Chapter Eight: Deploying the Troops

Zhuge Zhengwo nodded slowly and said in a low voice, “It seems I know where His Majesty is.” As he spoke, Zhuge Zhengwo glanced back at Leng Xue, meeting his gaze. It was as if the two understood each other’s thoughts.

“Where is His Majesty?” Shangguan Haitang pressed impatiently.

Leng Xue stepped forward, about to reply, when a sudden commotion sounded outside the room. Even the weakest martial artist present would be considered a second-rate master in the martial world—none failed to notice the disturbance.

Everyone looked out to see dozens of masked figures in crimson cloaks, brandishing blades and surrounding the house.

At that moment, Zhuge Zhengwo still had the presence of mind to jest, “Divine Constable, look—if I intended harm to His Majesty, I wouldn’t have sent others to kill me afterward, would I? You’ve all arrived at just the right time.”

Zhu Wushi glanced at Zhuge Zhengwo but said nothing.

Inside and out, both sides stood in tense opposition. It was then that Zhuge Zhengwo, who until now had watched like a spectator, suddenly recalled something and cried out urgently, “This is bad! Quickly, deal with them! His Majesty is in danger!”

His words were like a signal. The people in the room exchanged glances, then surged outside like tigers let loose from a cage.

The details of the battle need not be described, for truly, it defies detailed telling. Though the red-cloaked assailants were many, not one among them was a true martial expert.

Put simply, if Zhu Wushi’s group had not been present, Zhuge the Divine Constable and the others might have taken three to five minutes to dispatch the attackers. But with Zhu Wushi and his men, the fight was over in less than two minutes—and many captives were taken alive.

None of their own were killed. Two sustained minor injuries, but not from the enemy; rather, it was because the two groups had never fought together before and, unfamiliar with each other’s styles, mistakenly wounded each other.

When this almost farcical battle was over, Zhuge Zhengwo immediately commanded, “Follow me! His Majesty may be in danger—we must hurry to his rescue!”

***

Meanwhile, Zhu Yu, once again blindfolded, suddenly heard the sounds of battle approaching, growing ever nearer.

His heart tightened, but at the same time, his yearning for the Northern Sea Divine Art—a technique that could swiftly increase his internal strength—intensified.

Before he could think further, the door was smashed open, and light returned as his blindfold was ripped away.

Two figures in crimson cloaks stood before him, blades at the ready.

Zhu Yu, utterly untrained in martial arts and unarmed, stood defenseless before them. He could only manage an awkward greeting, “Hey, you’ve got the wrong person—the one you’re looking for is next door.”

But as soon as the words left his lips, a blade came cleaving down from above, its force threatening to split him in two.

If you asked what Zhu Yu was thinking at that moment, it could only be described as a blank mind.

He froze in the face of death, making no move to dodge, simply staring as the blade descended toward his head.

Just then, two flying darts shot out of nowhere, striking the masked men. Caught off guard and hit at their vital points, they collapsed lifelessly to the floor.

Only then did Zhu Yu come to his senses, patting his chest in relief as he gazed at their bodies.

The woman in the wheelchair from before now leaned on her cane as she entered, sneering, “They’re here to kill you, and you still walk right into their blades—are you in a hurry to die?”

Her words were mocking, but as more red-cloaked assailants poured into the room, Zhu Yu noticed that though she had every reason for vengeance, she did not strike at him—instead, she seemed intent on shielding him.

But the attackers were too many. Where once the woman had fought with ease, now she struggled merely to fend off those who came at her. She could no longer spare a thought for Zhu Yu.

The room filled with flashing blades, so crowded that it seemed about to burst. Just as Zhu Yu, in utter despair, resigned himself to death, two figures darted in from outside.

They moved so swiftly they seemed to blur into afterimages. With a flick of their palms, they dispatched the attackers closing in on Zhu Yu. Then, moving like phantoms through the throng, they struck out with both hands, sending the assailants flying out the windows. In no time at all, the room was cleared.

Soon, not one red-cloaked attacker remained.

Outside, many armed men guarded the perimeter. Inside, Zhu Yu sat on the bed, looking down at the two kneeling before him.

“Your humble subjects, Zhuge Zhengwo and Zhu Wushi, have come too late to your aid. We beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness!”

The two kneeling figures were none other than the only two Divine Constables of the Realm—Zhu Wushi and Zhuge Zhengwo.

***

“Rise, my loyal subjects. Thankfully you arrived in time—I should be thanking you,” Zhu Yu said, his gratitude all too genuine.

“Rebels have risen in revolt, and the palace guards are now under Chancellor Cai’s control. How should we proceed? Please instruct us, Your Majesty,” Zhu Wushi asked with a respectful bow.

“Send troops—crush them!” Recalling his recent tribulations, a cold gleam flashed in Zhu Yu’s eyes as he spoke with steely resolve.

“Your Majesty, the nearest garrison is at Wusheng Pass. Do you have the Tiger Tally with you? I can dispatch someone to call for reinforcements,” Zhuge Zhengwo said.

“I only left the palace for a casual outing—I never thought to bring the Tiger Tally. Now it seems I must go in person.” In truth, Zhu Yu had completely forgotten about the military tally—he only remembered that his job was to leave the palace at the appointed time, suffer an assassination attempt, and play his supporting role.

Besides, in the original story, didn’t the Emperor also go in person to dispatch the troops?

Zhu Wushi and Zhuge Zhengwo exchanged glances and said in unison, “We are willing to accompany and protect Your Majesty!”

Zhu Yu shook his head. “You both have other tasks. Royal Uncle, I have heard that Dragon Guard Manor’s intelligence work is unrivaled. I want evidence of all the crimes committed by Chancellor Cai and his faction, as well as the heads of every member of the An family! Then tally up the An family’s assets and hand them over to the Eastern Depot—I want their entire clan confiscated!”

Then, recalling the ambush on the way to gather troops in the original plot, he added, “On second thought, it’s highly likely there will be an attempt on my life en route. Royal Uncle, you’d better come with me. As for the tasks I just gave you, find someone trustworthy to handle them.”

“As you command,” Zhu Wushi replied with a bow.

After a moment’s thought, Zhu Yu turned to Zhuge Zhengwo. “Zhuge Zhengwo, I have heard you are well connected with the Six Gates. I want not a hint of unrest in the capital during my absence!”

A trace of difficulty flickered in Zhuge Zhengwo’s eyes, but he replied, “Your Majesty, the Six Gates may not be entirely reliable. But rest assured—even without their help, I will see the task done.”

Hearing this, Zhu Yu felt a pang of despair. How hard his lot was! Now he had only two people he could truly rely on, and one of them would become a future antagonist.

Steadying himself, Zhu Yu continued, “If you’re short-handed, you may borrow men from Dragon Guard Manor. Also, while I’m away, Zhuge Zhengwo, you must appease the court ministers—do not let chaos reach the halls of government.”

“I obey,” Zhuge Zhengwo replied, bowing.

Afterward, Zhuge Zhengwo and Zhu Wushi made arrangements: Leng Xue, Zhui Ming, Duan Tianya, and Guihai Yidao would escort Zhu Yu to Wusheng Pass under Zhu Wushi’s command to mobilize the troops.