Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Fierce Raptors

Pan Rugui strode purposefully towards the Duan Cheng Gate, where the Imperial Guards stood at attention, silent as statues. Once he took his stance and read out Emperor Xian De's decree, the guards sprang into action.

Shen Zechuan had his mouth gagged as the guards efficiently swathed him in a thick cotton robe, forcing him to lie face down on the ground.

In the biting cold, Pan Rugui crouched down to assess Shen Zechuan's condition. He lifted a finger to his lips, pretending to cough softly before speaking in a gentle tone. "At your young age, you have audacity to put on airs before the Emperor. If you were to confess to Shen Wei's treacherous acts, there might still be a sliver of hope for your survival."

Shen Zechuan's eyes remained tightly shut, his clothes soaked through with cold sweat.

Pan Rugui rose to his feet and declared, "Lay down the rods."

The imperial guards in brocaded uniforms immediately chorused, "Lay down the rods!" Followed by a thunderous command, "Beat!"

Before the order faded, the iron-capped staffs with hooked ends descended like a tempest, striking heavily upon Shen Zechuan's body.

After three blows, another voice rang out, "Beat him soundly!"

The agony of flesh and bone seared through Shen Zechuan's body like flames. He could no longer move, only clenching his teeth against the gag in his mouth. Blood rushed into his throat, filling his mouth with a brackish taste. Through labored breaths, Shen Zechuan's eyes, stinging from the sweat trickling down, struggled to remain open.

The sky was overcast, and snow fell like cotton wool.

Carrying out the imperial caning was no simple task; it was said that "twenty blows lead to dizziness, fifty to incapacity." The techniques involved were often family secrets, not easily learned. Besides, those who performed this duty needed both skill and astuteness. They knew how to deal with each individual, whether to be lenient on the outside but severe within or vice versa, simply by observing the expressions of the eunuchs from the Office of Ceremonial Supervision.

Emperor Xiande's order today was for execution by caning. Pan Rugui showed no intention of sparing Shen Zechuan, indicating there was no hope for reprieve. The Imperial Guards would use their best skills to end Shen Zechuan's life within fifty strokes.

Pan Rugui kept an eye on the time, and as Shen Zechuan hung his head motionless, he lifted his hand to call for a hot water bottle. Just then, he noticed an umbrella floating towards them, sheltering a beautiful woman in imperial robes.

The clouds of gloom on Pan Rugui's face dissipated, replaced by a smile. Although he didn't personally go to greet her, a nearby attendant quickly stepped forward to assist.

"Your humble servant greets Third Miss Hua. On such a cold day, if Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has any orders, she could have sent word through an envoy," Pan Rugui said, advancing a few steps.

Hua Xiangyi raised her hand gently, signaling the Imperial Guards to stand down. She was lovely, having been raised in the Empress Dowager's company, and there was a resemblance between her and the Empress Dowager in their youth. Though known as the third daughter of the Hua family from Dicao City, everyone in the capital recognized her as a prestigious royal figure, even the Emperor treated her like a beloved younger sister.

In a soft, measured voice, Hua Xiangyi asked, "Eunuch, is the one lying on the ground Shen Zechuan, the son of Shen Wei from Zhongbo?"

Following Hua Xiangyi's movements, Pan Rugui replied, "Indeed, that's him. His Majesty just issued the order for caning to death."

Hua Xiangyi continued, "His Majesty was still in a rage earlier. If Shen Zechuan dies now, the case of Shen Wei's betrayal will remain unresolved. Half an hour ago, the Empress Dowager visited the Hall of Reasoning, and the Emperor, after listening to her advice, has somewhat cooled down."

Pan Rugui let out an "Ouch," and said, "His Majesty heeds Empress Dowager's advice. Just now, with His Majesty's furious rage, even if I had the courage, I wouldn't dare to speak up."

Hua Xiangyi smiled at Pan Rugui and replied, "The Emperor mentioned 'cane punishment,' didn't you carry it out, Eunuch?"

Pan Rugui took a few more steps and chuckled. "Indeed. In my haste, hearing only the word 'cane,' I gave this boy quite a beating. But what should we do with him now?"

Hua Xiangyi glanced at Shen Zechuan and said, "Before the Emperor re-examines the case, return him to the Imperial Prison first. This young man's life is crucial. I hope Eunuch Ji will take good care of him, as instructed."

"Of course," Pan Rugui assured. "How could Eunuch Ji disregard Miss San's instructions? It's cold and slippery; Xiao Fuzi, make sure you support Miss San steadily."

Once Hua Xiangyi left, Pan Rugui turned back to the rows of Imperial Guards and said, "The Emperor ordered the cane punishment, and this man has had enough. Drag him back. You all heard Miss San's words—this is the Empress Dowager's intention. Tell Ji Lei that this case involves gods and goddesses. If anything goes wrong under his watch..."

Pan Rugui coughed softly.

"Not even the Heavenly King himself could save his head."

Xiao Fuzi returned to assist Pan Rugui. The empty corridor echoed with his whisper, "Ancestor, are we really letting him go like this? Won't the Emperor blame us later?"

Pan Rugui stepped on the snow and said, "His Majesty understands. This matter won't fall on our shoulders."

He took a few steps forward, and snowflakes slipped into the collar of his garment.

"An oath of a thousand ounces of gold – the emperor fears nothing more than changing his orders at dawn after issuing them at dusk. Due to the recent invasion by the twelve tribes along the border, His Majesty has been seriously ill. Lately, he's been considering conferring the title of princess upon Third Miss. This is to win the Empress Dowager's favor. At this moment, let alone sparing someone's life, if the Empress Dowager requests anything, the emperor would comply."

Pan Rugui turned his head to look at Xiao Fuzi while speaking.

"When have you ever seen the Empress Dowager change her edict?"

In any matter, a true master's word is final.

* * *

Amidst his feverish delirium, Shen Zechuan saw Ji Mu on the brink of death before his eyes, then his figure from when they both lived in Duanzhou.

The wind from Duanzhou billowed the banners, and his master's wife pushed aside the curtain, holding a white porcelain bowl filled with plump dumplings wrapped in thin skins.

"Call your brother back!" she shouted. "He's restless as always. Tell him to come home quickly for dinner!"

Shen Zechuan leaped over the railing of the corridor, ran a few steps to his master's wife, grabbed a dumpling with his chopsticks, and darted away. The dumpling was so hot that he puffed out air, and upon stepping outside, he saw Master Ji Gang sitting on the steps. He squatted down beside Ji Gang.

Ji Gang was polishing a stone, turning his head to huff at Shen Zechuan and say, "Silly boy, how much do dumplings cost? You're making such a fuss over them! Call your brother back; the three of us can have a big feast at the Mandarin Duck Pavilion."

Shen Zechuan didn't respond. His master's wife had already seized Ji Gang by the ear and said, "You think you're too good for dumplings? You're quite something! Why bother marrying a wife when you're so wealthy? Just take these two silly boys with you!"

Shen Zechuan chuckled. He jumped off the steps, waved at his master and mistress, then dashed out of the alley in search of his elder brother, Ji Mu.

Heavy snow was falling along the way, making it difficult for Shen Zechuan to find anyone. The further he walked, the colder it became.

"Brother."

Shen Zechuan shouted in all directions.

"Ji Mu! Come home for dinner!"

The sound of galloping horses gradually surrounded him. The heavy snow obscured his vision, and Shen Zechuan found himself immersed in the hoof beats, unable to see anyone on either side. The sounds of battle erupted around him, and hot blood splattered across his face. A searing pain shot through his legs as an irresistible force pinned him to the ground.

Once again, he saw a lifeless body right before his eyes. Arrows whistled through the wind, and the weight on his back was immense. A thick, warm liquid trickled down his neck and cheeks.

This time, he knew what it was.

Shen Zechuan trembled as he woke up, drenched in sweat and shivering from the cold. He lay flat on the bed, his eyes struggling to adjust to the dim light.

The prison cell was not empty; a jailer was busy cleaning up the filth, lighting an oil lamp in the process.

Shen Zechuan's throat was parched. The jailer seemed to sense his discomfort and placed a bowl of cool water on the bed. Shen Zechuan, alternately shivering and sweating, slowly nudged the bowl closer, spilling half its contents.

Silence reigned in the cell. After the jailer left, Shen Zechuan was all alone. He drifted in and out of consciousness, the night stretching endlessly before him, with dawn seemingly never arriving.

When the jailer returned to change Shen Zechuan's bandages, he had regained some clarity. Ji Lei watched him from behind the bars, his voice cold as he said, "You're lucky this time. Evildoers have long lives. The Empress Dowager spared you, but I doubt you know why."

Shen Zechuan remained still, his head bowed.

Ji Lei continued, "I know your master is Ji Gang, the wandering swordsman Ji Gang. Twenty years ago, we were fellow disciples. We both served in the Imperial Guards here in Qu'du. You probably don't know that he once held the rank of a third-class Commander in the same agency. I, too, can wield the Ji Family's martial arts."

Shen Zechuan lifted his head, looking at Ji Lei.

Ji Lei opened the door, waiting for the jailer to leave before sitting down beside Shen Zechuan when no one else was around.

"After he committed his crime – a capital offense – the former emperor, merciful as he was, didn't execute him. Instead, he exiled him beyond the Kaima Pass." Ji Lei leaned on his knees, baring his teeth in a grin in the dim light. "Your master – he lacks skills, but his luck is incredible. Do you know how he survived? Just like you today, he relied on your master's wife. You probably don't know who she is. Let me tell you, her name is Hua Pingting. In Qu'du, there are eight southern cities, and among them, the Hua family from Dicao City is the Empress Dowager's own clan. That's why the Empress Dowager has kept you alive, for your master's wife."

Ji Lei lowered his head, speaking softly.

"But who could have known that your master's wife had already perished amidst the chaos of war? I said Ji Gang was a good-for-nothing, losing his father twenty years ago and then his wife and son two decades later. Who is the root cause of all this? You know it well in your heart – the culprit is Shen Wei!"

Shen Zechuan's breath hitched.

"Shen Wei opened the Tea Stone River defense line, allowing the Border Sand cavalry to ravage their way in. A curved blade severed your master's wife's throat. Before she passed away, events unfolded that would make Ji Gang wish he were dead."

"When Duanzhou fell, you claimed your elder brother saved you," Ji Lei leaned back in his chair, examining his own hand. "As for Ji Mu, you've always been raised under Ji Gang's wing, so he was your elder brother. He was Ji Gang's only son, the sole continuation of Ji's lineage. But because of Shen Wei, because of you, he also died. Pierced by countless arrows, his remains were left to be trampled by the Border Sand cavalry's hooves in the sky pit. If Ji Gang were still alive, how would he feel when he goes to retrieve his son's body?"

Shen Zechuan abruptly rose, but Ji Lei effortlessly pushed him back down.

"Shen Wei betrayed his country and conspired with the enemy, and you must bear the consequences of his actions. If you seek to survive today, the cries of thousands of innocent souls in Zhongbo will resound loudly. When you sleep at night, you'll have to slowly distinguish between which is your master's wife and which is your master! Your life now is more torturous than death itself. Can you forgive Shen Wei? If you forgive him and absolve him of his crimes, you would be betraying your master's entire family. You've received Ji Gang's nurturing grace; how can you do such an unfilial and disloyal act?"

"Moreover, even if you cling to life, no one in this world will empathize with you. By arriving in Qudu, you have become Shen Wei. Now, public outrage is overwhelming, and there are countless people who hate you to their cores. Death is inevitable, so rather than dying in obscurity, it's better to honestly speak to the Emperor, revealing Shen Wei's crimes in full, as a way to console your master's spirit in heaven."

Ji Lei suddenly paused, noticing the smile that appeared on Shen Zechuan, who was pinned to the bed. The young man's pale face took on a chilling demeanor.

"Shen Wei did not conspire with the enemy," Shen Zechuan enunciated each word with determination.

"Shen Wei is not a traitor!"

Ji Lei lifted Shen Zechuan by his collar, slamming him against the wall with a loud thud, sending bits of dust scattering as Shen Zechuan coughed uncontrollably.

"There are countless ways to end your life," Ji Lei said. "You ungrateful brat, thinking you can survive just because you narrowly escaped this time? You're sorely mistaken."

He spun around and dragged Shen Zechuan out, kicking open the prison door as they went.

"I am merely carrying out the Empress Dowager's orders impartially. But in this great Zhou dynasty, there are those who act with impunity. Since you're so foolish, I'll grant your wish. You want someone to kill you? Well, your executioner has arrived!"

The gates of Qidu city burst open, and a dark column of heavily armored cavalry thundered in like a bolt of lightning.

Shen Zechuan was dragged along the path, and the Imperial Guards scattered. The dense crowd parted to make way for the approaching riders.

Hawks from the North circled overhead, while the clanking of armor echoed heavily in their chests. As the sound of galloping hooves grew closer, Shen Zechuan kept his eyes open, watching as the leader of the cavalry charged straight at them.

Underneath the heavy armor, the steed was a fierce beast, snorting hot breaths as it ran just a few steps away. At the last moment, the rider suddenly pulled back on the reins. The horse's hooves rose high before landing, and by the time it stopped, the rider had already dismounted.

Ji Lei stepped forward and shouted, "Xiao..."

The newcomer didn't even glance at Ji Lei but went straight to Shen Zechuan. Just as Shen Zechuan was about to unlock his shackles, this person delivered a swift and forceful kick to Shen Zechuan's chest with the speed of lightning!

The impact was so tremendous that Shen Zechuan didn't have time to endure it; blood spurted from his mouth as he tumbled to the ground, feeling as if his internal organs were about to be expelled in that moment.