Volume One: The Youngest Among Three Hundred Chapter 116: Falling Into the Trap

Ruan Jingchu and Ye Lin stared in disbelief. The rhythm of their heartbeats slowed in sync with the dripping of blood from the tip of the blade, while their breathing grew agonizingly heavy. They fought to stand and save Chen Chang'an, but their strength had been utterly depleted by the previous torture, and they collapsed into unconsciousness.

Chen Chang'an gritted his teeth, the sound of his own sweat hitting the floor mingling with the rhythmic drip of his own blood from the blade protruding through his navel.

"Ah!"

He screamed, clenching his right fist to channel the power of the Xinglang Demon Bone. A crackling, dark purple lightning erupted across his knuckles. The assailant behind him realized the danger, and with a swift motion, drove the blade another half-inch deeper.

"Go to hell!"

Chen Chang'an shrieked in agony. As his bones rattled like popping beans, he risked the blade slicing his internal organs and turned with every ounce of his remaining strength. He unleashed a punch with ten-tenths of his power, fueled by the surging purple lightning of the Xinglang Demon Bone.

"Ugh!"

The assailant, clearly not expecting a counterattack from someone impaled through the gut, hurriedly crossed his arms to defend. With a thunderous boom, he was sent flying like a kite with a snapped string. Chen Chang'an, unable to withstand the backlash of the demon bone’s massive power, was thrown violently against the wall behind him.

He immediately used a needle to stop the arterial spray and dull the searing pain in his meridians. He stared weakly at the attacker—a man in black, masked.

Coughing up blood, he wheezed, "I recognize your movement style. It’s exactly like the blue-armored man from Ganquan Village."

"Yes... yes, you are absolutely right!" The masked man stumbled to his feet, his tone mocking. "I never imagined that even with a hundred percent knowledge of you and a surprise attack from behind, I would still be the one injured. How unacceptable."

"Hmph!" Chen Chang'an curled his lip, ignoring the remark. He pulled the bloody Tai'an blade from his own body, forcing himself to stand tall. "But I am certain now: you are not only the blue-armored man from Ganquan Village, but also a member of the Black-Clad Guard—Heaven or perhaps Earth rank."

"Good... very good!" The masked man clapped. "You guessed correctly. But Chen Chang'an, times have changed. You don’t have the environmental advantage you had then, and you’re severely wounded. Can you still fight?"

"No," Chen Chang'an said with a bitter smile. "So, can you let me see your true face?"

"No, no, no! You are a troublemaker, too dangerous. Last time I was arrogant enough to reveal Liu Jianzhang’s identity, and look what happened. One must be careful."

Chen Chang'an frowned. "I have no cards left to play."

The masked man nodded. "Indeed. Rest assured, once I finish you off, I will remove my mask."

As he spoke, he drew the stolen Shuizhao Sword. Its blade caught the sunlight, reflecting a chilling, lethal glint as he stepped closer.

Enduring the biting intent to kill, Chen Chang'an reached into his robes to grasp the "Chronicles of Piaoxiang Courtyard," ready to summon Peach Blossom Sister. If he could reach the inner world where thirty years passed in a blink, he could heal his wounds and master powerful sword techniques before returning to exact his revenge.

*Boom!*

Before he could act, a shockwave erupted from above. The roof beams shattered, and debris rained down in a cloud of dust. Amidst the haze, a man stood poised, his long hair held by a wooden pin, his white-feathered cloak billowing in the air.

"You...?" Chen Chang'an’s voice trailed off.

The man turned. He had a gentle, approachable face with a high forehead. He smiled. "Apologies, I’m late."

*Oh... he's here to help.* Relieved that the newcomer was an ally, Chen Chang'an didn't utter another word or take another breath; he passed out on the spot.

The man: "..."

"You..."

From seven or eight meters away, the masked man recognized the newcomer, turned, and fled without the slightest hesitation.

The man: "..."

Time passed. When Chen Chang'an finally regained consciousness, his body was numb from the pain. He saw a crowd around him: the pale Ye Lin and Ruan Jingchu, four Earth-rank Black-Clad Guards, unfamiliar colleagues, and the man who had appeared in the nick of time.

Judging by his ethereal demeanor and attire, Chen Chang'an guessed this was the outside help Lady Cao Wu had requested—the Imperial Preceptor, Dong Zhongxuan. His entrance alone had been legendary; if only he’d had some dramatic background music, it would have been perfect.

The four Earth-rank guards were the ones who had rushed in to act prematurely.

*Wait,* Chen Chang'an thought. *One of those Earth-rank guards might be the masked man who stole the Shuizhao Sword and wore the blue armor.* Or, perhaps, he was one of the Heaven-rank guards. It was all speculation for now.

Chen Chang'an scratched his head awkwardly. "Is everyone alright? What’s the result?"

Yue Bingbing looked at him with a complex expression. "We’re mostly fine. The rebels have been captured or killed. But the three of you—don't act alone again. If the Imperial Preceptor hadn't arrived, the consequences would have been unimaginable."

"Ah, yes! My apologies, Commander Yue. I’ll be more careful next time." Chen Chang'an bowed toward Dong Zhongxuan. "Many thanks, Imperial Preceptor, for saving my life."

Dong Zhongxuan waved his hand dismissively. "It was Lady Cao’s request. Besides, as Imperial Preceptor, it is my duty to help eradicate those who threaten the Great Min dynasty. I was merely delayed by affairs in Yingtian Prefecture."

Chen Chang'an nodded humbly. Dong Zhongxuan was a figure at the apex of power; he needed to leave a good impression.

The Black-Clad Guards finished securing the prisoners and began gathering evidence from the warehouse. Chen Chang'an feigned injury, curling into a corner to observe the Heaven and Earth-rank commanders, hoping to find a clue as to who had tried to kill him.

He scanned the group and noticed Tan Shutong’s belt—the loops for his sword were empty. He remembered clearly that Tan had been carrying his signature blade earlier.

*Wait...* Everyone had arrived from the Black-Clad Alley, but Tan had been nearby from the start, claiming he had discovered the horse farm by accident while out buying liquor. Could it really be such a coincidence?

"Hmm, why is this register full of blank pages?" Yue Bingbing asked, puzzled.

Chen Chang'an tensed. He immediately thought of the records involving the Xiaolian case and the Sanyuan Temple. Only he, Cao Wu, and Changning knew the truth behind those.

He stood up. "Commander Yue, may I see it?"

"Here." She tossed it to him. "The rebels wouldn't hide a simple notebook in their archives. It must contain a secret. Study it carefully, but don't damage it."

"Understood." Chen Chang'an touched the paper—it was indeed tung-oil paper. It was the record Zhao Yantai had left for Changning. This confirmed it was indeed their nest.

"Put it away. We're taking it back to the Black-Clad Guard headquarters," Yue Bingbing ordered.

Chen Chang'an was reluctant, knowing the blank record was far more valuable than anything else. He wanted to return it to the little princess, but he complied, keeping a vigilant eye on the book to ensure nothing happened to it.

"Since the rebels are dealt with, I have other matters to attend to in Yingtian Prefecture. Farewell," Dong Zhongxuan said.

The four Earth-rank commanders bowed. "Our thanks, Imperial Preceptor."

Dong Zhongxuan swept his sleeves and departed.

The Black-Clad Guards finished their sweep and headed for the exit. As they reached the center of the horse farm, about ninety meters from the gate, the sound of marching soldiers and clashing armor filled the air.

"What’s happening?" Yue Bingbing frowned.

"I don't know," the others replied, "but don't worry. Judging by the sound, it's regular imperial troops."

"Let's go see."

They walked to the gate to find a burly general with a thick black beard and golden silk armor, leading nearly two thousand soldiers, surrounding the area.

"Damn, who are they?" Chen Chang'an whispered to Ye Lin and Ruan Jingchu.

Ruan Jingchu didn't answer, looking at Ye Lin instead. Ye Lin, basking in her gaze, turned bright red. "I... I don't know!"

Ruan Jingchu blinked. "Didn't you transfer from the Ministry of Revenue?"

Ye Lin choked, unable to explain. He signaled Chen Chang'an for help. Chen Chang'an coughed. "Even though he was at the Ministry of Revenue, the civil and military systems are different. It's normal not to know."

"Oh, that makes sense!" Ruan Jingchu said.

Ye Lin nodded vigorously, secretly giving Chen Chang'an a thumbs-up.

A veteran guard nearby whispered, "That’s Suo Yong, Commander of the Left Guard Imperial Army."

"I see," the pair murmured.

Chen Chang'an felt a headache coming on. Another commander? The Black-Clad Guard, the Capital Prefecture, the Three Offices, the Dragon Cavalry, the Gold-Guard—the functions of these institutions in Chang'an overlapped constantly. It wasn't just about checks and balances; it was about powerful officials building their own personal influence.

Whenever a new department was created, it became the private tool of a specific official. The Left Guard Imperial Army had been established by the Left Chancellor, Cheng Jianzhi, after he criticized the Capital Prefecture. Interestingly, as soon as they were formed, the Right Chancellor, Zhang Huaimin, criticized them to establish the Right Guard Imperial Army.

At the gate, Yue Bingbing stepped forward. "Commander Suo, why have you brought so many troops here?"

Suo Yong looked at her with characteristic arrogance. "Why do you think? To arrest the rebels. Hand over the prisoners and the files to the Left Guard. You Black-Clad guards can go home!"

"What?" Yue Bingbing’s face turned icy.

Tao Yuan and Tan Shutong exchanged sharp glances.

Another Earth-rank commander, Lu Bozhao, stepped forward with a sneer. "The Left Guard? What a grand display! We tracked these rebels down and captured them ourselves. Now you show up with a few men and want to take the credit?"

The other guards muttered in anger. This was shameful. It was like bleeding on the front lines only for someone else to swoop in and claim the reward from the Emperor.

Suo Yong looked unfazed. He pulled out a yellow silk scroll. "I am here under the Empress's decree. Are you, the Black-Clad Guard, planning to defy an imperial order?"

Yue Bingbing and the others fell silent. The entire group went quiet.

Ruan Jingchu sighed, "They are so good at stealing credit."

Ye Lin cursed, "Those bastards. Say, do you think the Empress is losing her mind?"

Chen Chang'an said nothing. He felt uneasy. Cao Wu and Cheng Mulong had just been summoned to the palace; they would have mentioned the raid to the Empress. If so, why would she issue a decree to another organization?

A realization struck him. He ran to the box of records, flipped through a few pages, and his face turned pale. "Damn it, we’ve been played!"