Chapter 39 : Personally Heading to the Frontline
Chapter 39: Personally Heading to the Frontline
The lights of the frontline camp flickered in the night, when an urgent secret report shattered the silence.
When the news of Jiang Zhaoming’s assassination attempt reached the generals’ ears, the teacup in Qin Wei’s hand shattered with a sharp crack.
“Bastard! How dare they lay hands on His Highness!” The tower-like man slammed the table, which split in half with the impact.
Yan Chen reacted swiftly, pressing down on Qin Wei’s shoulder. “Old Qin, calm down! If this spreads, the army’s morale will collapse!”
The few generals in the tent exchanged glances, each seeing shock and fury in the others’ eyes.
Qin Wei’s chest rose and fell violently before he finally dropped back into his seat, fists clenching so tightly that his knuckles cracked.
“Who was it? How is His Highness now?”
No one could answer that question.
Because Jiang Zhaoming had ordered that no one who witnessed the incident was to reveal its details to others.
That included the number of assassins — and Guo Huaian’s identity.
Especially Guo Huaian’s identity — Jiang Zhaoming had expressly forbidden it to be leaked.
After all, he already had Qin Wei, a Divine Power Realm cultivator, serving as his personal guard. The appearance of Guo Huaian was already a breach of protocol.
However, Jiang Zhaoming had a solution — as long as Guo Huaian stayed out of public sight.
Thus, Guo Huaian hid within the royal residence, disguised as a diligent craftsman.
At dawn the next day, the Prince’s manor was cloaked in silence.
When Jiang Zhaoming pushed open the doors of his sleeping chamber, the morning dew had yet to disperse.
He was surprised to find Chen Kang standing firmly outside, blood seeping through the bandages on his chest.
Jiang Zhaoming froze for a moment before scolding, “Nonsense! You’re still forcing yourself despite such wounds?”
Upon hearing this, Chen Kang saluted respectfully. “Your Highness ordered me to serve as your close guard — I dare not neglect my duty!”
Jiang Zhaoming couldn’t help but smile, shaking his head as he patted Chen Kang’s shoulder.
“Go rest. It won’t be too late to return once you’ve healed.”
At the instant Jiang Zhaoming’s palm touched Chen Kang’s shoulder, a faint light flashed imperceptibly.
Chen Kang only felt a warm current surge through his body, unaware that his destiny had just shifted.
Obeying Jiang Zhaoming’s order without hesitation, he turned and headed toward his quarters within the manor.
Watching Chen Kang’s departing figure, Jiang Zhaoming’s gaze glimmered — and before him, the fortune above Chen Kang transformed into a blue hue.
【Chen Kang
Life Fate: Unyielding Resolve, Stonebreaking Will (Blue Life Fate — the firmer the will, the higher the chance of achieving one’s goal)
Innate Talent: Lone Rider Guardian】
Looking at Chen Kang’s retreating figure, a trace of satisfaction flashed in Jiang Zhaoming’s eyes.
This combination of Life Fate and Innate Talent was practically made for a personal bodyguard.
But before he could think further, Jiang Zhaoming heard the sound of rapid, familiar footsteps from afar.
Lifting his gaze, he saw a hurried figure rushing into the courtyard of his sleeping quarters.
“Your Highness! Your Highness! Are you unharmed?!”
The thunderous shout startled the sparrows from the trees, scattering them into the dawn sky.
Wiping sweat from his brow, Fan Kang quickened his pace upon seeing Jiang Zhaoming standing unharmed outside the chamber.
Jiang Zhaoming pressed his forehead helplessly and called out, “Lord Fan, this prince is quite well — no need to worry!”
Upon hearing this, Fan Kang’s expression finally relaxed.
“Your Highness, just as our army engages the Cangbei rebels, you were suddenly attacked. Has Your Highness sent anyone to investigate?”
At that, Jiang Zhaoming shook his head.
Of the three assassins from last night, one had been shot into a mist of blood by Guo Huaian.
As for the other two — one had been pierced clean through, and the other hacked to death by Guan Ning. Their corpses still lay in the manor.
However, both Jiang Zhaoming’s guards and Guo Huaian had only recently arrived in Anxi.
Thus, no one could identify the assassins’ origins.
Jiang Zhaoming’s deep gaze lingered on Fan Kang’s face; beads of sweat glistened on the old minister’s forehead under the candlelight.
After a brief pause, he nodded slightly, deciding to tell this trusted aide the truth of last night’s perilous encounter.
A moment later, upon hearing that three Divine Power Realm assassins had attacked, Fan Kang’s face turned pale with shock.
This was far worse than he had imagined — he had thought at most one assassin had infiltrated the residence.
Three in total — it was unthinkable!
On the way to inspect the corpses, Fan Kang’s thoughts lingered on Guo Huaian, the man who had slain a Divine Power cultivator with a single arrow.
“Your Highness, what realm is that Senior Guo in?”
“Divine Power Realm, at its peak.”
Before Fan Kang could exclaim, Jiang Zhaoming added swiftly, “But he must not appear in public. Lord Fan, take care to keep that in mind.”
Though slightly disappointed, Fan Kang still felt great relief.
With such a powerhouse guarding the Prince’s residence, he no longer had to worry for Jiang Zhaoming’s safety.
They arrived at a secluded courtyard, where eight fully armed guards stood motionless outside like statues.
When the heavy door creaked open, the acrid smell of medicine filled the air.
The flickering candlelight illuminated two corpses covered with white cloths at the center of the hall.
Fan Kang strode forward and lifted the cloth.
What met his eyes were two swollen, distorted faces — high cheekbones, sunken eye sockets, and hooked noses like eagle beaks.
Most striking were their pale golden hair and gray-blue eyes — unmistakable traits of Western Region people.
One of the corpses even bore a peculiar silver earring engraved with unfamiliar symbols.
After a close inspection, Fan Kang’s expression grew grave.
“Your Highness…”
He carefully examined the assassins’ belongings, his brows furrowing deeper by the moment.
“This old minister needs time to investigate the origins of these Westerners.”
Jiang Zhaoming nodded and, after a moment’s thought, spoke. “Then remain here in the Prefectural City and handle this matter, Lord Fan. I will head to the frontline.”
“Now?” Fan Kang looked up sharply, worry etched in his face. “Your Highness just survived an assassination…”
“Precisely because of that.”
Jiang Zhaoming interrupted, his tone brooking no dissent.
“The news of the attempt won’t stay hidden for long. Rather than let the enemy spread rumors and shake morale, it is better that I personally appear at the front to rally the troops.”
Fan Kang opened his mouth but finally bowed deeply. “This old minister will make the arrangements immediately.”
Leaving the mortuary, Jiang Zhaoming went straight to Gu Landa’s quarters.
When he pushed open the door, the female guard was weakly leaning against the bedframe, her once-lovely face pale as paper.
Yet Jiang Zhaoming could sense that her vitality was rapidly recovering.
“Your Highness…” Gu Landa struggled to rise. “What did you have me consume last night?”
“The Thousand Venom Gu,” Jiang Zhaoming replied with a faint smile. “A rare Gu insect.”
“I–Insect…?”
Gu Landa’s expression froze, her slender fingers clutching the quilt tightly.
Her stomach churned violently, and her throat tightened.
“Not only does it neutralize poisons,” Jiang Zhaoming added calmly, “it will also help you break through to the Divine Power Realm.”
Gu Landa, who had been about to gag, froze mid-motion.
She blinked — and miraculously, the discomfort in her belly vanished.
“Insects… aren’t that bad, I suppose,” she muttered softly, a blush coloring her cheeks.
Jiang Zhaoming chuckled and patiently explained the method to refine the Thousand Venom Gu.
Before leaving, he instructed, “Once your wounds heal, focus on refining the Gu. When you advance to the Divine Power Realm, come guard me again.”
Tears welled in Gu Landa’s eyes.
Ignoring her pain, she insisted on standing to see him off.
She only lay back down reluctantly after his tall figure disappeared down the corridor.
Returning to the main hall, Jiang Zhaoming immediately ordered his personal guards to prepare for departure.
Meanwhile, at the frontline battlefield, the Prefectural City coalition and the rebel army faced each other across the river — both sides seeking every opportunity to destroy the other’s military installations.