Volume One: The Emperor's Decree Chapter Twenty: Night Cloaks the Clash of Arms

The magistrate’s residence was situated on a high slope beside the Soldiers’ Edge Tower, the highest point in the city. From the watchtower there, one could survey the entire cityscape with perfect clarity. Not only did the magistrate reside here, but in the side wings and annexes also dwelled two or three dozen scribes—advisors whom Song Shuzai had recruited from the capital.

Now, in the main hall, sat a man in sumptuous robes, his head shaven clean. Though his voice was high and delicate, his words cut sharply. Officials of Changle City stood in two silent rows around him, their faces grim.

“Magistrate Song, His Highness the Crown Prince sent me to supervise your work. There’s nothing else to it—just relax.” Though a man, his face was fair and smooth, without the shadow of a beard, and his slender fingers rested with affected delicacy upon the armrest, a look of contempt curling his lips.

He had served the Crown Prince since infancy; Nie Xiang’s arrival meant the prince considered this operation of utmost importance. Rumors in the martial world claimed this old eunuch’s martial skills had reached the pinnacle, and he had long ago entered the Solar Yang Realm.

With him presiding, no matter what chaos erupted in Changle City tonight, not a ripple would reach the stone roads of the capital.

“Eunuch Nie, is the Crown Prince not being too reckless? Even if we know the Fourth Prince is planning something here, there are still millions of innocent commoners in Changle City!”

Changle City had always been prosperous; its residents lived in peace, and over time, the population had swelled into a metropolis of a million souls. With such unrest, behind nearly every closed door, sleepless families huddled anxiously.

“Magistrate Song, there are matters that civil officials should not concern themselves with. I know you wish to advance, but as long as the streets of Changle City are clear of rebels when the sun rises, you will have done exceptionally well.”

Nie Xiang toyed with the jade ring on his finger, silently accounting for the time. Before coming here, the Crown Prince had spoken with him late into the night. The young prince had endured ten long years, all for this night.

A secret was hidden in Changle City by the Fourth Prince. His mission was to find this secret and destroy it. Nie Xiang knew what it was, and whenever he thought of it, cold sweat broke out on his brow and he lay awake through the night. Apart from the Empress, even the Crown Prince did not know that he was, in truth, a false eunuch. Only by preserving his manhood had he broken through into the Solar Yang Realm—a fact he dared not reveal to anyone.

The vast residence was crowded with thousands of Blue Plume Troops and the Embroidered Guards under Nie Xiang’s command, waiting in the rear courtyard.

Song Shuzai paced anxiously, wringing his hands behind his back. He had always been timid and cautious, terrified of making a single misstep.

For a scholar without background to rise to the rank of magistrate was no small feat; to advance further, he had to choose a side. If tonight he pledged loyalty to the Crown Prince, and the matter succeeded, he would surely be promoted. The Fourth Prince seemed unlikely to turn the tide.

Nie Xiang said nothing, merely watching the magistrate pace. Suddenly, his brows arched and he slapped the table, rising to his feet. “Mobilize the entire army! South of the city, Yongle Ward! Suppress the rebellion!”

The water clock in the courtyard marked the hour of the Dog.

The Blue Plume Troops brandished their spears and surged out through the three gates. Nie Xiang gestured courteously: “Magistrate Song, please accompany me. The Embroidered Guards will ensure your safety.”

Civil and military officials mounted their horses. As they exited the main gate, they nearly collided with General Li Qing. Song Shuzai, startled, signaled urgently for him to hold his tongue.

“This must be General Li? Why are you not in your camp so late at night? What brings you here?” Before Song Shuzai could reply, the old eunuch squinted, riding up to Li Qing. “Visiting the magistrate’s residence at night, fully armored, with soldiers in tow. Magistrate Song, did you summon him?”

Song Shuzai’s mind whirled, not knowing how to respond, silently blaming Li Qing for arriving at such a moment.

“Are you perhaps Eunuch Nie, the Crown Prince’s attendant? I did not realize—” “Enough. You’re coming with us. Time waits for no man!” Nie Xiang cut him off abruptly.

The Blue Plume Troops had entered the city suddenly after nightfall; Song Shuzai had received no prior notice. All the soldiers wore light armor beneath plain clothes, moving quietly. Their horses’ hooves were wrapped in cloth, making no sound on the cobblestones as they swept toward Yongle Ward.

The city’s officials were surrounded by Embroidered Guards—ostensibly for their protection, but in truth to detain them. Should word leak and someone escape, there would be no accounting for it.

Inside the Soldiers’ Edge Tower, Deputy General Xu Yin became uneasy as the atmosphere in the camps grew tense. When the night-watch finished marking the hour, he made up his mind: the garrison under his command would search the entire city to protect the people.

“When this is over, I, Xu Yin, will bear the consequences alone! The soldiers are blameless!”

“Patrol as per usual routes. Anyone outside the city defense forces found bearing arms is to be arrested!”

Xu Yin drew his sword and led his men from the tower. Chaos erupted. Thirty thousand shield-bearers surged into the streets, their pent-up anger igniting as they swept through every district.

Behind every door, frightened eyes peered through cracks, watching the turmoil on the streets. The same was true outside the Hundred Families Armory, but here, a dozen Blue Plume soldiers lay dead in disarray.

The shopkeepers, living in the rear courtyard, had witnessed the entire fight that unfolded before their store. A young swordsman, surrounded by scattered petals, had dispatched these assassins in less than half the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

“Brother Liu, these Blue Plume soldiers serve the Crown Prince. I’m worried for my family,” Shen Zhong, though slow-witted, could not help but suspect that this was connected to the Night-Galloping Pegasus statue.

“It’s not safe to stay here. Let’s go together.” The fight outside the armory would likely draw more accomplices. Though these killers were not particularly skilled, the Crown Prince would not rely only on such men.

They had just escorted the young masters a short distance when they saw someone lying ahead. Hu Lie approached, knife in hand, and with a flick of his blade turned the body over. At once, he fell to his knees, letting the knife fall.

“Grandfather! Grandfather…” Clinging to the corpse, Hu Lie howled in grief. “Who killed you? Who was it?”

The Prairie Blade was dead? The other young men hurried forward. Though the body was bloodied and mutilated, that cloud-tipped saber was unmistakable—Hu Lie’s grandfather.

“Your home is right across from the Shen family. That means the Shen household is in even greater danger…” Chang Peng clasped his hands in salute. “I must inform my elder brother. Farewell for now!”

With that, Chang Peng slipped into a nearby alley. He had no intention of getting involved in the Shen family’s troubles.

Wen Botong nodded too, his severed hand preventing him from saluting. “I’ll be going as well!” Before leaving, he shot Liu Xiaoyi a venomous glare. He would be back to settle this score.

“Brother Shen, under these circumstances, I don’t think I can be of further help. Miss Yu doesn’t know how to fight…”

Liu Xiaoyi was not a fool. With the Prairie Blade dead, to go along would only add fuel to the fire.

Just then, from both sides of the street, there came the rustle of movement, interspersed with the clinking of metal. With no time to escape, the four at the corner were trapped between two advancing squads.