Chapter Sixty-Nine: At a Loss for Answers

Li Zhi racked his brains, but could not come up with an answer!

At this moment.

The assassins gathered in the street all began to retreat.

Lou Yi asked in confusion, "What's going on? Could it be that our reinforcements have arrived?"

"No, they're about to release a volley!" Li Zhi shouted, "Quick, get inside the building!"

The opposing side was already poised to attack.

Lou Er scooped up Li Zhi and charged into a nearby tavern.

The rest fought as they withdrew.

Fortunately, the distance was short, and with Lou Er's speed, they easily dodged the arrows.

"What a close call!"

Li Zhi broke out in a cold sweat.

Boom, boom, boom...

The assassins' methods and strength were terrifying. They quickly surrounded the tavern, smashed the doors, rushed into the main hall, and once again encircled Li Zhi.

Whoosh!

An arrow whistled by, grazing Li Zhi's shoulder.

"This place is too dangerous. We could become the focus of the assassins' attack—if they fire a thousand arrows at once, we won't be able to withstand it! Lou Er, Lou San, protect the prince and fight your way out—"

"Wait!" Li Zhi called, "Don't rush out yet, go upstairs first!"

"Your Highness, going upstairs is dangerous. If we're blocked, we'll have nowhere to retreat!"

"Not necessarily," Li Zhi replied. "No matter how many assassins there are, they all have to come up the stairs. If you guard the staircase, we can hold them off. Besides, our reinforcements will arrive soon. It's better to stay quiet than to act rashly right now!"

"We'll do as Your Highness says," Lou Yi agreed with Li Zhi's decision.

...

Everyone withdrew to the second floor.

The eighteen Golden Blade Guards split into six units.

Two guarded the staircase.

Two guarded the windows.

One stood ready to support.

The last unit protected Li Zhi.

"Lou Yi, how's your wound? Is it still bleeding?" Li Zhi noticed that his abdomen was stained red, and his left hand pressed tightly against the wound.

"It's just a minor injury, it's nothing!"

"Let me bandage it for you." Li Zhi tore his clothes and wrapped them twice around Lou Yi's waist.

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

"No need to thank me. If you die, I won't survive either..." Li Zhi smiled.

Despite his words,

Lou Yi was still grateful to Li Zhi.

...

During the next quarter of an hour, the assassins launched more than ten assaults, but none could break through the Golden Blade Guards' defenses. The main reason was the narrow staircase, which prevented many from fighting at once. The guards, highly skilled, killed one after another, two after two, and with only two or three men, repelled all attacks.

This proved Li Zhi's decision was correct.

Had they rushed out earlier, they might have died on the spot.

After a quarter of an hour!

Luo Tong arrived with reinforcements, engaging the assassins outside in fierce battle. He ordered his men to surround the area, rapidly shrinking the perimeter, ready to capture all the assassins.

"That boy... finally arrived!" Li Zhi breathed a long sigh of relief.

Lou Yi said, "Your Highness, the Young Master is here. Should we kill all the assassins, or capture them?"

"Try to take them alive! I want to uncover who's behind all this, to find out who wants me dead!"

"Yes!"

The assassins were already preparing to retreat.

But it was too late!

Outside, Luo Tong and the government troops; inside, the eighteen Golden Blade Guards—launched a full counterattack. The assassins were soon pushed to the brink. Under Li Zhi's orders, the focus was on capturing prisoners.

A dozen assassins were killed.

Five or six committed suicide.

The rest were all arrested.

"Your Highness, are you alright? Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine!"

Luo Tong rushed in to assess the situation. Confirming Li Zhi was unharmed, he relaxed. "These assassins were clearly sent with a plan. The mastermind behind them must hold a high position. But how did they know Your Highness left the palace? Only a few of us knew about it—it's truly strange!"

"That's what I can't figure out!" Li Zhi had pondered all night, but couldn't find the answer.

Clatter, clatter...

A squad of soldiers entered the tavern.

The leading officer saluted, "I am Zhao Wu, Captain of the Imperial Cavalry, here to see the Prince of Jin!"

"Thank you, General Zhao, for your timely rescue. If not for you, I'd have lost my life!"

"I was only doing my duty!"

Zhao Wu ordered his men to secure the assassins, then said, "These assassins are major offenders. I will take them to the Ministry of Justice to await trial!"

"No rush..." Li Zhi waved his hand.

He did not agree.

This assassination could implicate some officials in the court.

The Ministry of Justice always hesitated before powerful interests, rarely enforcing the law impartially.

If handed over to them, the matter might simply fade away.

"Since they've been caught by me, they shouldn't expect to get away with it! This time, I won't rest until I draw every drop of blood from the mastermind!" Li Zhi gritted his teeth for a moment, then said, "Captain Zhao, take these assassins to Chang'an County, and inform Magistrate Sun Jiali that they are major offenders. Not a single mistake is allowed! Otherwise, he will be punished as if he were an accomplice!"

"This..." Zhao Wu hesitated, "Your Highness... Chang'an County usually handles petty crimes. For such a major case, it should be handed to the Ministry of Justice. What if my superiors object?"

"You needn't worry. Just do as I say. I'll return to the palace immediately and ask Father to give me authority over the case. I will conduct the trial in Chang'an County!"

"Yes!"

Zhao Wu agreed.

After all, he was only following orders.

If anything happened, it wouldn't be his responsibility.

...

...

Dawn broke.

Li Zhi sent the Golden Blade Guards to the county office.

They watched the assassins closely, never leaving their side.

Although Sun Jiali was trustworthy, vigilance was still necessary.

"Luo Tong, let's hurry back to the palace... I have a bigger game to play!" Li Zhi seemed a bit excited.

"Alright!"

Under Luo Tong's protection,

they quickly returned to the palace.

It was just in time for the morning court.

Li Zhi went to the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

He intended to bring everything from last night into the open, to make a big commotion. This way, Emperor Taizong would issue an order for a thorough investigation, and Li Zhi could conduct the case openly and lawfully.

Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony,

Li Zhi addressed the assembled civil and military officials, "The origin of this matter is somewhat complex. It began a few days ago, when I had a dream—dreamed that assassins would try to kill me, so..."

Li Zhi fabricated a story.

From his premonition of danger to actively luring the assassins.

The narrative was seamless.

Finally, he said, "Those assassins have now been arrested and are all held in Chang'an County. I ask Father to issue a decree allowing me to conduct the trial. I promise to catch the true culprit behind it!"

"Hmph!"

Emperor Taizong suddenly rose, furious. "Once, twice, three times... What are these assassins after? Who seeks the prince's death? What is their motive?"

"Chang'an County!"

"I am here!" Sun Jiali stepped forward.

"You are the magistrate of Chang'an County, responsible for the city's security, yet you let assassins run rampant. What punishment do you deserve?"

"Your Majesty... I..." Sun Jiali was speechless.

"Guards, seize Sun Jiali..." In his anger, Emperor Taizong was about to execute Sun Jiali.

Sun Jiali trembled with fear.

Li Zhi stepped forward and said, "Father, please spare Magistrate Sun for now. Let him redeem himself by assisting me in investigating the assassins. I believe there is a mastermind behind them; if we uncover him, we can deal with them all at once!"