Chapter 5: I Only Want to Go to Chang'an
The middle-aged man seemed oblivious to the arrow heading straight for him, his eyes instead fixed on the one aimed at the young girl. His fists clenched tightly, a tension unlike any he’d ever felt before, but it was too late for him to intervene.
Yang Xuan, holding the girl in his arms, dismounted with his back to the incoming arrow. The girl struggled in his embrace, her head raised just in time to face the flying shaft—this was the moment that caused the middle-aged man and the guards to freeze in astonishment.
Jin Qiyan’s face turned deathly pale, and he nearly stabbed himself in remorse.
As Yang Xuan landed, a shiver ran down his spine, and his body twisted in an odd manner.
The motion carried the girl with him, and her forehead slammed fiercely into Yang Xuan’s own, tears welling in her eyes.
The arrow grazed past her cheek.
A collective sigh of relief swept through them.
Facing the incoming arrow, the middle-aged man raised his hand and flicked his finger. Just as the arrow was about to strike his face, he flicked it aside as easily as one would flick away a droplet of water.
The arrow shattered in midair. The middle-aged man remained calm, “Kill them all!”
Arrows shot from all directions into the spot where the assassins had hidden. If there were any seasoned soldiers present, they would surely marvel at the guards’ marksmanship—within moments, they had sealed every possible escape route for the assassins.
Jin Qiyan cursed in disbelief, “Damn it! How did that boy pull it off?”
Cursing, he led his men toward Yang Xuan.
Another group of guards, under cover of the arrow barrage, rushed into the dense forest in small teams. Their formation and coordination were so superb that even elite troops would be left in awe.
Thud!
The girl landed on her back, unable to hold back her tears any longer. “Why did you use me as a cushion!”
Yang Xuan sprang up, his gaze sweeping across the forest. “If the arrows come again, I can block them.”
He had shielded the girl from the arrows’ path.
But the girl, furious, retorted, “Why haven’t you turned around yet?”
She tilted her head, tears streaming down.
How humiliating!
The girl was truly enraged.
Jin Qiyan rushed over, tense. “Miss, are you hurt?”
Sitting on the ground, the girl hugged her knees and buried her face, gently shaking her head.
The maids surrounded her, the guards forming an outer layer.
Yang Xuan stood up, preparing to leave.
He passed a guard, noticing the man raise his hand in confusion.
Behind him, the guard pounded his own chest forcefully.
Bang!
He passed another guard.
Behind him, the guard struck his chest just as hard.
Bang!
One by one, the guards solemnly beat their chests, gazing at Yang Xuan as he walked ahead.
This was the highest honor bestowed among comrades in the military!
Yang Xuan found his horse and caressed it gently.
It was a fine steed; the Wang clan had been generous, giving it to him without hesitation.
Yang Xuan never accepted favors for free. Even if someone gave him a dry biscuit in the mountains, he would find a way to return the gesture.
Huang Lao’er came over, clapping him on the back and laughing, “Good lad, you actually saved the young miss. When we return, drink all the fine wine you want!”
These past few days, the guards had taken turns drinking after setting up camp. Yang Xuan, who had never tasted wine in his life, was tempted by the aroma. But as a country boy attached to the Wang caravan, he didn’t dare ask for a drink. He was shy, but the guards were shrewd enough to notice.
The middle-aged man discussed matters with his advisers. He glanced up, offering Yang Xuan a gentle nod.
Originally, the journey didn’t include his niece, but she had pleaded with his elder brother until they relented and brought her along.
The women of the Wang clan held exalted status, and his niece was especially cherished by both his elder brother and himself—the jewel of the Wang family. Had anything happened earlier, he dared not imagine how his brother would react, or what would become of himself.
Yang Xuan!
The middle-aged man silently repeated the name, then began to ponder who was behind the assassination attempt.
Travel could not continue that day, so everyone began to set up camp.
Yang Xuan slipped away unnoticed.
“Where’s Yang Xuan?” someone asked.
“The horse is still here, probably just went off for a moment.”
Soon after, Jin Qiyan returned to confess his failure.
“Second Master, the enemy was well prepared. After missing their chance, they fled far beyond our reach. We only managed to kill a dozen of their rear guards.”
Jin Qiyan was both angry and ashamed.
“This is the forest,” the middle-aged man said coldly. “The Wang clan owns many mines, and we often deal with bandits here. You all must train well.”
It was a warning.
Jin Qiyan bowed his head. “Yes.”
The advisers smiled, “The assassins knew they couldn’t kill Second Master, but if they managed to kill the young miss, First Master would surely fly into a rage. When he’s angry, Chang’an will be in turmoil. Who knows who will seize the opportunity amid the chaos?”
The middle-aged man’s gaze deepened, “My elder brother sent men recently. Chang’an has been restless. Someone suggested reducing the hereditary privileges by thirty percent, stirring up hidden currents.”
The adviser was surprised, “This is the emperor’s will. Does the emperor intend to target the Five Great Families?”
The middle-aged man nodded, then shook his head, “It is the emperor’s intention, but he sent someone to the Wang clan to deliver a message beforehand. We’ll just watch.”
“Presumably, all Five Great Families in Chang’an received such messages from the palace,” the adviser stroked his beard, smiling.
“It was someone from the Mirror Platform, under the one-eyed dragon’s command.” When mentioning the Mirror Platform and the one-eyed dragon, a trace of caution appeared in the middle-aged man’s eyes, but it was dwarfed by his disdain. He continued, “This matter is not our concern. But for someone to attempt assassination midway… Do they think Wang Douxiang is gentle?”
Everyone straightened.
Wang Douxiang, the middle-aged man, squinted slightly. “Send word ahead—hunt them down!”
Jin Qiyan responded, “Yes, but Second Master, the assassins may not be contained.”
The adviser smiled, “Second Master is merely stirring the grass to startle the snake. All that matters is letting it be known someone tried to assassinate Second Master. The Wang clan controls the mines—if they are enraged, even the Tang dynasty will tremble. The mastermind will panic. If any clue is revealed, no matter his rank, the Wang clan can make him pay.”
Wang Douxiang said coolly, “If someone can escape after assassinating the Wang clan, who will eliminate those assassins?”
Invisible anger swept the camp.
The guards knelt, heads bowed.
The assassins had fled too far to be caught.
Jin Qiyan was mortified, “We are incompetent!”
Wang Douxiang beckoned, “Xian’er.”
The girl frowned, surrounded by maids, each bearing a sword.
“Negligence!” Wang Douxiang turned away with the girl, his voice drifting back, “Punish them!”
Soon after, the maids lay prone on the ground, the sound of paddles echoing through the camp.
…
Seven miles away, deep in the forest, three men sat resting.
The leader leaned against a tree, drinking from a water pouch. Water spilled from the corner of his mouth, and he shook his head when finished, droplets scattering.
Someone came running urgently, and all three stood, alert.
The newcomer was dressed in black, and as he approached, he said, “The Wang clan’s pursuers have turned back.”
The leader removed his mask and laughed, “So the Wang clan is nothing special, ha ha ha!”
His laughter startled birds nearby.
The four sat down to eat dry rations, speaking in low voices, unaware of the boy standing silently behind a large tree not far away.
Later, they set out again, one scouting ahead, one guarding the rear, two walking in the middle.
Yang Xuan followed closely behind.
The rear guard glanced back frequently. After they had walked a mile, his vigilance relaxed, and he looked back less often.
The two in the middle began to talk, their voices growing louder.
“The Wang clan’s guards are formidable, but this is the forest…”
The rear guard smiled and looked back, but suddenly his whole body went cold, as if his very marrow had frozen.
A boy stood right behind him, grinning.
The boy reached out.
His hand, not large but covered in calluses, gripped the man’s throat and squeezed.
The two in the middle walked on, one behind the other.
The one at the back was laughing, “If the Wang men dare pursue us, killing a few would be a feat.”
A hand rested on his shoulder.
It was said that wolves like to follow travelers, suddenly rising to their hind legs and placing a paw on the traveler’s shoulder, prompting them to turn…
A faint sound was heard.
Up ahead, the leader kept talking.
“We’ve trained in this forest for years—who could be our match?”
No one answered from behind. The leader instinctively lunged forward, simultaneously drawing his sword and turning to slash.
A shadow flickered behind him and vanished into the woods.
The scout cried out, “It’s the country boy from the Wang caravan!”
They had watched the caravan for several days and knew its members well.
“He’s the one who saved the Wang girl!”
The leader halted and shouted, “Zhao Xie!”
His voice echoed through the forest.
But the man was gone.
“That boy must be a new expert the Wang clan brought in!” The leader’s heart chilled. “Let’s go!”
The two alternated covering each other as they advanced.
When they reached a large tree, the scout suddenly flew backward.
The leader leapt, his eyes darting mid-air, sword ready to cut the vine wrapped around the scout’s ankle.
Whoosh…
A sharpened stake whistled through the air, burying itself in the scout’s chest. Its tail quivered.
The leader brandished his sword, but no second stake followed.
Landing, he shouted, “Come out!”
The forest was silent, no birds, no beasts.
Creak!
The scout hung upside down from the tree, swaying gently.
Drip, drip, drip!
Blood fell from his chest.
Cold sweat drenched the leader. He spun around, but no one was there.
“Who?”
He shouted hoarsely.
His voice echoed through the woods.
A reply came.
“I only want to go to Chang’an.”
It was a young voice.
The leader roared, “Come out and fight me, if you dare!”
Suddenly, the hairs on his back stood up. He spun and swung his sword.
But pain seared his lower back.
His turn slowed to a crawl.
A boy, his face painted in vibrant colors, stood behind him. “I’m out now.”
…
Please vote and recommend. Some readers find the update time too late; do you prefer updates in the afternoon or at the current time?