Daming: Brother, there is no future for monks, let's rebel

"Protect the Emperor!" the imperial guards shouted in unison.

Chaos erupted inside the hall. The Crown Prince stepped forward to protect the Emperor, while Zhu Han swiftly drew his hidden arrows, which collided in mid-air, sparks flying.

Another arrow grazed the Grand Princess's temple and embedded itself in a palace pillar, scattering wood chips everywhere.

The sounds of fighting could be heard outside the palace.

"Crown Prince!" Zhu Han roared, "Escort His Majesty into the Inner Cabinet!"

The Crown Prince nodded and helped the Emperor back.

Zhu Han drew his sword and left the hall; the blood outside the door had already stained the stone steps red.

Dozens of men in black poured in simultaneously from the Meridian Gate and the east corridor, all carrying crossbows and with faint phoenix patterns embroidered on their shoulders.

"Whoever kills the Prince of Jing'an will be rewarded with ten thousand gold pieces!"

With a loud shout, a rain of arrows poured down.

Zhu Han flipped over and leaped onto the pillar, his blade flashing like lightning.

He forcefully cleaved through the first wave of arrows, scattering the broken arrows like rain.

The boy led twenty imperial guards to meet them, and the sound of short swords clashing was deafening.

"Guard the palace gates!" Zhu Han shouted. "No one is allowed to enter!"

Blades clashed, and blood mist filled the air.

Inside the palace, the Emperor was escorted into the inner chambers by the Crown Prince. The Empress grabbed the Grand Princess's hand, her voice icy: "This matter is too urgent; it seems someone had already laid the groundwork. Who is outside the palace?"

"Phoenix-patterned robes—former subordinates of Prince Ping." The Grand Princess's face turned deathly pale. "They actually dared to enter the capital..."

"If it weren't for an inside agent, how could this be so quick?" The Empress bit her lip.

“An inside man…” She and the Grand Princess exchanged glances and uttered two words almost simultaneously: “De Shou.”

Meanwhile, in the rear garden of Deshou Bureau.

The wind rose again, and the word "Quiet" on the manhole cover was dampened by the blood mist. Under the cypress tree beside the well, a Taoist priest in a blue robe slowly wiped the blood from his hands.

Two corpses lay lying by the well; they were the eunuchs whom Zhu Han had captured earlier.

"Kill them all," he whispered.

"Yes." The men in black bowed.

Yuanfa gazed at the golden light on the distant palace roof and sighed softly, "The prince left quickly, but it's a pity that this seal will eventually return to its rightful owner."

He reached into his pocket and took out something—the oil paper roll that Zhu Han had hidden in his pocket had reappeared in his hand!

"What Jingyi left behind should not fall into his hands."

Yuanfa muttered to himself, tore a corner of the oil paper roll, and took out one of the overprinted pieces.

Under the sunlight, the inscription on that seal was slightly different from the one Zhu Han had obtained—the tail of the phoenix pattern had an extra stroke.

"Feng San".

Yuanfa smiled slightly.

"Feng Er is the shadow, Feng San is the blade. The shadow draws the blade, the blade draws blood."

He threw the seal into the well, and the well water surged, with faint traces of blood appearing in the whirlpool.

The bloody battle outside Chongwen Hall continues.

Zhu Han had been struck in the shoulder by an arrow, and blood trickled down his sleeve.

Without changing his expression, he flipped his blade, severed the crossbow string, and kicked the enemy's head away.

The boy rushed forward, shouting, "Your Highness, a fire has broken out beside the palace!"

The firelight spread from the west corridor, turning the golden tiles on the roof of the palace a bright red.

From within the black smoke, a leader dressed in black strode out, holding a long halberd, his voice hoarse: "Prince Jing'an, it's been a long time."

Zhu Han stared intently, his pupils shrinking sharply: "Zhao Chengsheng?!"

The captain of the guard, who should have died in the fire, was alive.

"Your Highness has a truly excellent memory," Zhao Chengsheng sneered. "You've probably forgotten who I took an arrow for back then, haven't you?"

"You have betrayed us."

“Betrayal?” Zhao Chengsheng raised his hand and pointed into the hall. “I have merely changed masters. You are loyal to the Emperor, and I am loyal to the world.”

Before he finished speaking, he charged forward with his halberd.

The heavy iron halberd whistled through the air, almost cleaving it in two.

Zhu Han met the attack head-on with his blade, sparks flying everywhere.

After several exchanges, Zhu Han's wound on his arm reopened, and blood splattered on the stone steps, evaporating into white mist.

"Zhao Chengsheng!" the boy roared, firing his crossbow in rapid succession.

Zhao Chengsheng swept away the crossbow bolts with his halberd and suddenly lunged forward.

Zhu Han withdrew his blade, then thrust it out with a backhand motion, the tip slicing through the air and piercing his opponent's chest. Blood spurted out.

Zhao Chengsheng's body stiffened, but a strange smile appeared in his eyes.

“You can’t kill them all,” he whispered. “The true Lord is still in the temple.”

After saying that, he suddenly rammed into Zhu Han, the force of which almost knocked him to the ground as well.

The two fell into the blood at the same time. Zhu Han got up, panting. Zhao Chengsheng was dead, a smile on his lips.

The palace gates closed again, and the imperial guards regained their footing.

The crown prince stepped out of the palace, his face covered in blood, his expression so calm it was almost terrifying.

"Your Highness, how is His Majesty?" Zhu Han asked anxiously.

The Crown Prince raised his eyes: "I am well. But I have something to say."

"What?"

The Crown Prince slowly said, "Issue my decree—Prince Ping has rebelled, but De Shou remains. Prince Jing'an will be the commander-in-chief, leading the troops south."

Zhu Han was stunned: "His Majesty wants me—"

"Conquer the shogunate." The crown prince's voice was as cold as frost. "After today, the Phoenix Seal will return to the Imperial Household Department. Phoenix Two and Phoenix Three will both be granted titles. The Empress Dowager has fulfilled her responsibility for losing her seal; the Empress has been stripped of her power, and the suspicion against her is clear. What follows is only the knife."

He turned his head to look at Zhu Han, his gaze deep: "Uncle Wang, are you willing to trust me one more time?"

Zhu Han remained silent for a long while before finally saying in a low voice, "Your subject is here."

The crown prince reached out and returned the blood-stained phoenix seal handle to him.

"This seal will temporarily serve as the imperial axe."

Zhu Han accepted it and gave a deep bow.

On the third day of the eleventh lunar month, the wind arrived before the snow fell.

Banners rose from the ground in the south of the city overnight, and 50,000 iron cavalry under the command of Prince Jing'an were fully prepared on both sides of the Imperial River.

The armor, reflecting the morning light, resembled a flowing sheet of silver.

Zhu Han mounted his horse in front of the camp gate, wearing black armor, his cloak fluttering in the north wind.

The crown prince emerged from the palace gate, his hair bound in a blue crown, without armor, carrying only a scroll of yellow silk edict.

“Uncle,” he said in a voice as firm as iron, “on this journey to the southern frontier, you will hold the imperial insignia and be at the command of the troops. Prince Ping commands an army of 200,000 and has already reached the Jiangbei Pass. The Emperor has ordered you to quell the rebellion within three months.”

"Your subject obeys the decree." Zhu Han dismounted and knelt to receive the yellow silk.

The Crown Prince bent down to help him up and whispered, "The court is still in chaos. Although the Empress Dowager appears calm on the surface, she has secretly ordered the Imperial Guards to be redeployed. The Empress has been missing for three days without a word. Some say she has been abducted to Deshou, while others say she has already left the palace. If Prince Jing'an receives a messenger with a letter, verify the seal before believing it."

"Phoenix Seal or Phoenix Seal?"

“Feng San.” The Crown Prince’s eyes flashed.

Zhu Han's heart skipped a beat—Feng San was not destroyed.

"Feng San is a knife; with a knife in hand, whoever it cuts will die."

The Crown Prince's voice was low and deep, "If I die, and Feng San is still alive, you will know who the 'master' is. But if you get the 'handle', then cut off that hand."

He took a step back and stood with his hand on his sword.

"Prince Jing'an, march forth!"

The drums thundered, the cavalry moved in unison, and dust and snow churned up.

Zhu Han spurred his horse forward and waved his command flag, sending the army charging out in a mighty wave.

Seven days of travel south. At the end of the Imperial Canal, Jiangbei Pass had been scorched black by the flames of war.

Flags on the city walls were broken, and black smoke billowed.

"The Ping King's army has deployed in Jiangdong, with an outer camp of 200,000 and an inner army of 50,000. Siege equipment is already in place." The boy flipped through the scroll, his brow furrowed.

Zhu Han looked towards the distant mountain ridge, where the cavalry formation resembled a snake.

"He has a large army, but the deployment is complicated. It seems that two forces are vying for command."

"Your Highness means—"

"King Ping and others."

"King Qi?"

"King Qi is in the capital, and the troops are under the command of King Ping. But if King Qi were truly rebelling, he should have sealed off the river mouth first, instead of forcing his way north. This indicates that someone in this army has other plans."

Zhu Han's gaze swept across the distance and landed on a new flag.

The flag was not the old design of the King of Ping, but a golden phoenix with outstretched wings.

"Feng San," he whispered.

"Your Highness, isn't that the Empress Dowager's phoenix pattern?"

"No. The Empress Dowager's phoenix seal is coiled with wings, while this flag is spread with wings."

Zhu Han said in a very soft tone, "Those who hold the position defend, those who expand attack."

He drew his sword and pointed: "Move the left wing to infiltrate the riverbank, cross the river tonight, and attack their supply lines tomorrow morning. The right wing should set up a feint and hold their ground. Tonight—take only the central camp."

"Does Your Highness intend to execute a general?" the boy exclaimed in surprise. "To capture a 'shadow'."

Night fell. A strong wind blew from the north bank of the river. Campfires twinkled like stars.

Zhu Han led three hundred cavalrymen to infiltrate the enemy camp and circled around to the central army from the side forest.

The snow mist swirled, and his warhorse was almost silent from the reins. Faint voices could be heard coming from the tent ahead.

"...Prince Jing'an has left the capital, and I heard he has the imperial insignia."

"So what? With 'Feng San' in my hands, does the Empress Dowager dare to utter a word?"

Zhu Han stopped abruptly upon hearing the sound and lightly tapped the saddle with his fingers.

The voice didn't sound like King Ping's, but it was extremely familiar.

"King Qi." The boy's lips turned pale.

A flash of firelight appeared in the tent, and King Qi stepped out, holding a small box in his hand, whispering to a man wearing a black mask.

"Feng San must not fall into his hands," the shadowy figure said.

King Qi sneered: "He wants the world to be at peace, I want the world to be stable. If the Empress Dowager can use the Phoenix Seal to command troops, why can't I?"

“If Your Highness wishes to unify the world, you must first eliminate him.” The figure paused. “I will assist you.”

Zhu Han's gaze suddenly turned cold.

He raised his hand, signaling the boy to step back. The next instant, a flash of light appeared, cleaving open the tent.

"King Qi—you dare use the Phoenix Seal?!"

King Qi was startled and quickly retreated.

The shadowy figure drew his sword and charged forward. Their blades clashed, sparks flying.

Zhu Han's swordplay was as steady as a mountain, and his black figure was as strange as a snake. In just a few exchanges, the wind from his sword had already shattered the camp pillars.

"Prince Jing'an, you've come at the right time." Prince Qi retreated behind the tent and suddenly pressed the lid of the box.

"boom--!"

Flames erupted from the ground beneath the camp, instantly engulfing the entire central camp in flames.

Zhu Han was so shocked that he took half a step back, and a wave of heat hit his face.

He drew his knife and went out, his sleeves catching fire. The boy rushed forward and extinguished the flames with a single palm strike.

"Your Majesty!"

"withdraw!"

In the firelight, King Qi and the dark figure had already fled far away.

Zhu Han gazed at the burning camp and said in a deep voice, "He wants to destroy Feng San's credentials."

"But Feng San is in his hands!"

"No—he won't really destroy it. Feng San is his bargaining chip."

He sheathed his sword and turned around: "The entire army retreats three miles. We'll advance again after the fire has died down."

Dawn. Thick fog hangs over the river. The embers of the campfire have not yet died out.

The boy squatted on the ground and picked up a piece of charred copper.

"Your Highness, look."

On that copper plate, half of the character "凤" (phoenix) was faintly engraved—Feng San's seal.

"He left this half behind so that I would know he was really moving."

Zhu Han sighed, "The Prince of Qi is smarter than anyone else. He's not betraying us, he's gambling. He's gambling on the Empress Dowager's downfall, and on my defeat."

"What about us?"

“We won’t gamble.” Zhu Han looked at the snow-covered river in the distance, his gaze sharp as a blade. “We will win.”

He raised his hand and unfolded the map.

"Boy, pass on the order: cross the river at Chenshi (7-9 AM) tomorrow and take Jiangbei Pass directly. Leave two thousand iron cavalry in reserve. If I do not return, immediately take the 'Feng San Remnant Seal' north and hand it over to the Crown Prince."

The boy gritted his teeth: "What are you saying, Your Highness! I'll follow you!"

"An order." Zhu Han brooked no refusal.

Night. A fierce snowstorm raged. The river water was frozen white.

Zhu Han personally led three thousand cavalry across the river. The war drums thundered, and arrows rained down from the opposite bank.

Iron cavalry charged forward, water splashing and blood mingling.

The Pingwang army on the opposite bank was clearly caught off guard by the night attack, and their defenses collapsed in an instant.

Zhu Han's blade flashed like snow, breaking through three enemy camps.

Suddenly, a rustling sound came from behind—dozens of riders rushed out from the shadows, the leader of whom was clad in black armor and wielding a long spear; it was none other than the King of Qi!

"Prince Jing'an!" King Qi roared, "If you wish to protect the world, I will destroy it!"

The two riders clashed, their spears and swords clashed, and sparks flew everywhere.

"King Qi!" Zhu Han said coldly, "You have gambled the entire world on this; you are not worthy to be king!"

"You don't understand—with the Empress Dowager's death, imperial power is gone. A country without a ruler will perish if it doesn't fight!" King Qi roared.

Zhu Han swiftly turned his blade, deflecting Qi Wang's spear head-on. Both men fell from their horses and tumbled into the snow.

King Qi kicked away the spear and suddenly drew a short blade from his waist. The blade was inlaid with gold patterns—phoenix patterns.

"Feng San!" Zhu Han's heart skipped a beat.

"That's right." King Qi's smile was cruel. "With Feng San here, the world is here!"

Without hesitation, Zhu Han kicked over the snow and mud, using the momentum to lift himself up, his blade flashing like lightning.

The King of Qi's short blade was deflected, and the Phoenix Seal fell into the snow.

The two reached out at the same time—

"Keng!"

The Phoenix Seal was held in Zhu Han's hand, its chill penetrating to the bone.

"King Qi, you have lost."

King Qi threw his head back and laughed, blood spilling from the corner of his mouth: "No, I won."

Before he could finish speaking, a burst of blood suddenly erupted from his chest—a cold arrow shot out from the forest and pierced his heart.

Zhu Han suddenly turned around and saw a white horse in the woods, with a person on the horse wearing a white fox fur coat and a plain veil over their face—it was Gu Qingping.

"The Gu family's daughter is indeed ruthless," Zhu Han said coldly.

Gu Qingping raised her bow, her eyes as cold as ice: "He deserves to die. Feng San cannot be allowed to live."

"What are you here for?"

"The Crown Prince ordered me to retrieve the seal."

"Crown Prince?" Zhu Han was taken aback.

"He has already assumed the title of Regent. The Empress Dowager is seriously ill, and the palace is under lockdown. The imperial seal must be returned to the capital."

Gu Qingping, without loosening the bowstring, said, "Your Highness, hand over the Phoenix Seal to me."

"You believe the Crown Prince?"

"I believe in my country."

The two looked at each other, and the snow fell silently.

A moment later, Zhu Han slowly raised his hand and threw out the Phoenix Seal.

Gu Qingping reached out and caught it, then turned and mounted her horse.

"The Gu family," Zhu Han suddenly spoke, "if the Crown Prince rebels, will you kill him?"

Gu Qingping's horse paused for a moment, but did not answer.

"Let's go."

She spurred her horse, and the white figure disappeared into the wind and snow.

On the 29th day of the eleventh lunar month, the snow continued to fall for three days.

The rooftops of the capital city were pressed into silver lines, and the tile beasts of the palaces were all covered with white frost.

At the end of the Imperial River, a chestnut horse came from the north.

The man on horseback was shrouded in wind and snow, wearing a cloak, carrying a long sword, and with a blackened copper plate hanging from his waist.

The city gate guards were dozing in the wind when a low shout rang out: "Open the gate—Prince Jing'an is returning!"

The sound seemed to rise from beneath the snow, desolate yet steady.

The guard looked up, recognized the face, and froze on the spot: "Your Highness...you're not—"

"I've died once." Zhu Han dismounted, flicked his cloak, and snowflakes flew up. "Now I want to see Your Highness."

The captain dared not ask any more questions and hurriedly opened the door.

The city streets were deserted. People dared not leave their homes; only the distant, muffled tolling of bells could be heard.

The Jing'an Prince's Mansion had long been sealed off by snow, and the boy only brought a few of his former subordinates to wait outside the gate.

"Your Highness!" The boy's eyes reddened, "We thought it was because of you..."

"Dead?" Zhu Han smiled faintly. "A dead person's talent cannot be used."

He untied the copper plate from his waist and handed it to the boy: "Watch this. If anyone asks, just say that Feng San is completely destroyed."

The boy took it, his brows furrowing slightly: "Your Highness, is the Phoenix Seal truly destroyed?"

"It's not destroyed, it's just—it needs a new owner."

He pushed open the door and entered; the mansion was as cold as a tomb. The candlelight in the study was still burning, and on the desk lay the old drawings he had made before his departure. Zhu Han raised his hand to brush away the dust and snow, his heart filled with utter desolation. (End of Chapter)