Chapter Twenty-Six: The Plum Blossoms Stained with Blood (Part Two)

That gust of wind, laden with murderous intent, swept through the fragrance of plum blossoms before the gates of Shanglin Court, descending with the chill and surging toward the dozen riders on Chang'an Street.

The man was Chu Ge. Earlier, he had arrived at the front hall with Li Fu and the others. Upon witnessing the scene at Shanglin Court, he spoke not a word, returned to the rear garden, and then charged forth, spear in hand.

With an eight-foot lance in hand, only then could one plunge into battle and slay enemies. Without a word, Chu Ge grasped his spear and burst out of Shanglin Court, unhesitatingly rushing at the young noble and his riders.

That dark eight-foot spear flashed a cold brilliance, reflecting the midday sun—not warm, but rather grim and deadly.

Murderous intent soared to the heavens!

The gates had been deliberately destroyed—such a thing was enough to enrage anyone.

Chu Ge was furious; his attack was swift and lethal.

On Chang'an Street, the sudden roar of the spear echoed like a coiling dragon.

The young noble arched his brows, saying nothing. He gently tugged the reins, and his warhorse retreated several steps.

Behind him, a rider moved forward, flipping his wrist, and two forged steel spears appeared, blocking Chu Ge's lance.

These three lances were cast from the same material, reserved only for the most elite troops of the Tang, the Heavenly Strategy Army and the Divine Strategy Army.

Seeing the two spears raised to meet him, Li Fu understood—the dozen riders, though appearing to be scions of Eastern capital clans, were in fact skilled warriors of the Divine Strategy Army.

But Chu Ge cared nothing for this. His eight-foot spear, shimmering with murderous, icy light, thrust forward relentlessly.

Where the spear's tip passed, a sharp whistling split the air. Thunderous as the sound of a zither, breaking through the ranks as though striking the ear.

The Lance of the Army-Breaker!

Two deafening cracks rang out.

Clang—clang!

Two steel spears shattered into several pieces and flew deep into the street, crashing onto the stone pavement, shattering the slabs and smashing the outer wall of a nearby building.

The two riders fell with muffled groans, thrown from their mounts, two clear wounds blooming on their chests, blood gushing forth.

Such was the true power of the Army-Breaker Lance!

On the night of the Lantern Festival, Wang Wei had used this technique in the arena, but never with the fury that Chu Ge unleashed today, showing the full extent of his strength.

Of course, those two riders were among the best of the Divine Strategy Army. Yet Chu Ge, in a burst of rage, broke both their spears with a single thrust, cut them down from their horses, and his own face paled slightly.

He stood at the ruined gate, spear in hand, gazing at his foes with utmost pride.

In his wrath, Chu Ge had pushed his true energy to its peak, unleashing it in one strike; now he was slightly out of breath.

The young noble looked at Chu Ge, eyes narrowing like willow leaves, his gaze sharpening. Cold words slipped from his thin red lips, now chilled: "Chu Ge, you are truly bold—daring to kill my..."

His words were cut off by Yang Zixu: "So what if I kill two of your Divine Strategy dogs!"

As soon as he finished, Yang Zixu snatched a spear from one of Shanglin Court's men.

The gate of Shanglin Court had been broken. The plaque inscribed by the Grand Tutor himself and sealed by the Emperor had been destroyed, enraging everyone at Shanglin Court; those who rushed from the rear garden all held spears.

On Chang'an Street, plum blossoms drifted in the wind. Yang Zixu leveled his spear at Shangguan Qi!

Several riders noticed Yang Zixu's movement and moved forward to protect Shangguan Qi.

Yang Zixu roared, swinging his spear with one arm.

With a thunderous crash, dust and stones erupted on Chang'an Street.

The ground of Shanglin Court trembled, the stone slabs of Chang'an Street shattered into powder.

Two muffled groans—

Two riders were flung as dark shadows, landing far down the street with heavy impact.

Their hands still gripped their iron spears, but the spears were bent.

Shangguan Qi's steed was swift, retreating several steps again. Though Yang Zixu's blow didn't strike him directly, the splashing mud and dust dirtied his clothes, and his once-cold expression could no longer maintain its poise.

His face paled, his right hand on the reins trembling slightly.

Utter fury!

His gaze fell on the three youths before Shanglin Court.

He was ablaze with anger.

He had arrogantly ordered his men to destroy the unsightly gate and trampled the plaque inscribed by the Grand Tutor. He felt satisfied, believing it suited his noble and powerful status. When the people he despised emerged from the residence he hated since childhood, he intended to throw a tantrum, establish dominance, and then kill.

Yet before he could even deliver his opening lines, four of his subordinates had been grievously wounded.

He had broken the gate of Shanglin Court, the pride of the Heavenly Strategy Army, yet his own men were wounded before his eyes. He felt as though he had been dealt a resounding slap!

It was an insult to his identity, a sharp slap to himself and his clan, leaving him livid.

All the scions of Eastern capital knew what terrifying consequences his wrath could bring.

When he was angry, even the Office of the Imperial Clan would remain silent.

He looked at the three standing before the gate as if seeing three corpses.

"Very good... very good..."

Shangguan Qi laughed in fury, a streak of red blooming on his pale cheeks, making him appear sinister.

"Brother Chu, you’re in my way."

A pale hand rested on Chu Ge’s shoulder, cold words coming from behind. The killing intent was palpable.

Li Fu’s eyes held no emotion; his other hand gripped the hilt of "Zhuoqing" at his waist.

Yang Zixu looked at Li Fu; though he and Chu Ge had acted, he hoped Li Fu would not be drawn in.

Chu Ge looked at Li Fu. He understood the meaning, but asked, "Why?"

"Because he defiled the words of our teacher, and what he said displeased me."

"The Grand Tutor?"

"Yes."

"No one can insult our teacher in my presence and think nothing happened—not even him."

His words were firm, as taught by the teacher in Rice Fragrance Village since childhood: neither arrogant nor submissive, free-spirited, indifferent to public opinion. Most importantly, the plaque bore the teacher’s words, and they had been trampled.

Chu Ge gazed at the ruined gate in silence, realizing he too was angered—a dirty footprint marred the plaque.

"Do you know who he is?" Yang Zixu lowered his voice as he walked beside Li Fu.

Li Fu replied, "Who cares? All I know is he stepped on the teacher’s words."

"If you knew he was from the Shangguan family, the only male heir of this generation, would you still...?" Yang Zixu looked at Li Fu and instantly understood his intent, drawing a sharp breath.

Li Fu intended to kill Shangguan Qi!

Li Fu said, "Are you afraid of the Shangguan family? I am not."

Yang Zixu stared at him for a long time, confirming Li Fu was not joking.

"You are sure you want to kill him?" Yang Zixu asked seriously.

"Is that not allowed?" Li Fu nodded, unconcerned with the other's status.

Yang Zixu patted his shoulder and said earnestly, "I’m not afraid of the Shangguan family, but do you know who his father was? One of the Eight Divine Generals—General of Martial Might. Although he died young in the Eastern capital, Shangguan Qi grew up beside the Marquis of Valor, same as Yang Ning. And their clan produced someone you cannot afford to offend—the current imperial concubine, Shangguan Yan! Today, he came to find you, likely with the same intent—to kill you. Fifteen years ago, General of Martial Might died at the Grand Tutor’s hands..."

Li Fu smiled coldly, his eyes unhidden in their murderous intent toward Shangguan Qi. Since the other had come looking for trouble, why hesitate?

Shangguan Qi met Li Fu’s gaze with icy coldness, a hint of a smile at his lips, his voice colder than the Eastern capital’s winter, admiring, "Such remarkable youth—daring to harbor murderous intent toward me?"

…………………

He had just returned from the northern frontier, and upon arriving in the Eastern capital, happened to see yesterday’s procession on Vermilion Bird Avenue. He learned what had happened in the city, especially that the Grand Tutor’s disciple had topped the rankings this year. His first order was to search for Li Fu, but upon learning he resided at the Heavenly Strategy Academy, he dared not act rashly. The Academy was now affiliated more with the Scholars’ Bureau and the Wine Master than with the Heavenly Strategy Palace.

When he learned Li Fu had come to Shanglin Court, Shangguan Qi no longer hesitated. The rivalry between Divine Strategy and Heavenly Strategy was longstanding; even if trouble arose, punishment would not be severe, for the imperial concubine, his kin, was the Emperor’s most favored.

So he smashed the gate, trampled the Grand Tutor’s plaque—yes, he came to cause trouble for Li Fu.

He never expected the other would dare contemplate killing him!

Shangguan Qi was handsome, his skin pale as jade. The north wind brought plum blossoms to his face, making him appear even whiter, almost like stone, but only those close to him knew his rage had reached its peak.

The conflict between Divine Strategy Palace and Heavenly Strategy Palace was nothing new. Since the reign of the Holy Empress, the two palaces had formed rival camps over the throne, yet all along, no major clashes had occurred, however deep their enmity.

Even the destruction of Shanglin Court’s gate would not incur severe punishment from the royal house; what mattered was balance between the palaces, not dominance.

"It seems breaking this shabby gate today was a bit rash... but it’s more exciting this way."

Shangguan Qi sat astride his horse, coldly surveying the scene.

"Kill!"

This was a true battle, utterly unlike the Lantern Festival contest in the palace the night before. Yang Zixu knew it well.

As for victory... Yang Zixu had no confidence. With the opponent’s numbers and strength, he and Chu Ge could barely cope; even with Li Fu joining, the three together had little hope of killing their foe, at least not quickly. If this fight were not occurring within the city, Shangguan Qi would likely be doomed.

But even if they didn’t kill him, they must make him pay dearly!

Yang Zixu, a man of few words, lifted his steel spear and advanced toward Shangguan Qi, mentally calculating the outcome.

Shanglin Court meant much to him, and Li Fu had made it clear—Shangguan Qi must die. To stand by and do nothing was impossible for Yang Zixu, and likewise for Chu Ge.

To retreat was unthinkable; advancing was easy, their steps light.

Li Fu, too, gripped the three-foot sword at his waist, joining Chu Ge and Yang Zixu in moving toward Shangguan Qi.

Each of the three had a reason to kill him: Chu Ge, a member of Shanglin Court, would never let the destruction of the gate go unanswered; Yang Zixu regarded Shanglin Court as his second home and would not tolerate such treatment; as for Li Fu, it was simpler—Shangguan Qi had insulted the teacher.

Outside Heavenly Strategy Academy, on Chang'an Street, a dozen northern riders were poised for battle.

The three youths showed no fear.

"Kill them," Shangguan Qi said impassively, lightly tugging the reins.

To defeat the three before him, he must strike to kill.

He knew that soon, word of this would spread, and the great figures of the Eastern capital would swiftly arrive. Perhaps they were already on their way. He had to finish this quickly!

He intended to crush them, especially Li Fu—trample him as one would a dead dog!

He wanted all of Tang to know: the Grand Tutor’s prized disciple died at the hands of the Shangguan family, at his own hands, at the hands of the son of the man whom the Grand Tutor had slain sixteen years ago!

Suddenly, the wind surged; countless plum petals fell, carpeting the stone pavement in pale yellow and white.

Petals danced in the air, obscuring vision.

Hooves thundered, then rolled like storm, as a dozen shadows shot like arrows toward Li Fu and his companions.

The warhorses were clearly extraordinary, northern breeds, accelerating to terrifying speeds over such short distance.

Watching this, Yang Zixu glanced at Chu Ge, then signaled Li Fu, nodding slightly.

Perhaps from tension, perhaps excitement, a strange smile appeared on their faces.

In that brief exchange, the three understood one another, a tacit bond hard to describe.

Li Fu’s expression did not change; his hand rested lightly on the sword hilt at his waist.

Then, a figure appeared at unimaginable speed, lotus blossoms blooming upon the stone slabs, instantly confronting Shangguan Qi and the riders.

A series of sharp, terrifying cracks—over a dozen spears snapped, a dozen riders thrown heavily to the ground.

No one could see clearly what happened.

Only when the sounds of breaking spears faded did pale lotuses appear on the stone pavement.

Just how fast was he? The eye could not even follow!

Shangguan Qi’s pupils narrowed, sensing intense danger.

He had not expected such speed from his opponent!

He did not retreat, knowing he could not outrun the other.

He shouted, gripped his iron spear with both hands, and thrust forward.

Where the spear pierced, it was directly along the figure’s path.

His true energy surged, combining with his domineering spear technique, transforming the swirling plum petals into sharp blades, slicing through the air.

Suddenly, among the petals appeared a single blue lotus, directly before the spear tip.

With the lotus’s appearance, all brilliance of the spear was snuffed out.

The petals spinning around the spearhead shattered and vanished.

Shangguan Qi’s iron spear was no ordinary weapon; its tip forged by the finest craftsmen of the Divine Strategy Palace, made from black iron seized from barbarians, exceptionally tough. On the northern front, it had pierced countless enemy armor and remained sharp. Yet before that modest lotus...

The spear tip buckled.

An unimaginable force traveled through the spear.

Blood leaked from Shangguan Qi’s grip, unable to hold the weapon; with a buzzing cry, the spear shook violently and recoiled like an arrow.

If the spear struck his chest, he would be gravely wounded, if not dead.

At that moment, Shangguan Qi saw clearly.

It was a very pale hand.

In it, a blue sword pointed directly at his throat.