Volume One, Chapter 19: The Seven Advances and Seven Retreats of General Zhao!

“No!”

Yun Cang was stunned.

He had originally intended to watch the commotion and gauge Shen Yi’s combat abilities. After all, Yang Lintan’s martial prowess was close to that of a second-tier expert!

This was genuine, a captain with the strength to command ten thousand troops! Especially clad in leather armor and with practical battlefield experience!

Absolutely no less than those captains on the front lines!

Yet he never imagined that such a formidable warrior could not take a single step forward in front of Shen Yi!

This was real combat! The opponent was no mere target!

It was simply terrifying!

Astounding!

Unbelievable!

Such a master of archery was truly a killing machine on the battlefield!

Could it be that Shen Yi’s performance over the past two days was merely to prove his ability to lead troops and slay enemies?

Was he really intending to head to the front lines?

He could even see the emperor’s astonished and somber expression.

“Young Master Shen, you have underestimated His Majesty! With His Majesty’s unfathomable depth, the stronger you become, the less likely He will let you go!”

Yun Cang sighed deeply but was determined not to let Shen Yi die; on the contrary...

Suddenly, his pupils dilated, and with a face full of terror, he watched as Shen Yi aimed at Princess Nanyang!

“Young Master! No!”

“Killing a princess is a capital offense!”

The crowd gasped in horror!

Only Nanyang, with a face full of disdain, angrily rebuked, “How outrageous! Shen Yi, you worthless wretch! How dare you aim your bow at me, the princess?

Try shooting me, I dare you!”

Lin Fengxuan naturally did not believe Shen Yi could hit from such a distance, but to dare insult them?

An unforgivable crime!

He sneered loudly, “Imperial Guards! What are you waiting for? Seize him!”

“Shen Yi! Put down your bow!”

Princess Changyang was anxious!

Shen Yi glanced at Changyang with surprise, but a cold smile curled on his lips as he shot arrow after arrow without looking back.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

The entire scene was frozen in shock.

Nanyang’s eyes widened as she stared at the terrifying sound of arrows cutting through the air, screaming in fright!

“Ah!”

Lin Fengxuan’s eyes went wide!

Damn it! He really dared to shoot! The Marquis of Muzhou! You’re slapping me in the face! Slapping the emperor’s face!

Whoosh!

The arrows sliced through the air.

Lin Fengxuan was completely dumbfounded!

Unbelievable!

So fast! So terrifying!

Damn! So close to me!

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Both Nanyang and Lin Fengxuan fell back in fright. Then with a whizz, an arrow pierced through Princess Nanyang’s white robe and embedded deeply in the tree root behind her!

The entire crowd fell silent.

Only Shen Yi awkwardly scratched his head, looking toward Yun Cang, “Sorry, slipped my hand.”

---

Yun Cang: !!

Princess Nanyang, still shaken, felt a cold wind blow past her as she stared blankly at the arrow behind her, then at Lin Fengxuan trembling beside her.

She swore this was the most fear and humiliation she had ever felt in her life!

She had nearly lost control!

Under the gazes of the crowd, still trembling from the near-death terror, Nanyang screamed in a mixture of fear and fury.

“Shen Yi! How dare you try to kill me, the princess! You’re finished! I will tell Father! I will have you executed! I want you to suffer horribly!”

She rolled and scrambled in disgrace, her wild rage shouting, “Imperial Guards! Kill him! Kill him! Or I’ll make sure your entire families suffer!”

“Yes!” The Imperial Guards finally dared not refuse.

They drew their swords and shouted, “Kill!”

Only Yang Lintan remained still.

He was not just shocked but felt relief and admiration!

In the earlier duel, Shen Yi had shown mercy, not aiming for his vital spots.

That was already enough respect!

Moreover, Princess Changyang was arrogant and reckless, bullying Changyang and the Yang family for a long time!

Shen Yi, a powerless young lord, actually dared to confront Princess Nanyang with weapons!

How was he a coward? A useless wretch?

He was a true hero!

A real warrior!

Lady Wang, you wretched servant! How dare you deceive me!

Lady Wang was utterly dumbfounded.

Princess Changyang stared blankly, confused and chaotic!

But for some reason, her heart was strangely moved, her eyes moist.

Shen Yi, are you recklessly avenging me?

Why are you so foolish?

If you die, I, Changyang, would gladly follow you to the afterlife.

At this moment, Lin Fengxuan felt utterly ashamed of his trembling disgrace, hastily stepping forward to support Nanyang, only to be angrily pushed away.

“You useless wretch! You didn’t get shot with arrows, so why are you trembling?”

A scathing insult!

Lin Fengxuan’s eyes filled with shame and hatred as he shouted, pointing furiously at Shen Yi, “You thief Shen! Was this on purpose? You’ve insulted me beyond measure! Don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

“Stop injuring our young lord! Attack!”

“Damn it! It’s do or die! Young lord, we protect you out of Bianjing!”

...

The battle erupted!

But Shen Yi aimed straight at Lin Fengxuan!

He dared not kill the princess now, but what about the prince consort? Could he not hurt him?

A cold sneer curled his lips. How dare they insult me? What kind of dogs are they?

Rich families? Power that swayed the court?

I’m coming for you!

From afar, Lin Fengxuan was terrified.

“Stop!”

At this moment, Yun Cang stopped hiding, leaping several meters high!

With a furious roar, he stood between the two sides of the crowd!

He brandished a golden imperial token, radiating awe and authority!

“I am Zhao Gengcang, the Imperial Guard Commander appointed by His Majesty! All of you, stop right now!”

As everyone was stunned and halted—

Whoosh!

---

Suddenly, an arrow tore through the air!

Yun Cang was shocked but too late to intercept. Furious, he shouted, “Prince Consort Shen! What are you trying to do?”

Shen Yi looked apologetic, “Sorry, you’re too late!”

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Swift as lightning!

Lin Fengxuan had not anticipated Shen Yi would strike!

Nor how accurate his arrows were!

As the arrows cut the air, he was only thinking of escaping!

While everyone was stunned by Zhao Gengcang’s identity, their eyes widened, all fixed on the arrow.

Whoosh!

With a sharp sound—

Lin Fengxuan’s thick robe was pierced through, tearing flesh and blood!

The tremendous force sent him staggering forward, tumbling face-first onto the ground!

“Ah!”

The icy earth pained the scholarly Lin Fengxuan, who cried out.

He realized his shoulder and clothes had been pierced, flesh mangled and bloody!

He trembled in pain and fear!

Facing the crowd’s gazes, he was utterly ashamed and frenzied with rage, “Shen Yi! How dare you humiliate me so! I will tear you limb from limb!”

“Everyone stop!” Zhao Gengcang roared again, his face icy as he stared at Shen Yi.

“I carry out His Majesty’s orders. You Imperial Guards, stand down!”

“Commander Zhao?” Yang Lintan was stunned, trembling with excitement.

“Is this the very General Zhao who, thirty years ago, charged seven times into battle and captured the barbarian leader?”

“Is it him?”

“My heavens! He’s still alive? I’m witnessing a living legend!”

“So he never retired! He’s been in the deep palace all along. What an honor for us!”

All the Imperial Guards, including Shen’s personal guards, looked at Yun Cang with reverence and worship.

Shen Yi also muttered, “So it’s him.”

Meanwhile, Nanyang trembled with rage, looking at Shen Yi’s calm and indifferent expression and feeling a flicker of fear!

But she kept her wits, crying out, “General Zhao, you have seen it yourself! Shen Yi scorns imperial authority, harms Lady Wang, and intimidates me, the princess!

Even when you ordered a ceasefire, he still shot an arrow to insult my husband! He is the young lord of Prince Pingqing!

Prince Pingqing is loyal to the emperor and the country, with glorious battle achievements! How can his legitimate son suffer such a shock in the capital?

Princess Nanyang begs you to report truthfully to His Majesty and stand up for us!”

Lin Fengxuan immediately stood, his face flushed with shame and rage, gritting his teeth, “General Zhao, Shen Yi is lawless. I beg you to do justice!”

Damn it! I didn’t bring my personal guards today! Otherwise, I’d have you kneeling for mercy!

This pain today—I will never forgive you!

Princess Changyang was stunned for a moment.

Is this the very Imperial Guard General who saved the Great Cheng Kingdom’s fortunes for decades?

He was sent to protect Shen Yi?

“General Zhao!” Changyang hurriedly pleaded, “Shen Yi may have been rash, but it was Princess Nanyang and Prince Consort Lin who insulted him first!”

A hush fell.

Everyone turned to look at her in astonishment.

Especially Lady Wang, who was dumbfounded.

Princess Changyang? Yesterday you wanted Shen Yi dead.

How come today you’re pleading for him?