Volume One: The Youngest Among Three Hundred Chapter Fifty-Nine: The Journey to Cangzhou

Liu Yingfeng dropped to his knees, not daring to raise his head. Though the world of martial arts and the imperial court stood opposed, in the end, the former was always subject to the authority and control of the latter.

From the perspective of status alone, Chen Chang’an was likely no less than Ruan Jingchu—perhaps even higher. In any case, someone of Liu Yingfeng’s humble rank as a senior disciple of the Blue Whale Gang could never afford to provoke him.

Moreover, his arduous journey to Chang’an City had been for the sole purpose of joining the Black Cloak Guards; offending an official of the court was unthinkable.

“M-my apologies, I was at fault!” he stammered, glancing up nervously only to see Chen Chang’an’s eyes covered by a strip of ash-black cloth.

What did that mean? Did he look down on him? Consider him worthless?

It was blatant humiliation, expressed not in words but in action.

Liu Yingfeng’s anger simmered, but the five figures standing in perfect order outside the entrance to the Fragrant Pavilion quickly subdued any thought of protest.

Stiffly, he rose, turned in a new direction, and bowed deeply. “Liu Yingfeng, disciple of the Blue Whale Gang, pays his respects to Your Highness the Princess and to the honored sirs.”

Changning circled him in amusement. “It looked like you were about to fight Chen Chang’an just now!”

“N-no, Your Highness, you misunderstand!” Liu Yingfeng fell to his knees again. “We were merely engaging in a friendly spar, that’s all.”

Changning placed her hands on her hips. “Is that so? But your companion tried to steal a little girl’s money—not only shameless, but truly vicious.”

“This—this…” Liu Yingfeng muttered, then rushed over and gave the man a hard kick, thoroughly chastising him. Turning back with a cheerful bow, he smiled ingratiatingly. “Your Highness, the fault is mine. I failed to instill discipline, allowing such a heinous deed.”

“He’ll be severely punished upon our return.”

Changning, her playful mood fading, decided not to pursue the matter since the girl was unharmed. She waved her hand dismissively. “Enough, enough—get on with your business. Off you go.”

“Yes, thank you, Your Highness!” Liu Yingfeng, as if receiving a royal pardon, dragged the badly injured man away in disarray.

Ye Lin scoffed. “Hard to believe such riffraff are here for the Black Cloak Guards’ recruitment. They’ll take anyone these days.”

“That I must share the same intake as these rotten eggs—if they can pass, then so can Brother Chen.”

“Uh…” Li Shu and Wu Yuanheng exchanged odd glances.

Chen Chang’an, the unwitting subject of ridicule, paid Ye Lin no mind. He approached the sword-wielding maiden, Ruan Jingchu, intending to greet her, but just as he cupped his hands in greeting, she turned aside and bowed to Changning. “So it is Your Highness and the honored sirs. My respects!”

Chen Chang’an, left hanging, could only aim his salute awkwardly at her side.

Changning grinned. “Miss Ruan, your swordplay was truly impressive. Teach me sometime, won’t you?”

Ruan Jingchu, momentarily startled that a princess would be so approachable, recovered and replied, her words a little unsteady. “Of course, Your Highness. I’ll gladly teach you when I have the chance.”

Before she finished speaking, Ye Lin stepped forward. “Ye Lin of Luzhou, at your service, Miss Ruan.”

Ruan Jingchu’s smile was gentle. “A pleasure. If I recall, you said you serve in the Ministry of Justice? Remarkable to hold office in one of the Six Ministries at such a young age—you are truly gifted.”

“Ah—well…” Ye Lin was caught off guard, all his prepared words to ingratiate himself lost. He scratched his head, managing only a humble, “It’s nothing, really.”

After exchanging a few more words, Ruan Jingchu turned to Chen Chang’an. “Not yet at the second rank Soul Refining stage, yet you dare to challenge someone at the peak of third rank Technique Initiation. Bold indeed.”

Chen Chang’an, imitating Ye Lin’s bashful scratching, replied with a sheepish, “It’s nothing, really!”

But then he changed the subject. “Miss Ruan, are you here for the Black Cloak Guards’ recruitment as well?”

“Yes, that’s right, I—” She broke off, seeming to recall something. She bowed to everyone present. “Honored sirs, Your Highness, I have other matters to attend to. Farewell. Should fate allow, we shall meet again.”

With that, she turned and departed down the street, her graceful silhouette receding, leaving only a faint, elegant scent of orchids lingering in the air.

Ye Lin’s nostrils flared, utterly enchanted. “I must pass the exam and join the Black Cloak Guards.”

Changning cheered him on. “You can do it!”

Hua Mulan patted his shoulder. “I believe in you!”

Li Shu and Wu Yuanheng remained silent.

Chen Chang’an formed his hands into a heart and called out, “Lord Ye of the Ministry of Justice, see you at the Black Cloak Guards!”

Ye Lin, surprised, replied, “Brother Chen, you don’t really think all the candidates are like Liu Yingfeng, do you? The assessment is strict—even the weakest have awakened their original arts. You’ve only just broken through to the first rank of Body Training. Wait until I’m in and established, I’ll find a way to help you.”

Chen Chang’an bit his lip, stifling laughter. “Th-thank you, Brother Ye.”

Li Shu and Wu Yuanheng nodded. “Indeed, that is… for the best.”

Li Shu couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

Ye Lin glanced at him. “What’s so funny, Lord Li?”

Li Shu composed himself, solemnly replying, “Nothing at all. Before joining the Department of Penitence I went through rigorous training. No matter how funny, I won’t laugh.”

After their banter, the group returned to their private room at the Fragrant Pavilion and resumed their meal. When afternoon waned, each went home.

As soon as Chen Chang’an opened the gate of the Su family estate, his mother-in-law, Qin Fuluo, greeted him enthusiastically. She grabbed his collar, spinning him so his world reeled and his ears rang.

Startled, Chen Chang’an tore off the cloth covering his eyes, his eyes bulging.

It turned out that the Empress had sent a reward for his poetic duel with the foreign envoy the night before—ten bolts of silk and three hundred taels of gold.

Gold! For a family like the Sus, who only just scraped by at the standard of the inner city, this was a fortune they could never hope to earn in half a lifetime.

As for Qin Fuluo herself, she was a passionate lover of silks and fabrics, always sewing new garments every few days. Faced with such imperial tribute and luxury, she could scarcely contain her elation.

“My good son-in-law, I knew I wasn’t mistaken about you! Tell me, what great deed have you done now to earn such a reward from the court?”

Of course, Chen Chang’an couldn’t tell the truth. He hedged, “It was still the matter of assisting Princess Changning with her investigation. It just happened to coincide with the Longevity Festival, so the reward was doubled.”

“I see, I see!” Qin Fuluo’s eyes sparkled as she gazed at him. “Son-in-law, all the silk and gold are stored in the storeroom, with someone assigned to guard them.”

Seeing no change in his expression, she anxiously explained, “The storeroom gets sunlight all day, so the silk won’t mildew. As for the gold, it will be well watched.”

Understanding her intent, Chen Chang’an waved magnanimously. “However you wish to use the silk and gold, mother-in-law, it’s all yours.”

“This… That wouldn’t be right!” she protested coyly.

Chen Chang’an wondered if he’d misjudged her, but the next moment, she lifted her skirt and dashed madly toward the storeroom, leaving only the words, “I’ll take good care of it!” echoing in his ears.

He sighed, hands on his hips, but couldn’t help smiling, simple and sincere.

…

That afternoon, as the sun lowered, a man wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a long, narrow robe entered a teahouse in a certain district of Chang’an. He met with another man who had been waiting for him.

The latter rose respectfully. “Master, you’ve arrived!”

The man in the hat nodded slightly and sat. His voice was sharp, carrying a peculiar magnetism. “How are your injuries?”

The man instinctively touched his chest. “Almost healed. I never imagined a blind man could injure me so. If I get the chance, I will kill Chen Chang’an with my own hands.”

Smack! The man in the hat slapped the table, his face tense. “You have a greater task ahead of you. How can you fixate on the Su family’s insignificant son-in-law?”

“Yes, Master, you are right!” the man hastily apologized.

His master nodded in satisfaction. “Chun’er, your destiny is to bear this responsibility. Do not blame me for being strict. As for Chen Chang’an, if he truly joins the Black Cloak Guards, there will be another chance to deal with him. I will handle it myself—even Cao Wu will not be able to shield him.”

“Do not let him disturb your focus.”

“Yes, Master. I will remember your instruction,” the disciple replied humbly.

The man in the hat sipped his tea, then spoke with crisp authority. “All our affairs in Chang’an must be put on hold. You will accompany me to Cangzhou for three months.”

“To—Cangzhou?” The man was shocked, leaning forward. “Master, you still hold an important post at court. To be absent for so long—won’t that arouse suspicion?”

The man in the hat waved a hand. “No matter. The court has been given a plausible pretext; no one will suspect. This journey to Cangzhou is the most crucial step in your ascension to kingship and the throne. It cannot be missed.”

As the word “step” left his lips, his robe billowed, and suddenly the air filled with the howling of wind and sharp edges. In a flash, blades of force swept through the teahouse, leaving every patron dead.

He finished his tea as if nothing had happened, then stood up with calm leisure. “Let’s go. It’s time. The imperial bloodline awaits you in Cangzhou—three hundred thousand divine soldiers, waiting to be awakened!”