Chapter 17: My Blade Seeks Only the Enemy Chieftain

"General Yang truly lives up to his name; his martial skills have advanced greatly—he must have already reached the first rank, right?"

"A warrior’s brute strength can never compare to Chief Steward Han, the refined Qi cultivator!"

"Heh, when did General Yang become so humble?"

"Can't blame him; if he weren't more modest, even the prison warden might not be able to protect him."

The figure inside the sedan chair fell silent for a moment.

Suddenly, his tone turned serious: "No need to reminisce with General Yang. His Majesty sent me to ask you one question."

As expected!

With the Crown Princess's arrival, the old emperor must be on pins and needles.

Cold and solemn, Yang Zhan replied, "Please, ask."

"I will give you one more chance to choose—would you change your decision?"

Yang Zhan answered decisively, "Past, present, and future—I will never change."

"Sigh, General Yang, His Majesty holds you in high regard. Why remain so obstinate?"

Yang Zhan’s voice remained cold and steady: "My blade has slain countless foes, yet it only strikes enemy chiefs—it never harms my own."

"In that case, General Yang, you must take care of yourself."

"Men, move out!"

The sedan chair was carried out of the prison.

At that moment, Han Zhong, the Chief Guard of the Imperial Palace inside the sedan, suddenly spat a mouthful of fresh blood, his expression utterly drained.

"Could it be that he has surpassed the first rank?"

Han Zhong’s face darkened, his brow furrowed deeply.

"Hurry back to the palace!"

"Yes, sir!"

Silence fell once again over the prison.

Yang Zhan knew this was the emperor’s final offer; in the end, he had not become the blade the emperor desired.

The calm now was but the eerie stillness before the storm.

Yang Zhan stood atop the prison roof.

A figure clad in black swiftly leapt toward him.

Yang Zhan turned, eyes resting on the seemingly delicate yet incredibly agile black-clad figure.

The figure’s face was masked, and they spoke: "General Yang, the Phoenix Dominion has already sent envoys, but they hope you will ensure the safety of Her Highness the Princess and her party."

"As long as I live, they are safe."

"Good."

Qin Yin spoke, her gaze burning as she looked at Yang Zhan. "General Yang’s situation does not seem favorable."

"No need for your concern."

"A man like General Yang, if not cherished by the Great Xia Dynasty, will find ample opportunity to shine in the Phoenix Dominion!"

Yang Zhan fixed his gaze on Qin Yin. "I, Yang Zhan, belong to the Great Xia Dynasty until my dying breath."

Qin Yin clasped her fists. "Admirable."

With that, she left.

Soon after, Yang Zhan whistled sharply.

Instantly, a small red bird flew over and perched on his hand.

Slowly, Yang Zhan placed a note inside a tiny bamboo tube strapped to the bird’s leg.

He spoke softly, "Little Red, deliver this message to Number Three."

"Ching ching!"

The red bird chirped twice, as if acknowledging the command.

---

The little red bird soared into the night sky, soon disappearing without a trace.

Yang Zhan stood on the rooftop, eyes sharp as a tiger’s, staring ahead.

He spoke aloud, "Number Three, Number Four, Old Five, Old Six!"

"Here, sir!"

"Suit up for battle!"

"At your command!"

The four chief prison guards produced their dusty, golden armor.

The golden armor reflected gleams of light in their eyes, making their gaze sparkle as though aflame.

Number Three caressed the armor he had worn for many years, grinning: "Old friend, here we go again!"

Number Four glanced at him. "Don’t steal my glory!"

Number Three shot him a look. "Not interested!"

Old Five gave them both a look. "Cut the bickering, it’s giving me a headache."

Number Three and Number Four turned to Old Five in unison. "Get lost!"

Old Five blinked in surprise, spat, then looked at Old Six. "Stay away from these two idiots, or you’ll catch their foolishness."

Old Six laughed heartily. "Three fools!"

Now, Numbers Three, Four, and Five all glared at Old Six.

Old Six, feeling uneasy, silently donned his armor.

Before long,

Yang Zhan stood before the four, fully armored and wielding his battle blade.

"You are brothers who have faced life and death by my side. I will be frank now."

"This time, if I fall in battle, there will be no honor, no merit, no compensation."

"This war is only for the five of us. No reinforcements. How long we hold out, who knows?"

Despite this, the four’s eyes burned with even greater resolve.

Suddenly, they shouted in unison:

"The divine blade’s edge strikes true; we drink the blood of enemy chiefs!"

Though only four voices, their shout felt like the roar of a thousand armies.

Yang Zhan felt the long-lost bloodlust of the battlefield surge within him.

"Good. All of you, go home. Attend to your families. Return by the third quarter of the Yin hour."

"Yes, General!"

They turned and left.

Inside the prison, three women heard the shouts outside.

Chen Lin’er sighed upon hearing the noise: "If only the Phoenix Dominion had such martial spirit, how could it not endure forever?"

Li Yu was also listening, angry and indignant: "General? That brutal prison warden can be called a general?"

Li Zhizhu was tending to her wounds, now healed with no scars remaining.

Hearing the commotion, she raised her head slightly. "Thank you."

At that moment,

Yang Zhan appeared, directly opening the cells of Li Yu and Li Zhizhu.

"Come out, both of you!"

"You warden, what do you want? I’ll have you know, I am a princess!"

Yang Zhan glanced at Li Yu. "Out, or I’ll starve you for a few more days."

Li Yu gritted her teeth fiercely. "Warden, if you fall into my hands, you’re done for!"

Li Zhizhu grabbed Li Yu’s arm. "Sister, don’t cause trouble."

Li Yu snapped back angrily, "What’s there to fear? Given our status, a mere warden dares not harm us!"

Yang Zhan wasted no words. With one hand, he grabbed each of the two like chicks and carried them to Chen Lin’er’s cell.

"Let go of me... you bastard, how dare you touch me..."

Smack!

Yang Zhan struck without hesitation.

Li Yu immediately fell silent, eyes wide with shock, feeling the sharp sting.

Her face flushed deep red, spreading to her neck.

"You—"

"You what? Get back inside!"

Bang! Bang!

Yang Zhan pushed Li Yu and Li Zhizhu into Chen Lin’er’s cell and slammed the door shut.

Li Yu’s face burned bright red, biting her lips, her eyes filled with tears.

Li Zhizhu looked fearful, uncertain of what was to come.

Chen Lin’er, however, remained calm throughout, watching quietly.

Suddenly, Li Yu looked at Chen Lin’er, choking up. "She hit me, she hit me..."

"Quiet!"

With a single word from Chen Lin’er, Li Yu fell silent, though her aggrieved expression made her seem like a forsaken bride.

Chen Lin’er turned to Yang Zhan. "General, what are your orders?"

"Stay together, watch over each other. The coming days may be dangerous."

Chen Lin’er frowned. "Why danger? Who would wish us harm?"

"Killing you is not the goal. You are merely tools in this play."

Chen Lin’er’s brow furrowed slightly.

Yang Zhan said no more, stepped out of the cell, and locked the door.

At that moment, Yang Daniu charged over, brandishing a butcher’s cleaver, his spirit fierce.

"Second Master, I can fight too!"

Yang Zhan glanced at him. "You’re important too. You’ll handle our rations—warfare requires food."

Yang Daniu grinned. "No problem! But Second Master, I have some skills too. Watch!"

With that, Yang Daniu swung the cleaver with fierce energy.

Yang Zhan shook his head. "Go rest in the kitchen. Tonight should be quiet. They’ll need to make their moves."

Yang Daniu looked disappointed. "Second Master..."

Yang Zhan noticed the odd look. "What is it?"

"Second Master, I don’t want to be a cook forever. I heard about you and want to follow you—to make a name on the battlefield, to bring honor to our family. I want them to know I can kill enemies as well as I kill pigs!"

The more he spoke, the more excited Yang Daniu grew.

Yang Zhan’s expression turned serious: "If we survive this, you’ll follow me."

Yang Daniu immediately beamed. "Good, good! You can count on me—I’ll make sure everyone eats well, drinks well, and fights well!"

Yang Zhan looked at the goofy smile on Yang Daniu’s face and nodded. "Go."

"Yes!"

Yang Daniu left excitedly.