Chapter 23: With the Audacity of a Lion and a Leopard

"General, there is no tally, nor any item that could identify him."

Yang Zhan looked at the corpse of the First Rank martial artist before him. "A First Rank martial artist should not be anonymous. In our Great Xia, as long as a First Rank martial artist registers with the imperial court, they can hold a nominal position and receive a considerable annual stipend, even if they choose to do nothing."

"General, we don't recognize him either, so it's normal that we can't identify him."

Yang Zhan shook his head. "I have seen the rosters. There are artists who register and record them; I remember everyone I have seen. Therefore, these people are not on the official rolls."

Sanzi’s expression grew more serious. "Then there are only two possibilities. Either they are from the aristocratic clans, who don't care about the court's meager stipends, or they are from the martial arts sects, who are unwilling to lower themselves to serve the powerful."

After saying this, Sanzi became extremely indignant. "These bastards, daring to come and disgust the General. One day I'll lead troops to wipe them out. These rats, not even daring to reveal their names—who knows whose wretched spawn they are!"

However, Yang Zhan began to laugh.

"This is a good thing!"

"What?" Sanzi was stunned. "This is a good thing?"

"It means that the people behind this are also embarrassed to move against me in the open. If they dared to act openly, our few blades wouldn't be able to hold them off!"

Sanzi was confused. "General, who is behind this? It’s for those three female prisoners—shouldn't it be the Fenglin Kingdom?"

"Would the Fenglin Kingdom dare to send so many experts?"

"But what does this have to do with the aristocratic clans or the martial arts sects?"

At this, Sanzi’s eyes widened. "Oh! I understand. These sons of bitches want to harm the General. If something happens to those three female prisoners—whether they die or are abducted—the old Emperor already dislikes the General, and I fear he would hold the General accountable!"

If Yang Zhan told him the old man himself was behind this, Sanzi would probably incite him to fight his way out.

And as for him, sneaking out of Tiandu City would have a high success rate. Even if he were discovered, it wouldn't be impossible to carve a bloody path out.

But what then?

There would only be two paths left. One is to live a life of hiding.

The second is to go and reclaim command of the Shenwu Army. Without a proper title or justification, the political situation would likely push him to raise the banner of rebellion.

If the Great Xia were to fall into turmoil, it would be the common people who suffer.

It would also be easy for the Barbarian Kingdom or the Fenglin Kingdom to take advantage of the chaos, which is something Yang Zhan is unwilling to see.

Although he is a transmigrator, just as he said, he has a strong sense of belonging to the "Xia" in Great Xia.

Therefore, if he can leave openly, Yang Zhan will absolutely not leave like a thief. Until his death, he will be a righteous citizen of Great Xia, and until his death, he will remain the renowned Great General of the Shenwu Army!

He has, after all, risked his life for over a decade, with achievements earned through his own sweat and blood!

Thinking of this, Yang Zhan felt a surge of irritation!

If only that old man had issued an imperial decree allowing him to be a commoner, that would have been fine!

He is, after all, a First Rank martial artist with a history of great military exploits; he could live comfortably anywhere.

Unexpectedly, this old man refuses to let him leave with his dignity intact!

This left a bitter taste in Yang Zhan's mouth, forcing him to engage in a contest with the old man.

"A dead end?"

Yang Zhan narrowed his eyes.

"Then I’d like to see how many people die in this dead end!"

Sanzi asked in confusion, "General, what dead end?"

"Nothing. You and Si’er go get some rest. I’ll keep watch alone tonight!"

"General, you go rest. Si’er and I can handle the watch."

"Get lost and go rest!"

***

The latter half of the night was peaceful.

There was not a sound.

Early the next morning.

Reinforcements had actually arrived!

The Crown Prince, who had always been cautious and, in his eyes, completely timid, had actually sent East Palace guards to help him guard the prison.

It truly surprised Yang Zhan.

Because this was completely out of character for the Prince.

Chen Shu arrived with fifteen guards, all martial artists of the Fourth Rank or higher, and Chen Shu himself was of the First Rank.

Don't let the fact that Yang Zhan took on three First Rank martial artists last night—resulting in one death and two injuries—deceive you.

In reality, First Rank martial artists are very powerful.

Of course, there is a large difference in combat capability even among First Rank martial artists.

Yang Zhan is an exception, a First Rank martial artist forged on the battlefield.

In the words of his past life, the "gold content" of his First Rank is incomparable to that of others.

Of course, Yang Zhan has been trapped at the peak of the First Rank for many years.

Whether he can break through to the next level depends on whether the blood-energy circulation chart from Bilian can help him shatter his shackles.

At this moment, Chen Shu cupped his fists. "Second Master, His Highness the Crown Prince sent me to bring men to follow your orders!"

Yang Zhan withdrew his thoughts and looked at Chen Shu. "Chen Shu, does the Crown Prince know the consequences?"

"Since His Highness has made his decision, he has naturally considered everything!"

"Good!"

This time, Yang Zhan did not refuse; after all, it is easier to get things done with more people.

Just look at how strained he and the other four were with their shifts.

Exhausting his troops is a major taboo in warfare!

"Good, divide your men into three teams, five men to a team!"

Chen Shu accepted the order and immediately had his men divide into three teams.

Yang Zhan also called out Sanzi and the other three.

"Sanzi, Si’er, Lao Wu, each of you lead a team. From now on, they are the soldiers under your command!"

"Yes!"

Sanzi’s expression turned solemn, and he stood as straight as an iron tower!

However, the fifteen men under Chen Shu frowned.

Chen Shu couldn't help but speak up. "Second Master, they are all at least Fourth Rank, and there are three Third Rank martial artists among them. Would it not be better to have the Third Rank martial artists lead the teams?"

Yang Zhan laughed. "Wouldn't it be better to have Second Rank martial artists lead them?"

Chen Shu was stunned and couldn't help but look at Sanzi and the others, his eyes filled with doubt.

Si’er couldn't help but interject, "Who are you looking down on? The four of us are all Second Rank!"

Chen Shu was astonished. "Second Master, they are all Second Rank?"

He couldn't believe it. Although he knew Yang Zhan was powerful and admired him, he had disregarded the other four jailers.

After all, Yang Zhan was only in the prison because of the Emperor.

But if these four jailers were Second Rank, why would they be content to be mere prison guards?

At this, Yang Zhan nodded. "They may be a bit weak, but they are very diligent in their duties!"

Having received confirmation, Chen Shu was stunned on the spot. This was considered weak? He might not even be able to stop four Second Rank martial artists!

The fifteen men Chen Shu brought also looked at Sanzi and the others with shock.

Lao Liu was not happy. "General, what about me?"

"Your task is very heavy, don't panic!"

Hearing this, Lao Liu felt balanced, and when he looked at Sanzi and the others, he couldn't help but lift his chin.

It was as if he were saying, "Look, I have been entrusted with an important task."

As a result, Sanzi, Si’er, and Lao Wu all gave Lao Liu a heavy eye-roll.

The three of them led their teams away.

Only Yang Zhan, Chen Shu, and Lao Liu remained.

Yang Zhan looked at Chen Shu and Lao Liu.

"Lao Liu, you are responsible for the defensive deployment; arrange the three teams logically."

Lao Liu’s eyes lit up, and he said excitedly, "Yes!"

Then, Lao Liu ran off to find Sanzi and the others.

It was clear that this guy wanted to enjoy the thrill of commanding.

At this moment, Chen Shu, who remained, couldn't help but ask, "Second Master, were they also generals in the Shenwu Army?"

"No, they are just my four personal guards. There was no helping it; wherever I go, they follow. I told them not to be jailers, as it was disgraceful, but these four little brats became proud of it."

Chen Shu gave a wry smile. "Second Rank martial artists working as jailers, and they're proud of it?"

Yang Zhan said in a low voice, "Isn't that so? These four guys feel they are on equal footing with me and say they can brag about it for a lifetime, and they’d even pay to be jailers!"

Chen Shu found it somewhat amusing, yet he couldn't bring himself to laugh.

A Great Xia God of War, feared even by the Barbarian Kingdom, was actually working as a prison warden here!

Suddenly!

A group of guards escorting a carriage arrived at the prison entrance.

Then, two eunuchs were shoved forward in a wretched state, kneeling before Yang Zhan and Chen Shu.

Yang Zhan was startled. Wasn't the younger one the little eunuch from a few days ago?

And the other—Yang Zhan was stunned. This older eunuch was no ordinary person; he was Yang Xi, a favorite of the Empress, and it was said he was now the Chief Eunuch of the Internal Affairs Department!

Next, the Crown Princess, Yu Shu, stepped down from the carriage. She was truly graceful and possessed a natural air of arrogance.

Yu Shu said in a powerful voice, "General, I heard these two dogs were embezzling the monthly stipends of the prison guards and even dared to come here to show disrespect to the General. His Highness the Crown Prince instructed me to bring them here to confess their crimes—I leave them to be dealt with by the General!"

Yang Zhan gulped. This... had the Crown Prince grown guts of steel? Daring to move against people belonging to the Empress, the biological mother of the Third Prince?