Volume 1, Chapter 19: The Rift Between Senior Sister and Junior Brother

The Northern Prince’s Mansion.

A hole in the wall.

After crawling through, the masked figure took off his hood. He was Zhao Wujiang, a man of cunning schemes. Though his ambush had failed to achieve its ultimate goal, the broader plan was already in motion.

He had just finished changing his clothes when the old steward arrived to report: "Your Highness, the commander of the city patrol guarding the gates tonight is here to see you."

"Show him in."

The commander of the patrol unit entered, clutching his helmet. He gulped down a cup of tea in one breath and wiped his beard, which was as messy as a weed patch.

"Young Prince, it happened exactly as you predicted. Someone was impersonating Chiba Nichiteru. It was a woman—beautiful, certainly, but her martial arts were formidable. She wounded several of my men. Many people witnessed it; there is no way to fake this. I will report it to the Emperor immediately."

"My thanks, Commander Wang."

Zhao Wujiang offered a gentle smile and flicked his fingers, signaling the old steward to fetch something. Seeing the steward walk away, the commander lowered his voice: "Since the Princess has given her instructions, I will naturally assist you."

With that, the commander grabbed his helmet and turned to leave for the palace to brief the Emperor on the night's events.

"Commander Wang, wait..." The old steward returned carrying a wooden tray, upon which lay a sum of silver wrapped in red paper.

The commander frowned as he saw this. "Young Prince, what is the meaning of this?"

Zhao Wujiang took the tray from the steward and walked toward the commander. Wang gestured with his eyes, "The Princess has already given her orders; you don't need to..."

"Commander Wang, I, Zhao Wujiang, never mistreat my brothers." Zhao Wujiang stepped before him, feigning a look of exhaustion—a man worn thin by excess—and stumbled as if his legs were about to give way.

The commander reached out to steady him, and as he did, the tray of silver slid effortlessly into his hands.

The commander froze. As a rough soldier, he had never encountered such a situation. Was this the legendary "official bribery"? How thrilling!

Zhao Wujiang stood with his hands behind his back, giving the commander no chance to refuse. "You are a busy man, Commander, so I shall not keep you."

Feeling the heavy weight in his arms, the commander cupped his fists and nodded firmly. "If you ever have need of me in the future, Young Prince, just say the word!"

***

The Imperial Palace. The Royal Study.

Li Zaiyuan, still busy with minor matters, frowned as he looked over the report just submitted by the city patrol.

"Father, have some tea." Li Yunrui brought him a cup of refreshing tea with a sweet smile. She had already seen the contents of the report and was inwardly delighted. *Zhao Wujiang is truly impressive. In just one day, he has cleared his name. He is indeed the man I chose!*

Li Zaiyuan smiled kindly and took a sip, his fatigue lifting slightly.

"Father, look at Zhao Wujiang. In just one day, he has found the true culprit. With talent like that, shouldn't you reward him?"

Seeing his beloved daughter soliciting rewards for Zhao Wujiang, Li Zaiyuan sighed with the feeling of a parent whose heart was being tugged away. He shook his head.

Zhao Wujiang had indeed found the culprit quickly. But how did he manage to command the city patrol? These were the city’s defensive forces! Without his own imperial decree, neither the city patrol nor the cavalry guards should be taking orders from anyone else.

*Zhao Wujiang, oh Zhao Wujiang, I find it harder and harder to see through you...*

Li Zaiyuan’s wariness deepened, his brows furrowing. "Clearing his name is his reward."

"Father!" Li Yunrui took the tea away, pouting. "If you won't reward him, so be it. But there have been major murders in the capital, and the true culprit remains at large. Isn't that a dereliction of duty by the cavalry guards and the Capital Prefecture? You have always been wise and decisive in rewards and punishments—surely, you must punish them?"

Though she could not secure a reward for Zhao Wujiang, she would not let those who had bullied him get off easily.

Li Zaiyuan rubbed his temples. He knew he would have to punish Long Zhan and the Prefect. Otherwise, Li Yunrui would likely never bring him another cup of tea.

***

Long Zhan’s residence.

Ling Qingxue had fled back under the cover of night, hiding in her chamber to tend to her wounds. Her brow was dark with malice, her delicate features colder than ever.

She could not understand how her "Mirror Flower, Water Moon" technique had been broken. Those patrol soldiers, beating their gongs with such thunderous noise, were clearly not there by accident—they had come prepared, with specific intent.

And most importantly, there was the base coward who had ambushed her in the shadows. Within his palm strike, there had been the distinct, unique internal energy of the True Yang Heart Sutra!

"Senior Sister, are you alright?" Long Zhan pushed the door open, catching sight of the pale-faced Ling Qingxue.

Upon seeing him, her heart tightened, and she immediately became guarded. The coward who had ambushed her possessed the True Yang power—who else could it be but Long Zhan?

"Senior Sister, are you hurt?"

At this moment, Ling Qingxue possessed the fragile beauty of a snow lotus on a mountain peak. Her graceful silhouette stirred in Long Zhan a heat that stood in stark contrast to her icy demeanor. Perhaps this was his chance to draw closer to her, or perhaps even claim her.

Long Zhan stepped forward. "Senior Sister, let me use the True Yang Heart Sutra to heal you. Please, take off your upper garment..."

Seeing the sudden, searing heat in Long Zhan's eyes, Ling Qingxue glared and snapped, "No!"

"Senior Sister, I am a man of integrity..."

"Long Zhan! Remember this: even if the Master has deemed you the Child of Destiny who will one day elevate our sect above the imperial throne—even if she has ordered us sisters to sacrifice ourselves for you—that is the future you! As for the you of today, you are not worthy! Get out of my room!"

Rebuffed without mercy, Long Zhan felt a surge of frustration. But to salvage his image, he changed the subject. "Senior Sister, I was only concerned for your injuries. After all, the Heavenly Sword is about to appear. If your wounds are too severe, it will surely affect your ability to compete for it!"