Chapter 10: Tactics (3)

Looking at Zhao Tiande, Yan Chuan’s expression was cold and solemn. He spoke calmly, “You have defied imperial authority, colluded with the enemy, attempted to assassinate me. These crimes are unforgivable. Yet, as you have cooperated to some extent, you shall be granted a whole corpse. Death is your sentence.”

Death!

The word thundered like a bolt from a clear sky, leaving Zhao Tiande dizzy and dazed. He had hoped to humble himself, survive through submission, and someday, once freed, rally the Zhao family army to annihilate Yan Chuan’s lineage and return today’s humiliation a hundredfold. But who could have foreseen Yan Chuan’s ruthless resolve?

“You can’t kill me, you can’t! I am the young master of the Zhao family, the young master! If you kill me, my family will rebel. My grandfather will never forgive you!”

“Don’t kill me, I—I can give you a fortune, a vast fortune!” Zhao Tiande pleaded in confusion.

Yan Chuan ignored him, turning instead to Huo Guang.

“Yes!” Huo Guang replied.

With a swift motion, the spear pierced Zhao Tiande’s throat.

Zhao Tiande’s eyes widened in disbelief. He managed a couple of muffled cries before collapsing lifelessly to the ground.

The surrounding troops fell silent.

None dared lift their heads, but within, waves of shock surged. This was the first time they had witnessed Yan Chuan’s methods—so seasoned, so decisive.

The imprisoned Black Armor Army trembled in fear.

“Your Highness, Zhao Tiande is dead!” Huo Guang reported respectfully.

Yan Chuan glanced at Zhao Tiande’s corpse and said coolly, “Send this body to the capital, deliver it to the Emperor of Yan.”

“Yes!” Huo Guang responded.

Sending the corpse to the capital? The crowd did not understand the purpose—was this not unnecessary? Yet no one dared question it.

“What of compensation for the casualties this time?” Yan Chuan asked Huo Guang.

“Yes, the families of those who died in battle will receive three hundred taels of silver,” Huo Guang replied.

Looking at the bodies scattered around, Yan Chuan shook his head. “These men died protecting me. Increase the compensation to five times for each family.”

A gasp swept through the crowd as they raised their heads in surprise, their hearts suddenly ablaze.

“Yes!” Huo Guang shouted, moved by Yan Chuan’s generosity toward the fallen brothers.

“Clean up the area, detain and interrogate the Black Armor Army about the purpose of the Zheng State emissary’s visit,” Yan Chuan ordered.

“As you command!” Huo Guang replied respectfully.

“As for this dead Zheng emissary, search his body first; I’ll deal with it when I return,” Yan Chuan instructed.

“Yes!”

“Rise,” Yan Chuan said to the kneeling soldiers.

“Thank you, Your Highness!” The soldiers quickly stood.

Yan Chuan turned and walked toward the bamboo lodge, leaving the rest to Huo Guang.

“Your Highness!” The middle-aged eunuch immediately directed attendants to bring several basins of clean water for Yan Chuan to wash the blood from his hands.

Yan Chuan washed his hands, then instructed, “I will rest for a while. No one is to disturb me.”

“Yes!” the eunuch answered respectfully.

Yan Chuan returned to the bamboo lodge and closed the door. The eunuch personally stood guard outside, watching as Huo Guang directed the soldiers to swiftly clean the area.

The eunuch sighed deeply, “Old Emperor, His Highness has finally grown up! May your spirit rest in peace.”

Inside the bamboo lodge.

Yan Chuan sat back on the couch, crossed his legs, and began to regulate his breath, sensing his own condition.

About an hour later, color slowly returned to his cheeks.

He opened his eyes, stretched out his arms, and looked at his palms, where a faint golden glow shimmered.

“The third level of the Realm of Strength? Still too weak—only the force of nine oxen. It seems regaining my former strength will take a long time yet!” Yan Chuan sighed softly.

He narrowed his eyes. “When I return to my peak, Zhen Xiong, with that immortal sword you possess, you should have reached the Realm of Immortals by now, shouldn’t you? I will come for you. In this life, I am determined to forge a court stronger than any in my past. I will confront heavenly tribulations head-on, aiming for the Realm of Immortals! I will cut open your chest and take your heart and lungs!”