Change Your Daughter's Last Name

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In the dead of night, within the Jade Red Pavilion, blades flashed and swords clashed, blood and fury erupting continuously in a fiercely intense battle.

Outside, a woman dressed in black with her face covered watched the scene inside the Jade Red Pavilion with burning eyes.

“Truly the disciple he trained—second rank, nearly matching first rank in strength!”

At that moment, a slightly plump man with a mask stepped forward, a cleaver hanging from his waist.

The masked woman glanced at him in surprise. “What are you doing here?”

“Everything’s failed. Our lord commands the suspension of all actions!”

The woman’s gaze sharpened. “With such meticulous planning by our lord, how could there be failure?”

She then pointed towards the Jade Red Pavilion. “This place is on the brink of success. Once those three women are dead, Fenglin Kingdom and Daxia will be at deadly odds!”

“What good is that? Our ultimate goal hasn’t been achieved. As long as he lives, everything is in vain!”

“But—”

“No buts. Retreat!”

The woman immediately emitted a few eerie bird calls, their piercing sound cutting through the air.

Moments later, several black-clad figures leapt out from the Jade Red Pavilion, scattering in all directions.

The masked woman and the masked man had already vanished without a trace.

Li Si chased after them, gripping his blood-dripping battle knife, his killing intent raging like a storm.

“Don’t run! Come back!”

“Si’er, stop chasing! Protecting the people is more important!”

Only then did Li Si curse under his breath and turn back.

Meanwhile, atop the Jade Red Pavilion stood a man and a woman.

The woman was fair-skinned and beautiful, her slender waist exuding a noble aura even with every breath.

The middle-aged man spoke, “Princess Consort, I suspect General Yang brought us here to help protect those three female prisoners.”

Yu Shu’s eyes gleamed brightly. “No doubt about it. Second Master’s intention was exactly that. I thought I was in danger just now, but Zhang San hurriedly brought me here.”

Xu Zhen nodded in agreement. “General Yang truly is a master strategist; his reputation in the Jianghu is well known. He is indeed a remarkable figure.”

“Such a man as Second Master naturally attracts many admirers. If he has offspring, they would surely be extraordinary.”

Yu Shu blushed slightly but her eyes shone brightly.

Xu Zhen looked at her in surprise, wondering why the princess consort suddenly mentioned Yang Zhan’s children.

Still, he nodded. “As the saying goes, ‘A tiger’s father produces no dog’. There’s truth in that.”

At that moment, Xu Zhen looked into the distance, somewhat surprised. “They’ve withdrawn.”

“That means the bigger picture is settled.”

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Just then, Lv Yang came running from the side. “Princess Consort, the enemy fled. It was terrifying down below.”

“You, following Second Master, will have to face such scenes more often from now on.”

Yu Shu saw Lv Yang’s pale face and smiled gently. “Are you scared?”

Lv Yang shook her head. “Not scared, just a bit unaccustomed. I suppose after a few more times, I’ll get used to it.”

Then Yu Shu asked, “Previously, how did you and Zhang San persuade the Grand General of the Jinwu Guard?”

Lv Yang recounted the message Yang Zhan had her convey: “Second Master told me to tell the Grand General that the Eastern Palace has military honors and that troops are on the way. If they encounter obstacles, they should immediately shout a phrase that can turn the tide.”

“What phrase?” Yu Shu asked curiously.

“‘Under the thousand mountains, how could we not have clothes? We share the same robe!’”

Yu Shu paused, then said, “The Thousand Mountains refer to the border between the Barbarian Kingdom and Daxia. ‘How could we not have clothes? We share the same robe’—that’s a phrase Second Master once used, signifying soldiers sharing life and death as brothers-in-arms.”

Xu Zhen looked puzzled. “Just those words convinced two major guards to capture their commander?”

Yu Shu frowned slightly. “I recall Second Master once fought a bloody battle at the Thousand Mountains, personally leading 800 soldiers against 10,000 Barbarian vanguard troops. That battle was fierce.

“But Second Master and his 800 blocked the enemy’s advance, limiting their breakout and enabling a successful encirclement. Afterward, fewer than 200 survived.

“These survivors were promoted and became renowned warriors. Their loyalty to Second Master was unshakable. Among the mid-level officers of the Left and Right Guards, many knew their task was to prevent reinforcements from reaching the Eastern Palace—a deadly mission that would harm their families and loved ones. Naturally, they were reluctant.

“When Second Master’s words were shouted, it was his command, so they dared not hesitate.”

Yu Shu sighed, “Only Second Master could command such respect and wield such power.”

Lv Yang added, “I heard from Third Son that at the Thousand Mountains, Second Master bonded with those 800 soldiers as brothers. Whether dead or alive, they cared for the families of fallen comrades. Second Master led from the front, accepting death willingly.”

Xu Zhen frowned. “No wonder Yang Zhan carries that wild hero’s spirit.”

Yu Shu snapped, “That is heroic spirit!”

Lv Yang nodded. “Exactly!”

Xu Zhen was taken aback, then smiled awkwardly. “Alright, alright. So shall we wait for General Yang?”

“Of course. Since Second Master sent me here, we wait for him,” Yu Shu declared firmly.

Meanwhile, inside the Celestial Saint Palace,

Han Zhong had been dragged away. Though not dead, he was ruined.

Even as a profound Qi cultivator, facing warriors like Yang Zhan and Lin Buhan up close, he was merely struggling for his last breath.

At this moment, Yang Wu ignored Yang Zhan and Yang Xing.

He looked at the disheveled Han Zhong, who seemed to have aged years in an instant.

“Wu Wang, any further orders?”

Han Zhong, knowing his fate was sealed, remained silent.

Yang Wu didn’t press further but said, “You served me most of your life. Letting you live to old age is my way of honoring our master-servant bond.”

Then Yang Wu commanded, “Lin Buhan, imprison Han Zhong in the dark dungeon until death!”

Han Zhong suddenly burst into tears. “Your Majesty, for the years I’ve served you, grant me one mercy.”

“Betrayal is the coldest thing, especially from someone who has followed me so long!”

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With that, Yang Wu waved dismissively.

Yang Zhan observed keenly, knowing Yang Wu’s mercy was not kindness but a torment—being locked away in a pitiless dungeon worse than death.

It was a form of torture for Han Zhong.

Yang Wu then looked at Yang Xing. “Crown Prince, you govern the kingdom in my stead. Go and pacify the guards; no more deaths can be allowed!”

“Yes, Father!”

After Yang Xing left, Yang Zhan remarked, “I didn’t expect with age, your methods grew milder.”

“You mean the Empress?” Yang Zhan raised an eyebrow. The old man’s remark was spot on.

The rebel soldiers were one thing—military orders must be obeyed, many not even knowing the situation.

As for Yang Jin, Yu Shu had told him the old man was aware of the Crown Prince’s illness and had sent doctors to treat him.

Yang Wu clearly did not want his line to end.

Therefore, he would never kill Yang Jin, no matter how rebellious.

Yang Wu glanced at Yang Zhan. “You brat, do you think being emperor means you can kill recklessly? If I could, the first one I’d chop down is you, this irreverent punk!”

Yang Zhan understood—this old man had fears.

The Empress’s family was probably formidable.

Yet any faint goodwill Yang Wu had for the old man vanished instantly.

Suddenly, Yang Wu spoke, “Yang Zhan, earlier the Empress mentioned the matter between the Fifth Prince and you…”

Yang Zhan’s face froze. Was this really taken seriously?

“Old man, please don’t. The Fifth Princess is noble-born, of imperial blood. I’m just a rough soldier, we’re not a match!”

“What mismatch? If you worry about sharing the Yang surname, I’ll grant you a new one, so there’ll be no gossip!”

Damn it!

This old man was pushing his luck.

“Why don’t you change your daughter’s surname then?”

At these words, the room fell silent.

Yang Wu stared at Yang Zhan in disbelief, apparently not expecting this impudent young man to say such nonsense.

Finally, Yang Wu snapped back to reality and slammed the table.

“Impudent!”