Chapter 45: Bloodshed on the Long Street (Part Two)

"Watch out, Junior Monitor!" Wang Maobo was on full alert the entire time. Sensing ill intent from the incoming group, he shouted, decisively spurred his horse forward, brandished his twin hammers, and shielded Zhang Qian behind him.

"Watch out, Senior Brother!" Guo Nu and Ren Cong reacted a fraction of a second slower than Wang Maobo, but they quickly rallied their retainers to form a tight defensive formation, enclosing Zhang Qian securely on all sides.

The newcomers had intended to catch Zhang Qian off guard, but seeing this defensive display, they realized they might not gain any advantage and gradually reined in their mounts. The formation slowly parted, and a short, stout man wearing the official robe of a fourth-rank military officer, shaped remarkably like a winter melon, urged his horse forward. Looking down from his saddle, he sneered, "Hahaha! No wonder you were able to slaughter the monks of White Horse Temple overnight. Truly well-trained! The disciples of the Moist school certainly live up to their reputation! But Zhang Yongzhao, you wiped out an entire household over a mere disagreement—where do you place the laws of the realm?!"

Ever since his promotion to Fifth-Rank Junior Monitor, Zhang Qian had been busy moving residences and attending to Emperor Zhongzong Li Xian's imperial inspections, leaving him no time to expand his social circle. Consequently, for a moment, he could not recall this person's name or lineage. Just as he was stunned and wondering how to respond, the sound of rapid hoofbeats echoed from behind him. Another group of riders was rapidly closing the distance.

Although this new group numbered only around twenty people, their display was remarkably lavish. They carried five or six banners of various colors and patterns alone. Several silver-plated halberds were held high in the winter sunlight, the cold light gleaming and shifting with the rise and fall of the horses' backs.

"Young Duke!" Guo Nu was overjoyed, riding forward to cup his hands from a distance toward the man in luxurious attire at the center of the group. "Young Duke, to think this matter has disturbed you—what a heavy sin, what a heavy sin!"

"We had no idea the Young Duke was arriving, and failed to greet you from afar. Please forgive us, Young Duke!" Ren Cong immediately dismissed the imminent threat beside him, turned sideways, and smiled as he saluted the newly arrived group.

"I never expected to trouble the Young Duke. I am deeply ashamed, deeply ashamed!" Zhang Qian's eyesight was not as sharp as his two junior martial brothers'. After a moment of blank hesitation, he finally recognized the newcomer's identity, rushed forward, and bowed deeply until his hands touched the ground.

Before his voice had even faded, the new group had already parted a path right down the middle. Young Duke Duan Huaijian rode forward with a smiling expression, cupping his hands to return the greetings of Guo Nu, Ren Cong, and Zhang Qian.

Whether intentional or casual, his voice was exceptionally loud and clear. "What are the three of you saying? Duan and you are close friends of the deepest bond. When you run into trouble, it is only right that Duan comes over to look after you, lest some blind fools casually try to bully you!"

As he spoke, he leaped lightly from his saddle. Striding over to Zhang Qian in two or three steps, he caught the latter's arms with both hands. "Junior Monitor Zhang need not stand on ceremony. Duan arrived late and let you suffer quite a grievance. But rest assured, from now on, whoever dares to wrongfully accuse you again, Duan will take the blow for each and every one of them!"

Before he could give further instructions, his trusted attendants marched forward, holding aloft the full ceremonial regalia of the Founding Duke's estate, forcing the first group of uninvited guests to retreat step by step.

"Many thanks, Young Duke!" Knowing that Duan Huaijian's actions heavily violated the Duan family's ancestral precept of never stepping into the limelight, a wave of warmth surged through Zhang Qian's heart. He bowed resolutely once more to show his gratitude.

"Junior Monitor need not be so courteous; Duan believes you are not a man of a dark and ruthless heart!" Duan Huaijian stepped aside slightly and solemnly returned the bow.

Then, he turned around and strode toward the first group of uninvited guests. "Marquis of Shouchan, Duan pays his respects! Junior Monitor Zhang is a friend of mine. I wonder how he has offended you? If it is not a serious matter, might I ask you to spare him and let him return home today for my sake?"

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. The Young Duke must not misunderstand. Jia is not here today to trouble Junior Monitor Zhang. Jia was merely passing by and heard that Junior Monitor Zhang had cleared his name, so he specifically came forward to offer his congratulations." The previously arrogant winter melon of a man instantly transformed into a benevolent and amiable figure, dismounting and waving his hands repeatedly.

"Is that so? Then Duan can rest easy!" Duan Huaijian laughed heartily, grabbed the winter melon's hand, and pulled him along with the warmth of a long-lost friend, discussing in gentle, soothing tones, "This is the Capital Magistrate's Office. You and I have too many retainers, which is too conspicuous and prone to public gossip. We should each be on our way so that Junior Monitor Zhang can return home early to rest, don't you think?"

"Naturally, naturally!" The short, stout man surnamed Jia agreed wholeheartedly, smiling even more charmingly than a brothel madam.

Fearing that Duan Huaijian might doubt his lack of ill intent toward Zhang Qian, he even walked specifically up to the latter, offering smiling congratulations. Then, with the assistance of his attendants, he laboriously hoisted himself back onto his horse, gathered his entourage, and departed with a sheepish expression.

"That man is Jia Yingfu, the Marquis of Shouchan County, holding the office of General of the Imperial Guard. He is not necessarily a bad person, but his entire household devoutly believes in Buddhism, and they are accustomed to handing their surplus wealth over to monks to lend out at high interest!" Knowing that Zhang Qian was unprepared, Duan Huaijian watched the winter melon depart with his gaze before lowering his voice to brief him. "There are quite a few people like them in the capital. Although White Horse Temple by the Qujiang Pond is small, it borrows the fame of the White Horse Temple in Luoyang, so it surely attracted no shortage of such wealthy patrons lending money."

Looking around warily, he lowered his voice further. "Even though you didn't kill them, the destruction of White Horse Temple has left people like Jia Yingfu facing total financial ruin. Since they can't find the account books, they will inevitably vent their anger on you. Therefore, over the next few days, try not to enter the city if you can avoid it. Wait until the true culprit is found or the storm settles before showing your face again."

"Many thanks!" Zhang Qian finally understood why he had become the winter melon's enemy, and he cupped his hands with a bitter-sweet smile.

"You go ahead. I will bring my family's ceremonial guard and follow at a distance. We shall simply appear to be traveling the same way, lest the imperial censors find fault with me!" Although Duan Huaijian had broken with ancestral tradition today, he still maintained his good habit of caution and discretion. After a moment of thought, he offered the quiet suggestion.

Knowing that the other man had done his utmost to help him, Zhang Qian did not dare to push his luck further. He cupped his hands in gratitude once more, turned, and walked quickly toward his carriage.

Before he could even step one foot into the carriage compartment, two familiar voices called out from behind him. "Brother Yongzhao, danger has passed safely! Wang has specially come to offer his congratulations!"

"Congratulations to Brother Yongzhao for weathering the storm safely and emerging unharmed from the Capital Magistrate's Office! Haha, I knew all along that the massacre had nothing to do with you. No matter how blind the men at the Magistrate's Office are, they could never forcefully pin such a crime on you!"

"Ziyu, Jiling, why are you two here?" Zhang Qian was both surprised and moved. He halted, turned around with a smile, and cupped his hands.

"The two of us heard about your situation early this morning and refused to believe it!" Wang Han leaped down from his horse, strode forward, and returned the bow. "However, fearing that you might fall victim to slander, we specifically went to Honorable Uncle He's residence!"

"Honorable Uncle He said you would certainly be fine, but he suggested we spend some money to grease palms so you wouldn't suffer in the Capital Magistrate's Office. Thus, we went around searching for connections." Wang之涣 also dismounted with a smile, holding his forehead in relief as he walked. "In the end, an elder who could have helped said the matter was already far too big, well beyond the jurisdiction of the Magistrate's Office. That's why we hurried over here to inquire about the news."

"Many thanks to both of you brothers!" Although he knew neither Wang Han nor Wang Zhihuan had the capability to bail him out, their heartfelt intentions still made Zhang Qian's eyes sting. He secretly sniffed and bowed slowly to the two of them.

"Brother Zhang need not stand on ceremony! That you are safe is better than anything else!" Wang Han was carefree by nature. He first returned the bow and then grabbed Zhang Qian's arm. "Come, let's go to your place. We'll order a feast along the way and have the attendants deliver it. Then we'll drink a few cups together to wash away your bad luck!"

"Brother Ziyu, Brother Zhang seems to have distinguished guests here!" Although younger, Wang Zhihuan was more observant than Wang Han. He stepped closer and whispered a reminder.

"No matter, let's all go together. The Young Duke is not an arrogant person!" Anyone willing to wade into muddy waters at a time like this was a true brother. How could Zhang Qian play favorites? He hurriedly waved his hand and issued the invitation with a smile.

"Then let's go. You ride in the carriage, and we brothers will ride horses to escort you!" Wang Han's family had produced more than one duke, so he was never one to feel intimidated. Seeing that Zhang Qian's invitation was entirely sincere, he responded with a smile.

"Then Zhang will not stand on courtesy!" Zhang Qian's horsemanship was average, and he had no wish to attract attention. He nodded and smiled at the two of them before leaping into the carriage.

As the carriage door closed and the vehicle began to move forward slowly, an irresistible wave of exhaustion washed over his entire body.

From morning until now, although he had navigated dangers safely and finally left the Capital Magistrate's Office without a scratch, his nerves had remained taut without a moment of relaxation.

The reminder from Young Duke Duan Huaijian moments before weighed heavily on him, creating immense pressure.

As the saying goes, cutting off a person's livelihood is like murdering their parents. With the monks of White Horse Temple dead, countless wealthy families who relied on usurious loans blamed him for their financial ruin, ensuring he would face endless trouble in the future.

"Damn Huaihuai, did I provoke you in any way? Why must you harm me so?" Thinking of the most likely suspect, Zhang Qian clenched his fists and cursed softly. "As for that damned Moist Master, I have no intention of competing with you! If not for the lies I told at the start that I couldn't take back, I wouldn't give a damn about this identity as a disciple of Mozi!"

Yet, after cursing, Zhang Sheng's words quickly echoed in his mind: "Last night's events involved at least three parties of unknown origin, and they even used horizontal sabers, horn-bows, and heavy crossbows!"

Even if the heavy crossbow was a fabrication by Zhang Sheng to bluff the Capital Magistrate's丞, bows, arrows, and horizontal sabers had undeniably been used in last night's bloodshed. Not only was Huaihuai a suspect, but two other factions had also participated! Those bows, arrows, and sabers likely belonged to those two groups.

At present in Chang'an City, while quite a few aristocratic youths possessed the means to break the curfew and roam about at night, very few had the capability to march through streets and alleys armed with horizontal sabers and bows!

Why would these few factions want to kill the monks of White Horse Temple?

What grievances did they hold against Zhang to deliberately pin the massacre of an entire household on him?

...

The more Zhang Qian thought, the more bewildered he felt; the more he thought, the more mentally exhausted he became.

It felt as though he had suddenly fallen into a massive spider web, where no matter how he struggled, the threads only grew tighter and tighter.

Yet the spider remained hidden in the shadows, refusing to appear, simply waiting until he was completely exhausted to deliver the final strike.

When people are lost in thought, they easily lose track of time. Unawares, the carriage had reached the gates of Chang'an City. Hearing the echo of the wheels passing through the gateway, Zhang Qian let out a long sigh, slumped his body against the seat, and forced himself to rest briefly.

However, before he could even close his eyes tightly, an arrogant female voice rang out from behind: "Stop the carriage! The carriage in front, halt immediately! Zhang Yongzhao, by order of Princess Anle, you are commanded to come back with us for questioning!"

"Stop, stop! Did the carriage in front hear that? Princess Anle's decree: Zhang Yongzhao is to come back and answer at once!"

"Cease! Stop immediately! Zhang Yongzhao, do you intend to defy a decree?"

...

"What is going on?" Zhang Qian was completely baffled. He pushed open the carriage window and looked outside.

He saw that his carriage had already cleared the city gates. On the wide yet crowded official highway behind them, a dozen young women dressed as martial artists, riding on matched peach-dappled horses, were in hot pursuit.

The leading woman possessed a heroic bearing, her stunning beauty laced with crisp efficiency. Clasping a command arrow made of unknown material, she had caught up to the side of the carriage in the blink of an eye and barked loudly at him: "Are you Zhang Yongzhao? Halt the carriage and come down with us. Princess Anle has issued a decree for you to report to her estate!"

"A decree issued for me by the princess?" Zhang Qian genuinely could not fathom whether Princess Anle was qualified to issue orders to him. He quickly turned his gaze back to Guo Nu, who had turned his horse around, using his eyes to inquire how he should properly respond.

At that exact moment, two cold flashes whistled through the air.

"Bang!" One struck the carriage door heavily, instantly smashing a transparent hole through the window wood.

The other was intercepted just in time by the body of the female messenger officer. In a split second, a burst of blood erupted into the air, splashing Guo Nu's head and face completely!