Chapter 29: Flight

Xu Yi knew he had committed a colossal, unforgivable crime.
He had assaulted the Fifth Prince. A son of the Emperor.
The entire realm belonged to his family. Kidnapping and beating a prince? Capture meant certain death.

Yet, Xu Yi felt no regret. Given the choice again, he would do the same.
He had been a soldier. Though reborn in this strange world, a soldier's soul still burned within him. Evil, danger, impossible odds – none could make him back down.

The rag mask hid his face, but his clothes remained the same. The prince might recognize him later.
Jing Hong probably wouldn't betray him. The man was self-serving, but since Xu Yi had acted while they were together, implicating Xu Yi would also implicate Jing Hong. But... this was the Fifth Prince. A thorough investigation would inevitably lead back to Xu Yi.

Xu Yi thought fast. His decision was made: flee.
The capital was no longer safe. He needed to disappear.
Damn it! Should have told the bastard my name was Xu Gan. Dragged the whole Xu family down with me.

Fleeing required money. He only had a few measly silver coins – not enough to get far.
He considered his options briefly, then set off at a run towards the General's Manor.

Meanwhile, the "Fifth Prince" was with Jing Hong.
This "Fifth Prince" was an imposter. His true identity was Lu Yan, one of the Crown Prince's personal guards.
"How is your injury?" the Crown Prince asked, concern etching his features.
Lu Yan clutched his chest, face contorted in pain. "Your Highness... my breastbone is fractured."
The Crown Prince frowned. "His skill is that formidable?"
"His technique was... strange," Lu Yan explained, wincing. "He focused his entire body's power into his elbow. Swift, precise... like a hunting leopard. Thankfully, his physical strength is still weak. Otherwise..." He trailed off, the implication clear.
"Forgive me, Your Highness. The wine... it dulled my reactions."
The Crown Prince waved a dismissive hand. "The fault is mine. I insisted you drink to make the act convincing... I underestimated his martial prowess."
"Return to the palace immediately. See the imperial physicians. Rest and heal." The Crown Prince sighed, rubbing his temples. "Now I must devise how to apologize. He surely thinks me a cowardly, heartless wretch now."
"This was meant only as a test of his character. How did it spiral so far out of control?"

Meanwhile, Xu Yi had reached the General's Manor.
"You need a hundred taels? Has something happened?" Old General Chen inquired, curious about Xu Yi's sudden, urgent request.
Xu Yi adopted an expression of desperate sincerity. "I dare not deceive you, General. My family is gone... only an elderly, lame servant remains with me. He's fallen gravely ill... the medicine is costly."
"You know I deposited five hundred taels with Lord Tianjing. I cannot reach him now. When you next see him, tell him to repay you – say I instructed it."
"Old General, a life hangs in the balance... I beg you, help me!"

Old General Chen, ever generous, summoned his steward. "Fetch one hundred taels of silver for Lan Xing."
"Thank you, General! Such kindness... words cannot repay it. If fate allows, I will repay you. I swear it!" Xu Yi bowed deeply.

After bidding the General farewell, Xu Yi hurried to the training ground and found Qi Yuanzhong.
"Brother Qi! The Old General needs me to run an urgent errand. He said to prepare a fast horse for me!"
Qi Yuanzhong, suspecting nothing, swiftly saddled a powerful steed for Xu Yi.

Xu Yi mounted and spurred the horse towards the city gates.
He galloped furiously. At the gate, city guards blocked his path.
"I serve under Old General Chen! On urgent official business! Stand aside!" Xu Yi barked.
The guards, seeing the unmistakable warhorse, immediately opened the gates.
Xu Yi shot through the opening without a backward glance. He kicked the horse into a full gallop, disappearing in a cloud of dust down the southern road.

The Imperial Palace, Hall of Mental Cultivation

Nie Liang stood guard outside the main hall. He and Chief Eunuch Quan were like a well-oiled machine – one managed the Emperor's external security, the other his inner chambers.
An armed guard hurried over, whispered urgently into Nie Liang's ear.
Nie Liang's expression tightened. He dismissed the guard and approached the hall doors, bowing respectfully. "Your servant Nie Liang requests an audience with Your Majesty!"

Moments later, Chief Eunuch Quan emerged with mincing steps.
"Commander Nie, His Majesty summons you."
Nie Liang followed Quan into the hall. Emperor Jing was reviewing memorials – a diligent ruler.

Nie Liang knelt on one knee. "Your Majesty, Lan Xing... has fled."
Emperor Jing looked up, startled. "Fled? Where?"
"Your Majesty commanded me to have men shadow Lan Xing for his protection... My agents report he rode out of the city on horseback."
Emperor Jing leaned forward, intrigued. "Why would he leave the city?"
Nie Liang recounted the events at the Tianfu Lou. His agents, recognizing the Crown Prince's guard Lu Yan, had not dared to intervene.

Emperor Jing's face darkened by degrees.
"Reckless and clumsy. Testing a man's character in such a manner only breeds resentment and distrust."
Quan and Nie Liang held their breath. Criticizing the Crown Prince was not their place.
"Nie Liang, are your men still following him?"
Sweat beaded on Nie Liang's brow. "Lan Xing was riding a warhorse from the General's Manor. My agents had no mounts prepared... they... they lost him." Protecting someone discreetly didn't usually involve horses. And they hadn't anticipated Xu Yi fleeing, let alone on a military steed.
Emperor Jing's expression grew thunderous.
"How long has Xu Yi been gone?"
"Approximately two hours, Your Majesty!"
"Two hours! And you tell me only now?" the Emperor roared. "Shall you wait until he reaches the ends of the earth?"
Nie Liang trembled, sweat pouring down his face. "Your servant deserves death! I beg Your Majesty's mercy!" The delay was unavoidable, he thought desperately. The General's Manor is in the inner city, the Imperial City vast... and the Palace itself? No riding permitted! Getting from the palace gate to this hall on foot in under an hour is fast.

Emperor Jing's voice was icy. "Quan Sheng! Relay Our oral command: Order Geng Jing to dispatch men. Track Lan Xing's route. Find him and bring him back immediately... unharmed. Not a scratch on him!"
"This servant obeys!" Chief Eunuch Quan scurried out with remarkable speed.

The Emperor turned back to Nie Liang. "Which gate did he use?"
"The South Gate, Your Majesty."
"Dispatch an edict. Instruct the Governor of Liangzhou to be especially vigilant. If Xu Yi is found within his jurisdiction, he is to personally escort him back to Us."
"Also, order all relay stations along the routes to be alert... Lan Xing rides a warhorse. It should be easy to identify."
Nie Liang bowed deeply. "Your servant receives the command! I shall execute it immediately!"

After Nie Liang withdrew, Emperor Jing's gaze grew thoughtful.
"A prodigious talent. Wit, strategy... a promising mind," he murmured to himself. "Even knowing it was the Fifth Prince, he dared to strike... showing disregard for Imperial dignity. That... needs tempering."

Chapter 30: The Wolf Pack

Night fell.

Xu Yi halted by a small stream. He slid off his horse, his legs shaking uncontrollably. He wasn't much of a rider, and the frantic galloping had rubbed his inner thighs raw.

Must be about thirty miles from the capital by now, Xu Yi estimated. He could have taken the main road on the warhorse, which would have been faster… but the risk of pursuit was too high. So, he’d stuck to the back trails. Now, both man and beast were exhausted.

He stopped to let the horse drink and graze, but Xu Yi himself was in a bad way. He’d left in such haste he had no food or water. He scanned the shallow stream for fish, but found none. Resigned, he set a simple snare in the nearby woods, hoping to catch a rabbit or bird. At least he had his tinderbox.

After building a fire, he wrapped himself tightly in his cloak, leaned against a tree, and drifted into a fitful sleep.

He hadn't slept long when the horse let out a sharp, anxious whinny. Xu Yi jolted awake. The warhorse was stamping its hooves, nostrils flaring, clearly agitated. Before Xu Yi could grasp why, a chilling wolf howl pierced the night, freezing his blood.

Shit… The sound was close. Too close.

Xu Yi scrambled to the horse, untied the reins, and slapped its flank hard. “Go! Run!” The horse knew the way home. He trusted it to find its path. It was a valuable warhorse; he didn't want it devoured by wolves. Besides, its distinctive appearance made it easily identifiable. He’d planned to set it free anyway.

The horse bolted into the darkness.

Xu Yi quickly added more wood to the fire – wolves feared flames. Then, he scrambled up the large tree behind him.

Soon, rustling came from the tall grass in the distance. The wolves were here.

Even with the fire below and the height of the tree, Xu Yi felt a knot of fear tighten in his stomach. Wolves were cunning, intelligent, and hunted as a deadly team.

Grass parted, and several wolves emerged. They kept their distance from the fire, wary eyes scanning the darkness, searching for prey. From his perch, Xu Yi could clearly see the eerie green glow of their predatory eyes and the viscous drool dripping from their sharp fangs.

Wolves possessed incredible patience. They could stalk prey for days.

Xu Yi held his breath, praying not to draw their attention. He only had a dagger. If the pack targeted him, escape would be nearly impossible. If only I had a gun… If I survive this, I’m finding a way to make one. Nothing carbon-based can stand against that.

Suddenly, his foot slipped on the bark. He barely caught himself, heart pounding, cold sweat breaking out. But the noise had betrayed him. Low, guttural growls rumbled from below.

Xu Yi grimaced bitterly. Just my luck. Still, the tree offered safety. The wolves couldn't climb.

The pack, about a dozen strong, circled the fire restlessly, their menacing eyes fixed on Xu Yi in the tree. They growled, a constant, unnerving chorus.

Xu Yi endured like this until the first grey light of dawn touched the sky. He was exhausted, starving, and utterly drained. Just hold on until full daylight, he told himself.

Then, the sound of hoofbeats shattered the pre-dawn quiet, approaching rapidly.

Xu Yi tensed, peering through the branches. Several riders were heading straight for his position. As they drew nearer, he recognized them and ducked behind the trunk, pressing himself flat.

Five men, clad in distinctive scale armor, long swords at their waists. Agents of the Imperial Investigation Bureau.

Xu Yi knew they answered only to Emperor Jing. Since he’d assaulted the Fifth Prince, these men were undoubtedly sent by the Emperor to capture him. I lingered too long, he thought grimly. They must have followed the horse's tracks.

“Captain, cold ashes here,” one agent called out, dismounting. He crouched by the fire pit and touched the embers. “Still warm. He can’t be far.”

Xu Yi silently prayed: Don’t look up. Please don’t look up. If they did, they’d spot him instantly. If that happened, his only chance would be to leap down and try to take out the one below… but what about the other four? Imperial Agents were elite fighters. His recent training had improved his physique, but taking on four at once? Hopeless.

Suddenly, Xu Yi realized the wolves had vanished. From his vantage point, he could see them concealed in the tall grass further away. Cunning beasts. They were clearly stalking the new arrivals.

The agent examining the ashes was crouched with his back to the hidden wolves.

As Xu Yi predicted, one wolf seized its chance. It exploded from the grass, jaws gaping wide, aiming straight for the crouching agent’s neck.

“Behind you!” Xu Yi shouted the warning instinctively.

Damn it! He cursed himself the moment the words left his mouth. Years of ingrained military training made it impossible for him to watch someone walk into danger. He’d just signed his own capture warrant.

The agent reacted with impressive speed. Hearing the warning, he rolled forward instinctively, narrowly avoiding the snapping jaws. He sprang to his feet, his long sword already drawn and gleaming.

The wolf, thwarted, didn’t press the attack immediately. It crouched low, hackles raised, a deep growl rumbling in its throat.

“Ambush! Wolf pack!” the Captain bellowed, struggling to control his spooked horse. He drew his sword with one hand while grabbing a crossbow from his saddle with the other.

A howl echoed – the signal.

Over a dozen wolves surged from the tall grass.

The horses panicked, rearing and neighing, nearly throwing their riders.

“Dismount! Now!” the Captain ordered.

The agents leaped down and instantly formed a tight defensive circle, backs to each other, weapons ready as the wolves closed in.

One wolf lunged high at the group. The Captain raised his crossbow and fired.

Thwack!

The bolt flew true, striking the wolf squarely in the head. It dropped dead instantly.

The scent of blood enraged the pack. Wolves charged from all sides. More crossbow bolts sang through the air. The agents were skilled marksmen; three more wolves fell. But the crossbow’s fatal flaw was its slow reload time. The wolves gave them none.

Forced to abandon their crossbows, the agents drew swords. The wolves fought savagely, often taking multiple blows to kill. Yet, the agents were highly skilled and fought cohesively. So far, no one was injured.

Xu Yi watched intently, looking for his chance to escape.

Then, a scream tore through the chaos.

Xu Yi looked down. The agent who’d been checking the ashes was down. One wolf had its jaws locked on his arm, another savaged his leg, dragging him. Separated from the group, he was surrounded by four wolves. He’d killed one with a bolt and hacked down another with his sword, but the remaining two attacked from front and back, overwhelming him. The wolf on his arm shook its head violently, preventing him from gripping his weapon. The other agents tried to fight their way to him but were pinned down by the rest of the pack.

Xu Yi frowned. This is my best chance. Run now. But leaving the man meant he’d likely die or be maimed. Damn it… His soldier’s conscience wouldn’t allow it.

Gritting his teeth, Xu Yi slid down the trunk a few feet and then leaped from the tree.