Chapter Thirty-One: Kill

Having already promised to resolve the disaster threatening the Imperial Guards, it was only right that you all put in some effort as well! As expected, Liu Tan saw hesitation in the eyes of the three men.

“What’s this? When trouble arises, you plead for my help, but now that I require something of you, you all hesitate? Is that reasonable?” Liu Tan’s voice was stern.

“This…” Pang Bo opened his mouth, unable to find the words to explain.

At that moment, Deputy Commander Lin Youzhi bowed and said, “Your Majesty, please do not misunderstand. Our hesitation is only because, since your ascension, you have never called upon the Imperial Guards for any task. Now, suddenly, we are asked to act, so we are caught off guard.”

“Yes, exactly!” The other two quickly echoed his sentiment. Now the Emperor held the Tiger Token of the Guards, and his command was fully legitimate. Moreover, the matter of disbanding the guards still required negotiation with the Prime Minister.

Lin Youzhi continued, “Your Majesty, just give the order. Whether it is to slay men or dig graves, even if it means crossing blades and braving fire, we are ready to charge forth. The Imperial Guards have been still for far too long!”

As the Commander of the Imperial Guards, Pang Bo also declared, “I am willing to serve Your Majesty as well!”

Only Wang Zhe, the Right Commander, remained. Seeing the others pledge their loyalty, he reluctantly added, “I too am willing!”

Liu Tan observed the expressions of the three. Their sincerity was palpable, even tinged with eagerness.

He immediately understood the reason: boredom. In times of peace, it was tolerable, but now with war looming, it would be impossible to keep feeding and maintaining five thousand guards without purpose. The Imperial Guards themselves wished to be useful and earn merit.

Alas, command over the Guards belonged to the royal family. Previously, it lay with the Empress Dowager—a woman, hardly expected to lead the Guards to glory. Now, the Tiger Token had passed to the present sovereign, and hope was rekindled.

Liu Tan asked, “Do you know whom I wish to kill?”

Pang Bo knelt again. “Your Majesty, I have sinned! For such scoundrels to appear in the Imperial Guards is our failure. If not for the rule forbidding action without orders, I would have led the Guards to slaughter the entire Shentu clan!”

“Yes! Your Majesty, Shentu, as one of your Guards, not only failed to sacrifice himself for you, but even attempted regicide—a crime deserving death. We are willing to be the sword in your hand!” Lin Youzhi concurred.

At this, Wang Zhe furrowed his brow and said, “Your Majesty, I fear the Prime Minister may object. To wipe out an entire family is a cruelty too harsh.”

“Hmph!” Liu Tan retorted coldly, “If we do not execute them to set an example, shall we let future generations follow suit? Rest assured, I will go with you!”

As he spoke, Liu Tan produced a silk scroll from his robe, which Pang Bo hurried to receive.

Liu Tan continued, “This is the detailed record of the assassin’s family graves. The three of you will devise a plan. By dawn tomorrow, see that the assassin’s clan is wiped out!”

The three exchanged glances. Years of shared experience allowed them to understand each other instantly. Seeing the packed genealogical chart and addresses on the silk, it was clear: the Emperor meant this in earnest.

Pang Bo said, “Most of the Shentu clan resides outside the city at the Shentu Manor. I need only lead fifty Guards, ride out, and slaughter them like swine. In the city, there are only two Shentu households. Your Majesty may lead Lin and Wang, each with ten Guards.”

“Good. I am impatient by nature, can’t wait. Why not have me and the two Commanders deal with the city’s Shentu first, then join Commander Pang at the manor?”

“That will do.”

Lin and Wang accepted the order, each leading ten Imperial Guards. They mounted their horses, swords at their sides, and surrounded Liu Tan in the center, leaving the camp and heading into the city.

Along the way, passersby stopped and stared, sensing the murderous aura emanating from the group. They hurriedly stepped aside. Upon closer look, they recognized the man in black armor as the Emperor himself. Someone knelt in recognition, and word spread swiftly. Shocked faces dropped to their knees, fearful lest they accidentally offend the sovereign.

One Shentu clansman, Shentu Shu, a younger cousin of Shentu, ran a large rice shop in Chengdu, with a small courtyard behind.

Liu Tan led the Guards into the shop, which was still open for business. Clearly, the news had not yet spread, which was a relief—at least the spies had a sense of the situation and hadn’t spoiled the surprise.

To avoid harming innocents, Lin Youzhi shouted, “Official business—non-Shentu people, leave at once!”

Immediately, people hurried out, leaving only a coarse-clad man, terrified, standing in the corner.

Liu Tan asked, “Are you a Shentu?”

The man shook his head. “I am the shop assistant, handling daily operations.”

“You aren’t a Shentu?” Liu Tan pressed.

The assistant nodded, meekly, “My surname is Wang.”

“Since you aren’t a Shentu, leave. By the way, where is the Shentu?”

The assistant trembled, pointing toward the back courtyard. “The master is in the rear!” With that, he darted out. No one stopped him without Liu Tan’s command.

Liu Tan gestured, and Lin and Wang led the way into the courtyard. Suddenly, Liu Tan heard Lin Youzhi shout, “Villain, halt!”

Entering the courtyard, Liu Tan saw a richly dressed man attempting to scramble over the wall.

Lin Youzhi had already drawn his sword and hurled it at the man atop the wall.

The sword struck true, piercing the man’s back and pinning him to the earthen wall. He grunted, turning painfully, blood trickling from his mouth. In his eyes was confusion, realization, and terror.

Liu Tan swallowed—Lin Youzhi, as Left Commander of the Guards, truly possessed skill. The force behind his throw not only drove the blade deep into the wall, but caused it to vibrate violently, emitting a buzzing sound.

“Ah!” The four or five people in the courtyard were stunned. Suddenly, one bolted in panic toward the house.

Liu Tan shouted, “Shentu attempted the assassination of the Emperor. Any Shentu is to be executed without mercy! Kill!”

With that, he drew his sword and charged forward.

Within a few paces, he reached a man who stood frozen in terror. Liu Tan merely aimed his sword at him and pressed forward. With a wet sound, the blade sank into the man’s lung!

The man stared wide-eyed at Liu Tan. Through the man’s pupils, Liu Tan saw his own reflection—eyes wide, disbelief etched across his face.

Perhaps he was not yet prepared for killing.

Blood sprayed from the man’s mouth onto Liu Tan’s face, the warmth and wetness forcing his wavering heart to harden. After a moment, Liu Tan wiped the blood away, his face twisted as he roared, “Kill!”

He twisted his sword, churning the man’s innards.

More blood bubbled from the man’s lips as he slowly collapsed.

Liu Tan pulled his sword free, pointing it to the sky.

“Kill!”

In this life, I shall be the master—anyone in the world may be slain!