Chapter 7: The Imperial Guard’s Armor

He glanced at the solitary bamboo whistle lying on the ground, then scanned the direction where the imperial guards had been dragged away and vanished, already forming a plan in his mind.

“Qiushuang!” he called out loudly.

“I’m here!” Qiushuang’s pale little face emerged from behind the hall, clearly shaken by the earlier scene.

“Go, strip several sets of well-fitting imperial guard armor—quickly!” Xiao Zhan spoke rapidly.

Though full of questions, Qiushuang dared not ask and hurried off to obey.

Xiao Zhan then turned to a few capable household soldiers. “Clean up the bodies thoroughly, wipe away every trace of blood without leaving a single flaw. Then, you all change into the imperial guards’ attire and prepare to put on a grand performance!”

A cold smile curled at the corner of his lips. “Liu Gang has been coveting the treasures, hasn’t he? Then let him come in and ‘open his eyes’ properly.”

Outside the Prince Yan’s mansion, the horse beneath Liu Gang stomped impatiently, while he himself grew more agitated, cracking his whip against his boots repeatedly.

“Damn it, what’s the delay? It’s been nearly half an hour inside, and not a sound!” He spat harshly, unease creeping into his heart.

Could that brat Xiao Zhan still dare to resist stubbornly?

But then he dismissed the thought; it seemed impossible.

The old Prince Yan was dead, the mansion tightly besieged—what chance did Xiao Zhan have to fight him?

Just as he debated whether to storm in, the mansion gates creaked open again.

Several “imperial guards” hoisted two heavy chests on their shoulders and hands, grunting under the weight.

Xiao Yunshang was “escorted” on either side by two “guards,” her head bowed, shoulders trembling slightly, looking utterly wronged and pitiful.

The leading “captain” hurried forward before Liu Gang’s horse, bowed, and clasped his fists. “Reporting to General! The mansion is piled high with gold, silver, and jewels. Our men are insufficient to count or move it all! Young Master Xiao said, to show utmost sincerity, the General is kindly requested to personally inspect the mansion, accompanied throughout by Lady Xiao, to put the General’s mind at ease!”

At these words, Liu Gang’s eyes gleamed with greed.

Too many treasures to count? He was even invited to personally enter the mansion?

Casting another glance at the tearful and pitiful Xiao Yunshang, the last morsel of doubt in his heart was swept away by overwhelming avarice.

“Hahaha! Fine! That Xiao Zhan isn’t completely foolish!” Liu Gang laughed proudly. “Since he’s so hospitable, I shall go in and meet him!”

He turned to his deputy. “You, take three hundred men and seal off the mansion! No mouse gets out without my order!”

Then, cracking his whip, he commanded, “The rest, follow me into the mansion!”

A hundred elite imperial guards, flanking him closely, surged like a tide into Prince Yan’s estate.

The disguised household soldiers led the way, and Liu Gang’s party strode straight to the main hall.

Inside, the room blazed with light, a dozen large chests stacked in the center. Some lay open, spilling dazzling golden glimmers and a riot of precious jewels and jade, almost blinding to behold.

Xiao Zhan sat calmly in the grandmaster’s chair, sipping fragrant tea, as if oblivious to the influx around him.

“Xiao Zhan! You sure are relaxed!” Liu Gang swaggered forward, his greedy eyes darting over the treasure, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he nearly lost control.

Xiao Zhan set down his teacup, rising leisurely. “General Liu honors me with his presence; how could I be negligent?”

“Save the formalities!” Liu Gang rubbed his hands eagerly. “I won’t be shy accepting these! As for Lady Xiao…”

He turned to Xiao Yunshang, a greasy smile spreading over his face, voice sticky with lechery. “I will ‘treat her well,’ ensuring she’s comfortable, hehehe…”

A cold, sharp smile tugged at Xiao Zhan’s lips. “I’m afraid, General Liu, you will be disappointed. You will not take a single one of these. As for my sister, you… won’t touch her either.”

Liu Gang froze. “What do you mean?”

“I mean this…” Xiao Zhan’s voice suddenly rose, dripping with deadly intent. “Close the gates! Open fire!”

“Boom!”

A thunderous crash echoed as the two massive nanmu doors of the main hall slammed shut with the combined effort of the household soldiers, heavy bolts sliding into place with a snap!

Simultaneously, side chamber doors on both sides flew open, shadows flickering behind screens. Dozens of household guards brandishing black “firearms” appeared like tigers ready to pounce!

Xiao Zhan drew another identical “firearm” from his sleeve, the cold muzzle aimed directly at the pale-faced Liu Gang.

“Rat-a-tat-tat!”

“Rat-a-tat-tat-tat!”

A dozen dark barrels spat lethal tongues of flame, bullets raining down like a storm, instantly turning the grand hall into a slaughterhouse!

The once arrogant imperial guards didn’t even have time to draw their swords before being shredded by the sudden steel tempest! Flesh and blood scattered everywhere!

Screams, wails, gunfire, and the crackling of breaking bones intertwined, composing a desperate symphony of death within the hall.

“Witchcraft! This is witchcraft!”

“Run! Run for your lives!”

The surviving imperial guards broke in utter panic, darting like headless flies, only to find every exit sealed—trapped in a hopeless death trap!

Xiao Zhan’s side had planned this well. His household soldiers took cover behind sturdy pillars and heavy furniture, occupying high ground to form overlapping fields of fire, mowing down those who sought to resist or flee.

“Boom! Boom!”

More explosions rocked the hall as Xiao Zhan targeted the densest clusters of imperial guards, hurling several black iron grenades.

The fiery blasts consumed all, violent shockwaves flinging severed limbs skyward, thick blood mist nearly staining the glass lanterns above crimson.

Liu Gang’s mind buzzed in stupefaction. He never dreamed such apocalyptic “witchcraft” was concealed within Prince Yan’s mansion!

The hundred elite guards he’d brought were as fragile as paper before these fire-spewing “Thunder Cannons,” shattering at the first blow!

“Xiao Zhan! You... you won’t die peacefully! The Emperor will never forgive you!” Liu Gang shouted hoarsely from behind a dragon-carved pillar, his heart torn apart by fear.

A cruel curve played on Xiao Zhan’s lips as he steadied his AK-47, advancing step by step.

“Rat-tat!”

Two short bursts struck the pillar Liu Gang hid behind, scattering wood chips and sending him into a frenzy.

Liu Gang scrambled desperately to find safer cover.

“Bang!”

A distinct, muffled gunshot—a Desert Eagle’s roar tearing the air.

“Ah—!” Liu Gang screamed, the sound warped with agony as a spray of blood erupted from his thigh. He collapsed, crimson soaking the fine carpet beneath him.

Xiao Zhan approached slowly, pressing the cold muzzle against Liu Gang’s forehead, freezing every drop of blood in his body.

“General Liu, are you satisfied with the ‘treasures’ of Prince Yan’s mansion?” Xiao Zhan’s voice was calm and even, yet carried a chilling menace that sent shivers down the spine.