Chapter 80: The Show Begins

“I’ll say it again: there are important figures upstairs, not someone a low-ranking captain like you can afford to offend. You’d best stand down.” The lead guard showed no sign of yielding. With a wave of his hand, his men gripped the hilts of their swords, and the situation tensed, ready to ignite.

“If the Flying Phoenix Guard is here on official business, let them come up then.” At this moment, a voice called down from above. The guards responded with a crisp “Yes,” stepping aside to clear the staircase, though they followed behind the three soldiers of the Flying Phoenix Guard, remaining vigilant and ready.

Ascending the stairs, the three soldiers saw a wine table above, around which sat three middle-aged men. One wore green, one blue, and the man at the center was clad in gray.

Though unfamiliar with these men, the soldiers could sense their extraordinary presence and keen, commanding eyes. These were clearly no ordinary men, but rather high-ranking officials of the imperial court.

“Gentlemen, forgive the intrusion. I am Jin Can, a captain of the Flying Phoenix Guard of the Military Capital Battalion, here under orders to inspect for suspicious persons. Please present your identification tokens.” Jin Can offered a respectful yet unapologetic bow, requesting the tokens—a form of identification required for all citizens, much like a modern ID card.

“Insolence! A mere captain dares behave so before me? Even your Marshal, the Princess Royal herself, would have to speak politely in my presence. Begone at once!” barked the gray-robed man at the center, his glare fierce as he rebuked the three.

“Calm yourself, Minister Li. I think we should first verify their identities. What if criminals are impersonating Flying Phoenix Guards, sullying the Princess’s name? Guards, disarm them and escort them back to the Supreme Court for detention,” interjected the blue-robed man, shaking his head. At his shout, a group of guards surged forward, surrounding the three soldiers.

“Gentlemen, here are our military tokens. We are acting under orders; if we have offended, we beg your pardon. But your identification must be inspected,” Jin Can replied coolly, producing a metal token bearing a soaring phoenix, with his rank and name inscribed on the back.

Surrounded by guards and facing three high officials, the young captain—barely in his twenties—showed not the slightest panic. With poise and courtesy, he displayed his credentials and persisted in his request.

“Outrageous! I suspect you’re imposters. Arrest them and lock them up. When the Princess Royal comes, she’ll owe us a favor,” the green-robed man slammed the table and thundered.

With a swift, chilling laugh, Jin Can drew his blade in a flash, countering, “Obstructing an official inspection of the Flying Phoenix Guard—is this rebellion?”

At once, his two companions drew their swords as well, the three forming a back-to-back defensive stance. A piercing whistle burst from their lips, and similar calls echoed from below and afar—reinforcements from the Flying Phoenix Guard were on their way.

“How dare you attack imperial officials! Arrest them—leave them alive, that’s all,” the gray-robed official commanded coldly. For a man of his rank, killing a few lowly captains was inconsequential, especially if he could claim they assaulted a court official. Not even the Princess Royal could object.

“Such arrogance, Minister Li. You’d even dare kill soldiers of the Military Capital Battalion of the Flying Phoenix Guard?” A cold snort interrupted him before anyone could act. From outside the window, figures vaulted down from the roof, landing inside the building.

“Your subordinate greets the Marshal!” Jin Can and his companions immediately knelt, fists clasped in salute.

“Your Highness, what refined taste—to scale walls like a common outlaw. Aren’t you worried the Censorate will impeach you?” The officials’ faces changed at the sight of Wu Qingluan at the fore, but the gray-robed minister forced himself to remain composed, speaking coldly.

“As if I haven’t been impeached enough? Didn’t you, Minister Li, just submit another today? And Lord Wang, didn’t you also file a complaint against me? Hmph! If I weren’t here now, would you have killed my Flying Phoenix Guard soldiers? They are responsible for the safety of the Military Capital, yet it seems the city’s security is of little concern to you, gentlemen.

Minister Li, the Zhou to the east, Xia to the west, Liang to the south, and the Barbarians to the north all have troops massed at our borders. Shouldn’t you be at the Ministry of War strategizing supplies and armaments, rather than amusing yourself here? Or is this little drama your own performance?” Wu Qingluan gestured for Jin Can and his men to rise, then fixed the officials with a frosty stare.

These three were all high-ranking officials: Li Shanghua, Deputy Minister of War; Wang Yuanlang, Deputy Director of the Supreme Court; and Jia Huaihai, Deputy Magistrate of Huayang Prefecture—all loyal to the Ninth Prince’s faction.

Accompanying Wu Qingluan were Wu Ji and a dozen of the Princess Royal’s personal guards. Outside, even more bodyguards and Flying Phoenix soldiers completely surrounded the Taibai Tavern. The officials’ own guards had all been disarmed and detained below.

“Your Highness, you misunderstand. We’re not here for amusement, but to discuss the procurement of provisions. We never meant to trouble the Flying Phoenix Guard,” Jia Huaihai, the lowest-ranked among them, quickly stood and tried to smooth things over with a forced smile.

“I don’t care what business you have here. Since the play has started, let’s watch it unfold, shall we?” The Princess Royal replied with a cold smile, seating herself at another table by the window. Her guards brought wine and dishes, and she began to eat and drink as she watched the street below.

By now, the surrounding streets were packed with citizens, and waves of constables and imperial guards, drawn by the commotion, found themselves hemmed in by the crowd. Despite their martial training, the guards dared not act rashly; the townsfolk were bold, many trained in martial arts, and there could even be master fighters among them. Everyone remained tense and alert.

“Physician Fang, the crowd keeps growing. If this reaches the Emperor’s ears, it won’t be a small matter. How about a compromise? Return the patient to his family, and we won’t take you in for questioning. Let’s all walk away as if none of this happened, and disperse the crowd,” pleaded Zhou Liang, wiping the sweat pouring down his brow. His sleeves were soaked, his back drenched with cold sweat—his fear palpable as he spoke quietly to Fang Xian.

“Sir, the patient has already regained consciousness. Why don’t we hear what he has to say?” Fang Xian replied with a gentle smile, helping the patient sit up. Thanks to his urgent treatment and the infusion of mysterious energy, the patient was not only awake, but far more spirited.

“Sir, this man is not my brother. I don’t know them at all. They broke in, threatened my family with knives, denied me medicine, and for three days didn’t give me a bite of food or a drop of water,” the patient declared, pointing at the young man who’d stirred up the trouble.

Though his voice was not loud, it carried clearly to the dozens gathered nearby. All eyes turned to the troublemaker, and Zhou Liang’s face grew even paler.

“Fellow townsfolk, I am Fang Mingda. Thanks to emergency treatment, the patient is now awake. He says the troublemakers are not his relatives but robbers who threatened his family and denied him food and medicine for three days. With officials and constables of Huayang Prefecture present to hear his words, I trust they will bring the evildoers in for proper questioning. Please, everyone, head home carefully and avoid getting trampled in the crowd.”

Fang Xian’s voice was calm, no louder than normal, yet infused with powerful inner strength—mysterious energy—that carried it to every ear in the surrounding streets, as if he were speaking beside each listener.

“What formidable inner strength—he must be at the peak of first-class masters,” Li Shanghua, Deputy Minister of War, muttered in the Taibai Tavern. As a martial artist himself, just barely a first-class master, he felt it keenly.