discussing state affairs with my uncle in the imperial study, when—when a rebel disguised as a eunuch entered and tried to assassinate me…
My uncle, to save my life, was killed by that villain!”

“What?!!”

The entire court was stunned, barely able to believe it.

Especially those officials who had openly sided with the prince—they were filled with outrage, both shocked and confused.

Yet the loyal ministers, led by Bai Zhan and Cao Zhen, were momentarily surprised, then smiled in relief.

With the prince dead, the emperor, Li Chen, could finally rule.

As for the assassin…

Cao Zhen and the others did not believe the prince died saving Li Chen; it was obvious this was a well-planned action.

Bai Muge, seeing the mood was right and Hai Dafu at his side, felt reassured.

He immediately stepped forward to support Li Chen, loudly comforting him, “Your Majesty, do not blame yourself. The prince died to save you from the rebels. Now, the most important thing is to investigate thoroughly and avenge him!”

Li Chen wiped his eyes, recovering his composure, and solemnly declared, “Your words are wise, beloved minister. General Dong, rest assured, I will have justice!”

Before Dong could react, Li Chen walked to the throne and waved his sleeve, declaring, “Bai Muge, receive your commission!”

“I am here!” Bai Muge bowed deeply.

“I appoint you—Deputy Chief of the Court of Justice. Take Generals Dong and Lü and investigate this matter at once. You must avenge my uncle’s death!”

“I accept the order!” Bai Muge answered with a respectful salute.