Chapter 378
Chapter 378
The Administration Office of the White Night Army.
One of the White Night Army's commanders said.
“Zhang Chong has departed.”
Administrator Xiao Wushang asked.
“How many are with him?”
“He has only one attendant, followed by fifteen warriors.”
Administrator Xiao Wushang smiled.
“He has some nerve.”
“Sir, should we move our troops to surround the Snow Mountain Pavilion?”
“If we move our troops, would Zhang Chong even come? Besides, is there any need to use soldiers against a man who brings only fifteen men? Are our people at the Snow Mountain Pavilion ready?”
The commander said.
“Everything is ready. From the chef to the waiters and the songstresses, all are masters sent by the Su Clan. Thirty-seven in total. More than enough to kill Zhang Chong.”
Administrator Xiao Wushang said.
“Well then, let the banquet begin. A banquet for me, who will kill our enemy and become a founding contributor to a new nation.”
* * *
The Snow Mountain Pavilion was the finest restaurant and inn in White Night City, spanning dozens of acres. It had everything—pavilions, kiosks, and ponds—like a small scenic grove. The main building of the Snow Mountain Pavilion was situated in the center of a pond. As darkness fell, the entire pavilion was lit with lanterns and decorated with colorful silks. Tonight, the Snow Mountain Pavilion was closed to other guests, holding a banquet exclusively for Prefect Zhang Chong.
When Zhang Chong's carriage arrived at the Snow Mountain Pavilion, the warriors following him entered first to inspect every corner, confirming there were no ambushes. Xiao Wushang said to Zhang Chong.
“Prefect, please enter!”
“Administrator Xiao, thank you for the invitation!”
Zhang Chong returned the courtesy. As Xiao Wushang was about to enter with him, he was surprised to see an ugly, middle-aged man following them.
“This is my guard, sent by His Majesty the King. He must remain by my side at all times.”
Xiao Wushang lowered his voice and asked quietly.
“Is he from the Blackwater Terrace?”
Zhang Chong said with a smile.
“Administrator Xiao, I cannot say.”
Xiao Wushang nodded and smiled in understanding.
“I see.”
But inwardly, he dismissed the guard. The Blackwater Terrace might seem to produce a steady stream of talent and appear impenetrable, but in truth, it had very few true masters. Even if the Blackwater Terrace sent a commander-level expert, so what? Could one master from the Blackwater Terrace possibly stand against the thirty masters sent by the Su Clan? Moreover, Zhang Chong had just sent his warriors to search the Snow Mountain Pavilion and confirmed there were no ambushes. But could he possibly know that every chef, waiter, and even the songstresses were assassins?
* * *
As Zhang Chong entered the Snow Mountain Pavilion, a crowd of officials and merchants flocked to curry favor. The plan to assassinate Zhang Chong at the banquet tonight was known only to two men: Administrator Xiao Wushang and Commander Luo Peng. These merchants and officials were actually glad to see Zhang Chong arrive. With tens of thousands of peasants turned rebels not far away and the Su Clan acting strangely and unpredictably, everyone sensed danger. The main fortress of the White Night Army housed two thousand garrisoned troops, but they were no better than bandits. In comparison, Zhang Chong was a much more reliable figure. He had a good reputation as an official, and with three thousand elite soldiers under his command, they believed their fortunes would be safer.
Of the dozens of guests gathered here, half were officials and the other half were wealthy merchants. They exchanged greetings for a full quarter of an hour before finally taking their seats. Dozens of waiters moved like flowing water, endlessly bringing out delicious dishes, while five beautiful songstresses slowly emerged and sat in the center, preparing to sing. The air inside the Snow Mountain Pavilion was intoxicating, filled with the scent of fine wine and beautiful women. The host of tonight’s banquet, Administrator Xiao Wushang of the White Night Army, stood and raised his cup.
Everyone except Zhang Chong rose from their seats. They wouldn't dare remain seated while the Administrator was standing. They held their cups, waiting for Xiao Wushang's toast. At last, Xiao Wushang spoke.
“Our White Night Commandery lies at the foot of the snow mountains. Though it is summer, the night wind blows so cold. Someone, close the doors.”
As soon as he spoke, every door and window of the Snow Mountain Pavilion was shut tight. Everyone present was taken aback.
‘Why close all the doors? Isn't it stuffy with so many people? Is the Administrator so frail at his age that he can't even stand a little breeze?’
But they only wondered internally and didn't pay it much mind. After all the windows and doors were closed, Administrator Xiao Wushang smiled.
“As you all know, the previous prefect, Chen Jinong, was stripped of his office for corruption and escorted to the capital. The position of Prefect of our White Night Commandery has been vacant for several months, but today, Lord Zhang has finally arrived to fill it.”
All eyes turned to Zhang Chong. Administrator Xiao Wushang continued.
“I have long heard of Prefect Zhang's esteemed reputation. We look to you as a newborn looks to its parents. Your arrival to preside over the affairs of the White Night Commandery is a blessing for the people and for its many officials. Let us all raise our first cup to Prefect Zhang.”
At his words, dozens of officials and merchants raised their cups in unison and shouted.
“This cup is for Prefect Zhang.”
Under the gaze of all, Zhang Chong picked up his cup and slowly rose. Xiao Wushang’s heart began to beat a little faster than before. Zhang Chong’s cup was poisoned. If he could be poisoned now, everything would be simple. According to the Su Clan's intelligence, Zhang Chong was likely a formidable martial artist.
Zhang Chong smiled as he looked at the wine in his cup.
“What fine wine, truly fine wine!”
Zhang Chong tilted the cup, letting the candlelight shine through it.
“Fine wine, fine wine.”
Everyone watched his actions, cursing him inwardly.
‘If it's such fine wine, why don't you drink it? Dozens of us are holding our cups, waiting to drink with you. It’s quite tiring to keep holding them up like this.’
“The wine is fine, but unfortunately, it is poisoned.”
Zhang Chong’s words stunned everyone.
‘What kind of joke is this? How could this wine be poisoned?’
At that moment, the serving girl who had just poured wine for Zhang Chong suddenly drew a sharp sword from her sleeve and slashed fiercely at his neck. Her speed was unparalleled, seemingly impossible to block. But Zhang Chong was faster. Without drawing his sword, he used the ceramic wine cup in his hand as a weapon and smashed it against the woman’s forehead.
Thwack!
The sturdy ceramic cup embedded itself in the woman's head, and she died with her skull split open. At the same time, four assassins disguised as waiters drew their swords and charged at Zhang Chong. Every waiter, singer, and serving girl in the room drew their blades, rising from all corners to rush toward him. A horde of more than thirty assassins swarmed to surround and kill Zhang Chong. The sudden turn of events left the officials and merchants in the Snow Mountain Pavilion in utter shock, unable to believe the scene unfolding before them.
‘Assassinating a prefect in front of everyone like this? Are they mad?’
Then, Administrator Xiao Wushang bellowed.
“By Lord Su Nan's command! Kill Zhang Chong!”
Xiao Wushang’s cry made everyone hesitate for a moment, but soon, the three military commanders present drew their sharp swords and charged at Zhang Chong. Administrator Xiao Wushang said.
“Gentlemen, Prefect Zhang Chong will die in this pavilion tonight, and none of us will be able to escape responsibility, so don't think you can claim innocence. We're all in this together now. Even if Zhang Chong had multiple lives, he will surely die here today!”
The officials and merchants were terrified by Xiao Wushang’s words. Whether they were shocked or not, dozens of assassins had completely surrounded Zhang Chong, obscuring him from view.
‘How did it come to this? To go as far as assassinating a court official—this has crossed a line, a very serious line.’
Zhang Chong forcefully shook his sleeve, and a flexible sword slid into his hand.
“Hahaha, to think the day would come when I, Zhang Chong, a civil official, would have to take matters into my own hands. Master Lando, I hope my martial arts haven't grown too rusty.”
Beside him, Princess Ning Jue sneered and drew a flexible sword from her own sleeve.
‘There are only six grandmasters in the State of Yue, but today, I, Ning Jue, will show you that my martial arts are not far behind theirs.’
The flexible swords of Zhang Chong and Princess Ning Jue moved like swimming dragons, striking out at their enemies.
Swish, swish, swish, swish.
In an instant, blood splattered across the Snow Mountain Pavilion, and bodies began to pile up.
* * *
Xueling City, where Shen Lang was stationed, was now a powder keg. Three militia leaders and thousands of local ruffians from White Night City had come to pressure Shen Lang into moving out. They had been stuck in Xueling City for days, and the Su Clan's grand army was now arrayed, ready to advance. Before, some of the looters might have considered defending the city and fighting to the death with Shen Lang. But that was no longer possible.
They had all made a great fortune already; why would they risk their lives for Shen Lang? They only wanted to sack the main city of White Night Commandery as soon as possible to satisfy their final greed. After that, they planned to flee to another commandery or the countryside and lie low for a while. Once things calmed down, they could live in wealth and splendor with the gold and silver they had plundered. A few of the militia leaders were even more ambitious, plotting to capture Shen Lang at a critical moment and offer him to Su Nan. If they succeeded, they would not only keep their riches but might even secure an official position.
“Lord Shen Lang, come out!”
“Lord Shen Lang, come out!”
The band of looters following Shen Lang now numbered over twenty thousand. Most of them had grown greedy but still feared him, so they lacked the courage to directly confront him and demand that he move out. However, some among them were local ruffians or fugitives who had joined the group later. They hadn't fought alongside Shen Lang at Zhenyuan City and thus felt no reverence for him. It was these ruffians from the White Night Commandery who were now outside, pressuring Shen Lang.
The three leaders spoke to Shen Lang as if apologizing.
“My lord, you see, we can no longer control the men. If we don't leave this place and go sack the main city of White Night Commandery, the men will truly revolt.”
Shen Lang sighed and said.
“It must have been difficult for you all. I will go out at once and appease the men.”
Shen Lang walked straight outside.
“The Lord is here.”
“The Lord has come out.”
“The pretty-boy Lord has come out.”
Shen Lang pretended not to hear the last comment. He raised his right hand and said.
“Brothers! At dawn tomorrow, we will officially attack the main city of White Night Commandery! I will plunder it bare with you and make every one of you rich!”
Hearing Shen Lang’s words, the thousands of men roared with cheers.
“Long live the Lord! Long live the Lord!”
“Our pretty-boy Lord is valiant!”
Several leaders secretly made their own calculations.
‘After we sack the city tomorrow, this pretty-boy will have outlived his usefulness. Should we take the money and disperse? Or should we tie him up and present him to Lord Su Nan?’
At that very moment.
Su Nan's army of over ten thousand was advancing on Xueling City from three directions, preparing to attack. Although Su Nan had not yet officially rebelled, the first decisive battle between him, Shen Lang, and Zhang Chong was about to begin. Would Su Nan succeed in killing three birds with one stone? Or would Zhang Chong and Shen Lang join forces and cause Su Nan to lose everything? The results would be revealed in just a few hours.