Chapter 20: Let Me Teach You a Few Moves

Before the third watch of the hour of the Tiger, the four men, including Sanzi, had already returned, allowing Yang Zhan to meet the emperor without worry.

Yang Zhan returned to the dungeon and stood atop it. Today, there was no snowfall; the ground was blanketed in pristine white, but the red sun hung high, making the snow-covered scene unusually enchanting, dressed in red and white.

It was still early and cold; along the official road, passersby moved slowly and sparsely.

Of course, by the dungeon, it was not a bustling place, and there were hardly any people.

“If the old man doesn’t act personally, and I’ve got the people of Feng Lingguo under control, then who else could it be?”

At that moment, many people appeared on the road, sweeping away the accumulated snow.

Yang Zhan glanced over and simply sat down.

“Second Master, time to eat!” Sanzi called from below.

“Throw it up!” Yang Zhan commanded.

In an instant, Sanzi tossed up a large bowl of rice, which landed steadily in Yang Zhan’s hand.

Looking down, Yang Zhan was surprised to see braised pork—a rare treat indeed.

However, the monthly stipend from the Internal Affairs Department had yet to arrive.

“Why so much meat today?”

“Second Master, it’s Yang Daniu. He slaughtered the pig he’d been raising.”

There were only a few people in the dungeon, and Yang Daniu sometimes fed a pig with leftover scraps and rotten vegetable leaves.

The pig was originally meant for slaughter during the New Year.

Now, it seemed Yang Daniu just wanted to ensure the brothers were well-fed and had strength.

Lü Yang stepped out and looked up from below.

Sunlight bathed the girl’s face, making her extraordinarily delicate and beautiful.

“Second Master, may I come up?”

“If you can, then come up.”

To Yang Zhan’s surprise, Lü Yang was quite agile. She found a few footholds and steadily jumped up to sit beside him, somewhat proud.

“Second Master, I also practiced martial arts in the Crown Prince’s mansion, but that’s because of you.”

“Because of me? I never told the Crown Prince that all the maids in the mansion should learn martial arts.”

“Heh, after returning to Beiji, His Highness and the Crown Princess thought everyone around should have some martial skills, so they specially hired someone to teach us to cultivate our blood energy.”

No wonder this girl looked frail but ate so much.

Her rice basin was almost as big as his.

The two sat atop the roof eating.

Suddenly, Yang Zhan said, “Finish eating and then go back.”

Lü Yang, mouth still full, looked up at him, cheeks puffed out in confusion.

“Why?”

Her mouth was so full she could barely speak clearly.

Yang Zhan snapped, “Swallow it first, then talk!”

Lü Yang quickly swallowed and then pouted, “Second Master, don’t you like my serving you? I haven’t done anything wrong.”

“It’s dangerous here these days.”

Hearing this, Lü Yang relaxed and even smiled.

Her eyes curved like crescent moons, showing no concern for the danger.

“You’re worried about that? Don’t worry about me. When I came, His Highness and the Crown Princess said no matter what happens, I’m yours in life and your ghost in death.”

Yang Zhan was speechless; this girl just didn’t understand.

She ultimately belonged to the Crown Prince, and he didn’t want someone from the Crown Prince’s side beside him.

Still, asking her to leave now was for her own safety.

After all, she was an innocent girl.

“Aren’t you afraid of dying?”

“With you here, I’m not.”

Yang Zhan couldn’t help but smile. “I’m no immortal. If life and death come, I might not be able to protect you.”

“Still not afraid. Second Master, please don’t send me away. The Crown Prince and Crown Princess said if you don’t want me, I’m not allowed to return.”

Lü Yang looked pitiful and stopped eating.

Yang Zhan said no more. It seemed the Crown Prince was determined to tie himself to Yang Zhan.

That also meant the Crown Prince likely had no other choice.

Yang Zhan descended from the roof, looked at Sanzi and Sier, then pointed toward those still sweeping snow.

“Daytime should be fine. At night, stay alert!”

“Yes, General!”

Yang Zhan found Yang Daniu, who had prepared many dishes today.

“Make me another serving—I haven’t had enough!”

“All right, Second Master!”

Yang Daniu immediately packed another basinful, with plenty of braised pork.

Yang Zhan took the food into the interrogation room and closed the door.

He returned to the underground chamber.

He looked at Bi Lian and said, “This may be the last time I bring you food. I won’t have time these next few days.”

Bi Lian took the food calmly and said, “Many people outside are lurking in the shadows, waiting for the right moment.”

“Yes.”

“Among them, three are quite capable.”

Yang Zhan hadn’t expected Bi Lian to be so perceptive even in this underground prison.

“I know.”

Bi Lian’s face, like a fairy’s, met Yang Zhan’s gaze.

Finally, she said simply, “Good!”

Then she bowed her head and began to eat.

Yang Zhan watched her eat, unable to help but comment, “I’ve investigated everywhere before but never found any information about you being held here. So, I guess the person who secretly imprisoned you here might already be dead.”

After all, Bi Lian had been confined here for who knows how many years.

She said nothing and continued eating quickly.

Yang Zhan squatted beside her, observing.

This woman ate even more fiercely than the warriors of his Shenwu Army.

It was as if someone might snatch her food at any moment.

The strange thing was, her appearance did not match her voracious appetite.

In no time, Bi Lian finished eating.

She handed the bowl and chopsticks to Yang Zhan without a word, as if it were only natural.

Yang Zhan took them and said, “There will be a result within these few days. I might leave or perhaps even die.”

Bi Lian lifted her head, looking at him with her usual expressionless face.

Yang Zhan said nothing further and turned to leave.

Just as he ascended the stone steps, Bi Lian suddenly said, “If you can’t win, come to me. I will protect you.”

At that moment, Yang Zhan stopped.

He turned and looked at Bi Lian’s raised cheek.

He grinned, “Rarely do you show concern for me.”

“Is this concern?”

“Yes!”

“Oh.” Bi Lian responded softly, then suddenly added, “If you die, when I get out, I’ll avenge you.”

Suddenly, in this bitter cold, Yang Zhan felt a warmth spread through him.

Because this woman, usually only interested in eating and worrying about those who wanted to kill her, now understood she must avenge him.

Yang Zhan stepped outside.

Night had already fallen.

Outside the dungeon, the biting wind was bone-chilling, eerily silent.

Sanzi and the others seemed to sense something, their faces solemn but filled with deadly intent.

Yang Zhan gave instructions, “Old Five and Old Six, go inside. Sanzi and Sier, stay here with me!”

“Yes, General!”

Yang Zhan stood at the gate, gazing into the boundless darkness and at those still busy clearing snow.

“So many people came, waited so long, worked so hard in this cold—it’s no easy task!”

At that moment, the snow-clearing group stopped their work.

From the darkness came a voice.

“We’ve long heard of General Yang, famed as the top warrior of Daxia. We, brothers, have come to test you!”

“Well said. Then I shall teach you a few moves!”

Yang Zhan’s expression was calm, but his eyes were cold.

Three figures emerged from the darkness.

Those clearing snow followed them forward.

Each radiated a powerful blood energy aura.

Wherever they stepped, the snow beneath quickly melted.

Their energies converged...

A blizzard suddenly rose, overwhelming the sky and earth!