NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 21:
Chapter 21: Confronting Li Zaiyuan in Court
The moment Zhao Wujian spoke, the entire court erupted in shock—Zhao Wujian wanted to go to the northern border?
That good-for-nothing? On what basis?
Wasn’t he only good at chasing women?
Long Zhan sneered inwardly. He thought Zhao Wujian was just making a fool of himself.
Zhao Wujian continued, “A son following in his father’s footsteps is only natural. The northern frontier that my father once vowed to protect—I will guard it in his place. I beg His Majesty to grant this request. If I die on the battlefield, Zhao Wujian will die without regret!”
He spoke with righteous indignation, his face solemn and devoted, maintaining a respectful bow, not moving an inch. His posture left the ministers with no words to say against him.
But in his heart, he was thinking—Please! Just let me go to the northern border!
That way, he wouldn’t have to wait for his father to return.
He could immediately start an uprising in the north, lead a million troops into the capital, and declare:
“Your Majesty, step down for someone more capable!”
Of course, he couldn’t say that aloud. Only a complete fool would.
As Zhao Wujian waited silently, Li Zaiyuan wore a heavy expression.
Long Zhan grew furious and stepped forward. “Your Majesty, Young Master Zhao has long been drained by wine and women. He is unworthy and incapable of bearing this responsibility!”
The position of Northern Army Commander, which had been within his grasp—was suddenly being contested by Zhao Wujian.
Zhao Wujian clicked his tongue and responded, “Who said I’ve been hollowed out by indulgence? Got the guts for a duel?”
Of course, he was bluffing.
Even though he’d recently gained power after exploiting Liu Ruyan and his cultivation was advancing rapidly, he still wasn’t confident he could take Long Zhan head-on.
But to his surprise, Long Zhan, acting like he’d lost his mind, roared inside the hall, “Why would I be afraid? Let’s decide it with strength—and life or death!”
Zhao Wujian’s heart skipped a beat. Oh damn!
“Forget it. My life is more valuable than yours. Not worth it.”
“…”
Long Zhan was speechless.
On the dragon throne, Li Zaiyuan observed Zhao Wujian deeply.
Zhao Wujian didn’t seem dependable on the surface, but Li Zaiyuan could tell—this clash with Long Zhan had been deliberately provoked.
This brat… is he pretending to be a fool to lower my guard?
Zhao Wujian wasn’t quite like his father Zhao Tingxiao, but if he were allowed to go to the northern border, the Northern Army would undoubtedly rally behind him and make him the next Northern Guardian Prince.
And at that point, it would be like releasing a tiger back into the mountains!
The best solution was to ensure Zhao Wujian died in the capital. He must never be allowed to leave.
“Zhao Wujian, you are not suitable to go to the northern border. Long Zhan will go. Long Zhan—”
Li Zaiyuan was about to issue the decree.
Before Long Zhan could accept it, Zhao Wujian interrupted loudly, “Is there anyone in the realm more suited to the northern border than the son of the Northern Guardian Prince? If Commander Long takes this position, I can’t guarantee that the million-strong Northern Army won’t kill him on sight!”
He could not let Long Zhan go north!
If Long Zhan discovered that his father was still alive and returned with that information to the capital, then things would unfold just like in the original plot—his father would die.
But the Emperor wasn’t an idiot. He would never actually let Zhao Wujian go either.
Hearing Zhao Wujian’s words, Long Zhan’s expression turned sinister. “Young Master Zhao, you go too far!”
“Zhao Wujian! Are you threatening Us?” Li Zaiyuan’s imperial authority came crashing down.
Zhao Wujian instantly changed tone. “Your Majesty! In fact, there’s a better way to resolve this.”
Li Zaiyuan’s expression darkened. “Speak.”
Zhao Wujian continued, “This subject believes Hansang’s threats are nothing but posturing. They don’t have the nerve to strike. So there’s no need for either me or Long Zhan to go to the northern border.”
If he couldn’t go—then Long Zhan certainly couldn’t either.
Fine, let’s both walk away!
“You’re that confident?” Li Zaiyuan asked.
The ministers began to object one after another.
“Your Majesty, war is no trifling matter!”
“Minister Yan is right. I beg Your Majesty to punish Zhao Wujian’s insolence! I volunteer to lead a search of the Northern Guardian Prince’s Residence myself!”
Long Zhan was about to speak as well, but Li Zaiyuan raised a hand, silencing them.
His gaze never left Zhao Wujian. “And if you’re wrong? If Hansang does attack our northern border—what then?”
Zhao Wujian knew none of them would let this go easily. He could only answer solemnly, “If Hansang dares to invade even an inch of Great Xia’s land, I will slice a piece of flesh from Chiba Rizhao’s body. If they dare invade a foot, I will cut off one of her arms!
And when the time comes, I will take full responsibility with my life, and offer up all the wealth of the Northern Guardian Prince’s Residence to aid Great Xia in resisting foreign forces!”
The entire court fell silent.
All eyes turned to Zhao Wujian, stunned.
Everyone had thought he was a coward, a drunken playboy. Yet here he was, daring to speak such words.
He had staked his life—what else could anyone say?
What face did they even have left to argue?
Even Long Zhan was speechless for a moment. He couldn’t help but feel that Zhao Wujian now bore a shine that once belonged to himself.
Li Zaiyuan stared long and hard at Zhao Wujian.
Seeing that Zhao Wujian had gone this far, he could only shelve the matter—for now.
He would watch and wait.
…
News of what happened in morning court quickly spread.
Li Yunrui had been practicing calligraphy in the Imperial Study when Chief Eunuch Chen delivered the news. Her brows arched slightly.
“Zhao Wujian really made Imperial Father take back his decree?”
Chen Zhenghua smiled kindly and nodded. “Seventh Princess, the Young Master truly made a show of strength in court today.”
But what surprised Chief Eunuch Chen even more was how happy the Seventh Princess looked.
It was almost as if defying the Emperor was a praiseworthy feat in her eyes.
Was the Princess growing up and becoming rebellious?
Li Yunrui swung her legs happily as she imagined Zhao Wujian standing boldly in the court, radiating strength. The smile on her delicate face grew deeper and brighter.
Zhao Wujian truly lived up to being Li Yunrui’s chosen consort. He had done exactly what she wanted to do—so boldly and impressively—and in the end, retreated unscathed.
Li Yunrui handed a few gold ingots to Chief Eunuch Chen. “If there’s any new information from Father about Zhao Wujian, you must report it to me immediately!”
…
Northern Guardian Prince’s Residence.
Not long after Zhao Wujian returned from court and resumed training, Princess Li Zhaohua appeared once again in disguise, arriving to meet him in secret.
“You again?” he asked.
Seeing no one else around, Li Zhaohua slowly removed her veil. Her delicate face showed a hint of playful reproach as she pointed at Zhao Wujian with her slender finger. “You… you really are getting bolder. You dared to confront my royal brother in court? You worried me so much, I rushed over.”
[This beautiful woman’s informants are too good. She heard about it this fast?]
[She says she came in a hurry, but she clearly changed into fancy clothes on purpose—and even put on a bit of makeup under that thin veil.]
[What a charming woman. Heh, I didn’t just dare to confront the Emperor. I might even dare to… confront you.]
Zhao Wujian sniffed the faint fragrance drifting from her as she approached and smiled. “Forgive me, Princess. I simply didn’t want to see my father’s Northern Army fall into Long Zhan’s hands.”
[Hmm? Why is she looking at me like that all of a sudden? Why does it feel like there’s resentment in her eyes?]
Li Zhaohua’s heart trembled.
She wanted to scold Zhao Wujian for his impudence, yet part of her liked it. If he was already this bold in his thoughts… what if he got bold in action too…
That thought alone made Li Zhaohua flush with a mix of shame and irritation. How could she think such things?
It’s all Zhao Wujian’s fault!
He was the one being indecent first!
She couldn’t help but scold him, “Why are you so against Long Zhan leading the Northern Army?”
“He’s unworthy.”
Zhao Wujian’s tone radiated authority, leaving Li Zhaohua stunned for a moment. In that instant, she seemed to see the shadow of the former Northern Guardian Prince in him.
It looked like Zhao Tingxiao… really had a fine son.
“To serve the Emperor is like living beside a tiger—stay cautious. In the future, it’s better to play along and beg for forgiveness, rather than publicly challenge my brother. He already harbors suspicion toward you…”
Zhao Wujian gave Li Zhaohua a curious look. Why did she seem… like she genuinely admired him?
“Thank you, Princess, for the advice. But since I’ve already said what I said, I’ll live freely while I can.”
[Strange… why does this woman care about me so much? If I really die one day, would she actually grieve for me?]
[Indeed, mature women know how to care for a man’s heart…]
[But then, who will care for the woman who knows how to care—yet has no one to care for her, left all alone in her empty chamber?]
Hearing Zhao Wujian’s thoughts, especially those last few lines, Li Zhaohua couldn’t help but laugh.
Would she truly be sad?
Of course not. In her eyes, Zhao Wujian was merely a pawn.
Because she could hear his inner thoughts, she could see through him more clearly than anyone else.
She had originally planned to use him. She never expected this pawn would almost get the better of her.
“There are still matters in the palace. I’ll take my leave for now.”
With those words, Li Zhaohua’s graceful figure slowly disappeared from sight.
Zhao Wujian knew clearly—he had been chosen by Li Zhaohua as a piece in the struggle for power.
Emperor Li Zaiyuan, a Grandmaster, was unfathomable in his schemes.
Princess Li Zhaohua had hidden her edge for years, now ready to unsheathe it.
And then there was Long Zhan, the protagonist blessed by destiny…
Zhao Wujian didn’t want to side with any of them.
To be precise, he belonged to a fourth side—his own.
To secure himself, he headed to Chiba Rizhao’s holding cell.
Chiba Rizhao looked increasingly haggard, having been confined indoors day and night without a glimpse of sunlight.
Seeing Zhao Wujian, her eyes lit up in urgency. “Did you find out? Did you catch the real killer? I told you, I was framed!”
Zhao Wujian pulled out pen and paper and handed them to her. “Write a letter to the Emperor of Hansang.”
“A letter?” Chiba Rizhao’s voice hinted at confusion. She could tell something was going on.
“Your father has thoughts of attacking Great Xia…” Zhao Wujian said calmly. “Write to him. Tell him not to start a war—for his beloved daughter’s sake.”
“If you don’t release me, my father will bring his army! Let me go!” Chiba Rizhao caught the key point instantly. She grabbed Zhao Wujian’s robes tightly, iron chains clinking.
“And then what? Once the war starts…” Zhao Wujian’s voice remained flat. “Who do you think will be in the most danger?”
Chiba Rizhao froze. If war broke out, she and the entire envoy would be the first casualties—sacrificed to the flames of battle.
“That’s why… I’m doing this for your own good.” Zhao Wujian’s tone turned persuasive as he handed her the paper and pen. “Write in your Hansang script—that chicken-scratch looking one.”
Without waiting for her response, he turned and left the cell.
As soon as he walked out, he let out a breath and grinned.
If Chiba Rizhao agreed to write the letter, he would gain a layer of insurance.
That way, if the Hansang Emperor got stubborn and actually declared war, it wouldn’t cost Zhao Wujian his life for the bold words he had shouted in court.
Just then, the Old Housekeeper appeared out of nowhere. “Your Highness, an imperial edict has arrived from the palace.”
What’s that sly old emperor up to now?
Zhao Wujian opened the decree.
It stated that recently, many martial artists had gathered in the capital and were congregating at the Sword Casting Bureau. The court feared that these unruly wanderers might disturb public order.
Thus, Zhao Wujian was ordered to go to the Sword Casting Bureau and inspect the situation—and report anything unusual immediately.
The Sword Casting Bureau was responsible for forging weapons for the royal family, city guards, and officials.
It was also the very place where the Heaven Sword was said to emerge in the original story.
The bureau’s director was once a famed martial expert who, refusing to be tamed by the court, had secretly forged the Heaven Sword!
That sword was no ordinary weapon. It was the protagonist Long Zhan’s top-tier blade—used until the very end of the original plot.
The Heaven Sword had dual attributes: one side was for killing, the other for healing and cultivation. A miraculous weapon for both offense and inner training.
In the story, the Heaven Sword had always been fated to belong to Long Zhan.
“Trouble never ends… What’s it got to do with me if some dumb sword appears? Going to the Sword Casting Bureau means fights again. What if I die there?”
Clearly, this was Li Zaiyuan’s way of getting revenge for being embarrassed in court.
Just wait!
Zhao Wujian knew his strength still wasn’t enough. He needed to power up quickly.
So… he returned to the cell, grabbed Liu Ruyan’s long leg and said, “Demon woman, I need you to help me cultivate!”
…
Three hours later.
Thanks to refining the Dragon-Nourishing Sacred Physique, Zhao Wujian’s inner strength surged. He had officially reached the level of an 8th-grade martial warrior!
He also broke through to the second layer of the True Yang Heart Technique—comprehending the “True Yang Finger.”
His fingers had become as hard as steel, capable of piercing walls.
Zhao Wujian glanced over at Liu Ruyan, completely exhausted beside him.
Honestly, he was also wiped out…
But as he looked at his own fingers, a new idea suddenly came to him…