Chapter 84: A Bloody Rampage

The full moon had just risen, its pure white light flowing like water over the streets of Chang’an. The night sky was a deep indigo curtain, studded with twinkling stars that seemed to invite one to lose oneself in its beauty. Tonight, the air was especially cool; a trace of chill seeped into every corner, and in a certain street corner of Chang’an, an uneven duel of life and death was unfolding.

Li Yi leaned against the wall, his hair soaked with blood and sweat, his gaze sharp and cold. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he panted heavily. His body bore several gashes, each oozing blood, and a few arrow wounds—though none fatal, so his life was not yet in immediate danger. In his left hand, he gripped a blood-stained broadsword, seized from one of the assassins; his right hand held a cold steel dagger, its blade dripping crimson, like a beast hungry for flesh, poised to strike its prey.

His opponents, the assassins, were not much better off. Of their original thirty to forty, nearly half had already fallen, and the remainder were gasping for breath.

“We can’t delay any longer. If we do, we’ll be discovered. He’s barely holding on. Follow me—kill him!” With a thunderous shout from the lead assassin, the others raised their blades and charged at Li Yi.

Li Yi wiped the blood from his mouth, his eyes gleaming with a bloodthirsty light. He had lived in the Great Tang for more than a decade, growing too accustomed to comfort—he had nearly forgotten he was once a god of slaughter. Well, it seemed tonight was as good a time as any to break his vow.

He raised his cold steel dagger, estimating that reinforcements would soon arrive. No longer intending to defend, he decided that the best defense was offense.

With a cold snort, Li Yi lunged at one of the assassins. The man hastily raised his blade to parry, but Li Yi’s uncanny movements and lightning speed had already cast a shadow over these assassins. Seeing his opponent prepare to block, Li Yi smiled grimly and swung his broadsword with his left hand. The heavy blow made the assassin’s body sink slightly; before he could react, Li Yi spun, plunging his dagger into the assassin’s abdomen—one strike, one kill.

Without pausing, Li Yi crouched and spun again, slashing the leg of another nearby assassin. As the man toppled, Li Yi drove his dagger upward, piercing through his body, then hoisted the corpse, blocking the blows from behind. Three blade shadows flashed by, and the assassin was hacked into three pieces. Li Yi spun yet again, swinging his blade, and sent three heads flying skyward, leaving only three headless corpses behind.

Five assassins died in the span of five breaths. Li Yi’s relentless actions stunned the remaining adversaries, and he took the opportunity to catch his breath. This body was only fifteen, after all—he couldn’t help but feel its limits.

Yet the assassins gave him no respite. Those who could become assassins had hearts of steel; their momentary hesitation was merely shock at Li Yi’s prowess. Among them, some were clearly cunning. Seeing that none could defeat Li Yi alone, they surged forward, attacking from all directions.

Li Yi was instantly plunged into crisis. After all, two fists could not fend off so many hands. He could only rely on his exceptional agility and the principle of using force against force from Tai Chi to buy himself time. Yet his wounds multiplied, and just as he was about to make a last desperate stand, a celestial voice rang out—

“Who dares harm my grandson!”

Li Yi looked up and saw Li Jing, riding his steed, Juechen, wielding a halberd, descending like a god. Relief flooded Li Yi’s spirit. Seizing the moment as the assassins hesitated, he wounded one with his blade, opening a gap. Li Jing, too, took the chance to slash down a foe. Reaching out, Li Jing grabbed Li Yi, who used the momentum to flip onto Juechen’s back.

Seated on the horse, Li Yi finally breathed easy. He knew his life was safe tonight. With his mind at ease, he had time to think. Seeing the assassins trying to escape, Li Yi shouted, “Grandfather, don’t let them get away!”

Li Jing snorted coldly. “Rest assured, Yi’er. None of them will escape.”

With that, he tugged the reins. Juechen neighed and charged forth. Moments later, Li Jing intercepted the fleeing assassins, ending another’s life with a swing of his blade.

The remaining ten or so assassins decided to scatter and break through. Li Jing pursued on horseback, intercepting left and right, but four managed to flee. At that moment, the sound of iron hooves thundered from afar. Li Jing reined in Juechen and saw Cheng Yaojin leading a squad of cavalry, galloping toward them.

“Hahaha, Old Cheng is here! Who dares act up!” Cheng Yaojin rode a black horse, wielding two axes, his mouth stretched in a wide grin. Behind him were two assassins, evidently dispatched as he arrived—proof that the legend of Cheng Yaojin appearing mid-fight was no mere rumor.

For the first time, Li Yi found Cheng Yaojin so endearing—his voice was music to his ears.

Cheng Yaojin and his cavalry halted before Li Jing and his grandson.

“Big brother, Yi boy, are you both alright?”

Li Jing shook his halberd, stroked his beard, and smiled lightly. “No harm done.”

Li Yi, battered and aching, was about to bandage his wounds when a sudden thought struck him, and his face changed dramatically.

“Grandfather, Uncle Cheng, there’s no time to explain. Two assassins escaped to the north and south. Please, you must intercept them—even if you can’t, don’t let anyone enter the palace. No one! I must see His Majesty immediately!”

Cheng Yaojin was about to grumble, but seeing Li Yi’s serious expression and Li Jing’s nod, he realized the urgency. Without further words, he said, “Rest assured, nephew!” He arranged for a horse for Li Jing, left a few men to clean the battlefield, and then Li Jing and Cheng Yaojin each led their troops in pursuit of the assassins.

After Li Jing and Cheng Yaojin departed, Li Yi dismounted and found the body of what seemed to be the assassins’ leader. He secured it to Juechen’s saddle, mounted, and sped toward the palace gates.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Li Yi arrived at the palace gate. He took out the token given by Li Er to gain entry, but was stopped by the guards. Just as he was about to lose his temper, Feng Wu—who had invited him to the palace earlier—rode out with a squad of cavalry.

Feng Wu was surprised to see Li Yi, then quickly halted his mount and ordered the guards to stand down.

“Master Li? Why are you here? I was just about to carry out His Majesty’s order to rescue you!”

Such a commotion surrounding Li Yi could not have escaped Li Er’s notice. If he had, he would be a most unqualified emperor.

Li Yi wasted no words. Time was critical, and his wounds were still bleeding—he couldn’t afford delay. “Captain Feng, spare the pleasantries. I must see His Majesty at once!”

Feng Wu narrowed his eyes and replied calmly, “Very well, follow me.”

“And, no one must know I’ve entered the palace!”

Feng Wu paused, then nodded. “Rest assured.” He gave instructions to the guards, who departed.

Li Yi and Feng Wu rode into the palace. Though this breached protocol, the urgency of the matter and Feng Wu’s guidance made it unavoidable.

Soon they reached a palace hall. Li Yi looked up, startled. “The Hall of Governance? Isn’t this where Empress Changsun resides? Could it be…? Damn, am I about to interrupt Uncle Li’s good business?”

As Li Yi’s mind wandered, a eunuch called him inside. Li Yi dared not delay and hurried in.