Chapter 28: A Complete Family

Page 1 of 3

Near the Imperial Prison in the dead of night.

Everyone who had been watching was left utterly speechless.

Qin Yin, her face veiled by a thin gauze, was breathing heavily enough to make it flutter, faintly revealing her exquisite features.

Eighteen, who had remained by her side, swallowed several times before recovering his senses. Turning to Qin Yin, he stammered, “M-M-Milady, could he… have reached the Saint Martial Realm?”

“No.”

Eighteen felt dizzy. “Then how is he so powerful? That was a Profound Connection Realm cultivator, and he was defeated in the blink of an eye!”

Qin Yin drew a deep breath, finally calming the turmoil in her chest.

“How many people in this world would dare place themselves in mortal danger from the very beginning?”

“This…”

“It is nothing remarkable. He merely took advantage of an opportunity. He won because Luo Jianyi was careless—and because he was too arrogant. He actually stood there on the ground, waiting for Yang Zhan to come and kill him!”

At this, Qin Yin’s eyes grew even brighter. “Still, that kind of attack, advancing without hesitation and caring nothing for life or death, is indeed worthy of admiration. It is the way a true martial artist ought to fight!”

Just then, a man in black hurried over, yet made not the slightest sound.

“Milady, several groups are watching from the shadows. The same group from last time is here as well.”

“Have you found out who they were?”

“We have. The Third Prince.”

Qin Yin’s gaze sharpened. “No wonder. The waters here truly run deep.”

She turned to the man in black. “Send the news back to the Phoenix Presence Kingdom at once!”

“Yes, Milady!”

…

Third Prince Yang Jin sat calmly in his place.

The two men beside him, however, watched him with grave expressions.

Only then did the Third Prince raise his head. “A defeat is merely a defeat. I know Yang Zhan. He would never accept a challenge unless he was certain of victory.”

He turned to the middle-aged man beside him. “Mr. Zhang, as for the other matters…”

Before he could finish, a thin figure came hurrying over.

“Your Highness, I have important news!”

“What news?”

“The men over there have heard that the Northern Command Imperial Guards and the Martial Strategy Army will be guarding the Imperial Prison.”

The moment those words were spoken, the usually composed Third Prince sprang to his feet.

Even Zhang Wuxiang, who had remained impassive until now, showed shock.

“How is that possible? Those forces guard the imperial capital. No one but His Majesty may mobilize them!”

The Third Prince turned coldly toward the messenger. “Who said this?”

“Yang Zhan’s personal guard, Li Liu!”

Yang Jin looked toward Zhang Wuxiang. “How credible do you think it is?”

Page 2 of 3

Zhang Wuxiang’s expression shifted unpredictably. “Your Highness, caution can never hurt. Although I have never heard that Yang Zhan had any connection with these two armies, the Crown Prince has gone to the Imperial Prison!”

Third Prince Yang Jin’s gaze grew icy.

“Quite right. Caution can never hurt.”

Yang Jin suddenly produced a golden dragon token and handed it to a burly man beside him. “Xu Qian, take my decree and lead men to seize control of the Northern Command Imperial Guards and the Martial Strategy Army. No one is to act without my orders!”

“Wait!” Zhang Wuxiang suddenly called out.

“What else do you have to add, Mr. Zhang?”

Zhang Wuxiang said, “That will not do. Secretly place our own men among them. If anything unusual happens, seize control of the commanding officers at once. That would be safer. Otherwise, such an overt move will inevitably arouse His Majesty’s suspicion.”

Yang Jin frowned. “No. If one hesitates when a decision must be made, disaster follows. Tonight is the crucial moment. What if every one of our other measures fails?”

“Your Highness, we have not failed yet,” Zhang Wuxiang replied gravely.

“Exactly. That is why we must keep one final card in reserve. Who knows how many men my elder brother has secretly planted in those two military camps?”

“But…”

“No buts. I am acting as regent now. I alone decide matters of state and war. Why should I not do this? Besides, the sooner we take control, the sooner we can respond if anything goes wrong…”

A cold glint flashed through Yang Jin’s eyes.

Zhang Wuxiang’s expression grew even more solemn. He was about to speak again, but Yang Jin cut him off sharply.

“Xu Qian, go at once. Whoever refuses to obey is to be executed!”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Xu Qian took the golden dragon token and strode away.

Zhang Wuxiang furrowed his brow. “Your Highness, I fear this may be a scheme intended to sow discord.”

Yang Jin raised his head proudly, his expression disdainful. “Do you think I fear a scheme like that?”

Zhang Wuxiang fell silent.

Yang Jin’s gaze was cold. “Begin the other arrangements at once!”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Zhang Wuxiang rose and departed.

…

Yang Zhan did not kill Luo Jianyi.

He kept his word. Luo Jianyi was indeed an upright man; it was only that his cultivation had improved while his breadth of mind had failed to keep pace.

Before long, Luo Jianyi was taken away by the members of the Imperial Sword Sect who had arrived with him.

Third Son, Fourth Son, and the others were thrilled and wanted to celebrate.

Yang Zhan poured cold water over their enthusiasm. “Do not celebrate too soon. Tonight’s battle has only just begun. Stay alert!”

“Yes!”

Yang Zhan quickly entered the interrogation chamber.

A short while later, a rat leaped onto the table.

It rose onto its hind legs and squeaked repeatedly.

Soon, Yang Zhan saw several scenes.

He raised an eyebrow. “I thought I would have to add fuel to the fire. Who would have guessed it would be this easy? He is indeed arrogant and proud—just as one would expect from an imperial heir. They are both princes, so how did the one in the private room end up so different?”

At that moment, the sounds of fierce combat suddenly erupted outside.

Page 3 of 3

Yang Zhan did not go out. Instead, he walked toward the depths of the Imperial Prison.

Chen Lin’er, Li Zhizhu, and Li Yu had not gone to sleep.

When they saw Yang Zhan arrive, Chen Lin’er spoke at once. “General Yang, among martial artists, truly only a handful possess strength comparable to yours.”

“You are impressive yourself. Even in here, you know what is happening outside.”

Chen Lin’er smiled. “Merely a trifling trick. Compared with you, General Yang, it is hardly worth mentioning.”

Yang Zhan said, “The envoys from the Phoenix Presence Kingdom will arrive tomorrow. At that time, they should send people here.”

The eyes of all three women lit up.

Li Yu’s eyes shone brightest, and she seemed particularly excited.

Then she looked at Yang Zhan with a somewhat malicious expression.

“What are you staring at? Believe me, and I will stop feeding you.”

Li Yu exploded at once. “You wretched prison warden! You… you are bullying me! I will make you pay!”

“You are welcome. When you come, be sure to praise me properly. That way, my wisdom and martial glory can spread throughout the world!”

“Praise you? Dream on! You are shameless enough already, and you even call yourself wise and mighty. Bah!”

Li Yu glared at him furiously.

Chen Lin’er frowned. “Your Highness.”

Li Yu glanced at Chen Lin’er. She still seemed somewhat wary of her and did not argue with Yang Zhan any further.

Yang Zhan looked at the three women. “In that case, you will not be staying here much longer. Enjoy the unique scenery of the Imperial Prison while you can. You will not have the chance again.”

Li Yu rewarded him with a pair of enormous eye rolls.

Yang Zhan did not notice. He only looked at Chen Lin’er. “Still, it depends on whether we can get safely through tonight.”

“Do not worry. I will protect them.”

Yang Zhan nodded. “Good. I came only to remind you of that.”

He left and went to the private room occupied by the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.

Naturally, neither of them had been able to sleep.

With the sounds of shouting and killing already rising outside, how could they possibly sleep?

Yang Zhan wasted no time. “Protect yourselves. Do not let anyone kill you in the chaos. If that happens, they will have won all the same.”

Yang Xing stared at him. “Second Uncle, this is your territory. In any case, you are responsible for my entire family. Otherwise, what would be the point of calling you Second Uncle?”

Yang Zhan looked utterly exasperated. “I am beginning to suspect that your father deliberately sent the two of you here so that I could protect you. Am I supposed to be your fool of a bodyguard?”

“Second Uncle, you cannot put it that way. I sent plenty of people here as well. I am certainly not freeloading.”

“In a moment, I will have Green Willow come over too. Your whole family should stay together.”

“Why does that sound so strange?” Yang Xing asked in confusion.

Yu Shu frowned. “General, Green Willow is your maid now.”

Yang Zhan had already turned away. He waved his hand. “I am a rough man. I am not used to having a young maid.”