60 Shadow Guards (1/2)

The very same night, The Head Commander of The Shadow Guards called all of his subordinates in his office and swore them to a secrecy oath.

When the other Shadow Guards heard that they had to renew their secrecy oath of office, they went into high alert immediately. Each and every one of them knew that the only time their secrecy oath was revived was when The Son of Heavens was under imminent threat to his person.

They solemnly renewed their oaths and stood at attention to carefully listen, follow and execute The Head Commander's orders.

With furrowed brows and a fierce gaze, The Head Commander disclosed the bitter truth to his comrades.

”His Majesty is under grave threat. Some malevolent people have treacherous thoughts and are aiming to harm the head of the dragon. We must protect and shield the monarch with our very lives and bring the preparators to justice.”

The subordinates heard their commander's words with heavy hearts.

His Majesty was so benevolent and magnanimous.

His Majesty took care of national affairs all day long and deep into the night without taking care of his own health. He didn't even let anybody take care of his physical needs.

His Majesty even abolished slavery and gave everyone new dreams and hope for their future generations.

Where would they ever find another ruler like him?

It was their accumulated luck from the last nine lives to get a monarch who was so concerned about nobles and commoners alike.

Therefore, they wouldn't let His Majesty come to any kind of harm.

Thinking about all of that, the shadow guards beat their chests, clicked their feet and solemnly vowed that they'll step over coals and walk through hell itself to cut a retreat route for His Majesty if everything else fails and there came a time to run away.

Peh! Peh!

What runs away?

It ought to be that His Majesty will strategically withdraw, to plan another course of action.

Yes, that's right.

That is how it should be.

As long as the monarch was alive, he would regain his kingdom. Yes.

A person could question:

Why are all of you thinking that your liege would turn tail if everything else failed? Wouldn't the winner make sure to kill him? Also, he wouldn't be 'His Majesty' by that point of time because the other person will be addressed as such by all under heavens.

That person will only receive one answer from all the shadow guards:

Heavy fists to his face. Why are you asking so many questions? Are you the one who'll put your life on the line, if not, then shut your trap.

Anyway, one of the newer shadow guards had some doubts in his heart.

No, he didn't doubt his Head Commander's words.

No, he didn't doubt his loyalty to the monarch.

Don't anyhow make your assumptions.

What he had doubts about was that who had eaten a bear's heart and a leopard's gall to threaten the monarch?

Generally, any such fights didn't involve the shadow guards being on high alert since most of the infighting for supreme power was done by strategists and implemented by death soldiers.

Was it one of the Imperial Clan members?

Was it the right prime minister or the left one?

Unable to curb his curiosity, he questioned The Head Commander and everyone turned towards their leader to hear his answer.

The Head Commander mused that although their lives weren't worth much, he should still try to protect his subordinates for as long as he can and to the best of his ability.

If he informed them that it was the much vaunted God Of War - Ning Fu, who coveted and sought after supreme power and somehow this information leaked and reached the said person, wouldn't that thankless bastard come to finish them off even before the real war began?

Moreover, if he succeeded in somehow rendering them helpless, who would shield and defend His Majesty?

Wouldn't their liege be left defenceless in that precarious situation?

Giving it further consideration, Head Commander also realized that the fight for the throne was still being fought covertly.

If he disclosed the truth and something unexpected happened, wouldn't all masks be taken off and the fight will come to light for everyone to watch and speculate about.

In that case, wouldn't His Majesty have to look out for covert as well as public attacks?

Moreover, cliques would form within the court and it might destabilise the emperor's position. The commoners who didn't comprehend the allure of power would also start whispering that the monarch couldn't even keep one of his military officers in check and question his right to rule.

His Majesty will be besieged on all sides.

Therefore, The Head Commander decided to hide the truth from his comrades for everyone's well being.

This secret couldn't be disclosed at such an inopportune time.

It was too dangerous for their leige as of now.

With a firm nod of his head, The Head Commander came to such a decision but he still had to give a convincing reply to the rest of the shadow guards.

He quickly thought of an excuse and an explanation to satisfy their curiosity and not divulge any crucial information.

A person might question, what excuse did The Head Commander offer his subordinates?

The answer is that The Head Commander kicked the young one with his leg and replied in anger, ”How much face do you have? Ha? You want to know about Imperial Secrets? What? You no longer want your head attached to your neck, is that it?”

With a severe scolding to all the shadow guards present, The Head Commander left his office with hurried footsteps before anyone posed him any more questions.

What about the rest of the shadow guards?

They thought that their leader was obviously and absolutely right. How could they dare to ask about Imperial secrets?

They had definitely been in the wrong and had been rightly scolded by him.

Moreover, their leader must be under immense pressure due to the perilous situation His Majesty found himself in.

They felt worried for The Head Commander but more than that, they felt concerned and distressed for the monarch.

Ah!