Noon, flying snow, dark alley… the sky was as dark as dusk.

In the gloomy flying snow, three people stood in the dark alley. Two on the left and right leaned against the wall with arms crossed – one old, one young. The person in the center wore a sword at his waist, its sheath of pure gold and precious appearance, the hilt decorated with a small jade tiger. Seeing this sword so noble, needless to say this was not a weapon but a “royal sword” – the one wearing it must be a nobleman.

Since noon, these three had been wandering in the dark alley, though no one around paid them any attention. First, the weather was bitterly cold with snow falling all night. Second, the situation was wrong – this morning government troops had entered the city bearing “North Wei” and “North Ning” banners, stern and forbidding. Who would dare go out strolling?

Snowflakes fell steadily, and footsteps came from the empty street center – finally someone else was coming. Looking intently, the approaching person carried a bamboo hat and wore a long robe, walking with light, measured steps, clearly skilled in martial arts. The nobleman had not yet moved when his left attendant came close to his side, while the other attendant loosened his outer robe, revealing a sword hidden close to his body.

“Scripture and Seal Sword” – this sword was narrow and long in form, its sheath inlaid with gold thread inscribed with four characters in seal script. This was a Celestial Master sword used by the Daoist lineage. The right attendant breathed deeply, slightly pushing with both palms – this was clearly supreme internal martial arts: “Taiji Push Hands.”

These two attendants – one with sword, one empty-handed – one stepped two feet in front of the “Prince,” the other stayed close for protection. In the midst of this vigilance, the plainclothes man had already approached. When the three met face to face, the young attendant immediately lowered his sword and said with delight: “Senior Brother Yin!”

“Senior Brother Yuan Heng, Junior Brother Yuan Lang.” The plainclothes man bowed respectfully and also revealed the names of the two great attendants. The one with the sword was called “Yuan Lang,” while the other, slightly older, was called “Yuan Heng.” After greetings, the plainclothes man deeply bowed to the nobleman: “Your Highness, this humble one came late.” He then presented what he carried – common items including a straw raincoat and bamboo hat.

This nobleman was clearly of great standing – actually a prince. He received the raincoat and hat and quickly put them on, asking in a low voice: “Brother Yin, did anyone follow you?” Before the plainclothes man could answer, Yuan Lang was already laughing: “Your Highness, don’t worry – my Senior Brother Yin is battle-tested and extremely alert. Who has the ability to follow him?” Just as he was about to boast more, the plainclothes man coughed and said: “To be honest with Your Highness, when this commoner left the city, I encountered several scouts and we came to blows.”

Yuan Heng said in shock: “What? Someone really was tracking you? Were they Prince Tang’s people, or… Prince Lu’s dogs?” The plainclothes man said: “I couldn’t tell. They wore night clothes covering all their features.” The two attendants laughed: “Wearing night clothes in broad daylight? Isn’t that like saying ‘no silver here’ while burying three hundred taels?” Just as they were about to laugh heartily, the prince’s face changed dramatically and he quickly said: “Wait, you… you said those people wore night clothes?” The plainclothes man said: “Yes. All in black clothes with black hoods.”

With a thud, the prince’s face showed terror as he stepped back urgently, hitting the mud wall behind him. Everyone was slightly startled: “Your Highness, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing… nothing…” The prince supported his forehead with his left hand, gasping: “Just… just feeling a bit dizzy…” While speaking, he looked left and right as if someone was secretly watching. Yuan Heng and Yuan Lang exchanged glances, feeling slightly puzzled. The plainclothes man had already instructed: “Senior Brother Yuan Heng, Junior Brother Yuan Lang, please guard both ends of the street. If any suspicious persons approach, immediately signal a warning.” The two attendants agreed. Seeing the plainclothes man handle things properly, the prince was still deeply uneasy and said in a low voice: “Brother Yin, if this prince should meet with any mishap later, please tell Daoist Yuan Yi that for the sake of our two families’ friendship…” Hearing the prince’s strange words, the two attendants were shocked: “Your Highness, why are you saying such things when you’re perfectly fine?”

The prince didn’t want to say more, only removed the long sword from his waist and gave it to Yuan Lang, instructing in a low voice: “This sword is a hereditary treasure of Prince Feng’s mansion. If this prince should meet with misfortune, have you deliver it to Zai Yi.” With the precious sword revealed, this prince’s identity also became clear – he was Prince Feng of the “Hui Tang Xu Feng Lu” princes. Those three attendants were all masters of the Wudang school, renowned experts specially accompanying him for protection.

Seeing the prince about to turn and leave with a flick of his sleeves, the plainclothes man quickly said: “Your Highness, please wait – let this commoner accompany you across the street?” Yuan Heng also said: “Yes! Villains are crafty – let us accompany Your Highness over, so we can watch out for each other.”

The prince shook his head: “No need. If the contact sees I brought helpers, they definitely won’t show themselves. Anyway, you three brothers stay here. If anything happens later, this prince has secret signals for you.” Without saying more, he crossed the street directly.

This place was located by the Tonghui River, with a shipyard across the street. The three guards remained in place, all looking worried. The plainclothes man said in a low voice: “Yuan Lang, I arrived late and didn’t understand the situation clearly. Wasn’t His Highness perfectly fine hosting a banquet at Tianxi Tower? Why did he suddenly rush here?”

Yuan Lang said in a low voice: “Someone sent a note.” The plainclothes man frowned: “A note? What did it say?” Yuan Lang said: “Don’t know. Only know it was from someone called ‘Wan Shanfeng’ asking to meet. When His Highness saw it, he couldn’t sit still. The sect master asked him several times but he wouldn’t say, only rushed out urgently without daring to delay a moment…” The plainclothes man pondered: “Wan Shanfeng? You didn’t see wrong?”

Yuan Lang said: “Couldn’t be wrong. When His Highness was looking at the note, he carelessly let me see it. At the end of the note was a signature that read ‘Hero Wan Shanfeng.’ I guess this person surnamed Wan arranged to meet His Highness at the shipyard.”

Seeing the plainclothes man pacing as if thinking about something, Yuan Heng said in a low voice: “Junior Brother, what do you think this person surnamed Wan’s background is? Could he be one of Grand Commander Wu’s subordinates?” Yuan Lang frowned: “Hard to say, but Wu Dingyuan has always acted openly and honorably. If he had business to discuss with His Highness, he definitely wouldn’t arrange to meet in such a disreputable place.”

Yuan Heng murmured: “Then… then who exactly sent someone to find His Highness? And made His Highness so cautious? It couldn’t be His Majesty, could it?” Yuan Lang exclaimed: “Maybe it really is…” Just as they were speculating, they heard the plainclothes man say: “Stop talking. I suspect someone has a hold over His Highness.”

At the word “hold,” the two attendants couldn’t help but cry out, saying frantically: “What? His Highness… His Highness is being blackmailed?” The plainclothes man said flatly: “If not, why wouldn’t he take us with him?”

Yuan Lang said in a low voice: “Senior Brother makes sense. They say ‘If you’ve done nothing wrong in life, you won’t fear a midnight knock.’ If His Highness had nothing to hide, why would he fear us knowing?” Just as he was about to say more, Yuan Heng pulled him and scolded: “What nonsense are you talking? His Highness acts righteously and properly. He treats the maids and servants like his own daughters. What shameful deeds would he have that he’d fear people knowing?”

The plainclothes man said flatly: “Senior Brother Yuan Heng doesn’t understand. Now with the eight princes competing for the Eastern Palace succession, even a single mistaken thought or wrong word from His Highness could result in someone reporting him to the imperial presence. One must be cautious.” Yuan Heng was stunned for a long moment: “So serious? Then… then what kind of person has His Highness provoked?” Yuan Lang smiled bitterly: “Who knows? I think the trouble is either in bed or in the grave.”

All the shameful deeds people commit – half lie in bed, half are buried in graves. In any case, it’s either adultery or murder that cannot be told to outsiders. While they were discussing, the plainclothes man shook his head with a smile: “Stop guessing wildly. I’ve been doing this bodyguard work for over ten years, and among ten people, you couldn’t find one as meticulous as Prince Feng. Even if he had some small vices, he would certainly do them secretly and carefully – how could anyone detect them?”

Yuan Lang murmured: “But Senior Brother, didn’t you say… someone has gotten hold of His Highness’s weakness?” The plainclothes man said: “That’s right. His Highness has ambitions for the realm, so any compromising material he’s left behind definitely wouldn’t be in bed. For the opponent to force His Highness to this point, the evidence they hold must be enough to shake the nation.”

Hearing this, the two attendants were even more shocked. Looking across the street, they saw His Highness hunched over, slowly walking toward a shipyard like a pawn crossing a river. Yuan Lang felt afraid and said in a low voice: “Senior Brother, if His Highness really has done something shameful, what should we do?”

The plainclothes man said: “Having already eaten the sweet and drunk the spicy, what do you think we should do?” Yuan Lang said in a trembling voice: “What? We’re going to… kill people?” The plaincloths man said softly: “What else? What else do you know how to do?”

Hearing this, Yuan Heng and Yuan Lang couldn’t help but exchange glances, both looking very grim.

Those near vermillion become red, those near ink become black. Once knights-errant enter court service, their life’s end is already determined. No matter whom they serve or how noble their mission, they remain merely a killing blade, because they have nothing else – only that “blade.”

Thinking of Zhuo Lingzhao’s fate, the plainclothes man gazed at the horizon and couldn’t help but stare blankly. Suddenly he heard Yuan Heng say: “Everyone be quiet – His Highness has crossed the street.” They saw His Highness had crossed the street center and would reach the opposite riverbank at any moment. The three immediately dispersed – one facing east, one west, one staying in the center – forming a triangle to secretly provide protection.

Just after the Lantern Festival, there weren’t many pedestrians on the road. Prince Feng wandered by the riverside, looking left and right, searching for the person he was to meet.

This Beijing shipyard was located by the Tonghui River in the eastern part of the city, specializing in building light boats and small craft for the imperial family. But at this time, with the harsh cold weather, the shipyard’s gates were naturally locked tight with not a soul in sight. Looking around, there was only a brick factory and a mirror shop still open for business, with a few household dogs huddled by the doors for warmth. Nothing seemed suspicious or strange.

Seeing the contact still hadn’t come, Prince Feng took a deep breath and could only take out the note again, hiding it in his palm to examine carefully.

This note had a strange origin, containing only twelve characters: “Straw raincoat, bamboo hat, meet at shipyard, will not leave without meeting.” At the time, he was hosting guests at Tianxi Tower when a servant brought it in, saying a monk had passed it along. Prince Feng originally paid it no mind, but when he looked carefully at the signature on the note, he was so frightened his soul nearly left his body. He could only abandon his hall full of guests and rush directly to the Tonghui River shipyard.

“Hero Wan Shanfeng” – Prince Feng had come precisely because of these five characters. This “Wan Shanfeng” was actually not one person but five people, these five characters exactly corresponding to the names and styles of five current court figures. “Jun” was “Mou Junyi,” “Jie” was “Ma Renjie,” “Wan” was “Wan Jixiang,” “Shan” was “Shangguan Mengyu,” and that character “Feng” referred to “Liu Yunfeng” hiding in Jiangxia.

Mou Junyi – cabinet minister; Ma Renjie – Minister of War; Liu Yunfeng – son of the former Grand Commander of Western Campaigns. These five people seemed to be from different corners of the realm with no connection, yet the note linked them together. This showed there was something unspeakable between the five, and what made it even more troubling was that “Jun Jie Wan Shan Feng” was only the second half – above it were five more characters also connected to five current court figures’ names and styles, with the fourth character reading “Zhu” – the vermillion of vermillion red and purple, the vermillion of “those near vermillion become red,” the “Zhu” of Prince Feng Zhu Yi.

Prince Feng’s palms were sweating. He naturally understood the power of this note, because he had a share in what “Jun Jie Wan Shan Feng” had done.

Among the princes of the realm, Prince Tang was a merchant, Prince Hui purely a warrior, Prince Chuan was an idle man, Prince Lu originally a fool – only Prince Feng was different. He didn’t fight wars, didn’t make money, didn’t seek pleasure, didn’t visit prostitutes. According to his father the king, this child was fundamentally a “sage.”

Prince Feng was the same age as Prince Tang. Though they had known each other since childhood, their temperaments were completely opposite. Prince Tang was a treasure-gathering golden basin, Prince Feng a wealth-scattering child. He spent money so quickly it seemed he had a grudge against wealth, often giving away thousands of taels at a time – even parents and elders couldn’t stop him. But this wasn’t because he was magnanimous – it was because he never believed in money.

What could money do? In Prince Feng’s view, there were too many things money couldn’t buy, the first being life itself.

Prince Tang said: “Everything in the world has a price.” Prince Feng would counter: “What about you? How much is your life worth?” What was so rare about things you could buy with money? If you had money, others had money too. What you could buy, I could buy too. Therefore, Prince Feng never saved money in his life. He liked practicing martial arts, but after practicing for over ten years, he felt martial arts were also useless. Though two fists could fight four hands, could they fight a hundred hands, a thousand hands, ten thousand hands? So Prince Feng became discouraged and began traveling mountains and waters, planning to do nothing. One year he went beyond the pass and stood before the Great Wall, when suddenly he understood what the greatest power under heaven was.

This power could not be measured by money nor resisted by fists and feet – it was “authority” that crushed all heroes under heaven.

What was authority? Authority was unlike silver taels or fists – you couldn’t see it or touch it, yet it was omnipresent. When a great tycoon met three or five bandits, he could only cry and kowtow, because fists were bigger than money. But when a great tycoon met tens of thousands of government soldiers, he could command them arrogantly and look down coldly, because his money had one more support – “authority.”

When two people were together, there was “authority.” One person, one heart; two people, two hearts – this was called scattered sand. But when two people had one heart, “authority” was born. From then on, two fists couldn’t fight four hands, four fists couldn’t fight eight hands. When it reached three people, a hundred people, even millions of people with one heart, they could build the Great Wall, construct the Temple of Heaven, and create foundations that would last ten thousand generations without change. However, all of this had to start with making another person obey “me.”

Making another person obediently listen was an eternal difficult problem. Prince Feng had pondered this for many years and finally found an answer.

Prince Tang said: “Everyone in the world has a price.” Prince Feng said: “Everyone in the world has a weakness.” As long as you grasped this weakness, no matter how wise or capable the person was, they could only bow and submit, willingly becoming a subordinate. As for what this person’s weakness was, that was endless. Living in this world, who didn’t have lovers, who didn’t have enemies? If they had neither, they still had relatives – surely fearing their parents would be killed, daughters defiled, and more fearing their wives would be unfaithful or sons rebellious. These were things money couldn’t buy – you needed scheming, needed methods, needed to find ways and see through clouds to moonlight, time and again hitting vital points and striking weaknesses to make a person abandon their original intentions and humbly obey commands.

With this thought, Prince Feng couldn’t help but turn back to examine the three great masters he had brought.

The three attendants on this trip were all extraordinary. The oldest was Yuan Heng, the blood brother of Yuan Qing, former head of Wudang, with profound internal power and skilled in push hands. The other, with the Daoist name Yuan Lang, was young but already a famous swordsman, ranking third in the Zhenwu Temple.

Yuan Heng was over sixty and had never touched a woman in his life, so his weakness was women. Yuan Lang was extremely proud, especially of his superior swordsmanship, so his weakness was in his sword – he had killed someone he shouldn’t have killed. What that person’s surname and name were, where they were buried, Prince Feng happened to know, because he had sent people to help bury the corpse.

However, among these three, the most reliable was not the others but that plainclothes man “Yin Wenda.” In terms of martial arts, his push hands weren’t equal to Yuan Heng’s and his swordsmanship wasn’t as good as Yuan Lang’s, but he was most valued by Prince Feng because Yuan Heng’s love at first sight and Yuan Lang’s accidental killing were both secretly orchestrated by Yin Wenda.

Intimidation, coercion, control, entrapment – layers of terror surrounded people, making them anxious and restless. Kindness, rewards, promotion, recognition – warmth descended everywhere, making hearts yearn. From extreme suffering to extreme joy required only a light nod of the head. Once they nodded, they would develop a sense of luck and submission, even trying to guess another person’s intentions, abandoning their human identity and willingly becoming slaves, becoming hawks and dogs, living like beasts in the world forever without freedom and without knowing it.

This was “authority” – making all the wisdom and talent under heaven serve me, making three people into tigers, making many mouths melt metal, making two fists unable to fight four hands, making the Great Wall stand, making palaces built… making all under heaven hold their breath and watch with anticipation. All these vast enterprises had to start with the small first step of making another person “nod.”

Nodding meant voluntary submission – voluntary was what made it precious. Because Prince Feng himself was from a powerful family, he understood better than anyone the fate of nodding. He would rather die than enter the “inn” and become a vanguard for the Asura King. So he secretly formed alliances plotting to counter-control. Just as he was approaching the Eastern Palace throne, who would have known he encountered trouble again – someone had seen through his conspiracy. “Jun Jie Wan Shan Feng” – if this note were made public, the Asura King would know who was secretly surrounding him. Once allies among them were exposed and captured, Prince Feng would immediately be dragged down and face the demon soldiers and ghost troops under Asura’s command. But if he showed weakness, even just nodding lightly to the enemy, he would step onto the first step of slavery. From then on, he would sink deeper step by step, killing all good people and doing all evil deeds, living like a beast in the world forever unable to be reborn.

Prince Feng gritted his teeth, his gaze turning vicious. At this moment, he must fight with all his might. He absolutely would not allow himself to sink to this point.

Who had grasped his secret? Who was the mastermind behind this? Obviously, the opponent was definitely not among “Hui Tang Xu Lu” – they didn’t have this ability. The opponent was also not from the inn – if they had learned of the inside story, they would have assassinated him at Tianxi Tower long ago. How could they let him live until now? From this perspective, the enemy was not outside but inside – someone had stabbed him in the back.

Internal traitors weren’t frightening. If this person could stab others in the back, others could naturally stab him in the back too. The key was whether he could investigate this person’s background. As long as he had some leads, no matter how far this person fled, Prince Feng could turn the tables. He would make this person’s parents, wife, and children suffer all humiliation and hardship – let’s see if this traitor was afraid or not, would confess or not?

At this moment, the traitor had already called him out – this was seeking death. Prince Feng smiled coldly, his mind made up. He secretly examined the attendants he had brought, seeing Yin Wenda sitting by the street seemingly enjoying the snow, while Yuan Heng and Yuan Lang guarded both ends of the street. With these three working together, if the contact dared show themselves, they couldn’t escape even with wings.

Prince Feng felt relieved and slowly walked back to the riverside, putting on a gentle, kind, and benevolent expression. While standing there, a shop assistant suddenly emerged from the mirror shop, gasping as he carried a silver mirror outside and took out a dry cloth to wipe it.

Prince Feng glanced at this shop assistant, seeing he was less than twenty years old with a dirty, unwashed black headband but wearing new boots that didn’t match at all. He paid attention and recited: “The body is a bodhi tree, the heart like a clear mirror stand.” These words carried Zen mystery, speaking of the first half of the Sixth Patriarch Huineng’s “Nature-Seeing Verse.” The second half was “Always diligently wipe it clean, don’t let it gather dust.” He waited for the assistant to respond, but saw him slightly stunned: “You… what did you say, old sir?”

Prince Feng smiled: “Young brother, I want to buy a mirror – do you have any for sale?” The assistant murmured: “Our shopkeeper went out. If you want to buy something, come back later.” He continued wiping the mirror, occasionally glancing at Prince Feng as if he had encountered a strange person.

Prince Feng thought: “Seems it’s not this person.” His mood was somewhat restless, so he pretended to stretch lazily. Just as he was looking left and right, he suddenly heard someone behind him laugh: “Customer, do you want to buy a mirror?”

Prince Feng’s heart shook. Even if this person had fallen from the sky, there should have been a thud – how could he appear so silently? In shock, he raised his left palm to his chest, turned around, and his right fist shot out. A thunderous sound of breaking air was heard, snow scattered, like throwing a stone into a pool – ripples splashed in mid-air.

As the fist force gradually dissipated and ripples gradually scattered, Prince Feng’s heart pounded. He saw the shop assistant from before had disappeared, leaving only a large silver dressing mirror reflecting a figure in straw raincoat and hat – who else could it be but himself? Prince Feng gaped in confusion and quickly walked behind the silver mirror to check, but still saw no one. Turning to look across the street, Yin Wenda and the others had all stood up, while Yuan Heng and Yuan Lang showed expressions of surprise, whispering to each other, never having expected him to have such martial arts skills.

Though that punch had hit empty air, it revealed domineering internal force. Prince Feng couldn’t help but reveal his martial arts foundation – he was actually the foremost martial artist among the current imperial family. It’s just that in the past he “didn’t show his wealth,” never displaying martial arts before others unless absolutely necessary, to avoid making too many strong enemies.

Seeing the Wudang masters about to cross the street together, Prince Feng repeatedly signaled with his eyes for them not to come over, lest they alert the enemy.

The contact had not shown themselves for a long time, yet someone had just spoken – perhaps they wanted to see how many helpers he had brought. Prince Feng took a deep breath and calmed himself again. He lowered his hands and came to the mirror, seeing only a thin layer of silver mirror, just like usual, with no mechanism visible. He walked around it once but couldn’t see where the contact was hiding. Just as he was thinking of going to check the brick factory, he heard laughter behind him again: “Customer, you just want to buy a mirror – why are you using your hands and feet?”

Prince Feng’s heart jumped – he knew the contact had finally appeared again. This time he didn’t dare be rash, only quietly facing away from the person and said: “Friend, was it you who asked me to come?”

“Yes.” The voice was right by his ear, not far away. Prince Feng quietly looked back but still saw no one. Behind him was only that large mirror and the figure in straw raincoat and hat in the mirror – nothing else. The more Prince Feng looked, the more suspicious he became. He simply turned around completely. Just as he was looking around, he suddenly saw that his reflection in the mirror had a slightly higher nose bridge and thinner chin – his appearance seemed to have changed? He exclaimed in surprise and rubbed his eyes, suddenly seeing the figure in straw raincoat and hat in the mirror smile slightly: “Your Highness, what a pleasure to meet you.”

Someone in the mirror? Prince Feng’s hair stood on end. Just as he was about to cry out in terror, the person in the mirror smiled: “Don’t be afraid – we won’t harm you.”

Prince Feng’s whole body trembled – how had he never expected the contact to actually be hiding in the mirror? He involuntarily reached out to touch the mirror, and the strange visitor in the mirror also raised his hand to touch forward. Their movements synchronized perfectly, just like a reflection in a mirror. Prince Feng’s scalp tingled as he said hoarsely: “Who… who exactly are you?” The person in the mirror smiled: “Don’t worry, we’re not ‘Righteous Volunteers.'”

Hearing the other party reveal his identity, Prince Feng’s face immediately showed terror, so frightened he couldn’t even speak. The person in the mirror said: “Please turn around, Your Highness, and face the river. Don’t look at the mirror without my instruction. Do you hear?”

Prince Feng’s heart was panicked. He had originally wanted to capture this person for severe interrogation, but who would have thought the contact was actually hiding in the mirror – how was he supposed to arrest someone? He swallowed and turned around as instructed while asking in a low voice: “Are you… are you from the inn?”

The person in the mirror said: “If I were Yang Suguan’s man, I would have already killed you. Why would I need to call you out for idle chat?” These words were very convincing, making Prince Feng feel somewhat reassured. He coughed lightly again: “Then you… what divine being are you?”

The person in the mirror said: “Your Highness need not ask too much. I only want Your Highness to do one thing for me. After it’s accomplished, we’ll go our separate ways and never interfere with each other again. What does Your Highness think?”

Prince Feng sneered inwardly. Once he gave in to the other party’s coercion, how could there be just one or two things? He would probably be controlled for the rest of his life. He snorted: “How can I trust you?”

The person in the mirror said lightly: “Hero Wan Shanfeng.” These five words struck like five thunderbolts, leaving Prince Feng speechless. The person in the mirror smiled: “Your Highness, there’s another line above these five words. Would you like to hear it?” Prince Feng’s whole body trembled as he gasped slightly, his left thumb slowly tightening to clasp with his index finger. But the person in the mirror smiled: “Your Highness, don’t be foolish. Do your subordinates know you’re a ‘Righteous Volunteer’?”

Prince Feng was slightly startled and could only release his hand, coughing: “This… this is none of your business.” The person in the mirror laughed: “Your Highness, don’t be a stranger. Since you’re enemies with the inn, you should tell your subordinates. Otherwise, when they die for you without even knowing how they died, how wronged they’ll be!”

The “Zhenguo Iron Guards” were powerful. Once Prince Feng’s subordinates learned of their situation, they would probably flee or surrender, with no one willing to serve anymore. These words were meant to mock Prince Feng. Listening with his head down, he suddenly felt rage rise in his heart. He turned his head to glare fiercely at the silver mirror and said grimly: “Filthy thing… do you know what kind of relationship my brothers have with this prince?”

The person in the mirror smiled: “Yuan Heng owes you a pair of legs, Yuan Lang owes you a life, right?” Prince Feng was slightly shocked, not expecting this person to know everything, even having investigated Yuan Heng and Yuan Lang’s secrets. He laughed coldly: “Impressive. Since you know this prince’s methods, you should also know I won’t be coerced by anyone. Isn’t that right?” The person in the mirror smiled: “Correct. Your Highness has only known how to coerce others in this lifetime – when has there been a time you were controlled by others?” Prince Feng snorted grimly: “Good that you understand.”

Separated by a mirror, Prince Feng lowered his eyes, but killing intent suddenly arose in his heart. He silently examined the silver mirror, seeing it was only a few inches thick and of ordinary material. He really didn’t know how the visitor could hide inside. Just as he was thinking how to break the mechanism, the person in the mirror laughed: “Your Highness, don’t bother – you won’t see any flaws. But do you want to help me with this favor? Please give me an answer quickly.”

Prince Feng said grimly: “Friend, do you believe I can kill you right now?” The person in the mirror was somewhat annoyed and sighed: “Your Highness, I’m hiding in the mirror while you stand outside it. How confident are you of catching me?” Prince Feng’s eyes showed vicious light as he sneered: “Dog thief, you’d better have really learned wall-piercing magic, otherwise…” He immediately clenched his fists, ready to personally destroy the Western mirror without waiting for his subordinates.

For negotiations, one must first be unreasonable. Seeing Prince Feng display his rogue skills, the person in the mirror couldn’t help but laugh: “Your Highness, my brothers are still waiting for me to return. If they don’t see me for an hour, you know what the big boss will receive.”

Prince Feng’s heart shook, knowing he was going to reveal the information, but he said: “Send it quickly if you want. Before this prince dies, I’ll drag you down with me – it won’t be in vain.” The person in the mirror sighed: “Your Highness, stop joking. I hold your weakness in my hands while you’re empty-handed. What’s the point of this wild struggling – who are you trying to frighten?” Prince Feng sneered: “Who says I’m empty-handed? From what I see, I have at least four people close to you in my grasp.” The person in the mirror’s expression changed slightly: “Which… which four people?”

Prince Feng sneered: “Your father, your mother, your wife, your son.” The person in the mirror fell silent for a moment. Prince Feng continued grimly: “Dog thief, let me sincerely advise you – those who want to be enemies with this prince really need to be careful in this life. From parents above to wife below, everyone must watch their backs. Otherwise, when night demons pounce from behind and drag your wife into endless purgatory, you know what suffering she’ll endure…”

If Yang Suguan was an Asura, then Prince Feng was a night demon. This threat was truly supremely intimidating. The person in the mirror listened and smiled lightly: “I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint Your Highness. I have no parents, no wife, no children – I’m already a lonely ghost. What can Your Highness use to coerce me?”

Prince Feng sneered: “Ridiculous! Living in this world, who can be without any attachments? Even if you’re a lone wolf, surely your accomplices aren’t all without relatives? Let me tell you, this prince only needs to catch one to drag out a whole string and net you all.”

The person in the mirror sighed: “Your Highness is wrong. My brothers are people even the inn doesn’t dare provoke. Can you touch them?” Prince Feng sneered: “What? Are you from the Zhengtong Army? Or the emperor’s imperial envoy?” The person in the mirror said: “I am braver than the Zhengtong Army and higher than the Forbidden City.” Prince Feng spat: “State your name! If you have guts, let me see what you are.”

The person in the mirror said: “Very well, since Your Highness wants to see, turn your head around.” He removed his bamboo hat, revealing his true appearance.

Prince Feng looked intently and saw the person in the mirror was bald with a gaunt appearance. He couldn’t help but be puzzled: “You… you are…” The person in the mirror put the hat back on and smiled: “This humble monk’s secular surname is Mu, and I practice at White Dragon Temple.” Prince Feng had only heard of Shaolin and Hongluo – when had he heard of any “White Dragon Temple”? While pondering, he suddenly felt alarmed: “Wait, you… you are Angry, Angry…”

“Monk Zhi Guan of Angry Cang Mountain.” The person in the mirror smiled and bowed, continuing: “I pay respects to Your Highness – may you live a thousand years, a thousand thousand years.”

Prince Feng’s heart shook. No wonder this person knew all court secrets and was even thoroughly familiar with the secrets of the “Righteous Volunteers” – he was actually the great military strategist of Angry Cang: “Monk Zhi Guan”!

Angry Cang once had “Hidden Dragon” and “Phoenix Feather” – the third military advisor was this “Zhi Guan.” Legend said he had created “Secret Eleven,” infiltrating the court inside and out, achieving countless merits for Qin Baxian. Who would have thought this person would actually come looking for him? Prince Feng was shocked and was about to purse his lips to whistle when he heard Zhi Guan say: “Your Highness, don’t do anything foolish – you have an ambush behind you.”

Prince Feng was greatly alarmed and stopped, knowing Angry Cang was full of assassins – Xiang Tianshou’s flying stones, Jie Tao’s hidden arrows were all examples without exception. In his panic, he was about to crouch down when he heard Zhi Guan say: “Your Highness, don’t misunderstand – I didn’t bring any helpers on this trip.” Prince Feng had been startled several times in one evening and was at a loss, mumbling: “But… but you said there was an ambush…”

Zhi Guan said: “The ones lying in ambush here aren’t my mountain brothers, but people from the inn.”

Hearing the word “inn,” Prince Feng felt as if struck by lightning. If his meeting with an Angry Cang leader here was discovered, even jumping into the Yellow River wouldn’t wash him clean. He quickly glanced back and saw Yin Wenda sitting across the street, with Yuan Heng and Yuan Lang also standing guard at both ends of the street. The street not only had no pedestrians, you couldn’t even see a single cat or dog – where were the secret agents lying in ambush?

Seeing he had been tricked, Prince Feng naturally breathed a great sigh of relief, wiped away his cold sweat, and laughed dryly: “Ridiculous! With my brothers guarding here, not even a fly could get in – where would inn spies come from?” He glanced over with a sinister smile: “But I’m entering the palace this evening to have audience with His Majesty and just need a great gift. How fortunate you’ve delivered yourself…”

This afternoon Emperor Zhengtong was summoning the eight princes. If he could capture Monk Zhi Guan alive and escort him before the emperor, wouldn’t that be a great show of face? He was full of excitement, thinking how to capture this person alive, when he heard Zhi Guan say: “Your Highness, don’t be careless – you really do have an ambush behind you. If anything goes wrong, don’t blame this humble monk for not warning you first.”

Prince Feng was ultimately a power player, naturally born with suspicion. Hearing there was something behind the words, his heart became alarmed again and he said in a low voice: “What exactly are you trying to say?” Zhi Guan said: “Yuan Heng likes women, Yuan Lang likes fighting – Your Highness, do you really trust these two so much?” Prince Feng sneered: “Trying to sow discord? Let me tell you, precisely because one likes women and one likes fighting, this prince can trust them.”

Just as he was about to call his subordinates over, Zhi Guan blocked him again: “Your Highness, don’t be too confident. Have you ever thought about what your own weakness is?”

Hearing the word “weakness,” Prince Feng’s arrogance flared up. He immediately looked up and snorted coldly: “This lonely king himself.”

Zhi Guan laughed: “Your Highness, don’t be wise for a lifetime only to be confused for a moment. This humble monk asks Your Highness: besides yourself, who else knows about those secrets of your subordinates?” Prince Feng was completely relaxed and about to respond arrogantly when his eyes suddenly widened: “Wait… you… you mean…” Zhi Guan said: “Yin Wenda, right?” Prince Feng was dumbstruck and couldn’t make a sound. Zhi Guan said softly: “Your Highness, if you were the ‘big boss’ planning to turn someone close to you, where would you start?”

Prince Feng couldn’t help but break out in cold sweat, saying in a trembling voice: “This… this is absolutely impossible… Old Yin is… is…”

Zhi Guan said lightly: “Recommended to you by the Righteous Volunteers, right?” Prince Feng hung his head gasping and didn’t reply. He heard Zhi Guan say again: “Your Highness, how long have you known Wei Zizhuang?” Prince Feng trembled slightly, his eyes turning angry as he gritted his teeth: “You… you came all this way to find me just to sow discord between us brothers?”

Zhi Guan smiled: “Not at all. This humble monk’s meeting with Your Highness is to ask you to do something important.”

Hearing this, Prince Feng couldn’t help but sneer coldly. Now with Angry Cang approaching the city and court armies gathered in the western suburbs, with great battle imminent, Zhi Guan was seeking him out at this moment – what did he want to do? He said grimly: “Thief, listen! Though this prince doesn’t submit to Yang Suguan, I still bear the surname Zhu. If you… if you want this prince to open the city gates as an inside agent, that’s asking the impossible…”

Just as he was sternly refusing, he heard Zhi Guan laugh: “Your Highness is overthinking. Beijing’s people are wavering – everyone is an inside agent for our mountain. We don’t need you to play this villain.” Prince Feng snorted: “Then… what do you want this prince to do for you?”

Zhi Guan said: “Your Highness, look at your feet.” Prince Feng looked down and saw an envelope had appeared at his feet at some point. He bent to pick it up, frowning: “This is…” Zhi Guan said: “I want to borrow Your Highness’s connections to help this humble monk deliver this letter to someone.”

Prince Feng took a deep breath: “What person?” Zhi Guan said: “His Majesty.”

“What?” Prince Feng’s eyebrows shot up, thinking he had misheard: “You… you want to deliver this letter to His Majesty?”

Zhi Guan said: “Correct. Please remember, Your Highness – this letter must not pass through eunuchs’ hands, nor can it bear a minister’s name. It can only appear silently on His Majesty’s desk. Precisely because this matter is so important, I had no choice but to seek out Your Highness.”

Prince Feng’s mind stirred: “This… does what’s in this letter relate to the western suburbs affair?”

Zhi Guan said: “Your Highness, this humble monk advises you of two more things: first, don’t inquire what’s written in the letter, and especially don’t privately open and read it, or you’ll surely bring fatal disaster upon yourself.” Prince Feng said “Oh?” “How interesting – is it your Angry Cang who will kill, or the Zhenguo Iron Guards?” Zhi Guan said: “His Majesty.”

Prince Feng’s body trembled slightly, but his heart became even more curious about what was written in the letter. He pondered for a long time, secretly calculating, then said: “It seems this prince has no choice. Very well, I’ll take this letter and find a way to deliver it to His Majesty’s eyes.”

Zhi Guan said: “Thank you so much. After this is accomplished, this humble monk guarantees Your Highness’s secrets will never leak a single word. We’ll be even from then on.” As he spoke, the mirror surface suddenly became very foggy. Prince Feng’s heart alarmed, knowing he was about to leave, and quickly said: “Master, please wait.” The mirror’s fog cleared and Zhi Guan said lightly: “What else does Your Highness have?”

Prince Feng coughed: “Master, this prince is risking life and death for you, but I can’t work for nothing. May I ask, if this matter succeeds, what benefit does this prince get?”

Zhi Guan smiled: “Your Highness, you’re putting the cart before the horse. Your life is still in my hands – how can you haggle with me?” Prince Feng picked up the envelope and waved it in his hand, smiling: “Master, the situation has reversed.” Zhi Guan’s face darkened: “What do you mean?”

Prince Feng smiled: “If I give this letter to Yang Suguan, I imagine any grudge between us, no matter how great, could be resolved.”

Seeing Prince Feng scheming to the utmost, wanting to take advantage of everything, even taking advantage of Angry Cang Mountain? Zhi Guan couldn’t help but shake his head with a smile: “Your Highness’s power-scheming skills truly leave this old monk in admiration. Very well, after this succeeds, my Angry Cang brothers can assassinate several political enemies for you as thanks.” Prince Feng’s heart leaped, and he quickly lowered his voice: “Are you serious about this?”

Zhi Guan said angrily: “This old monk isn’t a court person – when have my words and deeds been inconsistent?” Prince Feng smiled slightly, knowing he had fewer enemies on the imperial road. His eyes rolled and he suddenly thought of something else: “Wait, killing political enemies isn’t urgent for now… but as for Qin Zhonghai… hehe… what exactly are your plans? Could Master give some guidance?”

Zhi Guan said indifferently: “What, is Your Highness afraid Beijing can’t be held? Are you thinking of fleeing for your life?” Prince Feng sneered: “Master, oh master, Beijing has millions of troops – who will die is still undecided. What would this prince flee from?”

Zhi Guan said: “Then why does Your Highness ask such unnecessary questions? Anyway, you have Wu Dingyuan defending the city for you. Your Highness just focus on fighting for your power and seizing your benefits. When Grand Commander Wu falls, then worry about it.” The mirror surface became very foggy and Zhi Guan was about to leave when Prince Feng sighed: “Master, you still don’t understand this prince’s situation.”

Zhi Guan said “Oh?” “What do you mean?”

Prince Feng sighed: “If Angry Cang kills into Beijing, His Majesty suffers, the people suffer – everyone dies, but at least it’s clean. But if Grand Commander Wu defeats Angry Cang, what do you think Prince Feng’s fate will be?” Zhi Guan said: “A fate worse than death.”

Prince Feng sighed: “Exactly. If Angry Cang collapses, then His Majesty will be his ten-thousand-year lord, the big boss will calculate his big accounts, everyone will take their positions, but I’ll be miserable. Think about it – I’m one of the eight great princes of this dynasty, listed among ‘Hui Tang Xu Feng Lu,’ already having my lifespan reduced by thirty years. Now I’ve joined the ‘Righteous Volunteers’ and become one of the ten anti-Yang ministers. Once this succession case is decided, how many good days do I have left?”

Zhi Guan said: “On the road to the Yellow Springs, carriages and horses are few – Your Highness will probably go first.”

Prince Feng sneered: “Master underestimates me! If this prince reaches the Naihe Bridge, I guarantee tens of thousands will be scrambling ahead – so many people in this world will have to line up before me, probably even you, Zhi Guan, won’t escape!” Zhi Guan smiled: “Right, this is called ‘Better that I betray the world than the world betray me’ – isn’t that right, Your Highness?”

Hearing the mockery, Prince Feng’s face didn’t redden nor did he pant, saying indifferently: “Master, let’s stop joking and talk seriously. Now that Angry Cang has surrounded the city, what do you plan to do next? Attack the city directly?” Zhi Guan smiled: “Very well, since we’re fated, I’ll speak honestly with Your Highness – I don’t know what we Angry Cang will do next either.”

Prince Feng said in alarm: “What? Even… even you don’t know?” Zhi Guan said: “Believe it or not, now my mountain brothers are holding their breath, all waiting for the Angry King’s next decision. Whether we attack or defend, negotiate or talk, no one can say for sure.”

Prince Feng’s hand tightened, unconsciously gripping the letter. Thinking this letter was for His Majesty and couldn’t even pass through eunuchs’ and palace maids’ hands, lightning suddenly flashed in his mind with the four words “secret recruitment” appearing. His heart jumped in fright: “Great… Great Master, this prince has a strategy here. Would you like to hear it?”

Zhi Guan smiled: “Doing business with Your Highness is sure profit without loss. Please speak – this humble monk is all ears.”

Prince Feng said in a low voice: “I… I hope you don’t withdraw troops until… until…”

Zhi Guan smiled: “Until your son becomes emperor, right?” Prince Feng’s heart pounded. He wanted to agree but feared leaving traces. He swallowed and hesitated for a long time: “Master, this prince has always kept his word, very different from our emperor. If you… if you can support my son, this prince will definitely…” He was thinking how to sign in black and white, cede territory and pay reparations for eight hundred eighty-eight articles when he suddenly heard Zhi Guan sigh: “Your Highness, oh Your Highness, look how selfless you are – why don’t you plan for yourself?”

Prince Feng’s eyes widened: “What do you mean?”

Zhi Guan said: “At this critical juncture, why… why still give way to the crown prince?”

“Right!” Prince Feng cried out. With the situation so turbulent, if he didn’t claim the throne himself, who could make the Angry Cang heroes feel at ease? Who could make the civil and military officials happy? Once he ascended to the throne, Angry Cang would withdraw, military disasters would end, people would live in peace and happiness. Then he could turn his back on his word – first kill Yang Suguan, then destroy Qin Zhonghai. After the Zhenguo Iron Guards and Angry bandits destroyed each other, wouldn’t there be peace under heaven?

He was both excited and thrilled, about to swear oaths with Zhi Guan and make covenants, when suddenly a hand patted his shoulder: “Your Highness, what’s wrong?” Prince Feng was stunned and quickly turned to see Yin Wenda, Yuan Heng and others had all arrived. His hand trembled and the envelope fell down as he said in a shaking voice: “You… why did you come over?”

Yin Wenda quickly said: “I just heard Your Highness shout loudly and feared something had happened, so I came to check.”

Prince Feng’s heart was uneasy, afraid Zhi Guan’s whereabouts had been discovered. Just as he was thinking of some words to cover up, he heard Yuan Lang say: “There’s a letter on the ground.” Yuan Heng said: “Let me look.” Prince Feng was shocked and shouted: “Stop!”

He wanted to step forward to stop them but was still a step too late. With a tearing sound, Yuan Heng had already ripped open the envelope, and a note fell out reading “The Greatest Joke Under Heaven.”

Everyone was stunned for a long time, each looking at the note on the ground in confusion: “What… what is this thing?”

Prince Feng was also dumbfounded. He had thought the letter must contain pages of secret peace negotiations, but who knew it was just this note with “The Greatest Joke Under Heaven”? What peace to negotiate, what amnesty to recruit?

Prince Feng pondered for a long time, afraid Zhi Guan had some other conspiracy aimed at him. Seeing there seemed to be writing on the back of the note, he wanted to pick it up and examine it, but remembering Zhi Guan’s earlier warning, his heart felt uneasy. Seeing Yin Wenda still beside him, he said: “Brother Yin, you also come look at this note and give me some advice.” Yuan Heng quickly said: “Your Highness, may I also look?”

Prince Feng had always been like a water ghost – when encountering bad things, he always wanted to drag several more people down with him. He quickly said: “Come, all come over.” Yin Wenda agreed, and Yuan Heng and Yuan Lang also gathered around. The three crowded beside the prince and turned over the note to see what was written on the back.

The note was turned over and the four looked intently. Suddenly everyone was stunned. Yuan Heng was the first to laugh: “Is this real or fake? How dare they say such gossip?” Yuan Lang laughed: “It’s fake, of course. Didn’t you see the front of the note clearly states ‘The Greatest Joke Under Heaven’ – how could it be real?”

The two laughed heartily and were about to say more when they saw Prince Feng suddenly lift his foot and kick over the roadside mirror, crying out mournfully: “Bastard! Actually bringing this evil thing over! Do you want to kill this prince?” In his excitement, he actually put the note in his mouth and swallowed it without chewing.

In an instant, everyone’s hearts turned cold, already knowing what was written on the note wasn’t a joke but a death sentence.

Zhi Guan hadn’t lied – he had already given warning. This note couldn’t be looked at. At this moment, everyone present had gotten into big trouble. Once this matter reached Emperor Zhengtong’s ears, all four who had seen this note – from Prince Feng down to Yuan Lang – would all be silenced.

Thinking of their situation, Yuan Heng was on the verge of tears: “Your Highness, this… this is just a joke… His Majesty… His Majesty won’t take it seriously with us, will he?” Prince Feng gasped: “He will… he’ll definitely take it seriously… I know his temperament…” While they were looking at each other, they suddenly heard Yuan Heng say hoarsely: “Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid, everyone… everyone just pretend we never saw this note. As long as none of us says anything, who will know?” Yuan Lang quickly said: “Right, right! Let’s quickly make an oath – whoever dares spread this word will be struck by lightning and die miserably…” Yuan Heng shouted: “I swear! I swear!”

Just as they were competing to swear first, there was a splash as someone turned and jumped into the Tonghui River, swimming away – it was the most capable Yin Wenda. Yuan Lang cried out in shock: “Senior Brother Yin! What are you doing! Come back quickly!” He turned to shout: “Your Highness! Call him back!”

Yin Wenda was gone and would never return, because everything Zhi Guan had said was true – he really was “Zhenguo Iron Guards.”

Prince Feng sat stunned like a wooden chicken, collapsing without making any sound. Yuan Heng said in a trembling voice: “Your Highness, what do we do now?” After a very long time, they heard Prince Feng sigh: “Yuan Heng, prepare the carriage. This prince is going to Yang Shouzheng’s mansion.” Yuan Lang was shocked: “Your Highness, you… you’re going to see Yang Suguan?”

“Stop fooling around…” Prince Feng sighed deeply: “Now the only one in the world who can save me is Yang Shaoqi.”