Chapter 36: The Assassination

Although Chen Kan had behaved just like a local these past few days since his inexplicably sudden arrival in this era, he alone knew the truth.

To him, these few days were nothing more than a game he was forced to play through. The only difference between this reality and an electronic game was that he already knew the entire script from the start, sparing him the trouble of hunting for clues. Whether it was saving Fang Xiaoru or completing the tasks assigned by Zhu Di, to Chen Kan, these felt like mandatory side quests required to beat the level. Consequently, even if he felt resentful toward the demands of Fang Xiaoru or the decrees of Zhu Di, he ultimately accepted them.

But the big-eyed, adorable girl was different. When Chen Kan first met those bright, sparkling eyes yesterday, he felt as if the world had suddenly come to life. It was as if he had discovered one of his own among a crowd of NPC digital avatars. It was a feeling that was hard to articulate.

"Since I can't go back, I might as well live a good life in this world. Marrying a princess, building a golden age, and incidentally securing some welfare for the suffering commoners in history—that doesn't sound too bad."

With his resolve hardened, Chen Kan instantly found his direction.

"First, a small goal: win over the big-eyed beauty."

Chen Kan waved at Zhu Yuelan and set off toward the floating bridge she had mentioned. Only a fool would swim when there was a bridge.

Turning a river bend and moving out of Zhu Yuelan’s sight, he spotted the bridge not far ahead. A smile appeared on Chen Kan’s face—a genuine one. His steps grew lighter, and his mood brightened.

Just then, he felt a sudden, chilling sense of dread.

*Bad news!*

Instinctively, Chen Kan dove into the nearby reed bed, rolling like a clumsy donkey.

*Thwump!*

An arrow, still vibrating, buried itself deep into the exact spot where he had been standing.

"Damn it! What is going on?"

Chen Kan was pale with shock, fine beads of cold sweat erupting on his forehead. He stared at the menacing, glinting arrow, his heart gripped by terror. If he hadn't felt that sudden warning, wouldn't he be dead by now? In two lifetimes, he had never experienced such a brush with death, so his inner panic was overwhelming. What he couldn't understand was that he had only been in this world for a few days; he hadn't had time to make any enemies, and the memories of the original host contained no irreconcilable grudges. Who on earth wanted him dead the moment they made their move?

Chen Kan huddled in the reeds, afraid to budge.

He frantically searched his mind for any enemies of the original host or anyone he might have inadvertently offended in the last few days, but he came up with nothing.

He dared not show his head. Fortunately, the summer reeds were tall and dense, blocking the enemy's view and providing him with sufficient cover. Suppressing his inner fear, Chen Kan slowly drew the blade at his waist.

He shouted toward the direction from which the arrow had come, "I don't know which path you walk, friend, but are you after money or something else? If you have difficulties, we can discuss them."

Chen Kan received no response. Instead, he heard the sharp clashing of steel.

"Which rebellious scoundrels dare to assassinate an imperial official? Surrender at once!" a shout rang out.

Chen Kan was puzzled. Were there others here besides the assassins? A series of clangs and bangs followed, punctuated by a few screams, sounding like two groups locked in a fierce struggle.

The chaos did not last long. Just as Chen Kan hesitated about whether to peek through the reeds, the screams and the sound of steel ceased. Soon after, he heard footsteps approaching his hiding spot.

Chen Kan instinctively tightened his grip on his sword hilt. This inexplicable assassination made him realize that he wasn't playing a game at all. He had truly arrived in an era where his life could be snuffed out at any moment. He was unsure if the approaching people were friends or foes. Yet, the cold, glinting blade in his hand gave him a strange sense of security.

He decided that as soon as the person reached the edge of the reeds, he would strike with lightning speed.

Closer. The footsteps were getting closer. Chen Kan’s heart pounded, his breathing becoming ragged. The thought of potentially becoming a killer made him incredibly tense. As the footsteps drew nearer, he was a chaotic mess of frustration, terror, and anxiety.

"My Lord, the assassins have been dealt with. My subordinates arrived late, nearly letting you fall into mortal danger. Please forgive us!"

The footsteps stopped a few meters in front of the reeds where Chen Kan was hiding. Hearing the address, Chen Kan’s heart finally settled, though he still gripped his Xiuchun saber with wary eyes.

He didn't move, asking guardedly, "Who are you?"

"My subordinate is Fang Xu, a Flag Officer under the command of Centurion Xing Fang of the Northern Thousand-Man Bureau, responsible for guarding Her Highness the Princess."

"You are the Princess's guard?"

"Yes!"

Hearing the man identify himself, Chen Kan held his sword with one hand and parted the reeds with the other. Seeing the flying-fish robe the man wore, he let out a long sigh of relief.

Still shaken, he asked, "Are you certain all the assassins have been killed?"

Fang Xu was taken aback by Chen Kan’s youthful face. But in the Ming Dynasty, no one dared to impersonate a Jinyiwei, especially since Chen Kan wore an ivory medallion at his waist; the Jinyiwei had their own methods of verification. Thus, while surprised by his age, Fang Xu did not doubt his identity.

He quickly averted his gaze and bowed, "I am certain. My Lord has been frightened; I deserve death for my incompetence."

Chen Kan shook his head and sheathed his long blade. Certain that the sense of impending doom had passed, he slowly emerged from the reeds. He walked back to where he had been standing and pulled out the arrow with great effort. Seeing the two-foot-long shaft, his face turned pale. Who had such a deep grudge against him that they were driven to kill him?

"Thank you for saving my life. I will surely repay this debt in the future."

"You are too kind, My Lord. It is merely my duty."

After thanking Fang Xu, Chen Kan asked, "Who were the assassins?"

Fang Xu shook his head. "I do not know. They were very resolute. Once I surrounded them with my men, they all committed suicide."

Chen Kan asked instinctively, "Were they death squads?"

Fang Xu hesitated. "They seemed like it, but I cannot be certain."

"Take me to see them."

Fang Xu led Chen Kan toward the spot where the arrow had been fired. A group of Jinyiwei officers in flying-fish robes had already surrounded the scene. Three corpses lay before them—one carried a bow, and two were armed with swords.

Seeing Chen Kan approach, the group knelt in unison on one knee and shouted, "We pay our respects, My Lord."

Chen Kan waved his hand. "Rise."

As they cleared a path, Chen Kan braced himself against the nausea caused by the acrid scent of blood and walked toward the three bodies.