Chapter 14: A Bloody Night in Chang’an (1/2)
Chapter 14: A Bloody Night in Chang’an
After representing the Emperor to offer sacrifices, all those who witnessed the sacrifice praised Taizong’s solemnity and propriety.
The night of the fifteenth day of the sixth month, Chang’an fell into chaos. Rumors spread of someone planning a rebellion. Donning armor and grasping a sword, Taizong’s prestige shook the capital.
—Yong Dynastic Records, Biography of Taizong
In the dead of night on the fourteenth day of the sixth month, within a secret room in a hidden residence in Chang’an, a man and a woman were deep in discussion. The man was dressed in a set of black clothes that blended into the darkness and had a black cloak draped around his shoulders. All of his facial features were hidden under the muslin draped down from his bamboo hat. The woman’s appearance was mediocre, but her entire body emitted a swordlike aura, Wen Ziyan.
Under the dim lamplight, the two were silent for quite some time, until finally the man opened his mouth, “Please report to the Sect Master, we cannot act this time. With the present disposition of forces in Chang’an, the chance of defeating the Prince of Yong’s faction is fifty-fifty. The Prince of Qi’s forces can only be mobilized by him or by his own military tally.1 This time, it is impossible for his forces to participate in this struggle. Besides, His Imperial Highness, the Crown Prince, still has opportunities. If we are in a rush to make a move, it is likely that we will fall into a trap.”
Sighing, Wen Ziyan replied, “Sect Master also thinks this way. However, I will not be reconciled if we do not seize this opportunity to kill several of these thorns in our side.”
In a cruel voice, the man rebuked, “Who can we go kill? The Prince of Yong has Demonic Shadow Li Shun by his side. Unless the Sect Master goes personally, who else is able to succeed easily? Beside Jiang Zhe is Great Master True Compassion. As for the others, what is the point to kill them and groundlessly give them an excuse to retaliate? Wait … don’t tell me you intend to kill Princess Changle?”
Wei Ziyan smiled slightly and denied, “We do not dare to kill the Princess. But what about Ye Tianxiu? He is presently in Chang’an. Why not take this opportunity to kill him, chopping off one of the Prince of Qing’s assistants?”
Thoughtfully, the man responded, “This idea isn’t bad. It is only that Ye Tianxiu’s stay in Chang’an is perfectly legitimate. His position as the Supervisor of the Prince of Qing’s Imperial Bodyguard isn’t ordinary. If we are to kill, we can only do so secretly. The other option will be to have someone else to do the dirty work.”
With an icy expression on her face, Wen Ziyan stated, “It is very easy to kill Ye Tianxiu. Were it not for an unwillingness to infuriate the Prince of Qing, I would have acted long ago. Now, we will use this chaotic state of affairs to have him killed. Even if the Prince of Qing wishes to act against the perpetrator, he won’t be able to find who acted.”
“It is better if we do not act,” replied the man with an callous smile. “Have Xiahou Yuanfeng go. He is after all a disciple of the Freezing Moon branch of the Devil Sect. Ignoring the fact that he has learned so many different martial arts, he is not a simple man.”
Smiling, Wen Ziyan agreed, “Good, we’ll follow your plan. Master has always said that you are her most capable assistant. Truly possessing a well-deserved reputation.”
The man casually inquired, “What about being her most capable assistant? Do I not still have to listen to her commands?”
“When this matter succeeds,” answered Wen Ziyan sternly, “You will definitely be pleased with the Sect Master’s arrangements.”
After falling silent for a moment, the man spoke, “I’m going to leave. The hour is growing late.”
Wen Ziyan lightly nodded her head, bidding him farewell. “Be careful on the road.”
The man walked out of the secret room. Like a flying goose, his figure nimbly disappeared into the night. With this, a bloody slaughter was about to begin.
***
On the fifteenth day of the sixth month, Prince Li Zhi of Yong replaced the crown prince to offer sacrifices at the secondary altar. After Li Zhi had respectfully and cautiously completed the sacrificial ceremony to perfection, even the fussiest Confucian scholars could only speak words of praise. Taking this sacrificial ceremony opportunity, Li Zhi returned to the heart of Great Yong’s court authority and power. This fact caused many to loathe incessantly, and many others also to become overjoyed.
Ye Tianxiu was one of those who rejoiced. As the Supervisor of the Prince of Qing’s Imperial Bodyguard, he was extremely clear about the hostility between the Prince of Qing and the Fengyi Sect. But he was also clear that the Prince of Qing had fundamentally no chance for success. The only way for the Prince of Qing to succeed was to borrow another’s strength. However, only now did Ye Tianxiu finally become willing to admit that the Prince of Yong deserved to become the monarch.
Ye Tianxiu reluctantly watched the Prince of Yong’s carriage go off into the distance before he finally decided to return to his residence. In recent days, Marquis Jiang had sent a letter to His Imperial Highness, the Prince of Qing. The little marquis’s poison had already temporarily been contained. Therefore, Marquis Jiang wished to deliver the little marquis as soon as possible to Chang’an. However, with the current complicated state of affairs in Chang’an, Marquis Jiang’s power and influence could not guarantee his beloved son’s safety. Therefore, Marquis Jiang had asked the Prince of Qing for help. But, the Prince of Qing also had his difficulties. The Prince of Qing’s strength in Chang’an was not stable. Although the Fengyi Sect Master could not overtly deal with the subordinates of the Prince of Qing, this did not mean that they were completely powerless, but rather that the Fengyi Sect was unwilling to give the Prince of Qing a pretext. If the little marquis were to arrive in Chang’an and was discovered by the Fengyi Sect, then they would have the excuse to openly eliminate the Prince of Qing’s subordinates. When the time came, not only would His Imperial Highness, the Prince of Qing’s painstakingly built up strength in Chang’an would become nothing more than illusions, but the little marquis would also be in grave danger.
It was dusk when Ye Tianxiu returned to the Prince of Qing’s secret base in Chang’an. After instructing his subordinates to carefully keep vigil through the night, he went to his study to pen a reply to the Prince of Qing, explaining his own opinion. After he finished writing the letter, it was already the first watch of the evening.2 Inside, Ye Tianxiu was gloomy and could not sleep and remained in the study to flip through the recent intelligence reports.
At this very moment, a mysterious man was standing in the alleyway not far from this secret base, apathetically gazing towards the building. He wore a set of carbon-black robes. His waist was girded, his stature lanky, as if he was like a tree upright in the breeze. Although his face was covered by azure muslin and his appearance could not be seen, the exposed eyebrows were extremely exquisite and extraordinary. Looking at the color of the sky, he suddenly sprang forth towards that quiet residence. His floating figure, like a large swallow, very quickly leapt over the courtyard wall. The man’s tall figure dropping down into the middle of the courtyard had already completely alarmed Ye Tianxiu’s subordinates. Issuing secret signals to alert their superiors, they surrounded the man that had suddenly appeared. The man did not panic, only strolling towards the interior. The personal guards of the Prince of Qing could not tolerate this, moving forward to block him. To their surprise, an azure light suddenly flicked out as quick as lightning. Blood immediately spurted out, the guards all having had their throats cut by a sword.
By this moment, Ye Tianxiu had already dashed over. In a loud voice, he cried out, “Who are you to dare barge into another’s home?”
The man sighed softly. “This one is here under orders. Please forgive me, Brother Ye.” Finished speaking, he threw himself at those surrounding him. The bodyguards all had excellent martial arts, adept at attacking. Acting at the same time, the guards moved to block the man’s attacks. However, the man’s qinggong was superb. They could only see his figure soar into the air, glints of steel flashing through the air, sparkling all around the man in carbon-black clothing. The sword would occasionally rend through the air, occasionally slashing gaudily. Everywhere it went, blood gushed. Ye Tianxiu angrily cried out. Unsheathing his sword, he leapt forward and threw himself at the intruder. However, that man did not meet Ye Tianxiu head on, only focusing on killing the guards. Seeing the man’s actions, Ye Tianxiu became increasingly alarmed and angered. He cried out, “Everyone quickly withdraw.”
All of these guards were highly trained, immediately scattering. Ye Tianxiu took the opportunity to block the man. The swordsmanship of both men were extremely brilliant. Ye Tianxiu’s swordsmanship was sharp and pungent, fierce and malicious, and nimble. However, within, it was steady and unflustered. The masked man’s swordsmanship was quick and skillful, and also unpredictable, combining well with his divine qinggong and making it hard to resist. In an instant, the two had clashed seventy to eighty times, the exquisite sword techniques brilliant and varied, the energy of the swords surging up violently. It seemed like the two were on a small boat in the middle of the roiling waves of a tempest.
The Prince of Yong’s personal guards knew that if they joined in, they would cause inconveniences for Ye Tianxiu. At the same time, they were unwilling to disturb the authorities. As a result, they surrounded the courtyard, preparing concealed weapons to shoot at the masked man, only waiting for the two to separate.
The two battled to the drinking room. The masked man suddenly let out a soft cry, sword and man flying towards Ye Tianxiu. This strike was incomparably quick. Extremely steady, Ye Tianxiu, brought his sword up to parry the strike. The two swords met and were knocked back. Ye Tianxiu discovered that the masked man seemed to tremble. Ye Tianxiu could not help but be overjoyed, immediately reaching the conclusion that the masked man’s martial arts were below his. Jumping, arcing through the air, he stabbed at the masked man’s back. He had calculated that the location that he attacked would be difficult for the masked man to turn and defend. The masked man’s internal energy was indeed not as strong, his figure becoming sluggish. Ye Tianxiu’s sword pierced towards the right side of the back. Just as he was about to succeed, the masked man suddenly struck back. The sword was like thunder and lightning. Luckily, Ye Tianxiu’s mind was meticulous and he had held back a tenth of his strength. Even then, however, there was only time for him to avoid the counter. Crying out in pain, Ye Tianxiu covered his wound with his hand and shouted, “Everyone escape.” Finished speaking, he charged out, disregarding his injury.
The masked man originally intended to pursue Ye Tianxiu, but he suddenly stopped in his tracks, turning and throwing himself at the personal guards who had charged forward to block him to allow Ye Tianxiu to help. The masked man leaped high into the air and chopped down, his figure like a diving falcon, his sword falling like torrential rain. In no more than a dozen strikes, the masked man killed all of the personal guards who had stayed behind to serve as the rearguard. Finally, the masked man gazed upon the blood-covered ground. Releasing a light sigh, the masked man took out a snow-white silk handkerchief from his bosom, wiping the blood from his sword. Afterwards, he sheathed his sword into the scabbard masquerading as his belt. The sharp handle was actually a soft, flexible sword.