Chapter 4: Shut the Door, Release the Hounds!

Generals Dong and Lu, upon witnessing this, knew full well in their hearts that the assassination of the Prince of the South within the Imperial Study was far from a simple matter. Yet, they held no evidence in their hands. Even the spies they had placed at the side of the Young Prince Tang had failed to notice anything unusual in time. Now, with the Prince of the South dead, the loyal ministers and valiant generals who had long endured in silence at court would surely rally to the Young Prince Tang’s side. If the two of them were to act rashly now, attempting to kill the Young Prince Tang to avenge the Prince of the South, it might well backfire. Besides, their martial skills might not suffice against those secretive, lurking palace guards. There was even the possibility that the Young Prince Tang would seize this opportunity to strike at them instead.

Their only chance to secure an unassailable position was to heed the Young Prince Tang’s orders for now, return to the Prince of the South’s residence, and seize the military tally commanding two hundred thousand troops. Having weighed the gravity of the situation, Generals Dong and Lu cupped their fists and accepted the command alongside Bai Musong, saying, “We obey, Your Majesty!”

The Young Prince Tang, Li Chen, waved his hand at once. “If that is so, all three of you, go about your task at once.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Bai Musong replied with a smile, taking his leave.

Yet, as he departed the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Bai Musong moved to his adoptive father’s side, leaned in, and whispered a lengthy series of instructions in his ear before taking Hai Dafu with him.

Generals Dong and Lu followed close behind, hurrying out of the great hall.

Outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, General Dong cast a glance at Bai Musong and then at Hai Dafu, who followed by his side. This man was a stranger, and his attire rather peculiar, prompting Dong to ask suspiciously, “Lord Bai, who is this man?”

General Lu, narrowing his eyes, also looked Hai Dafu up and down before finally settling his gaze on Bai Musong.

—These two, it was highly likely, were involved in the Prince of the South’s death!

Bai Musong continued walking at a leisurely pace, smiling awkwardly. “You two generals are overthinking it. He is merely an old page from my household.”

The two generals were left speechless. Bai Musong, do you really think because we are military men and not well-read, you can lie to us so easily? What sort of dissipated son would keep an ‘old page’ by his side at all times? Clearly, this is a martial arts master in disguise!

Seeing Bai Musong unwilling to say more, they refrained from further questioning. In any case, once they left the palace, their first stop would be the Prince of the South’s residence to seize the military tally before anything else.

The journey passed in silence, though Bai Musong’s mind was soon interrupted by that familiar, cold mechanical voice:

“Host has successfully deceived Dong and Lu, arousing their wariness. You have been rewarded with one sign-in opportunity. Would you like to sign in?”

Bai Musong was momentarily taken aback, then chuckled inwardly. “Sign in.”

“Sign-in successful. Congratulations, host. You have obtained Chief Eunuch Cao Zhengchun of the Eastern Depot!”

Bai Musong was speechless. Could he not be rewarded with someone more proper? Why was it always these inner palace eunuchs? Still, something was better than nothing. With a resigned sigh, he reluctantly accepted it. By now, he had more or less figured out the system’s quirks: as long as he acted ‘shamelessly and unscrupulously’ enough, he would be rewarded.

“System, you’re just forcing me further down the path of villainy…” Bai Musong sighed to himself.

Just then, an elder in plain robes, walking with steady steps, approached Bai Musong, making his eyes light up. Was this not the very Cao Zhengchun from a certain television drama—the Chief Eunuch of the Eastern Depot? With his formidable martial skills and ruthless, thunderous methods, the name of ‘Chief Eunuch Cao Zhengchun’ struck terror into both the martial world and the imperial court.

To have such a figure on his side brought Bai Musong no small joy.

“Your humble servant greets you, young master,” Cao Zhengchun said, approaching Bai Musong with a slight bow.

“Come with me,” Bai Musong replied with a nod.

“Yes, young master,” Cao Zhengchun answered respectfully, falling in step beside Bai Musong. He glanced at Hai Dafu on the right, and the two eunuchs exchanged a subtle smile as their eyes met.

—This one is a master.

The thought rose in both their minds at once.

Generals Dong and Lu, seeing yet another elder join Bai Musong—this one even more sinister in bearing—could not help but shiver. The mere presence of these men filled them with dread, and the urge to hurry to the Prince of the South’s residence and seize the tally grew ever more urgent.

“This is another old page from my household,” Bai Musong said before the generals could question him.

The two were again left speechless, their mouths twitching. Bai Musong, you scoundrel, do you really think we’re fools? One old page was suspicious enough—now you bring two? But they kept their complaints to themselves, for the Prince of the South’s residence was now within sight.

That estate was their stronghold. No matter how skilled Bai Musong’s two companions were, could the pair alone stand against the dozens of experts in the Prince of the South’s residence? Such a notion was pure fantasy.

“Lord Bai, let us return to the Prince of the South’s residence first,” General Dong suggested, seeing their destination ahead. “I suspect that, since the assassin dared attack the prince in the Imperial Study, they might also target the residence.”

General Lu nodded in agreement. “Indeed. With the prince assassinated, it falls to us to protect the estate from further violence.”

Of course, Bai Musong understood their intentions. His aim was precisely to retrieve the military tally and eradicate the Prince of the South’s remaining influence. Since they were so accommodating, Bai Musong had no reason to object.

“The generals speak wisely,” Bai Musong replied, adopting a solemn demeanor. “During the prince’s struggle with the assassin, the villain was gravely wounded; with the gates of Chang’an sealed, the most dangerous place is now the safest. The assassin could very well come here. Let us enter quickly and have the staff search thoroughly—do not let this villain escape!”

The two generals exchanged a knowing smile. Once inside, with the tally in hand, they would hold all authority. The assassin would have nowhere to run.

They had only worried that Bai Musong would be too timid to enter—who would have thought he’d agree so readily?

“That Bai Musong is indeed a muscle-headed fool,” they thought, hurrying forward into the estate.

As Bai Musong entered with Hai Dafu and Cao Zhengchun, the generals’ expressions changed instantly.

“Shut the gates! Release the hounds!” General Dong barked out the order, then turned to Bai Musong, his face cold and voice grim. “Bai Musong, you and His Majesty planned this assassination together, didn’t you?”