Green Mountain
Chapter 212 - 167, Luck General

Chapter 212: 167, Luck General

"Second Miss Zhang, I dare not promise you the rescue of Lord Zhang."

"Hmm?"

Zhang Xia paused in shock, having exchanged her safety to disguise Chen Ji among the Tiger Armor Iron Cavalry, all so that Chen Ji might have a chance to save her own father. But now Chen Ji was saying that he could not agree to her request.

Under the cover of night, Chen Ji held Zhang Xia’s hands behind her back and spoke low, "The rebels under the Liu Family number in the tens of thousands, while I am but a lone man, incapable of turning the tide. I cannot lightly promise what I am unable to achieve."

Zhang Xia lowered her eyes and was silent for a long while, "Fine, ultimately, you are much more capable than I am; even less hope lies in me rescuing my father myself. Chen Ji, what I have to say next is of great importance and might be of help to you: the man you just killed, I have seen him before, he was a tenant farmer from my family lands named Zhang Yuan, always diligent in his work. I suspect these private soldiers under the Liu Family usually hide among ordinary folk, which is why they wear masks to prevent being recognized..."

Before she finished speaking, the armored soldier who had previously questioned Chen Ji had already arrived nearby. He eyed Zhang Xia, "Who is this woman?"

Another armored soldier approaching quickly whispered, "Sir, this woman is Second Miss Zhang Xia, legitimate daughter of Zhang Zhuo."

Chen Ji looked up to see that the figure identified as ’Sir’ wore a different facemask from the others—while all other facemasks showed a neutral ’human face,’ his was an angry, wide-eyed ’tiger mask.’

The tiger-masked soldier glanced at Zhang Xia, then looked suspiciously at Chen Ji.

After a moment of contemplation, he waved to the soldier beside him, "Lady Zhang has not been found yet, keep searching. I will take Zhang Xia out with him."

The tiger-masked soldier then said to Chen Ji, "Let’s go."

Chen Ji, wrapped in heavy armor and carrying a spear upside down, pushed Zhang Xia forward towards the exit of the mansion. The tiger-masked soldier followed closely behind, gripping his spear tightly, watchfully monitoring him.

Chen Ji continued moving forward without outward reaction, was the other party suspecting him, yet not acting hastily... was it because they were uncertain about his identity and strength, thus not daring to rashly expose him?

Along the way, the Zhang Mansion, initially bright with lights, was now a mess. When Zhang Xia passed by the corpses of maids and servants inside the mansion, she slightly turned her face away, unable to bear looking.

Upon stepping out through the great vermilion gate of Zhang Mansion, Chen Family servants panicked on Cuiyun Lane; only Chen Wenzong stood proudly among them.

This esteemed Chen family gentleman’s clothes were in disarray, the hairpin usually adorning his hair nowhere in sight.

The tiger-masked soldier behind Chen Ji gripped his spear tighter with his right hand while subtly signaling to more than ten armored soldiers within the lane with his left.

Quietly, these soldiers approached closer, seemingly ready to form a ring around Chen Ji for an assassination.

Chen Ji’s thoughts raced, his eyes scanning the crowd.

The next moment, he walked into the crowd with his spear still upside down, gripping Chen Wenxiao by the collar and pulling him forward.

Dressed in servant’s clothes, Chen Wenxiao struggled while exclaiming in fear, "What are you doing, I am just a servant of the Chen family. Why are you arresting me?"

Chen Ji spoke coldly, "You are not a servant of the Chen family."

Whitening, Chen Wenxiao’s body began to tremble uncontrollably, barely standing upright with Chen Ji holding him.

Chen Wenzong glared at him and scolded, "Stand up straight! You and I are the top scholars from the 31st year of Jianing, how can you be frightened by petty people? You’ve disgraced both the Chen family and the court!"

Chen Ji turned back to the tiger-masked soldier, "Sir, I recognize this man; he is the Chen Mansion’s legitimate second son, Chen Wenxiao."

The tiger-masked soldier paused, slowly loosening his grip on the spear, "Very well, you’re credited for this. Also, you—"

Before he could complete his sentence, suddenly, the sound of hooves clattered from outside the alley.

The Black-armored Warriors turned to look, only to see a figure at the end of the small alley, covered in a blue cloak and riding a horse, approaching like a poet arriving through snow with rising spirits.

The Black-armored Warriors greeted with fists held to their chests, "Mr. Feng!"

Chen Ji’s heart tightened.

Holding a small hand-warmer copper furnace, Mr. Feng smiled, "The Tiger Armor Iron Cavalry has been silent for a long time; it’s finally time to make a remarkable impact. Who is in charge now? Is it still General Zhou?"

The tiger-masked soldier bowed and replied in a muffled voice, "Reporting to Mr. Feng, it is General Qian now, General Zhou has other official duties."

Mr. Feng smiled, "That’s tough. His Lordship has now appointed you as his personal guard, and you need to be even more diligent than before."

The tiger-masked soldier quickly reassured, "Please rest assured, Mr. Feng."

Mr. Feng scanned everyone there and asked lightly, "Have all the family members from the Zhang and Chen families been captured?"

The tiger-masked soldier reported, "Only two from the Chen family are here; Chen Liqin’s wife just happened to be out at the rural estate doing accounts, not within the Chen Family."

Mr. Feng nodded, "No matter, having these two sons is sufficient."

He continued to report, "Zhang Zhuo and his legitimate son are trapped in the government office, we only caught Second Miss Zhang."

Curiously, Mr. Feng inquired, "What about Zhang Zhuo’s wife?"

The tiger-masked soldier responded, "According to a servant from the mansion, she went to burn incense and pray at the South City Tuoluo Temple today and has not yet returned."

Mr. Feng chuckled, "No matter, having Second Miss Zhang and that legitimate son is also sufficient."

At this moment, Chen Wenzong looked up directly at Mr. Feng, "You, who arbitrarily seize relatives of court-appointed officials, commit a crime equivalent to rebellion. If you repent now, although death is inevitable, you might still spare your families’ lives!"

Unmoved, the Black-armored Warriors, faces hidden under emotionless black lacquered masks, stood like icy statues.

Mr. Feng spoke slowly and methodically, "Chen family’s young master should save his energy, as these tiger-masked Iron Cavalry have long lost their families. If you want to live, later please help me persuade Mr. Chen properly. As long as he is willing to join us in heading north to clear the emperor’s side and exterminate the Eunuch Party to rectify the court, I guarantee the safety of the Chen family."

Chen Wenzong sneered, "Traitors and rebels, you and the Eunuch Party are but two of a kind."

A tiger-masked soldier slapped him across the face, "Sharp-tongued!"

Chen Wenzong was struck, turning his face away, blood leaking from the corner of his mouth, yet he furiously turned back, glaring fiercely, not flinching or yielding.

Mr. Feng raised an eyebrow, "Don’t hurt him, I still need to bring him intact before Mr. Chen! If Mr. Chen decides to turn towards the light, then they will be family after all, and how can we foster resentment over such a trifle?"

The Black-armored Warrior quickly clasped his hands, "Yes, I was rash, as soon as this matter is handled, I’ll go to General Qian to receive twenty military beatings."

Mr. Feng looked at Chen Wenxiao and teased, "Why has this young master of the Chen family dressed up like this?"

Chen Wenxiao shivered uncontrollably seeing Mr. Feng.

Mr. Feng chuckled softly, "They say the dragon has nine sons, each different from the others. The Chen family is also interesting, the eldest legitimate son has integrity but is pedantic, and the legitimate second son is as timid as a mouse... also as timid as a mouse, but it’s that bastard, Chen Ji, who caught my eye. By the way, who found the second young master of the Chen family?"

The tiger-masked soldier pointed at Chen Ji, "Reporting to Mr. Feng, it was him."

Mr. Feng glanced at Chen Ji, "Credit him; on his next day off, let him go to the Political Affairs Hall to receive his reward... And who captured Second Miss Zhang?"

The tiger-masked soldier was taken aback and then pointed again at Chen Ji, "Reporting to Mr. Feng, it was also him."

"Oh?" Mr. Feng scrutinized Chen Ji closely.

After a moment, he slightly smiled, "You indeed are a lucky fellow."

After saying that, he turned to the tiger-masked soldier, "Mount up, take the families from Zhang Mansion and Chen Mansion to Prince Jing’s Mansion."

Amid the clashing sounds of armor, the Black-Armored Warriors mounted neatly.

Mr. Feng held his reins and turned his horse around, heading out of Cuiyun Lane, while Chen Ji laid Zhang Xia across the saddle and followed at the back.

Suddenly, Mr. Feng turned back, smiling as he asked, "What is your name?"

Everyone fell silent, the previously skeptical tiger-masked soldier also turned his gaze, looking intently.

Chen Ji gripped his reins tightly and replied calmly, "Reporting to Mr. Feng, my name is Zhang Yuan."

The tiger-masked soldier turned his gaze back.

Mr. Feng smiled and beckoned, "Come forward, from now on you will work for me."

...

...

Prince Jing’s Mansion was brightly lit, with four high fire basins lit in front of the vermilion gate, the flames blazing fiercely.

The Elephant Armor Camp was dragging away the bodies of the Royal Mansion Guards, the bloodstains on Anxi Street seeping into the cracks of the blue stone pavements, beginning to congeal into a paste-like stickiness.

The Liu Family had taken control of Prince Jing’s Mansion.

Mr. Feng dismounted at the entrance, attendants hurrying out to meet him.

He casually threw the copper furnace he was carrying to someone and took off his large cloak, revealing a teal outfit underneath, "Where is the old master?"

The black-clad attendant whispered, "He’s currently in Jing’an Palace playing chess with the Prince."

Mr. Feng paused, "What about Mr. Chen and Lord Zhang?"

The black-clad attendant reported, "They’ve just been escorted from the government office and are being detained in Feiyun Garden with several people from Taiping Medical Hall."

Mr. Feng was taken aback, "Lady Consort Yun, how could they rashly occupy someone else’s courtyard? That’s very improper."

The black-clad attendant whispered, "Consort Yun left the Prince Mansion after Prince Jing fell ill and hasn’t returned since."

Mr. Feng lowered his head to think for a moment, "Let’s not disturb the old master’s leisure; let’s head to Feiyun Garden first."

After saying that, he turned back and instructed Chen Ji and another armored soldier, "You take care of escorting the young master of the Chen family and Second Miss Zhang here, the rest of you take a break."

Inside the Prince Mansion, rows of armored soldiers stood solemnly with torches.

The group hurried through the deadly serene Prince Mansion. From afar, Chen Ji could see the eight wide open doors of Jing’an Palace, where Prince Jing and Official Liu were sitting opposite each other, deeply engrossed in their game of chess.

Bai Li and the Princely Heir stood to the side watching the game as if the day’s battles had never occurred.

Mr. Feng paused and turned back, his expression a mix of a smile and not a smile, "Do you want to go play chess too?"

Chen Ji’s heart leaped; he had only slightly turned his head, but the other had noticed, "Reporting to Mr. Feng, it’s my first time entering Prince Jing’s Mansion, I was curious."

Mr. Feng said with a smiling face, "Only this once; next time you gaze at things you shouldn’t, heads will roll."

Chen Ji quickly lowered his head, "I understand."

When they arrived in front of the gates of Feiyun Garden, Mr. Feng walked into the courtyard with a broad smile, "Lord Zhang, Mr. Chen, thank you for waiting here for me; please pardon the neglect. But look who I’ve brought to see you?"