The commanders of the Eastern Depot were usually transferred from the Imperial Guard commanders. Today, the Eastern Depot commander leading the troops, Commander Zhu, was also an old acquaintance of Xie Xuan.
Commander Zhu knew Xie Xuan’s prowess and understood he was no match for him. Unwilling to confront him directly, he clasped his hands and advised:
“Junior Brother, why go to such lengths? If you wanted to secretly abduct and send him away, you could have done it—it’s not like you’re incapable.
Why did you have to make such a grand spectacle of bringing him back to the Eldest Princess’s Residence in front of so many people in the capital?
Now that things have escalated like this, it’s difficult for us to report back. Junior Brother, how about this: hand him over, we’ll take him and leave immediately. Why resort to such drastic measures?”
Xie Xuan turned a deaf ear, saying only:
“We each serve our own masters. No need for idle talk. The person Her Highness the Grand Princess wants, not even the Jade Emperor himself can take away. Whoever dares to try, I will kill. If you come, I will kill you.”
Commander Zhu tried again:
“No need, no need! Why go this far? Junior Brother, I know your martial arts are exceptional, but one man cannot fight off an entire army. How many men do you have, and how many do I have?
If we truly fight, it will only end in mutual destruction. Is it worth it for a condemned criminal?”
Before Xie Xuan could respond, Eunuch Gao couldn’t hold back any longer and shouted:
“Commander Zhu, charge in and seize them! If you delay any further, I will report to the Nine Thousand Years and have you charged with dereliction of duty!”
Commander Zhu was utterly exasperated by Eunuch Gao.
Dereliction of duty? What dereliction? If the prisoner escaped, it was Eunuch Gao’s fault, not his. He had been dragged into this mess by Eunuch Gao to take the blame.
If things went well today, it wouldn’t benefit him in the slightest.
Eunuch Gao would take credit for capturing the prisoner, while he would inevitably offend the Grand Princess.
The Grand Princess was the Emperor’s full-blooded elder sister, and their bond was deep. Though she might not be able to touch the Nine Thousand Years, dealing with a minor commander like him would be easier than blowing away a speck of dust.
But he couldn’t afford to fail either. He made his living on the Eastern Depot’s ship, and if he messed up, Eunuch Gao would never let him off—that would also be a death sentence.
Caught between a rock and a hard place, offending either side meant certain doom. Commander Zhu was truly in a bind. If only he had sought an assignment outside the capital yesterday to avoid this mess.
As Commander Zhu hesitated, weighing his options, Eunuch Gao had no patience for his indecision and demanded sharply:
“What’s the matter, Commander Zhu? Your hesitation suggests you might have some shady dealings with the rebellious traitor Shen Hongxian. Are you involved in this treason?”
With the heavy accusation of treason hanging over him, Commander Zhu could no longer afford to delay. He vehemently denied it and hastily ordered his men:
“A few of you, join me in surrounding and restraining Commander Xie. The rest, charge inside and find the prisoner.
Remember, once we capture General Shen, leave immediately. Make it quick, and don’t get drawn into a prolonged fight.
Though we outnumber them, the advantage lies with Commander Xie. We cannot hold out for long.”
Commander Zhu led the charge, but Xie Xuan met him head-on with a sweeping blade. Several Eastern Depot centurions joined in, surrounding Xie Xuan. The clash of blades and weapons rang out as they engaged in fierce combat.
Meanwhile, Eastern Depot foreign agents attempted to storm the gates, poised to clash with the Princess Manor Guards. Just then, the tightly shut gates of the Eldest Princess’s Residence suddenly swung open.
Amid the neighing of horses, Su Fengyi galloped out on horseback, firing three consecutive arrows that whistled through the air toward the crowd.
Fearing an ambush, the Eastern Depot foreign agents hastily retreated. Even Commander Zhu and the others halted their assault, each scrambling for cover.
As the sharp arrows flew toward them, the Foreign Agents managed to dodge with some semblance of dignity, but Eunuch Gao was so terrified that he covered his head and scurried away in panic.
Amid Eunuch Gao’s frightened screams, three arrows grazed the backs of his shoes, piercing through the stone slabs and leaving a clear boundary on the bluestone-paved road in front of the Eldest Princess’s Residence.
Su Fengyi’s steed charged forward in an instant, reaching Eunuch Gao with its hooves nearly kicking the brim of his hat.
Fearing he would be trampled to death on the spot, Eunuch Gao was horrified. Driven by his survival instinct, he burst into tears and rolled several times on the ground with agility beyond his physical limits, barely escaping with his life.
Su Fengyi reined in her horse, turned around, and returned to the front gate.
She put away her bow and arrows, pointed at the boundary formed by the arrows, and with the Eldest Princess’s characteristic arrogant and disdainful expression, declared:
“How bold of you all to come seeking death at my doorstep! Let this be the boundary. Anyone who dares cross it today will be executed without mercy. I’d like to see who has the nerve!”
In principle, the Eldest Princess had no right to kill without cause—only the Emperor held that authority.
But Su Fengyi’s expression and tone were so resolute, and as the Emperor’s closest blood relative, it was entirely possible that a word from the Eldest Princess could indeed cost someone their life.
Commander Zhu and the Foreign Agents all had families to support. They had joined the Eastern Depot to seek wealth and make a living, not to lose their lives. Hearing the Eldest Princess’s words, they naturally grew fearful and dared not advance further.
Commander Zhu, lacking the face to persuade the Eldest Princess, retreated to Eunuch Gao’s side and advised him:
“Eunuch Gao, look at how this has turned out. Perhaps you should first seek the Nine Thousand-Year-Old’s help and request an imperial edict for the search? We can act with the edict in hand. Otherwise, this is truly difficult.”
Eunuch Gao, disheveled with his hat lost, hair in disarray, clothes torn, and dignity shattered, was finally helped up from the ground. He shot Commander Zhu a glare:
“Nonsense! What edict? How dare we ask the Factory Overseer for help after bungling the task like this? Do you have a death wish?!”
Eunuch Gao glanced at the Eldest Princess, who sat on her horse before the gate like a guardian deity, utterly baffled. Had the Eldest Princess taken the wrong medicine today? Why was she so determined to oppose the Eastern Depot?
The Eastern Depot had killed countless people in the past, yet the Eldest Princess had never so much as questioned or glanced their way.
But today, it was as if she had become a different person, refusing to retreat even in the face of a thousand soldiers.
Could General Shen really wield such influence?
Yes, it was well-known that the Eldest Princess had a fondness for beauties, and the Shen brothers were both handsome and talented. It made sense for the Eldest Princess to favor them.
But to kill Eastern Depot agents for the sake of male beauty?
Eunuch Gao didn’t believe it.
Even after nearly losing his life moments ago, Eunuch Gao still couldn’t believe that anyone would dare kill Eastern Depot agents, given the Factory Overseer’s overwhelming power and influence.
Even beating a dog requires considering its master, let alone killing someone. Looking around the capital and the entire court, who would have the audacity to openly defy the Eastern Depot?
Suppressing the swelling pain around his eyes, Eunuch Gao’s mind raced. Upon careful reflection, although the Eldest Princess had acted multiple times today, she had never taken a life.
She was likely all bark and no bite—a young girl who talked big but, when it came down to it, couldn’t even bear the sight of blood.
He would take the gamble!
Eunuch Gao was convinced that Su Fengyi was bluffing, and compared to this youthful-looking Grand Princess, the ruthless Nine Thousand-Year-Old was far more terrifying.
Today, he was determined to kill Shen Quan and complete the task assigned by the Nine Thousand-Year-Old. Thus, he stepped over the boundary line and arrogantly shouted:
“I’ve crossed it! What can anyone do to me?…”
But he never got the chance to utter another word.
The moment Eunuch Gao’s foot crossed the line, Xie Xuan erupted into action. In an instant, he closed the distance, raised his blade, and with a swift strike, severed Eunuch Gao’s head on the spot.
To Xie Xuan, the Grand Princess’s words were an imperial decree. If she said “kill without mercy,” then it was kill without mercy.
No matter who you are, whoever comes, dies!