Volume One: The Emperor's Edict Chapter Twenty-Nine: Fleeing into the Capital

Before midnight, the battle in Changle City had already subsided. Li Qing arrived just in time, persuading Nie Xiang, whose rage was burning uncontrollably.

"General Li, look at your men—truly commendable!" Nie Xiang led his followers away from the northern gate, racing toward the capital, hoping they might intercept their enemies on the road.

Night Zhaofei must surely be on the way to the capital!

By the time the Embroidered Guards had searched the entire city, half a day had already slipped by. Eleven strongholds belonging to the Fourth Prince were eradicated, and countless pieces of intelligence were seized.

Chu Chunqiu, his face battered and bruised, lay half-reclined in the last carriage, sorting through the intelligence before tearing each piece into fragments and tossing them out the window.

Most of it was useless information they had already known, and some were even articles deliberately mocking the Crown Prince’s incompetence.

Chu Chunqiu, infuriated by what he read, poked his head out and shouted, "Eunuch Nie, you take the Embroidered Guard and pursue them first! These carriages in the back are too slow!"

"Mr. Chu, you've found nothing useful, I presume?" Nie Xiang admired his intellect; the Crown Prince’s junior disciple lacked martial prowess, but his cunning was formidable.

If he was anxious, the situation must be dire.

"I suspect the Fourth Prince knew of this operation in advance. Afraid something might change on the Crown Prince’s side, he’s hurrying back!" These mocking articles about the Crown Prince were clearly prepared ahead of time.

Most likely, the Fourth Prince would seize the opportunity while the Crown Prince’s defenses were thin and strike decisively.

The journey from Changle City to the capital took at least three days at best. Chu Chunqiu feared something might happen, so he urged Nie Xiang to go ahead while he and the strategists followed slowly in their carriages.

Poor Mr. Chu had not expected that shortly after Nie Xiang departed, he would be blocked on the official road.

Twelve scarlet ribbons wound tightly around the carriages; Wang Xiuping, ordered to wait near the northern gate, had never left.

"Well, well! Who do we have here? The famous Mr. Chu himself!" Wang Xiuping had escaped from Yongle Lane, met the servant sent to intercept her at the Shen residence, and was told to lay an ambush here.

Initially, Wang Xiuping was reluctant; if she had to face Nie Xiang, she wouldn’t stand a chance. Who was she supposed to ambush?

But unexpectedly, she caught a big fish! Chu Chunqiu was the Crown Prince's confidant, and those carriages were filled with his strategists.

Chu Chunqiu looked grim; several guards around him were easily subdued. The frail scholar was no match for them; each one was tightly bound with hemp rope, strung together in a line, and marched down a side path.

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"Listen, Wang Xiuping! I warn you, if anything happens to us, even the Emperor won't be able to save you!" Chu Chunqiu shouted.

"Someone, gag him. That noise is unbearable," Wang Xiuping said impatiently, ordering her men to stuff their mouths with cloth.

She dared not use the main road; if Nie Xiang sensed anything, she had no hope of defeating him. After several blows from the Cold Palm, the chill still lingered in her body.

She did not know how far a practitioner of the Sun Realm could sense; better to take a detour through the mountain paths, avoiding trouble.

At the front of the official road, over a dozen carriages thundered ahead, ignoring the bumps, and by dawn had already traveled a fifth of the way. Shen Desan dropped valuable belongings along the route to serve as obstacles.

Many travelers who set out early clustered in the middle of the road, scrambling for the scattered treasures.

When Nie Xiang and his men arrived, the road was packed solid; it took considerable effort to clear a path and press on.

"Brother Liu, my sister and the others say your martial skills are impressive. Whom did you learn from?" In the carriage, Shen Zhong handed Liu Xiaoyi a heap of various elixirs—such things were plentiful in large households.

With his internal energy nearly restored, Liu Xiaoyi felt himself improving further. His sword had been taken, so he had to borrow one from Shen Zhong for now, though none compared to his own blade.

"If I say I’m self-taught, would you believe me?"

"Of course not. We’re about the same age. I’ve visited countless masters and spent a fortune, but in the end, I can only spar with common soldiers."

Shen Zhong had spent enough on martial arts to buy several weapon shops.

One carriage held a young man, accompanied by several young women.

They chatted animatedly. Naturally talkative, He Qingqing circled Yu Wenwan, questioning her until she understood both their backgrounds.

When she learned the two depended on each other, He Qingqing blushed. "This is the kind of life I yearn for—wandering the land with a beloved swordsman..."

Before she finished, Xiao Le raised a hand and tapped her head. "My little junior sister has no sense of propriety. Please don’t take offense, Miss Yu."

"Senior sister, could you stop hitting my head? I won’t grow tall!" He Qingqing huddled, clutching her head.

Laughter filled the carriage, contrasting sharply with the somber conversation at the front. Not only was Shen Desan’s expression grave, but even the servants wore faces of worry.

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Zhongli’s injury would take time to heal; his right arm was firmly fixed with a wooden splint and treated with medicine. It would be at least ten days or two weeks before he recovered.

The twenty-odd servants had limited fighting ability; if Nie Xiang caught up, there would be no chance of escape.

"I think I should lead some men down another road and draw them away," Zhongli pondered for a long time before suggesting.

Shen Desan shook his head. "Master Zhong, you were a guard with Lion Tiger Escort, and you’ve already done more than enough for my family. How could I ask you to risk your life further?"

He was fiercely unwilling at heart. In his thirty years as a merchant, Shen Desan had never owed such a debt of gratitude, leaving him deeply ashamed.

"What should we do now? Though Lord Wang from Yongle Lane and his men are lying in ambush, it’s only a delaying tactic. Have you seen Lord Wang’s face? It’s been battered out of shape."

The carriages passed several post stations without stopping, only daring to rest briefly by the roadside.

Suddenly, the sound of chaotic hoofbeats came from ahead. Everyone drew their swords, preparing for battle.

"Ha ha ha! No need to panic, no need to panic! Master Zhong, we are late!" A hearty shout allowed Zhongli to breathe a sigh of relief.

The approaching group flew the Lion Tiger beast banner, numbering over a hundred, all dressed in coarse robes with soft armor underneath.

The speaker was none other than Chang Kun, head of Lion Tiger Escort and eldest son of the Minister of War.

Chang Kun strode forward, standing eye to eye with Zhongli, a rare strongman in the region. His arrival brought warmth to Zhongli’s heart.

"Master Zhong, did that old eunuch break your arm? Watch how I deal with him!"

Zhongli dismounted and bowed. "Master Chang, your personal arrival is more than I could ever ask for!" He looked around and saw many familiar faces—his fellow guards with whom he had lived and worked.

There were also many strangers, their faces stern and resolute. Shen Desan recognized them instantly as elite palace guards.

Sure enough, Chang Kun patted the scroll tied at his waist and boasted, "The imperial decree is right here! I don’t believe that old Nie Xiang dare make a move! You all go ahead—the capital has its own reinforcements!"

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