Chapter 053: Murder

Li Zaixing paid him no mind, striding over to the fallen Wang Hong. He reached out and pulled out Nan Jiyun’s saber, hoisted Wang Hong up, and threw him onto the couch where he had just been sitting. Placing a foot upon Wang Hong’s back, he raised the blood-soaked blade and shouted sharply:

"Wang Hong, as a high official of the court, you pervert justice for your own gain, wield public power for private ends—this is lawlessness!

"You bully the Princess, showing no respect for the imperial family—this is defiance of Heaven!

"You oppress your kin, let your son wreak havoc—this is heartlessness!

"You curry favor with the powerful, slander your friends—this is lack of honor!

"You cannot distinguish right from wrong, you frame others at will—this is ignorance!

"You exploit the people, extort and plunder—this is cruelty!

"Lawless, heartless, honorless, ignorant, and cruel—scum like you living in this world, sitting at the court, is a disgrace to our Tang Dynasty." Li Zaixing shouted fiercely, "Though I am but a commoner, I cannot allow you to continue harming the world. Today, I will execute you!"

With that, he raised the saber and brought it down in one swift motion.

Wang Hong’s head fell to the ground, blood gushing forth, dyeing the seat crimson in an instant.

Princess Yongmu turned pale with terror, her hands and feet cold as ice. She let out a piercing scream, her eyes rolled back, and she collapsed. Wang Xun, witnessing this, hurried forward to catch her, shouting loudly, "Mother! Mother—!"

Madam Li was also shocked, but she remained calmer than Wang Xun, trembling as she said, "Husband, quickly carry Mother into the inner chamber and call for a physician!"

"Yes, yes!" Wang Xun cried, "Quick, get a physician!"

The Wang household was thrown into chaos; servants rushed hither and thither, some fetching a physician, others supporting the princess into the inner rooms.

Nan Jiyun and his men were stupefied, standing like chickens in a trance, exchanging bewildered glances.

Nan Jiyun looked at the saber in Li Zaixing’s hand, then at Wang Hong’s decapitated body; his temples throbbed wildly. He had never imagined Li Zaixing would dare such audacity, to slaughter Wang Hong before everyone with a single stroke. Shocked as he was, he felt a measure of relief; now, his accidental injury of Wang Hong paled in comparison.

But what now? Wang Hong was the Censor-in-Chief and Prefect of the Capital; Li Zaixing had slain him with a single blow—this could not be overlooked. Even if his own accidental injury was dismissed, Wang Hong was killed before him; he could not escape blame for failing to protect him.

Just then, Wang Zhun, who had been struck to the corner by Li Zaixing, rose and shrieked, "Seize him—!"

The Wang family’s servants and retainers snapped out of their stupor, shouting as they rushed forward.

Li Zaixing roared, "Protect the Princess!" He raised his saber, and in a flash, killed two men. The rest, cowed by his murderous aura, dared not advance, trembling in silence. Wang Zhun, seeing this, was terrified, his scalp tingling. He pointed at Li Zaixing, then at the servants, his mouth opening and closing, but unable to utter a word.

Li Zaixing curled his lips in a cold laugh, turned his gaze, and appraised the pale-faced Wang Zhun with mockery, shaking his bloodied saber, "Thirteenth Young Master, do you… have something to say?"

Wang Zhun’s legs shook violently; he nodded, then quickly shook his head. He shook so hard that his cap flew off, his hair disheveled, his face bloodless—a specter.

"Since you have nothing to say, sit quietly and wait." Li Zaixing let out a sharp laugh, turned to Nan Jiyun, and thrust the saber into his hands, patting his shoulder, "Thank you, Brother Nan, for your help. Today, slaying this traitor for the nation and the people—what satisfaction!"

Nan Jiyun managed a bitter smile, raising the saber and watching the blood run down its blade. "Li, you’ve killed a man…"

"I won’t let you be troubled by this," Li Zaixing interrupted, sitting on the steps and calmly arranging his clothes. "If anyone seeks vengeance for Wang Hong, come forward. I am ready."

The guards exchanged glances, none willing to step forth. They were cowed by Li Zaixing’s ferocity and had no interest in avenging Wang Hong. Before Li Zaixing killed him, he had recited Wang Hong’s crimes, each resonating with the men’s hearts. They knew of Wang Hong’s character and how he had clawed his way up. They had seen him oppress the princess’s family. None liked Wang Hong; they simply lacked Li Zaixing’s courage to kill him.

To ask them to risk their lives for Wang Hong—only a fool would do so.

Still, duty demanded they not let Li Zaixing escape. Without Nan Jiyun’s command, they spread out, weapons drawn, arrows nocked, surrounding Li Zaixing.

Li Zaixing remained calm; Nan Jiyun was by his side—he doubted they would attack Nan Jiyun. It was clear Nan Jiyun was a respected commander, and now an excellent shield.

As expected, Nan Jiyun gestured to his men not to act rashly. Holding the saber, his expression solemn, he said, "Li, murder is a grave crime. Will you surrender peacefully, or will you fight?"

Li Zaixing smiled, sizing up the guards as if facing a formidable enemy, and shook his head. "I killed Wang Hong out of righteous indignation, not disregard for the law. Now, I alone bear the consequences. I will not trouble my brothers. I only ask for a little time—do not act hastily, and do not disturb the princess’s family. The princess is noble; if anyone tries to stir up trouble, I won’t hesitate to kill again."

Nan Jiyun nodded, "Rest assured, Li. If anyone causes trouble in the Princess’s manor, I will not spare him either." With that, he turned to send someone to report the incident, and stood guard by the door. He sighed inwardly; he had no wish to fight Li Zaixing. Were it not for duty and the many witnesses, he might have fled with Li Zaixing. As things stood, there was nothing he could do but give Li Zaixing a little more time. Soon enough, the Left Guard General or even the Grand General would arrive, and then Li Zaixing would have no hope of survival.

Such a worthy man—about to die, right before his own eyes, and he was powerless to help.

In the inner chamber, Princess Yongmu had regained consciousness. She was still in shock and unable to speak. Wang Xun sat helplessly nearby. Madam Li nudged him, pulled him aside, and whispered, "Husband, things have come to this—what now?"

"What now?" Wang Xun parroted.

"Wang Hong and his son bullied our family, tried to accuse us of hiding the imperial daughter. If not for Li’s righteous intervention, our whole family would have suffered calamity."

"I know, but with Wang Hong dead, we are doomed as well."

"Not so," Madam Li narrowed her eyes, thoughtful. "If we are willing to testify that Wang Hong was killed by mistake, perhaps… Li can be spared."

"Easy for you to say!" Wang Xun cried. "There are so many eyes outside; how can we deceive them?"

Madam Li knew it was impossible, pacing anxiously. She kept rubbing her hands, muttering to herself, whether praying or something else was unclear.

…

"Third Brother…" A young swordsman burst in, interrupting Wei Yingwu’s thoughts. Stammering, he said, "Wang Hong is dead."

"What?" Wei Yingwu could not believe his ears.

"Wang Hong is dead, killed by Li Zaixing’s blade."

"Are you certain?" Wei Yingwu was both shocked and delighted, grabbing the youth by the collar, his eyes wide, "You saw it?"

"I saw it myself, the corpse is still at Wan’an Temple. I heard Li Zaixing, before he killed Wang Hong, recited his crimes—said he was lawless, heartless, honorless, ignorant, and cruel…"

The youth recounted what he had heard; Wei Yingwu’s brows danced with delight, clapping his hands. "Well killed! This fellow is truly a master—borrowing another’s blade, and slaying him with rightful cause. Even someone as skilled as Nan Jiyun was played by him. Splendid! Splendid!"

Yang Miaor’s face was pale, even her lips devoid of color. "But… now things will get complicated."

"What’s complicated about it?" Wei Yingwu was elated, spinning around twice. "Such a thrilling event—I must see it for myself. This fellow has caused such trouble; without me, Wei Third Brother, to shield him, he’ll hardly get through it." With that, he strode out, leaving Yang Miaor behind. Yang Miaor, terrified and lost, sat absentmindedly at the desk.

…

"Wang Hong is dead!"

"Dead?" Li Linfu was startled, instinctively rising to his feet, but his vision darkened and he nearly collapsed.

Li Xiu hurried to steady him. "Father, be careful."

"Father is fine." Li Linfu pressed his brow, steadied himself, his face grim. "How did he die?"

The young servant sent to inquire repeated what he had learned. Li Linfu and his son listened in stunned silence. After a long pause, Li Xiu finally said, "Father, could this be the man who left the poem in the Moon Hall?"

"What makes you think so?" Li Linfu, now calm, asked.

"Nan Jiyun is a rare master, and his guards are more skilled than ordinary men. Wang Hong brought them with him. For someone to kill in front of Nan Jiyun, Li Zaixing must be formidable. He also lives at Bodhi Temple, so he’s familiar with the Moon Hall’s location; sneaking into our home would be easy."

"Perhaps," Li Linfu stroked his beard. "But who is he, and whose orders did he follow to kill me? Have you considered that?"

Li Xiu shook his head.

"He killed Wang Hong; death is inevitable." Li Linfu suddenly smiled, tinged with contempt. "But letting him die so easily is not what some people desire. I want to see who comes to his rescue. Whoever does, must be the mastermind. These hot-blooded, reckless swordsmen cannot accomplish great things. Those who place their hopes in him will pay the price."

Li Xiu hesitated to speak. Seeing his father’s expression, he knew Li Linfu would not let this matter rest. He would do everything to escalate the situation, ultimately implicating his greatest enemy—the Crown Prince.

End.