“Princess, are you truly alright?” It was Cui’s low voice.

The Princess replied weakly, “Yes, it’s strange. Shouldn’t I be dead? Why am I still alive?”

Cui said, “Exactly! You weren’t breathing just now. But this person gave you an injection, and then as I watched over you, I slowly felt a pulse. It’s such a bizarre thing; even our most advanced scientists haven’t developed such miraculous medicine.”

The Princess sighed, “It seems we underestimated the capabilities of these humans. Father’s decision was truly not a good one. Now the kingdom is shattered, and our home is lost. What are we to do? I almost wish I hadn’t woken up; the pain in my heart is a hundred times worse than death.”

Cui responded, “Princess, you can’t blame the Emperor for this. Our food supplies were cut off; if we hadn't sought help from these outside humans, we probably would have starved long ago. They provided us with decades of grain supply; we had no reason to refuse their request now.”

The Princess sighed again, “I wonder how Father is doing now. We need to return to the city immediately to check the situation.”

“Absolutely not, Princess! The Nangong family has already seized control of the underground city. If we go back now, it will be walking right into a trap. I suggest we stay here to recover from our injuries first, and then find a way to muster troops and fight our way back to drive out the Nangong family.”

The Princess coughed slightly, “It seems that’s all we can do for now. Where are we? Is it safe? Will Nangong Ao be able to find us here?”

Cui whispered, “We are still deep within the dense forest, inside a large tree hollow. It’s pouring rain outside. If anywhere is unsafe, it’s that man. I think we should take advantage of his sleep and kill him to avenge our lost relatives!”

The Princess exclaimed, “Cui, how can you be so ungrateful? He is indeed our enemy, but who was it that saved you and me from Nangong Ao just now? Besides, we came here intending to assassinate him. In self-defense, he couldn’t just let us butcher him, could he?”

Cui looked puzzled, “Princess, why are you pleading for him? He’s asleep now; if we miss this chance, it won't come again. Think carefully!”

“There’s no need to think. If we must kill him, we wait until he wakes up, and then we engage in a public duel. We Dwarves must never resort to such despicable and shameless acts. Moreover, he saved both our lives; if we kill him, we should commit suicide out of gratitude.”

Cui grew angry, “Princess, why put ourselves through such agony? We might as well not kill him! Furthermore, if we duel him openly, can we even beat him? He single-handedly defeated a dozen of us earlier; just the two of us stand even less chance. That’s why I suggested a sneak attack!”

The Princess mused, “Since he possesses such formidable skill, perhaps we wouldn't be a match for him even if he were asleep. Didn’t you see how terrified Nangong Ao looked just now? Honestly, that arrogant tyrant has always been haughty and overbearing. It was rare to see him so flustered; my heart felt truly happy at that moment.”

“I have an idea!” Cui suddenly shouted with delight, “Princess, we have a way to reclaim the underground city!”

The Princess urgently inquired, “What is the plan? Father’s fate is unknown. If we can take back the underground city immediately, that would be best. Hurry and tell me!”

Cui pointed towards the tall, sleeping man, “It’s him.”

The Princess looked confused, “What do you mean? We Humans and you cannot coexist; that’s why we’ve always lived deep underground. What use could he possibly be?”

Cui reasoned, “Princess, his martial arts are incredible! A dozen of us couldn't defeat him, and even Nangong Ao fears him. If we get his help, just having him stand guard in the underground city—do you think anyone would dare cause trouble?”

The Princess suddenly laughed, “You think he’ll enter the underground city just because you ask? Besides, we are enemies, not allies. You dare to think of such a plan? You truly are childish.”

Cui realized with a start, “That’s right. He has no reason to help us. We tried to kill him without provocation; even if it were us, we couldn't accept that. Especially since he helped us twice just now. As you said, Princess, we should be thanking him.”

The Princess responded, “If that’s the case, why did you still want to sneak attack him while he slept? If we did that, we Dwarves would have no face left to live among anyone.”

Cui stuck out her tongue, “Then what do we do now? Princess, please give the command.”

The Princess declared, “Wake him up and thank him! Otherwise, what difference would we be from the Nangong family? We would become ungrateful wretches.”

Cui shook my body, “Wake up, wake up, big fellow! Our Princess is truly alive again!”

I opened my eyes and pretended to have just woken up, saying, “I told you she would be fine; you just didn't believe me. Now we are quits. Consider the debt settled, and don’t bother anyone again in the future.”

“Thank you,” the Princess said to me with sudden sincerity.

I looked a bit embarrassed, “I was the one who injured you, so saving you was the right thing to do. There’s no need for thanks. To be honest, you shouldn't have been entirely covered in black clothing, or I wouldn't have struck so hard. Hitting a woman—that’s a first for me, especially a small woman like you. If this got out, it might tarnish my good reputation.”

I wasn't lying. I had killed one beautiful woman before, a Saintess of the Sheep Clan. In truth, I hadn't wanted to kill her, but she couldn't withstand the 'B' substance in my body and died during intimacy. That incident saddened me for quite a while. Although it wasn't my intention, her death was greatly connected to me.

Cui, standing nearby, drawled sarcastically, “Self-righteous! Do you think you’re some handsome Prince Charming? Let me tell you, don't get any ideas about our Princess; she already has someone she cares for!”

I let out a dry laugh, “Miss Cui, you certainly know how to joke. Our—our stature isn't quite a match, is it? Once the rain stops, I’ll be leaving. Where you go after that is none of my business. I already said the past grievances are cleared. If you two have no objections, let’s leave it at that.”

The two Dwarf girls didn't object; it seemed they agreed. Although the Dwarves had lost quite a few people, they instigated the situation themselves. I injured the Princess, but I also revived her. Thus, clearing the slate didn't seem like a bad deal for them.

That life-saving divine needle and the 'B' substance refined from the Snake Pearl had similar properties. If the dosage was excessive, it could also cause physical mutation. I worried that for the physically small Princess, the standard dose for a normal person might be an overdose, so I kept a close watch on her, observing any changes. If any foreign substance really started to emerge, it would be trouble, and I would have to intervene if necessary.

However, I was disappointed. She showed no abnormal changes. Instead, my staring made her somewhat pleased. She shot me a sharp look and turned to gaze at the heavy rain outside the hollow. I had secretly hoped she might mutate into something like a super-soldier, requiring my even more 'super' self to soothe her spirit, making her docile like a kitten toward me. But none of that happened. On the contrary, the rain outside was getting heavier, which meant my plan to leave was foiled.

“Cui, are your weapons still functional? Mine broke.” The Princess withdrew her gaze and asked Cui.

Cui reached back behind her neck and unfastened a small box. I was extremely curious about the tunneling device and stared intently. Cui pressed a switch, and the small box rapidly unfolded into what was clearly an umbrella. She positioned herself under it, but this device wasn't for keeping out the rain.

Cui activated another switch, and the umbrella began to spin at high speed, emitting only a faint buzzing sound, indicating that their energy system was anything but ordinary. Cui said to the Princess, “Mine isn’t damaged yet. He was so fierce earlier; he took them down one by one without mercy, otherwise…”

The Princess cut Cui off, “We came to assassinate him; if he had shown mercy, he would be the one dead. Don't bring up that incident again. By the way, my name is Ximen Yan. What should I call you?”

The Princess addressed the latter half of her sentence to me. I replied plainly, “My name is Zhao Qian. I can’t believe you didn’t even know the name of the person you intended to kill—you truly are quite muddled. Heh heh. Your name is strange. Is Ximen Chuixue your brother?”

Ximen Yan paused, “How did you know? My brother’s name is Ximen Xue. He was supposed to handle this mission, but Father kept him home for official duties, so I came instead. I won’t hide it from you: we owe a great debt to a person here; he can request ten things from us. This was supposed to be the first, and I managed to mess it up. I don’t even know how I’ll explain this to Father and my brother, especially since I don't know if they are safe.”

I replied, “I’m sorry, I can’t help you with that matter. I can’t very well lop off my own head and offer it to you.”

Ximen Yan smiled wryly, “You certainly know how to joke. Only a complete fool would do something like that.”

I pointed at the small box, asking, “Did you manufacture this yourselves? What energy powers it? The materials must also be very special, given they need sufficient hardness to penetrate various substances.”

Cui immediately hid the box behind her back with a guarded look. Ximen Yan said, “Cui, don't be so hostile toward Zhao Qian. He saved you too just now. Even if you feel the past grievances aren't cancelled, set them aside for now. We are all in the same boat now; you might as well consider him a friend.”

I estimated that Cui might have lost a lover among the Dwarf warriors I killed, otherwise why such hostility towards me? I said, “Knowing we are friends now, I shouldn't have been so heavy-handed earlier. I’m truly sorry, and I will find a way to make amends for my mistake.”

“No, it’s our fault too,” Ximen Yan hastily intervened to ease the tension. “We can’t blame it all on you. We came up without greeting and tried to take your life. Anyone else likely wouldn’t have saved our lives twice. Cui, show Zhao Qian the drilling knife.”

Cui handed the small box to me. It turned out it had a name: the Drilling Knife, which seemed appropriate enough. It was at least ten times sharper than an ordinary blade. The box was sealed extremely tightly, so I naturally couldn't open it to inspect the energy system, but Ximen Yan had no intention of keeping secrets.

“We use an energy crystal mined from underground. Under intense geological pressure, massive energy ions are compressed into a blue crystal mass. A tiny piece, under the right conditions, can be decomposed into powerful energy for our use. This might all be unfamiliar to you, but we’ve been using it to replace nuclear reactors for several hundred years. It’s a non-polluting and very safe energy system.”

I asked, “Can I open it to take a look? Are these crystals common on this planet?”

Ximen Yan shook her head, “It can’t be opened. It’s molded only once on the production line; when it’s used up, it’s discarded. If not used frequently, it’s enough to last a warrior a lifetime. These crystals were our biggest secret, but I don’t wish to hide it from you. They are abundant five thousand meters beneath this planet, but that depth is currently unreachable for us. There are some in the crust, just not in high concentrations, but it should be enough to sustain the survival of fifty billion people on this planet.”

Ximen Yan’s words excited me greatly. In fact, before coming to Gemini, we had been contemplating an issue: the Heart of Energy was constantly manufacturing energy blocks, but its production speed was limited. If we were to equip an interstellar fleet, its output would be far from sufficient. Moreover, an interstellar fleet certainly wouldn’t consist of just one ship, so the development of future new energy sources was imperative. While nuclear reactors became safer after obtaining Helium-3 from the Moon, that energy method was still outdated for much larger interstellar warships.

“Can I negotiate with you regarding the development of these energy crystals? I am sincere. Since your technology is so advanced, I won't hide it from you either: I am not an original resident of Gemini. I come from the distant Milky Way, from a place called Earth. We have already begun interstellar travel. Although there were some issues with the wormhole, it won't stop our progress. We are willing to become friendly cooperative planets with you.”

Ximen Yan looked somewhat incredulous, “Is what you are saying true? Do aliens really exist? Can you truly traverse the vast distances between stars? Did you arrive in a spacecraft? How do you utilize wormhole technology?”

From Ximen Yan’s questions, it seemed their technology was not inferior to Earth’s advanced level before. I replied, “In fact, not long ago, we Earthlings were also questioning the existence of extraterrestrial civilizations. When I arrived at this planet, that question was finally answered completely. As for breaking through interstellar distances, we utilize wormholes, but the wormhole is a very mysterious and newly discovered passage. Using it for travel still carries significant danger currently. Our spaceship exploded outside Gemini, but several escape pods managed to land. I am here looking for these few friends who escaped here. By chance, I now have to handle a few matters for the Twin Cities Nation, which led to me offending the person you mentioned.”

“So that’s how it is…” Ximen Yan seemed to unconsciously draw closer to me. It appeared we weren't enemies but comrades discussing civilization achievements from our respective planets.

“...It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Ximen Yan extended her small hand toward me.

I sincerely shook her hand, “Likewise. Why don't you help the surface humans develop their technology? Only through mutual development can the entire planet advance toward the cosmos.”

Ximen Yan gave a wry smile, “There are household rules and national laws. It’s not that I don’t want to, but the rules left by our ancestors forbid us from interacting with outsiders. If we hadn't been unable to produce food decades ago, perhaps we wouldn't be meeting today. This might be destiny.”

I remarked, “If you had interacted with surface humans earlier, perhaps your height would have assimilated with theirs without you noticing. You truly look like little sprites now.”

Cui noticed the relationship between me and Ximen Yan becoming perhaps too intimate, and interjected, “It’s none of your business what we do. The Princess just told you many of our secrets; you must keep them confidential, or we won't let you off the hook.”

I nodded, “Rest assured, I will keep your secret. What are your plans now? Are you heading home?”

Ximen Yan replied, “Our underground city has been occupied by the Nangong family. I fear going back now is a death sentence. I plan to seek help from my uncle; he is the lord of another underground city. He lives deep beneath the sea and has never concerned himself with affairs on our side. But now I must rely on his power to rescue Father and my brother; I have no other viable option.”

I pulled out my phone and checked the time, “Very well then, I wish you success. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. I am staying at the Imperial Stable Directorate; you should know the location. It’s getting late; I must return.”

As we spoke, Ximen Yan’s complexion was gradually improving, indicating the energy from the blood flower was slowly working its way through her system, repairing damaged tissues bit by bit. The blush on her small face was becoming gradually richer. “You should wait until the rain stops before leaving. In this weather, you’ll surely get lost if you go out.”

I held up my phone, “I just need to find a high point and use this to contact my other few phones to quickly determine my position. Besides, the rain has eased a little now; waiting longer might mean losing the chance.”

Ximen Yan said, “It seems your technology is indeed more advanced. If I have the chance, I will present your suggestion to my father. Goodbye.”

I braved the heavy rain and rushed back to the Imperial Stable Directorate. The women all showed unconcealed joy; my sudden disappearance had obviously worried them. After changing into dry clothes, everyone gathered around my bed to recount their experiences. He Yuqing expressed the deepest apologies, but since the matter was resolved, the other women wouldn't blame her anymore. Linglong also received criticism, not just for being overly impulsive but also because she knew about the situation earlier and deliberately kept it from us.

Gu Fei, a loyal and good warrior, had explained the situation to Linglong early on. Firstly, Linglong was his respected benefactor who had shown him kindness. Secondly, Linglong was also his superior; reporting to her was the correct course of action. However, Linglong wanted to achieve merit behind my back, so she only told me the plan as we were setting out in the morning. Haste naturally led to potential problems, but fortunately, everything turned out smoothly. Pang Hu’s ambush force waiting along the route back to the Directorate was wiped out by random gunfire, and my diversion orchestrated by Man Fu, leading to the Dwarf assassination attempt, also failed. Pang Hu must be furious right now.

The appearance of the Dwarves sparked curiosity among the women, who repeatedly questioned me about them. I told them everything I knew. Later, I brought out the battery-recharged television to test it, but it couldn't pick up any signal. I remembered Cui didn't know what a television was—perhaps this TV belonged to someone else?

This incident served as a warning: our personal guard unit must strengthen its political education in the future. We cannot allow someone like Man Fu to appear again, or a single misstep could lead to huge trouble, which would be too late to regret. As for how Man Fu fell into Pang Hu’s trap, only he knows, but fortunately, Gu Fei conducted an in-depth investigation on him, and his two accomplices have been arrested; the remaining guards are not implicated.

With the immediate danger gone, my wives happily gathered to discuss topics only women discuss, while I retreated to bed to sleep. Last night’s sleeplessness was triggered by a single comment from Niunai. If I hadn't promised the women a hunting trip in advance, I might have gone to the palace today. First, to speak with Ma Xiaowei, and second, to warn Ma Xiaoda to pay attention to the matter. If Cholesterol proposed marriage to Mada, he absolutely had to intervene and then tell Mada about my situation. If possible, it would be best to finalize the arrangement with Ma Xiaowei to avoid complications down the road. Such a beautiful princess wasn't just on my radar; others were eyeing her too.

He Yuqing's Dog-Slaying Gang wouldn't recover in a day; they still had to be wary of Pang Hu’s spies. Even so, the Eastern Depot was facing considerable criticism for holding hundreds of people without processing them, causing even Ma Da to harbor suspicions about me. The Third Leader’s injuries were almost healed, but he still didn't know my background. I had instructed He Yuqing not to let anyone else know about our relationship, as it would significantly affect her standing within the gang.

The rain finally stopped at dusk. After dinner, I began preparations for going to the palace tomorrow. I planned to bring all three hundred newly trained Imperial Guards with me and transport a batch of firearms to the inner city as a precaution. In short, tomorrow would be a busy day. I wondered what reaction Pang Hu would have once he noticed our movements.

While the fires of conflict were raging where we were, the area outside Feilong Prefecture City was a sea of blood and fierce fighting. Twenty thousand siege troops launched a desperate assault on Feilong Prefecture. The bandits defending the city had adopted the tactics of the defenders at Feiyu County: they used rolling logs, stone projectiles, and boiling oil to repel the attackers, while waves of arrows rained down continuously. After a day and a night of fierce siege warfare, the Fourth and Fifth Armies suffered over five thousand casualties.

"Marshal Zhang, we truly cannot continue this brute-force attack!" The commander of the Fourth Army, Sun Chang, his eyes bloodshot, could not bear to watch another Zepao fall. He joined forces with Kong Wu to rush to the Marshal's camp to request a halt to the siege.

Zhang Guan sat casually in the commander's seat and said dismissively, "Commander Zhang, am I commanding here, or are you? Feilong Mansion is our first engagement to reclaim lost territory. Do you want the Emperor to hear news of our Border Relief Army's failure? The bandits defending the city are only three thousand strong. If you cannot even handle three thousand, I highly doubt the true results of your bandit suppression in Huyang Prefecture—all those tales of killing tens of thousands and subjugating a hundred thousand—were just lies cooked up to secure accolades."

Zhang Guan was unaware that the Imperial Stables and Grand Tutor Pang had already fallen out in Shuancheng. He acted purely on a gut feeling that that man had stolen his thunder, making him lose face in front of Xu Chen. As for Xu Chen's true identity, he remained ignorant, but by male instinct, he sensed that Xu Chen’s affections were not directed toward him, which infuriated him and made him more prone to impulsive actions.

Zhang Guan’s words insulted the achievements of the Huyang suppression campaign. Kong Wu roared, "Marshal Zhang! Warfare requires strategy; it’s not like playing chess at will! Every decision you make costs our soldiers bloody lives. Although the enemy only numbers three thousand, they are defending from the advantageous position of a fortified city. Our direct assault only hands them opportunities. Our casualties have already exceeded the enemy’s numbers; we cannot sustain this method of fighting. Those soldiers are brothers we’ve eaten and lived with! Looking back at the Battle of Huyang, Lord Zhao employed countless stratagems; when did we ever have to fight so passively, even when achieving victories with fewer troops than the enemy?"

Zhang Guan sneered, "Are you saying my command is flawed? I suspect the problem lies with your soldiers' fighting capabilities! How could you conquer Huyang Prefecture but fail at a mere Feilong Mansion! Are you holding back, playing games with me because you don't respect Zhang Guan? I know you only have eyes for Inspector Zhao, constantly comparing me to him. I suspect you don't even respect the Emperor or Grand Tutor Pang! I will faithfully report your passive resistance to the Grand Tutor and the Emperor. It seems your positions as commanders won't last long!"

Sun Chang and Kong Wu shouted back, "If we can't do it, then so be it! But you, Zhang Guan, are truly inferior to Lord Zhao. You are just a brute, while Lord Zhao is accomplished in both civil and martial arts. If he were the commander of the Border Relief Army, Feilong Mansion would have fallen by now!"

"Insolence! Do you wish to die? Guards, seize them both immediately for contempt of a superior officer! We will return to Shuancheng and seek the Emperor's judgment!" Zhang Guan bellowed.

The Military Supervisor, Hu Tong, stepped in to mediate, "Gentlemen, gentlemen, please calm your tempers. This is an urgent military situation; we should not have internal strife. If the Emperor and the Grand Tutor learn of our situation, they will surely blame us. Calm down, you must calm down."

The Vice Marshal, Qilian Shan, also stepped forward, saying, "Indeed. At this time, we must unite. Whatever matters there are, let's discuss them after Feilong Mansion is taken. Otherwise, our forty thousand troops won't even have a place to stay. If we are suddenly attacked by enemy cavalry, the danger will be far greater, especially since we have no experience dealing with cavalry."

Zhang Guan knew he could not afford to alienate the two commanders right now, as he still relied on them to personally oversee the assault. Hu Tong and Qilian Shan offered him a way out. He glared viciously at Sun Chang and Kong Wu and said, "This time, I, your Marshal, will let this pass. Tomorrow, organize more men for the assault. If Feilong Mansion is still not taken, you can forget your commander positions; I will find more suitable people to replace you!"

Sun Chang and Kong Wu left the Marshal’s camp sullenly. Standing in the evening breeze, they gazed at the blood-stained walls of Feilong Mansion and sighed deeply. Sun Chang murmured, "If only the Lord were here, he would surely have a way to deal with this hard bone that is Feilong Mansion. I never thought Zhang Guan was such a useless coward, lacking both courage and strategy. If we let him continue his rampage, our Fourth and Fifth Armies will be ruined."

Kong Wu replied, "Tell me about it. But the Lord has to stay in Shuancheng, partly to avoid suspicion and partly to deal with the Dog-Slaying Gang. We can only rely on ourselves."

"Rely on ourselves?" Sun Chang gave a bitter laugh. "Do you and I even have the authority to command our own troops anymore? We need Zhang Guan's approval for every move; if he disagrees, we can't mobilize a single man. And yet, he orders us to endlessly attack the heavily fortified Feilong Mansion. We've each lost nearly three thousand men. Who knows how many more brothers will die tomorrow? I think this must be reported to the Lord. After all, he personally built this army; I don't believe he will stand by and watch Zhang Guan fritter it away piece by piece."

Kong Wu nodded. "Very well. Let's write a secret letter tonight and send someone back to the Imperial Stables. We all came from the Imperial Stables; the Lord won't ignore us. If he helps us, Zhang Guan won't dare to act tyrannically, and we won't have to worry about failing to take Feilong Mansion."

The secret letter was dispatched that night, but for the time being, everything had to proceed as planned. According to Zhang Guan's orders, another massive assault involving twenty thousand men was scheduled for today. Only by taking Feilong Mansion could they push further south to eliminate the bandits; otherwise, the objective remained out of reach.

The assault force assembled on the plain outside Feilong Mansion. Due to Zhang Guan's carelessness, they had left Shuancheng without any siege weaponry. Only upon reaching Feilong Mansion did they realize that both Feiying and Feilong prefectures had fallen. If the bandits were allowed to consolidate their strength, they would soon launch an attack on Shuancheng, just like the rebels in Huyang.

Suddenly, the four gates of Feilong Mansion creaked open. News was immediately relayed to the Marshal’s camp. Qilian Shan wondered aloud, "Are the bandits initiating a sortie? Or are they unable to hold the city and preparing to flee?"

Hu Tong advised caution. "Whatever the case, we must be careful. Order the soldiers to halt the attack and prepare to counter any potential enemy scheme."

Zhang Guan arrived, accompanied by a strategist. Many of his ideas stemmed from this man, whose name was Zhu Teng. Hearing that the bandits had opened the gates, Zhu Teng was delighted. "Marshal, this is a golden opportunity! Order the soldiers to advance quickly and seize the gates immediately. Once we flood through the gates, the entire Feilong Mansion will be ours!"

Zhang Guan was greatly tempted, but Qilian Shan advised him, "Marshal Zhang, things are seldom that simple. We should let the soldiers proceed cautiously. What if we fall into an ambush?"

Zhu Teng scoffed, "There are only three thousand bandits in total. Even if they plan an ambush, how can they possibly contend with our forty thousand troops? You are worrying over nothing. The biggest fear in war is hesitation, being afraid of wolves ahead and tigers behind. By the time you decide to act, the opportunity will be lost."

Hu Tong insisted, "Send scouts to verify. Opening the gates surely means a plot. As the military supervisor, I urge prudence. If we fall for a bandit trick, we cannot afford the losses."

Zhang Guan waved his hand dismissively. "Enough said. The bandits defending the city are likely collapsing. Seeing we are preparing another massive assault, they intend to flee. I am in charge here. Order the troops to advance at full speed! Abandon all non-essential gear and quickly secure the gates! Take Feilong Mansion, and I will reward you all!"

Since leaving Shuancheng, Zhang Guan had been acting autocratically. Vice Marshal Qilian Shan had become little more than a figurehead, and even the Military Supervisor Hu Tong had to mind his temper. Now that Zhang Guan had made up his mind, the two knew further persuasion was useless and fell silent.

Thus, under Zhang Guan's orders, twenty thousand soldiers abandoned all burdens and rushed toward the four gates. As soon as they entered the range of bows and arrows, a rhythmic thudding sound echoed from below the gate towers. Dust rose as armored warhorses, blindfolded, galloped out.

Seven hundred warhorses emerged from each of the four gates. These horses were incredibly fierce, and being blindfolded, they relied entirely on their riders' commands, charging in cohesive groups toward the assault force, heedless of danger. The Shuancheng Border Relief Army soldiers were somewhat trained, but this was the first time they encountered such frenzied, armored warhorses. Though their hearts faltered, they instinctively drew their bows and began firing.

The sight of several thousand arrows flying simultaneously was spectacular, but these arrows proved ineffective against the armored horses; the beasts' hides were protected even from swords. While their speed was somewhat hampered, their charge remained terrifying on the open plain. The bandits, crouched behind their shields, were impervious to crossbow bolts for the time being.

The bandits drove their horses into the ranks of the assault troops. Each horse acted like a miniature armored tank. The bandits aboard swung their long sabers, constantly seeking opportunities to hack down the Shuancheng soldiers. Although these soldiers could form up in tactical formations of ten men, the methods effective against rebels proved useless against the mounted bandits. A single bandit, relying on his warhorse, could easily scatter a ten-man unit. They charged and retreated repeatedly, and within moments, the twenty thousand-strong assault force spread out before the four gates had their formation shattered.

Soon, the bandits cut the Shuancheng soldiers into isolated pockets, slashing back and forth with their sabers. Soldiers perished in droves. As the bandits’ killing intensified, the Shuancheng soldiers began to retreat like a tide. They held only swords and bows, weapons now rendered useless. In this one-sided slaughter, even officers could not halt the rout. Their retreat then affected the other units not engaged in the assault, and one by one, unfavorable reports reached the Marshal’s camp.

Zhang Guan's face turned pale with fright. He asked Zhu Teng, "Advisor Mi, what should we do now? I never expected the bandits’ warhorses to be so formidable. What can be done?"

Zhu Teng advised, "Retreat, Marshal. It will be too late if we delay. The ferocity of the bandits' warhorses was beyond our prediction. Any further hesitation will cost us more troops, and we won't be able to account for it to the Emperor and the Grand Tutor."

Zhang Guan already intended to flee. Hearing his advisor’s suggestion, he immediately ordered the camp struck. Although Hu Tong and Qilian Shan felt this was improper, in such a crisis, they could not afford to worry about protocol. The thunder of hooves was already approaching, and they could clearly see the fierce faces of the mounted bandits, swinging their sabers to cut down the disorganized soldiers below.

Kong Wu rode a warhorse seized from a bandit and rushed over. Unaware that Zhang Guan was ordering a retreat, he shouted, "Marshal! Quickly dispatch troops to rescue Commander Sun! He and a contingent of assault soldiers are trapped below the East Gate. Please, Marshal, send reinforcements to cover their return! I volunteer to go!"

The bandit cavalry was nearly upon them. Zhang Guan's voice trembled slightly as he replied, "The current order is to retreat! Why did he run to the East Gate? He deserves it. I have no troops to spare. Everyone, fall back quickly!"

Kong Wu sharply reined in his horse. "Marshal, deserting the battle line is a capital offense! Do you dare to violate it by leading the charge? Please dispatch forces to support Commander Sun!"

Zhang Guan cursed venomously, "What the hell are you to order me around? Your commander position won't last long either! Let Sun Chang die if he must. Forget about drawing guards from me! Get out of the way before you get trampled!"

Enraged, Kong Wu spat from his horse, the sputum hitting Zhang Guang's face. He roared, "Zhang Guan! You spineless piece of dog dung! Brothers, follow me to save Commander Sun!"

Many of Zhang Guan's guards were veterans from the Fourth and Fifth Armies. Ignoring the reprimands of Zhang Guan’s subordinate officers, they rushed after Kong Wu. Zhang Guan wiped the spittle from his face and screamed, "That Kong fellow is staging a rebellion! Seize him! Go after them, quickly!"

Hu Tong said, "Marshal Zhang, given your disastrous command, we will likely share the blame. We should go back and help rescue the men."

Qilian Shan agreed, "I told you things wouldn't be simple! The enemy wouldn't open the gates without reason. They clearly waited for our troops to approach before unleashing the cavalry. We are all infantry; how can we possibly stop an armored cavalry charge?"

Zhu Teng protested, "You are talking nonsense! Marshal Zhang commanded perfectly; it was the soldiers who fought without valor. This is the result of Zhao's poor training, leading to this defeat!"

Zhang Guan seized on the excuse. "Exactly! I will report this faithfully to Grand Tutor Pang. If you wish to save them, go ahead. I will wait for you ten li ahead!"

In the battle, Sun Chang had insisted on leading from the front, determined to take a section of the wall that day, lest more men die outside Feilong Mansion. Who knew the enemy, whom they had contained for three or four days, would suddenly open the gates and release cavalry? Due to the arrogant command from above, they were unprepared for cavalry, especially since these riders were reinforced with armor impervious to swords and spears. The Shuancheng troops were immediately thrown into disarray.

The formation of five thousand men was quickly fragmented by the repeated charges of over seven hundred warhorses. Kong Wu’s escort dwindled. Feeling a sharp pain in his arm, Kong Wu gritted his teeth and stabbed a bandit’s horse. He knew he was wounded and that if they continued to endure the onslaught, everyone would be slaughtered.

"Aim for the fetlocks! Cut the fetlocks!" Kong Wu suddenly shouted, struck by inspiration. The horses were tall, making it difficult to kill the riders, but their legs below the knee lacked armor. If one knelt down, a saber could sever a horse’s leg.

His personal guards immediately relayed the order. A dozen warhorses immediately had their legs cut out from under them and crashed to the ground. The dismounted bandits, though relatively small, were swiftly hacked into mince meat by the enraged Shuancheng soldiers. In their fury, even soldiers normally preoccupied with looting forgot about searching the corpses.

Soldiers hacking away did not pay attention to who was riding. In a tragic accident, Sun Chang, riding his own horse to rally troops, was also cut down. Fortunately, he shouted, "Friend!" or he would have been killed. Kong Wu reached him and asked, "Why are you here? Why aren't you holding your position?"

"My men have retreated. I came to support you. Zhang Guan is already packing up to flee. We must leave quickly, or our entire force will be wiped out. Seeing it all makes my heart bleed."

Kong Wu, however, shook his head. "No! This is a rare opportunity. Look, the city gate is only a few dozen paces away! These bandits are formidable on horseback, but once they enter the city and engage in the narrow alleys, they become slow, crippled targets for us to butcher. We must charge into the city and seize Feilong Mansion in the chaos! Otherwise, the sacrifice of our fallen brothers will be in vain!"

Sun Chang hesitated. "That is too risky. Can a thousand men like us succeed? Besides, if we do this without consulting Zhang Guan, he will surely find fault with us again."

Kong Wu insisted, "Opportunities wait for no one! Moreover, our original orders were to attack. How will we know if the risk is worth it if we don't try? Intelligence suggests Feilong Mansion has only three thousand bandits, and now eight or nine tenths of them are outside. I wager the city garrison is thin. If we don't utilize this chance, countless more men will die taking Feilong Mansion. Don't hesitate! You organize the remaining soldiers, and I will lead the charge on the gate!"

Kong Wu's speculation proved correct. The bandits, confident that their three thousand iron cavalry could easily shatter the assault force, had left very few defenders behind; only a hundred soldiers guarded each gate. Over a thousand Shuancheng troops surged forward. Although the enemy cavalry continued to attack from the rear, the riders were now wary of having their horses disabled and dared not engage in close combat, resorting only to ranged archery, which greatly diminished their effectiveness.

Despite his injured arm, Kong Wu was the first to slash through the city gate, felling the bandit guards preparing to shut it. A large number of soldiers then poured into the city. The scattered assault troops outside, who had been fighting desperate engagements against the horsemen, suddenly saw one gate fall and immediately converged toward it. Their numbers grew, and their strength increased. Moreover, everyone now understood the cavalry's weakness: the fetlocks. This realization stopped the horsemen from pressing their charge forward.

Qilian Shan and Hu Tong, who followed Sun Chang, directed their forces into the gate as well, rapidly extending the success to the other three gates. The bandit cavalry realized the danger behind them and swiftly wheeled around to reinforce the city. However, once inside the narrow confines, their advantage of unimpeded galloping speed was lost; they could not gain momentum and became easier targets for cutting. A chaotic melee erupted both inside and outside the walls.

The battle raged until late afternoon. The bandits, leaving behind over a thousand corpses, retreated from Feilong Mansion in frustration. In this engagement, the Shuancheng troops turned a near-defeat caused by the sudden cavalry charge into a victory by seizing the critical moment. Though suffering heavy losses, they ultimately secured Feilong Mansion. The battle report was rushed to Shuancheng overnight.

By the time the capital received the news, various factions were locked in a tense struggle, sweat dripping from dry throats. Following prior arrangements, the faction supporting the Prime Minister and the faction supporting the Prince were vigorously backing Ma Xiaoda's proposal: establishing a Grand Palace Guard unit to be stationed at the four gates of the Inner City and along the continuous twelve-mile stretch of the inner city walls.

Let alone Pang Hu’s astonishment upon seeing me alive and well—though he had received news of the assassination's failure the previous night, that message did not specify if the attempt on the prime leader had succeeded. Thus, he was still clinging to a sliver of hope, having witnessed the power of those individuals; otherwise, he would not have spent decades cultivating them.

Pang Hu had no time to dwell on where the assassination attempt went wrong, because as soon as the morning court convened, Ma Xiaoda proposed that the security of the Inner City should be entrusted to a specialized force. The Imperial Guards were merely the Emperor's personal detail and should not be responsible for both city defense and palace security simultaneously. Ma Xiaoda suggested to Ma Da the creation of a Grand Palace Guard, with a Commander of the Grand Palace Guard appointed to take full responsibility for the palace’s security.

Ma Da held a positive view of this proposal, which Ma Xiaoda had, of course, cleared with him beforehand. The father and son staged a united front, and the Prince’s faction and the Prime Minister’s faction seized the opportunity to concur. Seeing the matter nearly settled, Pang’s faction waited for Pang Hu’s opinion, their eyes fixed on him to gauge the political wind.

Pang Hu stepped forward and submitted his memorial. "Your Majesty, this old minister believes this move is inappropriate. Putting aside the many difficulties in establishing the Grand Palace Guard, the sheer size and complex terrain of the Imperial Palace grounds cannot be managed by ordinary troops. The court already faces financial strain; supporting an additional force of twenty thousand men is something we absolutely cannot afford."

Ma Xiaoda responded, "Grand Tutor Pang, the Grand Palace Guard will not require that many men. As I just stated, the defense of the Inner City gates and walls will still be handled by the Zhongdu Guard, whose loyalty both I and my Father the Emperor trust implicitly."

If not for his intimate knowledge of the man, one would scarcely believe Ma Xiaoda could speak to Pang Hu with such courteous restraint. Clearly, being born to royalty endowed him with the mind of a statesman; his previous impulsiveness had matured into steady composure with age.

Pang Hu countered, "Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness, if this is merely the establishment of a small guard organization of a few dozen men, I believe it is unnecessary. National affairs are not trifles; how can we frequently change the guards of the Inner Palace? What if malicious individuals infiltrate the ranks and endanger the royal family? It takes a long time to verify a person’s true character. The Zhongdu Guard soldiers have proven their absolute loyalty to the Emperor over several years; outsiders can never compare to that."

As soon as Pang Hu set the political tone, others immediately echoed his sentiment. They offered a myriad of justifications, mostly citing violations of ancestral tradition, using ancestors to pressure their opponents. While establishing personal guards for the Emperor was not inherently questionable, Ma Da’s habit of consulting the court on every matter provided an opportunity for attack.

But Madar had his temper, too. With the rabble below him shouting themselves hoarse, he slammed his hand on the desk and roared, "I merely mentioned increasing the Imperial Palace security out of concern over the recent rampant activities of the Dog-Slaying Gang. Do you deny me even that small latitude? Will you only be happy when I’m assassinated?!"

Whoosh. The hall instantly fell silent. Pang Hu stepped forward. "Your Majesty, this old servant was just about to report to you regarding the Eastern Depot harboring the Dog-Slaying Gang."

Madar frowned. "How could the Eastern Depot harbor them? Haven't they already eradicated the Gang’s local headquarters? I haven't even rewarded Chief Zhao for that accomplishment yet."

Grand Tutor Pang replied, "Your Majesty is unaware. The Eastern Depot has captured members of the Dog-Slaying Gang but keeps them imprisoned without trial or punishment. This has caused widespread public anxiety. People fear the Gang has already infiltrated the Depot itself, and they are currently planning an extraction."

Madar turned his gaze toward me. "Chief Zhao, is this true?"

I bowed deeply. "Reporting to Your Majesty, that is certainly untrue. What I have discovered is that the Dog-Slaying Gang retains massive influence across the land. I intended to use these captured individuals to eliminate the remaining factions in one sweep. Progress has been slow, so the matter was temporarily shelved. After all, dealing with tens of thousands of people is no trivial undertaking."

Madar nodded slowly. "Mmm, I know you are loyal. Proceed as you must. Whatever issues arise, I will personally stand behind you. As for what Grand Tutor Pang suggested just now, he clearly misunderstood your plan. Now that you have explained it in open court, the misunderstanding is cleared up, wouldn't you agree, Grand Tutor?"

The Grand Tutor knew he could not press the matter further on this point; at best, he could only maneuver secretly later. He shifted the conversation back to the Imperial Guard establishment. "Your Majesty is wise. Since the Eastern Depot has already crushed the Dog-Slaying Gang, there is even less need to establish the Grand Imperial Guard in violation of ancestral tradition. Doing so could easily lead Your Majesty to lose popular support."

Madar waved a hand dismissively. "Grand Tutor, you worry too much. Since the Crown Prince intends to hone his own abilities, I see no reason to deny him this opportunity. However, the Zhongdu Guard will not be deployed externally for the time being; they will coordinate with the Grand Imperial Guard to defend the Inner City. We will observe for a period before deciding the fate of the Guard."

Grand Tutor Pang bowed low. "Since Your Majesty's mind is set, this old servant dare not object further. However, I wish to nominate a trustworthy individual to command the Grand Imperial Guard, as I cannot be entirely at ease otherwise."

Madar paused in thought for a moment. "As for the Commander-in-Chief, I think there is no need for a nomination. Let someone from the Eight Inner Princes take the position. Did Prince Dan not always want his son to find some responsibility? I find his young master reasonably sharp. Let him take the command. The Vice Commander, however, you may recommend someone for, Grand Tutor."

Madar’s move was clearly a compromise: placing the Inner City’s security in the hands of the Imperial family was the most reassuring option. But if Pang Hu could not plant his own influence within the structure, he would never let the matter rest. For now, the Wang Faction was pleased, and the Grand Tutor had no grounds for complaint. Only I felt a deep sense of vexation, because Dan Shi had been promoted—a threat to both me and Ma Xiaowei!

The Grand Tutor considered for a moment, then stated, "In accordance with Your Majesty’s decree, this old servant recommends Man Jiang, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War. He comes from a military background, possesses exceptional martial skill, is intimately familiar with the Inner City terrain, and knows much about commanding troops. He is the most suitable candidate."

Originally, based on Ma Xiaoda's suggestion, I should have been the one to organize the Grand Imperial Guard and take the command myself. But I knew that was utterly impossible; Pang Hu would surely create insurmountable obstacles. It was better for me to remain completely detached. I secretly handed over the three hundred men I had brought to Ma Xiaoda. This way, Pang Hu’s vigilance toward the Imperial Guard might lessen slightly. Once they had time to familiarize themselves with their duties, advantageously employing the firearms, we could gradually bring the Inner City's security under control. Then, we wouldn't have to worry about the Zhongdu Guard daring to disobey orders to leave the Inner City.

"Report! Your Majesty, an urgent dispatch from the Frontier Reinforcement Army—Feilong Prefecture has been recovered!"