Chapter 48: The Assassination: From this moment, Liu Hexiao laid down his sword and shed his battle robes…

Liu Hexiao froze at the voice he heard.

It was so familiar.

He wanted to turn and see clearly but was entangled with several skilled fighters, leaving him no choice but to deal with them one by one.

Hidden in the shadows was none other than Zhang Luan.

Zhang Luan’s eyes were slightly reddened with emotion. Liu Hexiao had made him a laughingstock, and now, he was determined to reclaim his dignity!

Nearby, Zhang Luan’s servant stood watching anxiously. Seeing that several skilled fighters had already exchanged dozens of moves with Liu Hexiao without gaining the upper hand, the servant asked nervously, “Young Master, do you think they can defeat the Shizi?”

Zhang Luan shot him a glare. “Of course they can! These men are the finest of the finest!”

After suffering repeated humiliations at Liu Hexiao’s hands, Zhang Luan had hired several highly skilled fighters. Partly to protect himself, but more importantly, to exact his revenge.

Tonight, his original plan had been to seize that little cook while she was alone and drag her back to his manor, forcing Liu Hexiao to bear the ultimate disgrace.

But who would have thought that Liu Hexiao hadn’t left with the others? Instead, he stayed behind to wait for her.

With Cheng Lingwei absent, Liu Hexiao was alone… How could Zhang Luan let such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity slip by?

His desire for vengeance turned murderous.

Yet, as time passed, Zhang Luan began to grow anxious.

Lacking any martial skills himself, he dared not step into the fray. He remained hidden in the shadows, issuing orders. “Wang San, grab the woman! Let’s see if he surrenders then!”

One of the attackers immediately broke away from the fight and started chasing after Yihuan.

Seeing this, Liu Hexiao swiftly disarmed one of his opponents, seizing their weapon to block Wang San’s path.

This momentary distraction left his back exposed, and a powerful strike landed squarely between his shoulders.

The full force of the blow made Liu Hexiao cough up a mouthful of fresh blood, which splattered across Wang San’s chest. Stunned by the sight, Wang San froze momentarily, giving Liu Hexiao the chance to slash him down with a single stroke. Wang San collapsed on the spot.

Liu Hexiao staggered but managed to prop himself up with his sword. “If you have grievances, settle them with me. Leave the innocent out of this!”

Though Wang San was down, the remaining fighters cornered Liu Hexiao against a wall. With nowhere left to retreat, he continued to hold his ground.

Suddenly, one of them seized an opening and struck at his right arm, forcing Liu Hexiao to drop his sword. The blow sent him crashing into the wall.

Two assailants pressed their blades against him, keeping him restrained. Despite his predicament, Liu Hexiao’s cold gaze pierced the darkness, searching for the one hiding in the shadows.

Seeing that Liu Hexiao was injured, Zhang Luan finally mustered the courage to emerge from his hiding place.

“Well, well, Liu Shizi. Long time no see!” Zhang Luan’s face was full of smug satisfaction. It was his first time witnessing Liu Hexiao in such a miserable state, and he was ecstatic.

Liu Hexiao let out a soft chuckle, his face devoid of fear. With blood still on his lips, he sneered, “Didn’t you whine about this every day?”

Zhang Luan froze for a moment, then flushed with anger upon understanding the jab. “Liu Hexiao, you’re about to die, and you’re still talking back!”

Liu Hexiao gave him an indifferent glance. “If you’re going to kill me, just do it. Spare me your nonsense.”

Zhang Luan snorted. “I wouldn’t let you die so easily! That’d be far too merciful!” He stepped closer and hissed venomously, “The humiliation you caused me—I’ll repay you tenfold!”

Slumping against the wall, Liu Hexiao settled himself lazily, as though Zhang Luan’s threats were nothing but noise.

Zhang Luan, frustrated by Liu Hexiao’s indifference, barked, “Liu Hexiao! I’m talking to you!”

Liu Hexiao’s reply was as cool as ever. “Oh? I didn’t hear you.”

Fuming, Zhang Luan raised his hand and slapped him hard across the face. Liu Hexiao’s head tilted to the side from the blow, spitting out blood in response.

His thoughts, however, were elsewhere. I hope Yihuan has run far enough… She mustn’t be caught.

Wiping the blood from his lips, Liu Hexiao locked eyes with Zhang Luan, his expression provocative.

Seeing the redness on Liu Hexiao’s cheek and the bloodstains on his crimson robes, Zhang Luan felt a rare sense of satisfaction.

“Liu Hexiao… do you know how much I hate you?” Zhang Luan’s voice deepened. “Since we were children, you’ve always been the star of our generation. Everywhere you went, my parents compared me to you until I was sick of hearing it. Just the sight of you made me loathe you to my core.”

Liu Hexiao wore a look of nonchalance, the faintest smirk curling his lips. “And then?”

Every moment he delayed Zhang Luan was another moment Yihuan could escape safely.

“And then!?” Zhang Luan’s voice rose. “When I saw you fall from grace, your name dragged through the mud, I was ecstatic. Finally, my father stopped using you as the standard to measure me against.”

Zhang Luan’s father, a distinguished Grand Secretary, had always expected excellence from his son. But Zhang Luan, lacking ambition, had often borne the brunt of his father’s ire.

“Yet even as you disgraced yourself, you dared to humiliate me! You ruined my reputation in all of Shengjing!” Zhang Luan seethed, grabbing a blade from one of his men and preparing to strike Liu Hexiao.

But Liu Hexiao remained calm, speaking slowly. “How is that my fault? You laid hands on someone under Prince Qi Manor’s protection. I merely did what was necessary to protect those around me.”

His tone was conversational, almost coaxing.

Years ago, Zhang Luan had attempted to assault Bai Li, one of Madam Liu’s maids, but Liu Hexiao had intervened. The incident ended with Zhang Luan’s pants being ripped off and him being thrown into the street. The scandal had made him a laughingstock across the capital.

Pausing mid-swing, Zhang Luan snapped, “Fine! Let’s say the Bai Li incident was my fault. But what about the last time? You barged into my private chamber at Qianjiao Pavilion! How do you explain that?”

Liu Hexiao’s expression darkened. “You insulted my elder brother. You deserved what you got.”

“Your brother? Ha!” Zhang Luan laughed bitterly. “Your Liu family may seem like the mighty pillars of the kingdom, but what good does it do? Your elder brother was just a scapegoat for the imperial family. What’s so noble about that?”

Liu Hexiao’s face turned stormy. “What are you saying?”

Zhang Luan grinned maliciously. “Liu Hexiao, don’t you know? It was not your brother’s original intention when he led troops to rush out of Liaozhou City. It was—”

“What?” Liu Hexiao interrupted, his voice trembling.

“It was an order… from the Crown Prince.”

Liu Hexiao froze. His face turned pale as memories of that fateful day from four years ago surged back to him.

Binzhou City was only a few hundred miles from Liaozhou City.

When Liu Hexiao was still young, Prince Liu had taken him along to defend Binzhou.

Binzhou was a vital defensive line—easily defended but difficult to attack. The Crown Prince had ordered that Binzhou must be held at all costs. No soldier was to leave the city without orders, on penalty of death.

In contrast, Liaozhou was positioned at the junction between the Northern Dynasty and Donghu. It could be used for offense or defense, depending on the situation. The command of Liaozhou had been entrusted to Liu Hehao, with the discretion to act based on circumstances.

Two armies stood poised for battle, and the tension was palpable.

Originally, Liu Hehao had sent a letter stating his intent to focus on defense. Prince Liu and Liu Hexiao both read his handwritten report and felt reassured.

But the next day, Liu Hehao suddenly opened the gates of Liaozhou and launched a surprise attack on Donghu’s auxiliary forces!

When Prince Liu learned of this, he was furious.

“How could he act so recklessly!? He has only 10,000 men and dares to ambush Donghu? Even against their auxiliary forces, he should have gathered more intelligence first!”

Liu Hexiao also found it strange. While father and son were grappling with the matter, the Crown Prince suddenly arrived in Binzhou, urging them to maintain a strict defensive stance and hold Binzhou at all costs.

Liu Hexiao, worried about his elder brother’s safety, proposed sending reinforcements to Liaozhou, but the Crown Prince denied his request.

The Crown Prince left them with one sentence: “General Liu is a master tactician. This palace trusts that Liaozhou will turn peril into peace.”

But the flames of war engulfed Liaozhou that very night.

“Father, let me lead troops to reinforce Liaozhou! Please, I beg you!”

The 15-year-old Liu Hexiao knelt on the ground, his youthful face flushed with urgency.

Prince Liu’s voice trembled slightly. “Military orders are absolute… If you lead the troops out, opening the gates will invite an enemy incursion. What will become of Binzhou then?”

Liu Hexiao was frantic. “Then are we supposed to just watch as my brother dies!?”

Prince Liu, his gaze fixed on the distant flames of Liaozhou, wore a sorrowful expression. “He made the decision to attack; he must bear the consequences.”

Liu Hexiao’s face hardened. “Father… How can you be so heartless?”

Prince Liu’s body trembled briefly. “I am not just your father. I am the commander-in-chief of this battle! How can I prioritize personal feelings over the greater good?”

Still, Liu Hexiao pleaded. “Father… At least allow me to take a few skilled men and rescue my brother. Please?”

Prince Liu silently closed his eyes. “It’s already too late.”

Liu Hexiao turned his gaze back to Liaozhou. The smoke from its signal fires had dissipated, replaced by a towering column of Donghu’s unique ceremonial smoke, used to announce the capture of a city.

A chill spread through Liu Hexiao’s heart, and his body collapsed to the ground in despair.

Zhang Luan watched Liu Hexiao’s pale, bloodless face, sensing that his words had struck kn correct point. He smirked with satisfaction.

“Liu Hexiao, Liu Hexiao… So you’ve been in the dark this whole time,” he sneered with malicious glee. “Back then, the Crown Prince was determined to launch an offensive. He wanted your elder brother to attack Donghu, securing a victory to impress the emperor. But your father refused. So, the Crown Prince sent a private letter to Liu Hehao, commanding him to leave the city and engage in battle, showcasing the might of the Northern Dynasty.”

Zhang Luan chuckled darkly. “Who would’ve guessed? The Crown Prince’s intelligence was flawed. The Donghu auxiliary forces didn’t number a few thousand—they had 50,000 troops! Liu Hehao’s attack was like throwing an egg against a rock.”

Liu Hexiao glared at Zhang Luan, his jaw tight. “Do you have proof?”

Zhang Luan smirked. “Tsk, tsk… I share this out of kindness, and you don’t believe me? My father was stationed in Binzhou at the time. He personally saw the Crown Prince—now the emperor—deliver the private letter. Later, your father found out as well, but to preserve the Crown Prince’s reputation, he kept quiet. Officially, the incident was dismissed as an ordinary military failure.”

Liu Hexiao’s face grew grim, his eyes reddening. He struggled to process what he was hearing. “If my father knew, why wouldn’t he seek justice for my brother!?”

For years, Liu Hexiao had resented his father for not coming to his brother’s aid, but he had also understood his father’s reasoning.

After his brother’s death, Liu Hexiao had been a changed man.

In his heart, Liu Hehao had been a diligent servant of the empire and the court, giving everything he had. And yet, what had he received in return?

Defeat. A ruined city. Dust-covered bones.

When people spoke of Liu Hehao, they only remembered his failure and his death.

The capital, Shengjing, remained as bustling and glorious as ever. The Crown Prince, bolstered by his supposed military achievements, ascended the throne unchallenged. Those who had supported him enjoyed their meteoric rise to power and wealth.

But no one remembered the spirited youth who had sacrificed his life and body for this peace.

From that day on, Liu Hexiao laid down his sword and shed his battle robes, choosing instead to drift aimlessly through life.

Once, he had aspired to be like his elder brother.

Now, he vowed never to follow in his brother’s footsteps.

Raising his head, Liu Hexiao looked Zhang Luan in the eye, speaking firmly and deliberately: “I don’t believe you.”

Zhang Luan chuckled softly. “If not for your father’s shrewd judgment, how do you think your sister became the emperor’s most favored consort? How else would the Liu family’s glory endure to this day?”