TGPSAC – Chapter 54

“Assassins!!!”

As a volley of arrows flew toward them, the two Imperial City Division guards driving the carriage realized they were under attack and immediately shouted a warning.

Thanks to Chi Wan’s earlier reminder, neither of them was injured.

The carriages of nobles were not merely large and opulent; they were also designed to thwart assassinations. The wood was extremely hard and lined with iron plates. However, it wasn’t hermetically sealed, ensuring that if the main doors were locked, one could still get out through other means.

After all, it was a carriage, not a cage. The level of craftsmanship was far beyond that of an ordinary vehicle.

The two guards pulled out side panels, blocking the incoming volley of arrows.

“Fuma, there are more than twenty of them. The two of us can only handle four.”

That they could each take on two opponents meant the guards Huang Yuecheng had assigned her were among the elite of the Imperial City Division.

Chi Wan retrieved two crossbows and handed one to each of them. “What about with these?”

Huh?

What kind of decent person traveled with crossbows? The two guards took them and weighed them in their hands. They were better than the military-issue crossbows, and their cost must have been exorbitant. The fact that they weren’t widely used in the army was likely due to this expense.

Chi Wan opened a small window on the carriage, and an arrow immediately shot through it. Her hand moved in a soft circle, and the arrow followed her motion, wrapping around her palm before falling onto the carriage floor.

She sniffed it lightly. It was poisoned, and with a potent toxin at that.

Chi Wan immediately took out some pills. “Take this medicine. The arrows are poisoned.”

If the arrows were poisoned, the assassins’ swords and blades surely were as well. A single scratch could be fatal, and there were only three of them.

The two guards didn’t hesitate. It was perfectly normal for the Fuma to carry antidote pills, and their efficacy was undoubtedly top-notch.

Chi Wan opened six small ports on the carriage, then pulled down the small connected table. She placed a crossbow on each mount, holding several golden threads in her hand. With a gentle tug, six crossbow bolts fired at once.

Her counterattack caused the volley of arrows to lessen. As she reloaded, the rain of arrows intensified again.

However, given the carriage’s sturdiness, it could be turned into a porcupine and she would still be unharmed inside.

“You two, be careful. If you can’t hold them off, get inside the carriage.”

Just as Chi Wan finished speaking, a guard shouted, “Fuma, two of the horses have been shot dead! The other two are spooked!”

“Then cut the reins and let the carriage stop.”

“Yes.”

The guard cut the reins, and the carriage jolted downward. Chi Wan used her internal energy to steady the crossbows, preventing them from falling.

Fortunately, the carriage had four wheels, so its weight wasn’t resting on the horses and it wouldn’t collapse.

“Get in.”

Chi Wan called for the two guards to enter the carriage.

Once they were inside, Chi Wan handed the golden threads to one of them. “One of you pull the threads, the other reload.”

The two guards coordinated perfectly, and both sides exchanged crossbow fire.

But their bolts were finite. The carriage only held a little over a hundred. The assassins outside, for convenience, likely carried no more than twenty each.

With more than twenty assassins, that was over four hundred bolts. After these few volleys, the assassins couldn’t have many left either.

Chi Wan moved closer to the carriage wall, a crossbow in each hand, waiting for the assassins to approach.

A quarter of an hour later, the arrow fire stopped, but Chi Wan still didn’t go out.

She tossed an orange out, which immediately drew another volley of arrows.

How insidious. If she had gone out then, she would have been shot into a porcupine.

She was calculating. The assassins hadn’t used up all their arrows yet.

The two guards behind her said, “Fuma, we’re out of bolts.”

If their side was out, the enemy probably had a few dozen left. They were about to close in.

Chi Wan unfastened the quiver from her waist, leaving only three bolts for herself. “Wait for them to get close, then fire.”

The assassins had tried to trick them by stopping the arrow fire; they could play the same game.

Of course, the two guards truly were out of bolts. The ones she had were her own, only twenty in total.

She gave seventeen to the guards, enough for at least three volleys.

Chi Wan listened intently to the situation outside. The assassins were moving; they were approaching.

Five assassins emerged first. She knew they wouldn’t all come out at once.

Through the small window, she could clearly see them step out.

“Fire!”

At Chi Wan’s command, six bolts shot out. Three assassins fell, and the remaining two found cover and immediately fired their own crossbows.

The assassins behind them also fired, leading to another exchange.

This time, they were truly out of bolts. Chi Wan’s eyes grew cold. “Draw your blades.”

“Yes.”

Just then, Chi Wan saw something thrown next to the carriage. An explosion followed, shaking the carriage violently. It looked as if it was about to fall apart, and the two guards were dazed by the blast.

Explosives!

It wasn’t surprising that gunpowder existed in this era. Great Zhou had developed cannons long ago. When pirates from the Eastern Sea attacked, it was common for two ships to bombard each other with cannons upon meeting.

Great Zhou had placed great importance on gunpowder in its early days, but had grown lax during the mid-period when there were no wars.

The explosives by the carriage must have been placed just now under the cover of the arrow volley.

Bringing explosives to an assassination—they fought without any martial virtue.

They could no longer stay in the carriage. The assassins surely had more explosives. Another two blasts, and the carriage would certainly be blown apart.

“Prepare to exit the carriage.”

Chi Wan glanced at the two guards. “I’ll go out. You two wait inside.”

“Fuma, we’ll go out first. If we die, we ask that you please take care of our wives, children, and elderly mothers.”

Chi Wan was touched, but also a little exasperated. “Rest assured, I’m not going out there to die.”

“Fuma, you can’t take the risk.”

“Enough. Listen to me. If anyone says another word, just see how I deal with you when we get back.”

Chi Wan feigned anger, and the two guards dared not speak further.

She wasn’t seeking death. Since she had decided to go out, she was fully confident in her own abilities.

Chi Wan picked up her official robes from the side and threw them out of the carriage again. This time, the volley of arrows was a second late.

Perhaps they saw the color of the official robes and thought it was her, which prompted the volley.

The robes were shot to shreds. Seizing the opportunity, Chi Wan leaped out, dashed towards a massive bamboo stalk nearby and, with incredible speed and agility, ascended to its very tip.

Her internal energy was profound. Using the bamboo stalk for leverage, she could easily reach the top.

From her high vantage point, she could see nineteen assassins remaining. They were looking up, searching for her.

As if she would let them find her.

Chi Wan moved between several bamboo stalks. She was already right above their heads, yet they hadn’t spotted her.

She clamped her feet around a bamboo stalk, hanging upside down, and fired the crossbow in her hands.

With her sharp eyesight, she could clearly observe the interactions between the assassins. Even though they were all dressed in black, she could discern who was at the center of their formation.

Chi Wan fired her last three bolts, and three assassins fell to the ground.

Seeing their comrades die, the remaining assassins hastily shot arrows into the air, but Chi Wan had already moved.

Besides, the assassins were now out of arrows.

With them disarmed of their ranged weapons, Chi Wan was fearless. She tapped her toes lightly and landed on the ground.

The assassins exchanged glances, their pupils filled with astonishment. Weren’t they told the Fuma didn’t know martial arts?

But it had come to this. They had no choice but to charge forward. Either they died, or Chi Wan died.

Chi Wan drew two blades from her waist, one pointing forward, one backward.

Her two guards followed her out. Seeing their Fuma in this stance, they were completely stunned.

Worried that something might happen to the Fuma, they had charged out without regard for the number of assassins. Now it seemed the Fuma intended to take on nineteen assassins by herself.

Wait, no one ever said the Fuma was this formidable.

It wasn’t just them who were stunned; the assassins opposite them were also baffled, especially by her intention to wield two blades.

For an ordinary person, mastering a single blade was already impressive. The intelligence report said the Fuma was a good-for-nothing who knew no martial arts, often getting beaten up over romantic disputes, always ending up bruised and swollen. No one said she could fight.

But with so many of them, did they really need to fear just three people?

The assassins immediately charged. Chi Wan had never killed anyone before, but her strikes were merciless. Today, it was either the assassins’ death or hers. With her life threatened, she couldn’t possibly hold back.

She struck twice, killing two men. Such swift bladework and clean kills made the assassins pause for a moment.

The assassins were professionally trained, so the hesitation was fleeting. They immediately charged again.

Chi Wan hooked a fallen blade with her foot, kicked the hilt sharply, and sent it flying toward an assassin, felling another one.

Facing more than a dozen charging assassins was somewhat strenuous. After all, each of these assassins could normally handle three to five ordinary soldiers without a problem.

Their combat prowess was strong. After a moment of disarray, they formed a formation, trapping Chi Wan within.

Her two guards were tied up with two other assassins and couldn’t break away to help her.

Chi Wan’s expression was impassive, her eyes growing even colder. Then, she drew the last blade from her waist.

Holding three blades in two hands, she stared at the assassins before her.

The assassins were startled by her strange behavior for a moment, then they all charged forward.

Chi Wan wielded the three blades in a dazzling display. Before the assassins could even get a clear look at the blades, they were struck in a vital spot.

Many people knew of the three-sword style, and some even specialized in it, but Chi Wan actually didn’t know it.

She was simply using two blades to draw their attention. While they were distracted by those two, the third blade would deliver the killing blow.

With the control of her internal energy, the three blades never fell.

The assassins didn’t see through her trick. Her left hand remained still while her right wielded the other two blades in an erratic, unpredictable manner, making her moves impossible to read.

Her white robes were stained with blood, like plum blossoms on snow, creating a stunningly beautiful, if somewhat eerie, image.

One person facing more than a dozen professionally trained assassins, and their numbers were dwindling. Now only five remained.

Those five assassins had carried out countless assassinations, but this was the first time they felt the urge to retreat.

With only five left, Chi Wan sheathed one blade. Now she could face them head-on without resorting to so many tricks.

However, if she had the time, she decided she should find a master of the three-sword style to practice with, just in case she ever faced assassins outnumbered again.

Oh, and a long weapon. A long weapon breaks all defenses. Zhao Zilong charged in and out seven times with a single long spear. Whether it was a spear or a halberd, as long as it was wielded well, she wouldn’t have had such a hard time against these assassins.

If the assassins opposite her knew that Chi Wan was letting her mind wander at a time like this, they would have died of anger.

Perhaps they had been terrified by Chi Wan’s killing spree. They no longer dared to charge forward. Instead, after exchanging a look, they unanimously chose to flee.

But what they said was, “Retreat.”

Fleeing is fleeing. What’s this about retreating?

Chi Wan tapped her toes and flew in pursuit. The guards, having just dealt with two assassins, looked over to see what looked like snowflakes swirling with red plum blossoms, dancing in the air.

“A god of slaughter.”

One of the guards muttered it. In less than ten breaths, Chi Wan had killed the remaining assassins.

Only then did the guards run over and kneel together. “Your subordinates thank the Fuma for saving our lives.”

If not for the Fuma this time, they would have been dead for sure.

Chi Wan quickly helped them up. “You were in danger because you were protecting me.”

The two guards were about to say more when they saw the Fuma turn, hug a bamboo stalk, and start vomiting. “Oof…”

It was her first time killing. Even though they were assassins, after it was all over, she still couldn’t handle it. Especially with the smell of blood hanging in the air, it would be strange if she didn’t throw up.

Chi Wan felt she needed to see a psychologist, but unfortunately, they didn’t exist in ancient times.

As she was vomiting, An Yi arrived. Seeing the Fuma covered in blood and retching, his heart nearly stopped.

“Fuma? Fuma, are you all right?”

If something happened to the Fuma, he couldn’t imagine what Her Highness would do, given her state when she gave them their orders.

An Yi didn’t even bother with the two guards and revealed himself directly.

Seeing the familiar figure, Chi Wan knew he was sent by Yu Jiuzhou. Especially that An Shi among them—she suspected An Shi was the one who wrote that little booklet last time.

Chi Wan waved her hand. “I’m fine, just a little nauseous.”

“The Imperial City Division is right behind us; they’ll be here soon. As for these two guards, since they’ve seen us, I will take them away.”

If they had known the Fuma had already dealt with the assassins, they certainly wouldn’t have revealed themselves. They had just been too anxious.

“When will they be back?”

The two guards were also embarrassed. They knew that secret guards could not show their faces. Having seen a secret guard’s face, not being silenced was already a blessing.

An Yi glanced at them. “They will return once they have been properly retrained.”

The two guards quickly agreed. It was better than losing their lives.

Chi Wan nodded. After the secret guards disappeared, she didn’t have to wait long before Huang Yuecheng arrived with the Imperial City Division.

Seeing Chi Wan alone amidst a field of corpses, Huang Yuecheng was taken aback. She surveyed the blood-covered Chi Wan.

“Is the Fuma injured?”

“I’m fine.”

Huang Yuecheng looked around again. Why weren’t the Imperial City Division guards here? Were they all dead? Where had they died?

She took a deep breath. “Fuma, where are the bodies of the Imperial City Division personnel? This subordinate will have someone collect them.”

Chi Wan raised an eyebrow. “Rest assured, no one died. I only brought two guards with me.”

At this, she lowered her voice. “They were taken away by Her Highness’s guards.”

Huang Yuecheng was stunned for a moment, then understood. She knew well not to ask what shouldn’t be asked.

“Fuma, let’s return to the capital first. Her Highness is very worried about you.”

Yu Jiuzhou was worried about her?

A smile touched Chi Wan’s lips. “Then let’s go back at once.”

“Alright.”

Huang Yuecheng agreed and ordered her men to handle the bodies. “It’s a pity there are no survivors.”

Otherwise, they could have interrogated them to find out who ordered the assassination.

“Whether there are survivors or not is unimportant.” It was undoubtedly one of those few people. Chi Wan said calmly, “Take these assassins’ bodies back. Tonight, have them delivered separately to the residences of Prince Zhongshan, Prince Ying, and Prince Bao’an. Write on them: ‘The Fuma was attacked. The assassins are returned.’”

When that happened, the innocent parties would frantically try to explain themselves, while the guilty one would be consumed by anxiety. A good show was about to begin.

Huang Yuecheng was inwardly astonished, admiring Chi Wan’s decision to confront them head-on. Those were three princes. Ever since His Majesty had summoned them to the capital, everyone had considered them candidates for the throne. No one dared to offend them so brazenly.

Seeing her own Commander being so bold, Huang Yuecheng straightened her back.

She had originally thought that when the Grand Princess instructed her to cooperate with the Fuma, she would have to handle every detail perfectly. Now it seemed the Fuma had a plan and was not someone who would shrink from a challenge.

The men of the Imperial City Division cut down bamboo to make rafts. Each horse dragged a corpse. When the twenty-odd bodies were brought into the city, it sparked endless discussion among the people.

Especially Chi Wan’s blood-stained clothes, which led people to guess the truth.

“Did the Fuma encounter an assassination attempt? No wonder so many assassins are dead.”

“Right outside the capital, under the Emperor’s nose, they dared to assassinate the current Fuma. This is practically rebellion.”

“Thankfully, the Imperial City Division protected her well. Otherwise, who knows what would have happened to the Fuma.”

“This won’t do. I’m going home to have my family submit a memorial. His Majesty must investigate this thoroughly.”

“Yes, we scholars can sign a joint petition and find someone to submit it for us. We must get justice for the Fuma.”

At this time, many people who had come out to gather information melted back into the crowd.

Chi Wan returned with such high profile, making no effort to hide the fact that she had been attacked. Returning to the capital in blood-soaked clothes, looking as if she were about to fall from her horse, anyone who didn’t know better would think she was on the verge of collapsing.

In fact, the moment Chi Wan reached the Princess’s Residence, she did fall from her horse. If Huang Yuecheng hadn’t been beside her to catch her in time, she would have certainly taken a tumble.

Covered in so much blood, if she had also taken a fall, people would probably think she was done for.

Many people were “passing by” the Princess’s Residence and saw this scene, and the rumors began to spread and distort.

Some said the Fuma was gravely injured. Others said the Fuma died on the spot from the fall.

Chi Wan had a good idea of how the rumors outside were spreading, because the moment she entered the Princess’s Residence, she was back to her lively self. That’s right, she had been faking it outside the residence just now.

However, the instant she arrived at Yongning Courtyard, she immediately feigned weakness, leaning on the doorframe as she entered.

Yu Jiuzhou, who had been sitting anxiously in the main hall, had already received news that she was unharmed. But seeing her covered in blood, stumbling as she walked, looking utterly drained yet forcing herself to enter by holding onto the door, Yu Jiuzhou’s fists clenched tightly.

She quickly rose to her feet. Without ordering a servant to help, she personally walked out of the room and hurried to support Chi Wan.

“Summon the imperial physician.”

Hearing Yu Jiuzhou’s urgent voice, Chi Wan suddenly smiled and stood up straight. “Your Highness, this subject is fine.”

She just wanted to tease Yu Jiuzhou a little. Seeing her so nervous, she quickly showed that she was perfectly all right.

Yu Jiuzhou looked her over, half-believing, half-doubting.

But then Chi Wan took off her blood-stained outer robe. “See? I’m really fine. It was just an act for the people outside.”

Seeing that she was truly unharmed, Yu Jiuzhou was speechless.

She really wanted to pinch this person’s ear and twist it a couple of times.

“An Yi said you threw up?”

“Yes.” Chi Wan nodded. “It was my first time killing someone. It’s understandable.”

First time?

Yu Jiuzhou concealed the doubt in her eyes. Even she, the Grand Princess, had killed with her own hands.

For someone who had also lived a second life to be killing for the first time… it seemed Chi Wan was very well-protected in her past life.

Chi Wan must have been a scholar in her past life, or perhaps a pampered young lady from a noble family who had been carefully raised.

“As long as you’re alright. You handled today’s matter very well.”

Unfortunately, Chi Wan was too young. And since she herself had already entered the cabinet to discuss politics, His Majesty would not allow Chi Wan to join for the time being.

At least, not until the cabinet became her, the Grand Princess’s, sole domain, or until Gao Zheng stepped down from his position as Grand Secretary, and His Majesty needed to find her a rival by appointing Chi Wan to the cabinet.

She just didn’t know if His Majesty’s health would last until then.

Yu Jiuzhou’s praise brought a smile to Chi Wan’s face. “Thank you for your praise, Your Highness. Today, this subject fought twenty men alone. It’s a pity Your Highness couldn’t witness my heroic bearing.”

Someone’s tail was about to stick straight up.

Although today’s incident was over, Chi Wan was still curious. “How could Your Highness be so sure that Gao Zheng wouldn’t ask His Majesty directly?”

A smile was in Yu Jiuzhou’s eyes, but her words carried a hint of sorrow. “I believe in the ideal of unwavering trust between a ruler and their subjects, but I do not believe the current Emperor is capable of such trust with anyone.”

Not with Gao Zheng, nor with her, his own daughter.

The moment he received the news today, the Emperor’s first reaction was to suspect her, not to think her actions might be justifiable.

It was a good thing she and Chi Wan had always maintained a facade of discord, otherwise the Emperor would not have believed them so easily.

Chi Wan raised an eyebrow. “Your Highness means that no matter who faced His Majesty today, as long as they were smart, they wouldn’t have asked directly.”

“Yes.” Yu Jiuzhou nodded. This was the tragedy of having such a monarch.

“But what if Gao Zheng had resigned?”

Chi Wan felt that if Gao Zheng were to make a graceful exit at this time, his end might not be so tragic.

Yu Jiuzhou didn’t know if she was genuinely asking or just feigning ignorance, but she still explained patiently, “A graceful exit can protect the Gao family for a time, but not for a lifetime.”

“If you are not an ally, you are an enemy. If I don’t kill him, there are plenty of others who will.”

Chi Wan was just trying to confirm if she herself could make a graceful exit now. It seemed she couldn’t. Just as she had thought before, she would have to wait until everything was stable before she could run away.

“That’s fine too. With Lord Grand Secretary leading the charge, things will be easier for Your Highness and me.”

Yu Jiuzhou felt there was something more to her words, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. “Go and wash up first. I’ve had food prepared for you.”

After such an ordeal, Chi Wan must be hungry.

Speaking of which, Chi Wan rubbed her stomach and grinned. “Your Highness is so thoughtful. My stomach has been empty for a while. After all, I did take on twenty assassins by myself.”

Yu Jiuzhou was speechless. You can put your tail down now. I know you’re very formidable. Though she, too, was surprised that Chi Wan was so powerful.

Those were more than twenty well-trained assassins. Even the great generals of the court might not have been able to match that.

However, there were some things she would not say out loud.

Chi Wan smiled, her eyes crinkling. “Your Highness, perhaps you should change your clothes as well.”

Hmm?

Yu Jiuzhou looked down at her own clothes. Her pale blue ruqun was stained with blood.

She wondered just how much blood had been on Chi Wan. The situation must have been incredibly dangerous.

Yu Jiuzhou decided to assign some secret guards to protect Chi Wan. “I will assign some secret guards to you. They will follow you.”

She didn’t explain further. A more suspicious person might think she was trying to monitor them.

But Chi Wan understood the meaning behind Yu Jiuzhou’s words. “Does Your Highness want someone to protect me?”

Her eyes shone brightly, as if seeking a definite answer.

In the end, Yu Jiuzhou couldn’t resist those beautiful eyes. “…Yes.”

After replying, she turned and went back into the inner room, not giving Chi Wan another chance to speak.

---

Get instant access to all chapters now.