The sound of horse hooves echoed on the curfew-bound streets as horses galloped past, reaching Longchong Gate at the fastest speed. Pei Qiantong reined in his horse and shouted loudly: “Where is the gatekeeper?!”

In the silent night, his voice was particularly distinct, and soon a gatekeeper came running to bow, the same two seen during the day. “Greetings, General!”

Pei Qiantong had no time for pleasantries, saying directly: “Open the city gates immediately!”

“Yes.” The gatekeeper agreed and was about to open the gates when urgent horse hooves came from the southeast. A figure could be seen galloping through the night, and before the person arrived, his voice had already carried from afar: “Master Cui has ordered that no one may open the city gates without permission—violators will be executed!”

The gatekeeper, who had been preparing to open the gates, immediately stopped upon hearing these words, not daring to take another step forward. Pei Qiantong cursed under his breath and shouted: “What are you standing there for? Go open the gates!”

As the gatekeeper hesitated, that person had already arrived. Pei Qiancheng recognized the newcomer and said in a low voice to Du Ruhui beside him: “It’s Cui Guangde’s trusted subordinate, called Han Shan. I didn’t expect that despite our urgency, he still caught up with us.” Cui Guangde was the current head of the Cui clan and also Cui Ji’s father.

Before his horse had stopped, Han Shan had already dismounted with a flip, producing a command token and addressing the two gatekeepers: “Master Cui is on his way here now. Before he arrives, if you two dare to open the city gates, you will be executed without mercy!”

Applause sounded behind him—it was Yuwen Zhiji, who said with a mocking expression: “What arrogance! When did Jiangdu City become Master Cui’s personal domain?”

Han Shan cupped his hands toward him and Pei Qiantong: “This subordinate greets General Yuwen and General Pei.”

Pei Qiantong said coldly: “Since you recognize us, you should understand that you have no place to speak here. Withdraw immediately!”

Han Shan remained motionless: “Please forgive this subordinate’s earlier rudeness, but there are murderers of the young master here. Before Master Cui arrives, no one may leave the city.”

Pei Qiantong snorted coldly: “Absurd! These people are all this general’s trusted subordinates—what murderers could there be? This general now needs to send them out of the city on business. If military affairs are delayed, even if you Han Shan had ten heads, you couldn’t bear the responsibility!” Speaking thus, he said again: “Open the city gates immediately!”

“You may not open them!” As he spoke, Han Shan had already placed his blade across the necks of the two gatekeepers while simultaneously snatching the keys from one of them and tucking them into his chest: “Everything must wait until Master Cui arrives.”

This action by Han Shan filled Pei Qiantong with rage: “Han Shan, what audacity! Are you openly opposing us?”

“Please forgive me, General. This subordinate is merely following orders…” Before he could finish, a strong wind came from behind his head. He hastily withdrew his blade to dodge—the one attacking him was Li Shimin, whose every move targeted the keys in his chest. However, Han Shan’s skills were also considerable, and for a moment he fought Li Shimin to a standstill!

“Capture Han Shan!” Yuwen Zhiji knew that the most urgent matter now was to obtain the keys to leave the city, otherwise once Cui Guangde arrived, things would become even more troublesome. Li Shimin understood this point as well, which was why he made his move to seize the keys.

“Yes!” With these words, those guards also joined the battle. As the saying goes, two fists cannot fight four hands—how could Han Shan alone be a match for so many people? He was soon in dire straits.

“Han Shan, if you surrender the keys now, this general may yet spare your life.” As Pei Qiantong spoke, Han Shan had taken several blade wounds, staggering backward as blood dripped steadily to the ground. He was already at the end of his strength.

“Give me the keys!” Facing Li Shimin’s words, Han Shan took out that string of bronze keys. After removing them from the bronze ring, he said: “If I give you the keys, will you let me leave?”

“Naturally!” Before Yuwen Zhiji finished speaking, he saw Han Shan actually stuff the keys into his mouth, and said in horror: “No good, he wants to swallow the keys into his stomach—quickly seize them!”

Li Shimin was the first to react, rushing forward to press down Han Shan’s weapon hand with one hand while gripping his jaw with the other, but he was still a step too late. Han Shan actually swallowed the keys, which were half a palm’s length, into his stomach. His face contorted as he said: “You’ll never get the keys!”

Du Ruhui said with a cold expression: “Merely swallowing them into his stomach—as long as we cut open your belly, we can naturally retrieve them!”

Yuwen Zhiji, who had just been played by Han Shan, was trembling with rage as he shouted: “Men, kill him for me, then cut open his stomach to retrieve the keys!”

Just as the soldiers were about to act, more footsteps came from the southeast. Yuwen Zhiji’s expression changed as he urged: “Quickly! Quickly!”

Amid the continuously dripping blood, Han Shan sneered: “It’s too late. Master Cui will arrive momentarily—you two can forget about protecting these murderers and letting them leave!”

As everyone’s faces turned ugly, the footsteps were already close by—it was a group of fully armed soldiers. Their numbers couldn’t be seen clearly in the night, but judging by the sound of their steps, there were certainly many. Riding at the very front was Cui Guangde.

As soon as he stopped, those soldiers scattered into a fan formation, half-crouching on the ground, then quickly removing the bows and arrows from their backs, drawing them full and aiming at Pei Qiantong and the others.

Pei Qiantong’s cheek twitched violently as he forced out a smile: “What is Master Cui doing?”

Cui Guangde dismounted, his face dark as he said: “What am I doing? You know very well in your hearts. You two actually helped Du Ruhui against my Cui family and rescued that wench who killed my son—what impressive abilities!”

“Young Master’s death was an accident that no one could have anticipated. People are already dead—even if Master Cui kills more people, it’s impossible to bring Young Master back to life. It’s better to resolve grievances than to deepen them. Let’s just forget about it.”

“Forget about it?” Cui Guangde said sarcastically: “If it were your sons who died today, would you still speak so lightly of ‘forgetting about it’? I tell you both, today, these people must die!”

Yuwen Zhiji said with darkened eyes: “Does Master Cui know that outside there are fifty thousand troops watching like tigers? Do you really want to disregard everyone’s life and death for personal desires?”

“I know—they’re Li Shimin’s people, fifty thousand troops…” Cui Guangde stared at Li Shimin, whose face was splattered with blood, and sneered: “Li Yuan is now single-mindedly attacking Chang’an, precisely when he needs to concentrate his forces. Do you think I would believe he would deploy fifty thousand troops to let you come here and rescue a wench?”

Pei Qiantong’s face darkened: “By saying this, is Master Cui implying that I’m deliberately lying?”

Cui Guangde snorted coldly: “I don’t know what scheme you General Pei are planning, but in any case, not one of these people may leave. I will have them cut into a thousand pieces to avenge my poor child!” Cui Ji was his only child, and he had originally gone to great lengths to preserve his life. Now, thinking he had the upper hand, he never expected it would cost Cui Ji his life. He vowed never to rest until this revenge was taken!