Volume One: The Youngest Among Three Hundred Chapter Forty-Two: Decision

Chen Chang'an gripped his thighs with both hands to stop himself from appearing too frail, and stammered out, "Cao... Cao... No, Sister Wu, what do you mean I only have half a month to live? What exactly is going on?"

Cao Wu sighed and explained, "I arrived a little late. You were gravely wounded by Yuan Shu Zaisheng, your internal organs all severely damaged. By rights, you should have died just now."

"It was through a special technique unique to a seventh-rank martial artist, on the threshold between life and death, that I reconstructed your body. Unfortunately, my strength alone is limited and can only keep you alive for half a month."

"Isn't there any way to heal me completely?" Chen Chang'an grew so agitated he nearly grabbed her shoulders, even secretly considering whether he should go to the Fragrant Courtyard in search of a miracle.

"A way..." Cao Wu deliberately hesitated, pondering for a moment before saying, "There is a way. My strength alone isn't enough, but if another seventh-rank martial artist at the threshold of life and death is willing to help, the two of us together could rebuild your body and ensure a long life."

Chen Chang'an’s eyes lit up. "In Chang’an City, are there others at that level? Just say the word, Sister Wu, and I’ll invite them!"

Cao Wu replied, "In Chang’an City, besides me, there are three others of the seventh rank on the threshold of life and death: Commander Ying Hong of the Plum Blossom Inner Guard, Grand Steward Wang Liansi of the Imperial Household, and another deputy commander of the Black-Clad Guards, Cheng Muliang."

Chen Chang'an leapt in excitement. "Cheng Muliang! Of course, we should find Cheng Muliang. Since he’s also a deputy commander of the Black-Clad Guards, he should be easier to talk to. Sister Wu, you’re a good person, you can’t just leave me to die!"

Cao Wu looked genuinely regretful. "Alas, do you know where you are right now? This is the Armory within the Black-Clad Guards’ headquarters. I just went to seek Cheng Muliang… but he said he wouldn’t help anyone outside the Guards."

"Uh..." Chen Chang'an immediately grasped the point. His pale eyes narrowed. So, after all this, the aim was to lure him into the Black-Clad Guards. Sister Wu, you’re truly calculating. He couldn’t help but glance at Su Wanqiu, who was still unconscious.

Thinking of everyone in the Su family compound, he recalled that although he’d once considered leaving to wander alone, now, with Su Qingtang and Qin Fulou treating him so well, practically cherishing him, staying didn’t seem so bad.

But if he stayed, if he truly became part of the Su family, he must ensure everyone’s safety. Su Wanqiu was hurt today because of him; he couldn’t let such things happen again.

So Chen Chang'an spoke solemnly, "Sister Wu, if I join the Black-Clad Guards, can you guarantee the safety of everyone in the Su family?"

Cao Wu’s heart leapt for joy, though her face remained calm. "Of course. Not only can we guarantee the safety of everyone in the Su family, I will do my utmost to heal your eyes. Once training concludes, all the resources you need for cultivation, the Black-Clad Guards will provide as much as possible."

Chen Chang'an still wasn’t entirely reassured. "How will you guarantee their safety?"

Cao Wu, unusually patient, replied, "You should know that the Supreme Commander of the Black-Clad Guards is one of only two eighth-rank masters in the world, now at the post-mysterious stage—those so attuned to the Dao they are nearly one with heaven and earth. He has a secret method to protect the families of all Guards members. Each year, when new members join, we register them and bind the secret method to their relatives."

"And… what does this secret method do?" Chen Chang'an was intrigued.

Cao Wu explained with clear precision, "When danger arises, this secret art instantly transfers the families into a completely safe, independent space, where they remain until the Black-Clad Guards can rescue them."

"Wow, incredible!" Chen Chang'an exclaimed.

Cao Wu asked, "Incredible?"

Chen Chang'an, embarrassed, replied, "I just mean it’s amazing!"

Cao Wu’s voice was calm and clear. "The Black-Clad Guards are the cornerstone of the Great Min Dynasty. Every year, countless newcomers yearn to join us, and for good reason. If we couldn’t even protect our members’ families, how could we protect Chang’an City or the empire itself?"

Hearing these words, Chen Chang'an felt an unaccountable admiration for her. His dirt-streaked face was full of worship. With a slap, he placed his right foot on the battered wooden stool as if climbing a mosaic, then pushed up with his left foot to stand atop the table, towering half a meter over Cao Wu. He clasped his hands behind his back, gazing down upon this deputy commander of the Black-Clad Guards, the foremost woman of the Nine Provinces, and proclaimed loudly, "As long as the Su family—especially the young lady lying on that bed—never faces danger again, I, Chen, will join the Black-Clad Guards!"

"As for cultivation resources, we can discuss that later. And regarding finding a renowned doctor for my eyes, you needn’t trouble yourself, Sister Wu. I’m already receiving treatment and should regain my sight in five or six days."

With Elder Sister Peach Blossom at the Fragrant Courtyard, the resources outside hardly tempted him. Judging by his previous recovery, two or three more visits and his eyes would be as good as new.

"What? You’re already being treated and could recover in five or six days? Is that true? Who’s treating you? Are they reliable?" Cao Wu, upon hearing this, was more excited than Chen Chang'an himself and bombarded him with questions.

Chen Chang'an paused for several seconds before nodding, "Yes… it’s true, very reliable. In fact, I’ve already regained some vision. Otherwise, how could I stand up here?"

Only then did Cao Wu realize how steady Chen Chang'an’s steps had been—far from what a blind man could manage.

Her efforts to recruit Chen Chang'an into the Black-Clad Guards stemmed from his exceptional investigative skills, as demonstrated in two cases. If he was so sharp while blind, he would surely become a pillar of the Guards once his sight was restored.

Besides, his potential was not limited to investigation alone.

Cao Wu produced a piece of verdant bamboo and placed it before him. "I found this at the scene. When I arrived, the man was gravely injured. Did you use this on him?"

"His strength is considerable, and he wields the art of Yuan Shu Zaisheng. Even Hua Mulan has suffered at his hands. Yet you managed to fight him to a standstill—how extraordinary."

Well…

This touched on secrets he shouldn’t reveal. Chen Chang'an arched his brow and lied smoothly, "Yes, Sister Wu, I used all my strength with that bamboo slip to wound that bastard. After I was blinded, my father sought it from a master for my protection and warned me never to use it unless absolutely necessary."

"I see!"

Cao Wu believed him. "I can sense that it’s imbued with abundant spiritual energy, certainly no ordinary object. The patterns carved on its surface must be some kind of mental cultivation method. If you have the chance, you should study it—you might uncover a valuable secret."

Of course it was a cultivation method—an ancient one, called Immortal-Slaying, which old Chen had practiced quite well. Chen Chang'an murmured inwardly but outwardly stayed humble. "Thank you, Sister Wu. I’ll remember your advice."

He then changed the subject. "Sister Wu, now that I’ve agreed to join the Black-Clad Guards, summon Cheng Muliang or whoever to help reconstruct my body! Heh heh!"

Cao Wu waved her hand. "Tomorrow. It’s late, he’s probably resting. No rush."

"Alright… good!" Chen Chang'an replied with a dry laugh.

"Rest early. The induction for new members is in half a month. Remember to sign up, but you won’t need to take the assessment; just come straight to the training," Cao Wu advised carefully.

Chen Chang'an’s eyes widened. "So… this is an internal arrangement?"

Cao Wu was frank. "Yes, it’s an internal arrangement. As deputy commander, I have that authority."

"Thank you, Sister Wu!"

With a soft hum, Cao Wu turned and left without further words, leaving Chen Chang'an alone in the room, lost in thought. He recalled boasting before Li Shu and Wu Yuanheng that he would never join the Black-Clad Guards.

Yet tonight’s assassination attempt had been truly perilous, making him realize that relying solely on the ethereal Fragrant Courtyard was not enough; he needed backing in the real world too. Besides, the Black-Clad Guards held great prestige at court—joining them would earn him respect on the streets and at home, far more than being a mere commoner.

Most importantly, it was the only way to persuade Cheng Muliang, a seventh-rank master, to act and reconstruct his body so he could survive. Though he suspected this was all part of Cao Wu’s scheme!

"In the end… have I still become a lackey of the court?" Chen Chang'an seemed to mock himself.

He glanced again at the barely-conscious Su Wanqiu, then prepared to rest. Just as he took off his shoes and lay down, he suddenly sprang up, alarmed, "Oh no, where’s Mao Ji? He can’t be dead, can he? I still need him to make fireworks for Princess Changning!"

...

Meanwhile, a white dove flew through the night into Black-Clad Alley, its beady black eyes flickering as it circled before perching on the windowsill of a small house. The person inside, hearing the sound, crept out, carefully took a letter from the dove’s foot, and read it attentively.

As they read, they muttered, "Chen Chang'an, huh. A blind man wants to join my Black-Clad Guards? I doubt he could even pass the assessment."