Volume 1, Chapter 21: Open Confrontation with Li Zaiyuan

The court erupted in an uproar. Zhao Wujiang wanted to go to the Northern Frontier?

By what right did a good-for-nothing like him dare to ask? Wasn’t he only capable of dallying with women? Long Zhan sneered inwardly, finding the very idea laughable.

Zhao Wujiang continued, his tone resolute: "Following in my father's footsteps is only natural. I wish to guard the Northern Frontier that he protected during his lifetime. I beg Your Majesty to grant my request! Should I fall in battle, I, Zhao Wujiang, shall have no regrets!"

He spoke with righteous indignation, his face a mask of solemn loyalty. He remained bowed, hands cupped, motionless, leaving the assembled officials with nothing to say.

Yet, in his heart, he was screaming: *Please, just let me go!*

*If I leave, I won’t have to wait for my father to return! I can raise the banner of rebellion the moment I reach the North, lead a million troops, and march on the capital! Please, Your Majesty, abdicate and let someone worthy take the throne!*

But he couldn't voice these thoughts aloud—that would be utter madness.

As Zhao Wujiang waited, Li Zaiyuan’s expression grew heavy. Long Zhan’s temper flared, and he bowed toward the dragon throne. "Your Majesty, the Heir of Zhao has long been hollowed out by wine and women. He is unworthy of such a heavy responsibility and lacks the strength to bear it!"

That command of the Northern Frontier Army was almost in his grasp! How dare this Zhao Wujiang pop up and obstruct him?

Zhao Wujiang let out a scoff. "Who says I'm hollowed out? If you've got the guts, let's duel!"

He was, of course, just bluffing. Although his martial arts had improved by leaps and bounds since he had "freeloaded" off Liu Ruyan, he wasn't quite ready for a head-on clash with Long Zhan.

To his surprise, Long Zhan seemed to lose his composure as well, shouting in the Great Hall, "You think I'm afraid of you? Let’s settle this—to the death!"

Zhao Wujiang’s heart skipped a beat. *Bold kid!* "Forget it. My life is worth more than yours, let's not fight today."

"..." Long Zhan was left speechless.

From his seat, Li Zaiyuan watched Zhao Wujiang intently. Although the young man seemed unreliable, the Emperor could see that this confrontation with Long Zhan was intentional. *Is this brat trying to make me think he’s a fool?*

Zhao Wujiang might not be as capable as his father, Zhao Tiexiao, but if he were sent to the North, the Northern Army would surely rally behind him, making him the second Prince of the North. That would be like letting a tiger return to the mountains! The best solution was to ensure Zhao Wujiang died right here in the capital. He could never be allowed to leave.

"Zhao Wujiang, you are not suited for the Northern Frontier. Let Long Zhan go instead. Long Zhan..." Li Zaiyuan began to issue his decree.

Before Long Zhan could accept, Zhao Wujiang cut him off, doubling down. "Under the heavens, who is more suited for the North than the son of the Prince of the North? With Commander Long’s lack of reputation, I cannot guarantee that the million-strong army won't kill him the moment he arrives!"

He could not let Long Zhan go. If Long Zhan discovered that his father was still alive, he would surely report it to the capital, and just like in the original plot, his father would be doomed. But the Emperor was no fool, so he wouldn't easily let him go either.

Hearing this, Long Zhan’s eyes turned murderous. "Heir of Zhao, do not push your luck!"

"Zhao Wujiang! Are you threatening me?" Li Zaiyuan unleashed his imperial aura.

Zhao Wujiang shifted his strategy. "Your Majesty! There is actually a better way to handle this."

Li Zaiyuan’s expression remained stormy. "Speak."

Zhao Wujiang continued: "I am certain that this threat from Hansang is nothing more than a bluff! They dare not attack! So, I do not need to go to the Northern Frontier, and neither does Long Zhan."

If he couldn't go, Long Zhan shouldn't either! If it came to it, he would burn the whole house down.

"You are so certain?" Li Zaiyuan asked.

The ministers clamored to speak. "Your Majesty, war is no child's play!"

"Minister Yan is right! I implore Your Majesty to punish Zhao Wujiang for his insolence. I volunteer to go and ransack the Prince’s estate myself!"

Long Zhan was about to speak, but Li Zaiyuan raised a hand, silencing them all. His gaze remained locked on Zhao Wujiang. "If you are wrong, and Hansang attacks our Northern Frontier, what then?"

Knowing they wouldn't let him off easily, Zhao Wujiang made his vow: "If Hansang dares to encroach upon even an inch of our territory, I will carve a piece of flesh from Chiba Risho. If they advance a foot, I shall sever his arm! When that time comes, I am willing to die to atone for my crimes, and I shall surrender all the wealth of the Prince’s estate to aid the Great Xia in resisting the enemy!"

Silence descended upon the hall. The ministers looked at Zhao Wujiang with astonishment. They had thought him a spineless glutton, but they never expected such a bold declaration. Since he had pledged his own life, what more could they say? What face did they have left to argue? Even Long Zhan was speechless, feeling as though he had caught a glimpse of the glory that should have been his.

Li Zaiyuan stared at Zhao Wujiang for a long moment. Since the boy had pushed himself to this point, he had no choice but to let it be for now and see how things unfolded.

...

The events of the morning court spread like wildfire. Princess Li Yunrui was practicing her calligraphy in the Imperial Study when she heard the news from Eunuch Chen. Her willow-leaf eyebrows arched. "Zhao Wujiang actually forced Father to retract his decree?"

Chen Zhenghua shook his head with a kind smile. "Seventh Princess, the Heir certainly made a display of his power in the court today."

The Chief Eunuch had not expected the Princess to be so delighted. It seemed that defying the Emperor’s will was something she found worthy of admiration. *Could it be that the girl has grown up and developed a rebellious streak?*

Li Yunrui dangled her feet, imagining the imposing aura Zhao Wujiang had displayed in the court. A deep smile blossomed on her delicate face. Zhao Wujiang was truly worthy of being her consort; he had done exactly what she wanted to do, and with such flair, escaping unscathed to boot. She slipped some gold to the Chief Eunuch. "If there is any new news about Zhao Wujiang from Father, make sure you tell me first!"

...

At the Prince’s estate, not long after Zhao Wujiang returned from the court, the Eldest Princess, Li Zhaohua, arrived in secret, her face veiled.

"Why are you here again?"

With no one else around, Li Zhaohua slowly unveiled her face, a hint of playful reproach in her exquisite features. She gestured toward him with a slender finger. "You, you, your courage grows by the day. To think you dared to defy the Emperor in court today? You had me worried sick, so I rushed over."

*[This beauty has quite the intelligence network to know so quickly. She says she rushed over, but she’s clearly changed into a fine gown and even applied makeup beneath her veil. What a woman of exquisite taste. Heh, I don't just dare to defy the Emperor; I might even dare to defy you!]*

Zhao Wujiang thought to himself, catching a whiff of the faint, elegant scent radiating from her. He smiled. "You flatter me, Eldest Princess. I simply could not bear to watch my father’s Northern Army fall under the command of Long Zhan."

*[Hm? Why is she looking at me like that? And why is there a hint of resentment?]*

Li Zhaohua’s heart fluttered. She was annoyed by his inner impudence, yet she found herself drawn to it. If only that boldness were directed at her, then... *What am I thinking?* she chided herself, feeling both indignant and shy. *This is all Zhao Wujiang’s fault! He started it!*

She couldn't help but scold him. "Why are you so opposed to Long Zhan commanding the army?"

"He isn't worthy."

Zhao Wujiang’s domineering tone made Li Zhaohua pause. For a moment, she saw the shadow of the old Prince of the North in him. It seemed Zhao Tiexiao had... produced a fine son.

"To serve a monarch is to serve a tiger; be careful. In the future, try to be more submissive. It is better than clashing with the Emperor in public. He is already wary of you..."

Zhao Wujiang looked at her in surprise. Why did she seem to admire him? "Thank you for the warning, Eldest Princess. But since I've already spoken, I might as well live freely."

*[Strange, why does this woman care so much about me? If I were to die, would she really be sad? As expected, a mature woman knows better how to cherish a man... But who will cherish this mature woman, who knows how to care for others but is left to guard an empty chamber alone?]*

Li Zhaohua heard his inner thoughts, and the last few lines made her want to laugh. Would she be sad? The answer was no; in her eyes, Zhao Wujiang was merely a chess piece. Because she could hear his thoughts, she could see through him all the more clearly. She had intended to use him, but she never expected this piece to nearly get itself killed.

"There are matters to attend to in the palace. I must go."

With that, her graceful figure vanished from sight. Zhao Wujiang knew he had been chosen as a pawn in the battle for imperial power. The grandmaster Emperor Li Zaiyuan was unfathomable. The Eldest Princess Li Zhaohua was a blade long hidden, now ready to be unsheathed. And then there was Long Zhan, the protagonist of a "cool" novel, favored by destiny...

He wanted to belong to no side, and even less did he want to be drawn into the fray. To be more precise, he belonged to a fourth camp.

For the sake of insurance, Zhao Wujiang went to the place where Chiba Risho was being held. She looked increasingly haggard, confined to her room without a glimpse of the sun. Seeing Zhao Wujiang, she became agitated.

"Have you found out? Have you found the real culprit? I told you I was framed!"

Zhao Wujiang pulled paper and a brush from his robes and handed them to her. "Write a letter to the Hansang Emperor."

"What kind of letter?" Chiba Risho sensed an underlying meaning; something was happening that she didn't know about.

"Your father has thoughts of invading Great Xia..." Zhao Wujiang said. "Write a letter to him, tell him not to start a war, for the sake of his precious daughter..."

"If you don't release me, my father will attack! Let me go!" Chiba Risho seized the key point, grabbing his clothes, her chains clattering.

"And after he attacks?" Zhao Wujiang asked calmly. "Who will be in the most danger?"

Chiba Risho froze. If war truly broke out, she and the diplomatic mission would be in the most danger, the first to be sacrificed to the flames of war.

"So, I am doing this for your own good." Zhao Wujiang’s voice was seductive as he pressed the paper and brush into her hands. "Remember to write it in your Hansang script—the one that looks like ghost charms."

Ignoring her thoughts, Zhao Wujiang turned and left. As he stepped out, he let out a sigh of relief and smiled triumphantly. As long as she agreed to write the letter, he had added a layer of insurance, just in case the Hansang Emperor decided to be stubborn and attack anyway. If that happened, the boast he had made in court would surely be his undoing.

No sooner had he emerged than the old steward appeared out of thin air. "My Lord, an imperial decree has arrived from the palace."

*What is that old Emperor up to now?*

Zhao Wujiang took the decree. It stated that many martial artists had recently arrived in the capital, gathering at the Sword Casting Bureau. The court feared these lawless ruffians might disturb the peace, so they ordered Zhao Wujiang to inspect the Bureau and report any suspicious activity immediately.

The Sword Casting Bureau was where weapons were forged for the imperial family, the city guard, and the officials. It was also the place where the "Heavenly Sword" from the original story would be born. The head of the Bureau was a former martial arts master who refused to be recruited by the court and had secretly forged the Heavenly Sword!

The sword was no small matter; it was the "max-level" weapon Long Zhan would use until the very end. The sword itself was unique: half for killing, half for healing, a divine weapon that could assist its wielder in cultivation and recovery. According to the plot, the sword was destined for Long Zhan.

"Trouble, nothing but trouble. The Heavenly Sword has nothing to do with me. Going to the Bureau will inevitably lead to fighting and killing. What if I get myself killed?"

Clearly, Li Zaiyuan was using this thankless task to retaliate for his defiance in court. *Just you wait!*

Zhao Wujiang knew his current strength was not enough; he needed to improve quickly. And so... he went to the cell and grabbed Liu Ruyan’s long legs. "You wicked woman, I need you to assist my cultivation!"

...

Three hours passed.

The effect of refining the Dragon-Nurturing Divine Body had surged his internal energy, finally stabilizing him at the Eighth-Rank martial artist level! He had also taken the opportunity to comprehend the second level of the True Yang Heart Technique: the True Yang Finger! His fingers were now as hard as diamond, capable of piercing through walls!

Zhao Wujiang looked at the exhausted Liu Ruyan beside him. In truth, he was exhausted as well. But as he looked at his fingers, a new thought suddenly occurred to him...