Chapter 2, Disguised Service (Part 2)

Fu Zishan silently lamented in his heart, realizing that today's situation had become uncontrollable. Since the young emperor had already issued the order, he had no choice but to comply; otherwise, the mere charge of defying the imperial decree would be sufficient to warrant execution.

Liao Qiyuan understood that the young emperor would certainly not speak of this matter, and respectfully said: "I will escort the young master back to the residence"

After experiencing the recent events, Long Yuan also felt a loss of interest and enthusiasm for the outing. He nodded and was about to leave when he heard a woman's voice behind him say: "Young master, please wait!"

Fine snowflakes began to drift down from the sky again, and the recently cleared road was soon covered with a layer of white powder. Due to the thin layer of ice beneath, one must be particularly cautious while walking; a moment's inattention could result in slipping and falling.

Although the two samurai did not know the identity of Longyuan, they could already understand about seventy to eighty percent of the situation from their master's respectful demeanor. It seemed that the other party held more power than their master, and it appeared that their companion's life had been lost in vain. They felt both angry and relieved; angry that their companion had died unjustly, and relieved that it was not themselves who had emerged earlier. The two of them lifted their companion's corpse onto the cart and swiftly departed into the distance. The snow fell heavier and heavier, quickly covering the bloodstains on the ground, making it impossible to tell that a bloody massacre had just occurred here.

Fu Zishan never expected that the timid little emperor in the palace would become so domineering once he stepped outside. His words could not be clearer; he must kill these two warriors to relieve his anger. Fu Zishan steeled himself, and since the matter had already escalated today, he decided to go all out. He swiftly turned and plunged his knife into the back of one warrior's heart, and as he withdrew the blade, blood splattered alongside the gleaming edge.

Longyuan smiled and said, "I have been trapped in the palace all day long, and tonight I finally have such a rare opportunity to breathe freely, so I must enjoy myself to the fullest."

Longyuan smiled calmly and said, "Brother Liao, you have a more refined taste than I do. If it weren't for meeting you, I would not have known that there is such a beautiful scenery in Kangdu."

Fu Zishan could no longer bear to watch and stepped forward to deliver a fatal blow to the warrior.

Longyuan pointed to the Peace Avenue ahead and said, "I want to take a stroll, how about it? Are you going to stop me?"

Longyuan Road: "Fu Zishan, accompany me to stroll along Ping'an Street. Zhao Changchun, you take Qiu Gonggong to wait for me at the end of the street."

Long Yuan nodded in satisfaction, instructing Zhao Changchun to stop the carriage, then pushed open the door and jumped down.

Long Yuan's expression immediately darkened, and he gritted his teeth as he said, "You scoundrel, how dare you insult ... ... " Just as the word 'I' was on the tip of his tongue, he forcefully swallowed it back.

Liao Qiyuan secretly scolded the young emperor for being cunning, and his two subordinates had clearly died from anger, rendering any rescue efforts pointless. Nevertheless, he understood Longyuan's intention and said to the two warriors beside him: "Quickly lift them onto the cart and go find a doctor"

Before she could finish her words, two warriors rushed out from the small building behind. From their movements, Fu Zishan could already tell that these two were by no means ordinary fighters; they were far superior to the two he had just killed. He felt a sense of foreboding in his heart and whispered, "Young Master, you go ahead, I will hold them off!"

Fu Zishan did not expect that such an incident would suddenly occur. At this moment, a beautiful woman walked out from the side gate, pleading desperately: "Gentlemen, I apologize to you. Whatever the matter is, please feel free to discuss it. I implore you, do not let this escalate to the point of causing a loss of life."

Qiu Fuhai hurriedly said: "This old servant will accompany the young master as well"

Longyuan strode towards the deep spring alley, and Fu Zishan did not dare to obstruct him, only able to obediently follow behind.

Your Majesty, ahead is Peace Avenue!" Qiu Fuhai said in a low voice

At each door stood two young maidens with long hair, and although the weather was cold, their garments were exceedingly thin, raising concerns about how these delicate figures could withstand the wind and snow of the night

Longyuan shook his head and said, "You may leave; I still wish to enjoy the snow scenery here"

Longyuan was enraged by the insults hurled at him, charging forward and fiercely kicking the warrior in the face. Just moments ago, he had witnessed Fu Zishan commit murder, and instead of feeling any fear, he experienced an indescribable excitement. Perhaps it was due to the prolonged oppression within the palace; stepping beyond its walls made him realize how vast the world truly was, and how precious freedom was compared to books. The cries of the warrior echoed in his ears, and for the first time, Longyuan felt the power to control the life and death of another. This sensation brought him immense satisfaction. Perhaps it was due to the prolonged oppression within the palace; stepping beyond its walls made him realize how vast the world truly was, and how precious freedom was compared to books. The cries of the warrior echoed in his ears, and for the first time, Longyuan felt the power to control the life and death of another. This sensation brought him immense satisfaction.

The swordsman with the drawn blade coldly laughed and said: "What if a life is lost? Killing this filthy thing is no different from slaughtering a dog"

Fu Zishan saw the young emperor truly enraged, and he whispered, "Young Master, leave this to me; we will discuss everything when we return!" He did not wish to cause trouble here, as escalating the situation would bring him no benefits at all

Two samurai saw the bloodstains covering the ground outside the door, and their companion had already been killed, lying dead in the snow. The shock they felt was truly indescribable, as they could hardly imagine that someone would dare to commit such a bold and reckless act in this city.

Fu Zishan was afraid that he had injured Longyuan, and from behind, he kicked him in the groin. The warrior, in pain, rolled on the ground, wailing: "Little bastard, my master will not let you go..."

Qiu Fuhai felt a flush of embarrassment, and could only watch helplessly as Long Yuan and Fu Zishan left.

The crowd gasped in unison, unable to believe that a murder had truly occurred. The other warrior, witnessing his companion being killed by Fu Zishan, finally felt fear at that moment. He scrambled to his feet and ran away in terror, but suddenly a foot came flying towards him, striking him hard in the abdomen. Caught off guard, the warrior fell to his knees, clutching his stomach and looking up, only to find Long Yuan blocking his path.

Fu Zishan smiled and said: "Young Master, it has snowed today, and now that night has fallen, the weather is cold. Who would still have the interest to wander around here?"

As the two were about to make a move against Long Yuan and Fu Zishan, another person emerged from the small building upon hearing the news. This person shouted angrily: "Under the feet of the Son of Heaven, how dare you commit wanton slaughter of the innocent? Is there no law of the king? Capture these two traitors for me!"

Uh... Young Master, this old servant acknowledges his mistake

Liao Qiyuan immediately recognized that the young man before him was none other than the current Emperor Longyuan. His face instantly turned pale. Although he knew that Longyuan was a puppet emperor, encountering the young emperor in such a setting was still unsettling. If this matter were to spread and become a laughingstock in the court and among the people, it would be one thing, but if Xiao Nihan were to pursue the matter, he would undoubtedly face dire consequences. Having served in office for many years, he was well-versed in the ways of the court. Under such circumstances, he dared not expose Longyuan's identity. As countless thoughts raced through his mind, contemplating how to handle the predicament before him, he suddenly heard Longyuan say with a smile: "Brother Liao, those two servants were fighting in the street, and I couldn't bear to watch, so I intervened to teach them a lesson. I didn't expect my actions to be a bit too forceful. While they still have some strength left, let's quickly take them to find a doctor."

He rushed forward quickly, and before the two warriors could react, Fu Zishan had already reached them. As a fourth-rank sword-bearing guard of the imperial palace, his martial arts were naturally extraordinary. In the blink of an eye, he had knocked the two warriors down into the snow, shouting, "You blind fools, why don't you get lost!" His intention was to give them a good beating to make them retreat, but he did not expect that the two warriors were remarkably tough, still cursing incessantly.

Liao Qiyuan's face showed an expression of embarrassment, as the performance of the young emperor tonight completely overturned his previous impression of him. He murmured, "Tonight's events..."

Longyuan sighed and said, "I thought there would be something interesting, but now it seems I am greatly disappointed". He took a couple of steps forward and saw a lane stretching from west to east ahead, which was adorned with colorful lights and decorations, and the sounds of laughter occasionally echoed, creating an exceptionally lively atmosphere

Young Master, Master Qiu and the others are still waiting ahead, we should still...

Long Yuan smiled calmly and said, "Go back and look in the mirror; anyone can tell from your appearance that you have just come out of the palace. It is better for you to stay honestly in the carriage."

I do not dare, my lord! If it were not for the prior words of Longyuan, Fu Zishan would have already knelt down.

Fu Zishan wanted to support Longyuan's arm, but was shrugged off by Longyuan. Looking at the empty street before him, with very few pedestrians, there was no sign of prosperity at all. His excitement was inevitably dampened, and filled with disappointment, he said: "It is said that Ping'an Street is the most prosperous place in the entire Kang, why does it seem so desolate, with so few passersby?"

Liao Qiyuan no longer dared to stay, he bowed to Longyuan and hurriedly left the Spring Deep Alley

Longyuan raised his head, gazing at the snowflakes dancing in the sky, and meaningfully said: "Heaven knows, Earth knows, you know, I know ... ... "

Long Yuan gazed at Liao Qiyuan's back and couldn't help but smile faintly

Fu Zishan's expression changed slightly. The narrow alley, named Chunshen, was a gathering place for the fireworks of Kangdu, where most of the renowned brothels of Dakang were located. Seeing the little emperor's eyes light up, it was clear that he had developed a strong interest in what was inside. The temptation to seek spring was a crime he could not afford; if it were to reach the ears of Grand Master Xiao, he would surely lose his head. He earnestly advised, "Your Highness, it is already quite late today; we should return to the palace early to avoid worrying Her Majesty the Empress Dowager." Seeing the little emperor's eyes light up, it was clear that he had developed a strong interest in what was inside. The temptation to seek spring was a crime he could not afford; if it were to reach the ears of Grand Master Xiao, he would surely lose his head. He earnestly advised, "Your Highness, it is already quite late today; we should return to the palace early to avoid worrying Her Majesty the Empress Dowager."

Longyuan rarely has the opportunity to travel incognito, and even more so this time with the approval of the Empress Dowager and Xiao Nihan. Naturally, he would not return to the palace so soon; taking advantage of this opportunity, he intends to thoroughly explore the capital of Kangdu.

Anger gradually rose in Longyuan's heart. He could not believe that there were such audacious criminals under the rule of the Son of Heaven in Kangdu. He strode forward and shouted, "How dare you commit murder under the vast heavens? Do you still recognize the law of the land?"

Long Yuan let out a cold snort: "Kill these two blind servants for me!"

Fu Zishan was worried that something might happen to Longyuan, so he hurriedly followed behind him

The crowd that had gathered to watch the commotion had long since dispersed, and even the man who had just been chased was nowhere to be found. Only the beautiful woman stood there, her face pale, her beautiful eyes revealing a look of sorrow and despair: "Gentlemen, you have caused a tremendous calamity..."

Liao Qiyuan did not get into the car, but came before Long Yuan with a smiling face and said: "Young Master, you truly have refined tastes; it is quite late, yet you still have the mood to come out and appreciate the snow scenery"

The two warriors raised their heads and saw Long Yuan's youthful face, clearly still an underage boy. They exchanged glances and couldn't help but burst into laughter. One of them scolded, "You little bastard, you probably haven't even grown all your hair yet, and you dare to imitate others in seeking flowers and willows. Do you even know if you came here to look for your sister or your mother!"

Longyuan shot him a dissatisfied glance and said, "Have you forgotten what I just told you?"

The beautiful maidens all wore a modest smile on their delicate faces. Long Yuan had resided in the deep palace for a long time, and although he had seen countless palace maids, none had ever approached him without a sense of trepidation. Now, seeing their smiles, he naturally felt a sense of joy he had never experienced before, and he returned a smile to the beautiful maid at the door

Longyuan listened to the voice, finding it somewhat familiar. He looked up and was surprised to see that the speaker was none other than Liao Qiyuan, the Minister of War.

Long Yuan's small face turned pale with anger as he strode forward, raised his right foot, and kicked fiercely at a warrior's nose, causing blood to splatter and the warrior to faint on the spot. Long Yuan glared at Fu Zishan and said: "What did I just say?"

Long Yuan's pair of bright eyes suddenly emitted a piercing cold light, causing Fu Zishan's heart to tremble, and he found himself unable to utter the words that followed.

Fu Zishan, who was riding beside, was taken aback. He hurriedly dismounted and whispered, "Where is Your Majesty going?"

Fu Zishan lingered in the dinosaur abyss and whispered, "Young Master, it seems quite lively ahead, why don't we go take a look?"

Long Yuan slightly furrowed his brows, displaying an expression of displeasure. Reflecting on how he had been suppressed by the Empress and Xiao Nihan in the palace, he found it difficult to breathe outside, only to be further disturbed by a servant incessantly chattering in his ear. Just as the anger within him was about to erupt, he suddenly heard a scream ahead. He looked up to see a middle-aged man being pursued and kicked down to the center of the street by two warriors. One of the warriors drew his waist knife and stepped on the man's chest, saying, "You scoundrel, have you lost your mind? How dare you offend my master?"

In the depths of spring, the alley is a premier place for romance in Kangdu. Those who frequent this area are either nobles or wealthy merchants, which is why this small alley is maintained with a fresh elegance. The light snow gently brushes by, and the bamboo shadows sway gracefully, adding a unique charm to the scene. After walking a hundred steps or so, the alley widens significantly, with buildings on either side featuring red walls and green tiles, intricately carved beams and painted rafters. Although it does not match the grandeur and magnificence of the palace architecture, it possesses a certain enchanting elegance.

Fu Zishan said softly: "Young Master, let us also depart!"