In the Relay Station amidst the Turmoil of War, the Feather Forest Army and the Border Army armored soldiers charged into the room together.
Before the Border Army armored soldiers who charged into the Man-Character common sleeping quarters even began to search, the Feather Forest Army also squeezed in, squeezing the Man-Character room until not a drop of water could leak out. They stealthily rammed shoulders against each other, the impact causing a burst of clattering sounds from their armor.
When a Feather Forest Army soldier passed by a Border Army soldier, the Border Army armored soldier casually stretched out his foot, tripping the other party until he staggered.
The Feather Forest Army soldier glared back angrily. With a
clang
, he drew his sword from its scabbard!
In a split second, a chorus of drawing weapons rang out within the Man-Character room! Over ten Feather Forest Army and Border Army armored soldiers interlocked like dog's teeth in the narrow room, resembling over ten gunpowder barrels smashing together, ready to explode at the slightest touch!
A Border Army armored soldier sneered coldly: "What, Spoiled Heirs who stay at the foot of the Imperial City walls, haven't even killed a single Jing Dynasty thief, yet dare to draw swords against my Border Army?! Has this precious sword of yours ever killed a person?"
The young Feather Forest Army soldier held up his snow-bright longsword, calmly surveying his surroundings: "Stop speaking useless drivel! Your grandpa has been holding in a belly full of fire recently! If the Crown Prince hadn't forbidden it, I would have used you all as practice long ago!"
"What are you doing? Do you want to slaughter each other?!"
Hearing the commotion, General Zhou took a few quick steps and arrived before the door, glaring coldly at everyone: "My Border Army's sabers are used to kill Jing Dynasty thieves! Put them all away for me!"
Hearing this, the Border Army armored soldiers sheathed their sabers Without Hesitation. However, one of the Feather Forest Army soldiers refused to let the matter rest. He stepped forward and kicked down the armored soldier who had tripped him earlier: "Giving you a cheap foot!"
"You motherf
*er are seeking death!" The Border Army armored soldiers glared furiously.
At this time, the Crown Prince who was originally about to set off for the Regional Military Commission returned. Standing at the doorway, he said with suppressed anger: "Qi Zhenzhuo, apologize and make amends!"
The Feather Forest Army soldier named Qi Zhenzhuo tried to defend himself: "Your Highness, he was the one who stretched out his foot to trip me first just now!"
The Crown Prince frowned: "Apologize!"
After hesitating for a moment, Qi Zhenzhuo said reluctant and unwilling: "Apologies!"
In the courtyard, Chen Ji led Zaozao out from the stables. Listening to the commotion in the room from afar, he asked Zhang Xia in a low voice: "No matter what, the Crown Prince is still the Crown Prince of a nation. For the Border Army to contradict and clash with the Crown Prince like this, are they not afraid of being thrown into prison?"
Zhang Xia answered: "The Border Army has been controlled by the Hu Family for many years, and has long had the momentum of a tail too big to wag. It's just that Elder Hu has always been impartial and unbiased in the Imperial Court, resulting in no one wanting to provoke the Hu Family. Whoever provoked the Hu Family would be pushing the Hu Family to the opposing side! The Hu Family appears to be seeking survival in the cracks, but they are actually the most stable and secure one."
Stroking Zaozao's cheeks, Zhang Xia continued saying: "The Imperial Court needs the Border Army to be as steady as Mount Tai; only then can they rest without worries in prosperous lands. Father said that no matter who sat in Elder Hu's position, I fear they wouldn't be able to do any better."
Chen Ji mused in his heart: the Hu Family is At Peace with the World, and the Crown Prince excels at smoothing things over; yet that Emperor Wanshou residing deep within the Renshou Palace of the Western Park willfully forced them to clash together?
...
...
In the time it took to burn two incense sticks, the armored soldiers searched the Relay Station until its bottom faced the sky, but they did not find any useful clues.
The Feather Forest Army and Border Army armored soldiers walked out of the room, lining up in the courtyard to await orders.
Seeing that there were no traces to be found, the Crown Prince could only speak gently to Chen Liqin: "Lord Chen, I fear we cannot find the murderer right now. You all are weary from the journey; please follow me back to the Regional Military Commission to settle down first, ba."
Chen Liqin cupped his hands: "I will have to trouble Your Highness."
The Crown Prince led the Feather Forest Army to pass through the main hall of the Relay Station. The white capes of the Feather Forest Army fluttered in the wind, appearing incomparably majestic and awe-inspiring.
Just as Chen Ji was leading Zaozao past the Border Army armored soldiers, he suddenly heard General Zhou ask: "May I ask, which one is Chen Ji?"
The hand Chen Ji was using to hold the reins tightened abruptly. Then, he politely and courteously cupped his fists in response: "General Zhou, this humble one is Chen Ji."
Suddenly, the Crown Prince paused his steps in the Relay Station's main hall, tilting his cheek slightly. All the Feather Forest Army soldiers turned their heads to look, their gazes patrolling back and forth between General Zhou and Chen Ji.
General Zhou sized Chen Ji up. His wind-eroded face softened, as he smiled and asked: "Is Mister's health well?"
Chen Ji said politely: "Thank you for General Zhou's concern. Mister's health is fine and unharmed."
General Zhou patted the sword at his waist: "This sword was gifted to me by Mister Wang in his early years. I have worn it by my side ever since. Back then, he showed grace to me! But now, his Direct Disciple came to Guyuan and nearly lost his life; I am truly ashamed! From now on, if you encounter any difficulties in the territory of Guyuan, you must come look for me! It will definitely be more effective than looking for anyone else!"
Chen Ji remained silent for a moment before answering: "General Zhou is overthinking it. With the Crown Prince's Feather Forest Army guarding our flanks, I imagine there will be no further danger."
General Zhou blanked out. Turning his head to cast a glance at the Crown Prince, he then said in a low voice: "My apologies. You go back and settle down first; we will chat another day. On normal days, I am at the Regional Military Commission's government office; you can come look for me at any time."
Chen Ji let out a sigh of relief. Instantly, he led Zaozao and walked away with quick steps.
When he arrived outside the gates of the Relay Station, he saw the Crown Prince had already mounted his horse.
Seeing him come out, the Crown Prince sat on his horse and asked softly: "Third Young Master Chen and Deputy Regional Commander Zhou are old acquaintances?"
Chen Ji smiled and said: "To answer Your Highness: my teaching master, Wang Daosheng, is an old acquaintance of General Zhou. However, I have never met General Zhou prior to this."
The Crown Prince gathered the fox-fur coat on his body, his smile warm and genial: "So that's how it is... Lord Chen, one could say the Chen Family has three outstanding heroes in one sect! Worthy Brothers Wenzong and Wenxiao passed the provincial exams as the Top Provincial Candidate and Second-Place Candidate, and here hides the Direct Disciple of Mister Wang."
Chen Liqin hurriedly said: "Your Highness praises us too highly. My dog-like sons are unsuccessful and useless; they are not worthy of being called outstanding heroes."
The Crown Prince said sincerely: "Lord Chen, do not be modest! The Chen Estate is hiding dragons and crouching tigers..."
Chen Wenzong suddenly straightened his body, interrupting the Crown Prince's words: "Your Highness, right now is probably not the time to converse and laugh animatedly. This humble one has a matter; I wonder if I should speak of it?"
Chen Liqin frowned: "Wenzong, you must not be disrespectful to Your Highness!"
The Crown Prince raised his hand to stop Chen Liqin, looking at Chen Wenzong and saying: "Worthy Brother Wenzong, there is no harm in speaking."
Bowing and cupping his hands toward the Crown Prince, Chen Wenzong said: "Thirty-four lives of my Chen Family were secretly harmed by evildoers! This matter cannot be left unsettled! Even though they were merely servants who sold themselves to my Chen Family, they were still thirty-four living human lives! They cannot die in vain just like this!"
The Crown Prince said earnestly: "Worthy Brother Wenzong needn't worry! I will inevitably give the Chen Family an explanation regarding this matter! Before coming to the Relay Station, I already instructed a Feather Forest Army soldier to ride a fast horse out of the city! Once he reaches Tianshui County, he will use the relay station to send a Memorial to the Throne via Six Hundred Li Express to the Capital City! When the time comes, Royal Father will definitely dispatch the Trouble-Resolving Guard and Secret Spy Division to thoroughly investigate this matter!"
Chen Wenzong let out a sigh of relief: "Many thanks, Your Highness!"
...
...
The Guyuan of the night lacked the merchants setting up stalls, making the streets much broader and spacious than during the day.
The Feather Forest Army guarded the Crown Prince and the Chen Family as they walked in the front, while Chen Ji and the others slowly trailed behind.
Riding her small pony, Xiaoman hurried forward and complained: "Young Master, that General Zhou is so ignorant of affairs! To come up and exchange pleasantries with you at this time, isn't he trying to harm you?!"
Chen Ji said without a change in expression: "Perhaps his personality is straightforward, and he didn't pay attention to this matter... After all, my status is lowly; harming me holds no meaning for him."
He judged that General Zhou's action was indeed an unintentional mistake. But as for what the other party was truly thinking, there was no way to investigate it at this time. He only hoped he wouldn't be targeted and kept in mind by the Crown Prince because of this.
As they spoke, a solitary Feather Forest Army rider ahead of them reined in his horse and trotted back, walking shoulder to shoulder with Zhang Zheng and Zhang Xia with a smile: "Brother Zhang, Ah Xia, it's been a long time since we parted in the Capital City."
Zhang Xia rode her horse forward. Without even looking at him, she responded coldly: "'Ah Xia' is not a name you can call. You should call me Mister."
Qi Zhenzhuo laughed 'haha': "Now you are no longer a Mister of the Imperial Academy, and I am no longer an Imperial Academy Student. Why act so estranged? How come after a few years have passed, your personality is still so cold?"
Zhang Zheng said crankily: "My sister doesn't want to pay attention to you! Scram to the side!"
Qi Zhenzhuo frowned: "Zhang Zheng, speak a bit more politely! Your grandpa am no longer afraid of you!"
Zhang Zheng said with a fake smile: "Relying on the protection and shelter of your ancestors to enter the Feather Forest Army, and you actually think of yourself as a figure?! Fine! When we return to the Capital City, you gather your troops and horses, and I'll call Yang Yang and the others! We'll practice on Ping'an Avenue in the West City! Whoever loses takes a lap swimming in Shichahai! The one who doesn't swim is a grandson!"
Qi Zhenzhuo's face sank: "What skill is it to call the Elite Firearms Division?! Yang Yang and the others are powerful, but what does that have to do with you?"
Zhang Zheng laughed cheerfully: "The fact that your grandpa can summon whoever he wants is precisely your grandpa's skill! If you don't scram right now, when we return to the Capital City, your grandpa will bring people to guard your days off! If you have the guts, then never return home forever!"
Qi Zhenzhuo's expression changed back and forth several times. Finally, he said coldly: "Originally, I took into account our past acquaintance to come remind you not to get too close to the Border Army, so as to avoid being implicated! I didn't expect you two siblings to be unable to tell good from bad! It seems I've asked for a snub!"
After saying that, he squeezed his horse's belly with his legs and caught up to the Feather Forest Army troops without turning his head.
After he left, Chen Ji sized Zhang Zheng up with great interest, teasing: "Today, I actually feel Brother Zhang is somewhat unfamiliar."
Zhang Zheng said bashfully: "In my early years in the Capital City, I frequently caused trouble, causing Mother to insist on keeping me by her side, tethered in Luo City. Now I have already turned over a new leaf; just now I was merely scaring him."
Chen Ji smiled and said: "Why haven't I heard Brother Zhang mention this?"
Zhang Zheng sighed with emotion: "In the past, I also felt smug about those matters from back then. But later, thinking about it, those petty, dog-shi* and messed up matters are simply not worth mentioning when compared to you guys! That is why I was embarrassed to bring it up; it wasn't intentionally hiding it."
Chen Ji changed the topic: "The Feather Forest Army doesn't seem to look very powerful?"
At the side, Zhang Xia spoke up to explain: "The Feather Forest Army is mostly used as the royal family's honor guard on normal days; inside are all sons of nobles and meritorious officials! If we have to talk about the most powerful armies, they would rightfully be the Ten Thousand Years Army, the Five Armies Camp, and the Elite Firearms Division! They are collectively known as the Three Imperial Camps, totaling one hundred and seventy thousand troops!"
Zhang Zheng supplemented: "You see General Li Xuan beside the Crown Prince, who acts like a human but is actually a dog? He is actually a live-in son-in-law of the Qi Family! And Qi Zhenzhuo, who just spewed feces all over the place with us, is a collateral branch of the Qi Family! His father had also served in the Feather Forest Army before."
Chen Ji suddenly realized: "No wonder the Feather Forest Army are all dressed brightly and beautifully; so they are an honor guard."
However, right at this moment, the sound of a solitary galloping horse rang out on the dirt road behind them!
Everyone turned their heads, only to see a yellowish-brown horse galloping over!
In the next moment, the expression of Feather Forest Army's Li Xuan changed drastically. Looking at the Crown Prince, he said urgently: "Your Highness, this is Wang Guang's horse!"
Based on the time of day, Wang Guang should have been on the road to Tianshui County right now!
But now his horse had suddenly returned, yet the person was nowhere to be found!
(End of this chapter)