PCA Chapter 163

The man stepped in, treading on the morning light. His heavy gaze descended, like amber immersed in water, with contained brilliance, almost tangible.

 

Su Cen froze, only remembering to cough after a long moment.

 

As he coughed, tears welled up.

 

In Chang’an, in Yangzhou, and now in this small village that couldn’t even be found on Great Zhou’s map, this person always appeared before him like a god descending from heaven, at the most impossible moments.

 

Su Cen had no strength left to ask why he was here. All words caught in his throat, pushed to his eyes, instantly turning them red.

 

Li Shi walked to his side and patted his back. Only after Su Cen’s coughing subsided did he notice those red and swollen eyes. He frowned, “I’m the one being cursed, why are you crying?”

 

Only then did Su Cen remember what he had been doing before Li Shi’s arrival. His face flushed with embarrassment. Looking up, he realized Li Shi had come alone, without even Qi Lin at his side!

 

Looking outside the flower hall, he saw Secret Door members densely arranged, surrounding the place so tightly that not even water could seep through.

 

Su Cen panicked instantly, even more than when he himself had been discovered. He was just a minor Deputy Minister of the Dali Temple—if he died, someone else would fill his position, insignificant in the grand scheme. But Li Shi was a pillar of Great Zhou; if he fell, the entire Great Zhou would collapse!

 

Had this man gone mad, coming alone to rescue him? If anything happened to him, Su Cen would be a sinner against the entire Great Zhou!

 

After being shocked for a moment, Su Cen realized he was sitting while Li Shi was standing. Just as he was about to rise, Li Shi placed a hand on his shoulder, pressing him back down, his gaze settled on him for a moment, immediately calming Su Cen’s agitated heart.

 

“Continue eating,” Li Shi said to Su Cen, then turned his gaze to Lu Xun, “We finally meet.”

 

“A hero rescuing a beauty, choosing the beauty over the kingdom,” Lu Xun smiled, though his eyes were frighteningly cold. “I never thought you were such a romantic.”

 

Li Shi’s expression remained calm, showing no awareness of being at a disadvantage. His hand with the thumb ring still rested lightly on Su Cen’s shoulder as he stood and replied: “How do you know I’m not choosing the kingdom?”

 

Lu Xun laughed coldly, “Do you think you can enter this place and still leave?”

 

“Is this some dragon’s pool or tiger’s den? What can be entered but not exited?” Li Shi calmly replied. “Or have you finally stopped those petty thieving acts and want to have a fair fight with my people?”

 

Lu Xun’s eyes narrowed slightly. To be fair, this wasn’t the best time for war.

 

This stronghold was one of the Secret Door’s largest and most hidden bases. If Su Cen hadn’t broken in, he had planned to recuperate here for some time. It was true that the Secret Door had suffered severe losses in recent years, but more importantly, there was internal turmoil. Failed operations had caused instability, and some were trying to establish their own factions under the Secret Door’s banner. He had returned this time intending to reorganize internally and install his own people, replacing those old schemer, but Su Cen’s appearance had disrupted everything.

 

Using Su Cen to lure Li Shi here—it was hard to say whether this was an unexpected blessing or bringing fire upon himself. The main issue was that he truly couldn’t touch Li Shi now. If Li Shi were killed, the Secret Door would be completely exposed. Li Shi would be seen as a victim of rebels, a great hero who sacrificed himself for the country in putting down rebellion—glorious and revered by all. Meanwhile, the Secret Door would instantly become the target of public hatred, like rats crossing the street with everyone shouting to beat them. By then, those with ulterior motives in the court might use him as bait to seek high positions and power, leaving the Secret Door with no place to stand.

 

This wasn’t what he wanted.

 

He wanted people to see Li Shi’s true face, to have those who put him on a pedestal pull him down themselves, to let him taste what it meant to be abandoned by all, to feel what it was like to be worse than dead.

 

Dying here would be too easy for him.

 

And most importantly, he didn’t know how many people Li Shi had brought.

 

The guards patrolling the village entrance hadn’t had time to report back before being killed; he had only received the news after Li Shi entered the village.

 

Judging by Li Shi’s relaxed attitude, he must have at least the Tuo Duo Three Guards with him. If they were to engage in a direct confrontation, he would likely lose many more people.

 

Although he knew he had the underground chess game as an escape route, and at worst could simply leave, he couldn’t swallow the insult of letting Li Shi wander around his territory so confidently!

 

After much deliberation—to fight or not to fight—that was the question.

 

Hearing that Li Shi had backup, Su Cen finally relaxed. On second thought, he realized he had been overly concerned. Li Shi had always been strategic, never truly placing himself in danger. If he could enter so confidently, he could surely leave unharmed.

 

Watching the two old foxes each with their own calculations, Su Cen unhurriedly held his bowl and drank porridge, silently shouting after each sip: “The Prince is formidable!”

 

“Of course, I haven’t come empty-handed for this sudden visit,” Li Shi seemed to understand Lu Xun’s hesitation, beginning with threats before offering courtesies: “You’ve taken care of Zixu for so long. As a token of gratitude, I will return your son.”

 

Lu Xun’s expression indeed changed, “Where is he now?”

 

“After Zixu and I leave, someone will naturally deliver him back.”

 

On the surface, this appeared to be a concession—he would take Su Cen back, and in a fair exchange, Li Shi would return his son, which seemed reasonable. But upon closer examination, it was also a threat: if they didn’t release Su Cen, not only would his son’s life be in danger, but the Tuduo Three Guards wouldn’t spare him either.

 

Li Shi had calculated that Lu Xun wouldn’t dare harm him.

 

While Lu Xun was still conflicted, a person in black came to report: a Turkic force had gathered outside the gate, attempting to approach, and was seeking the Gate Master’s instructions.

 

“How many people?”

 

The person in black replied: “About a hundred.”

 

“You actually brought the entire Tuduo Three Guards?!” Lu Xun squinted at Li Shi. “Even when slaughtering the Ashina clan, only 150 men were deployed. After those who died in the northern desert, I suppose the Tuduo Three Guards have only about a hundred left, right?”

 

Li Shi smiled lightly, “My discipline is lacking. If we delay much longer, they might act on their own.”

 

Su Cen silently thought “The Prince is formidable” again. This was the first time he’d seen someone make a threat so humbly.

 

He had finished his porridge and now had some strength back. He focused entirely on admiring Li Shi’s face—the long, sharp jawline, the high nose bridge. As if sensing his gaze, the hand resting on his shoulder patted him lightly.

 

Taking advantage of the two men’s confrontation, Su Cen was somehow compelled to turn his head slightly and kiss that hand.

 

Li Shi smiled imperceptibly and asked Lu Xun: “Haven’t decided yet?”

 

“Fine, I’ll let you go,” Lu Xun finally conceded. “But I want an exchange—as I let you leave, you must also return my son.”

 

Li Shi nodded without hesitation, “Agreed.”

 

The two red-lacquered doors slowly opened. Outside stood over a hundred Turkic warriors in military attire, their blades gleaming in the sunlight, an impressive sight at first glance.

 

Li Shi led Su Cen out through the doors and nodded slightly to Qi Lin, who was leading the group. Qi Lin turned back and gave a few instructions. Soon, a large man carried a sack from the back and presented it to Li Shi.

 

Lu Xun raised his hand, and the man in white behind him stepped forward to open the sack, retrieving an unconscious person—it was Song Fan.

 

“What happened to my son?” Lu Xun frowned.

 

“Just some knockout powder, nothing serious,” Li Shi said. “May we leave now?”

 

After this first direct confrontation with no clear winner, Lu Xun reluctantly waved his hand, watching as Li Shi left with Su Cen.

 

The Tuduo Three Guards automatically made way, escorting Li Shi at the front.

 

Su Cen first saw a few familiar faces—Qi Lin, Wuchiha, Zuo Tu… But as they walked further back, the faces became increasingly unfamiliar. By the time they reached the middle, Su Cen suddenly realized something, and his entire back stiffened.

 

These weren’t the Tuduo Three Guards at all… at best, they were only a quarter of the real force. The rest were simply villagers dressed in Turkic military attire. Toward the back, Su Cen even noticed white-haired old men among them!

 

This was actually an “Empty Fort Strategy”!

 

Yet Li Shi appeared as steady as a mountain, as if truly surrounded by the Tuduo Three Guards, completely composed, his figure like a mountain, unmovable.

 

This man had dared to enter the Secret Door’s headquarters like this. Hadn’t he considered that if they were discovered, with only about twenty actual guards around him, it would be a mission with only a one-in-ten chance of survival?

 

Su Cen’s palms gradually became drenched in cold sweat, and his entire body began to tremble. Fearing that his movements might reveal the truth, he could only clench his teeth, feeling like he had thorns in his back. His entire body was tense as a bow, with beads of sweat forming on his temples.

 

Suddenly, a large hand took his and gently wrapped it in its palm. That palm was warm and dry, continuously transmitting heat, which mysteriously dispelled the trembling in his heart.

 

They made it to the end of their journey without incident, and Su Cen felt somewhat relieved. Looking at the white hair concealed beneath the black helmets and the trembling hands gripping Turkic sabers, he guessed these people were even more nervous than he was. He couldn’t help but offer them a reassuring smile.

 

Lu Xun watched the group recede into the distance, thinking that these Tuduo Three Guards weren’t so impressive after all. People said Turkic warriors were tall and valiant, but now it seemed that was an exaggeration. Except for the few at the front who were for show, those at the back weren’t much different from Han people.

 

Just as he was lost in thought, he heard a groan beside him. Turning his head, he saw his son frowning as he regained consciousness, and quickly signaled for those nearby to help him up.

 

After Song Fan rose, he was disoriented for two seconds. He looked at his father, then at the departing troops, opened his mouth only to find he had somewhat lost his voice, immediately becoming anxious.

 

Lu Xun thought he was just frightened and patted Song Fan’s shoulder, “It’s alright. I exchanged Su Cen for you.”

 

“Quick, chase after them!” Song Fan frantically pointed at the departing troops, squeezing out a few words from his chest, “They don’t have many people—it’s all fake!”

 

 

 

---

 

(advanced chapters available on kofi)