C4 The Duke's Mansion Was Destroyed and He Escaped the Capital City

"Grandpa Jiang, why hasn't my father returned yet?" asked Ling Dao.

At fifteen, Ling Dao stood at a height of 1.7 meters, his figure draped in a brocade robe. His eyebrows were as sharp as blades, his eyes as bright as stars, the very image of a graceful and handsome young man. Tragically, his complexion was deathly pale, betraying a touch of illness—a result of the countless sword energies coursing through his body.

Over a year ago, King Carefree had ventured into the treacherous Celestial Dragon Forbidden Area and had yet to return. It was a place where survival was nearly impossible. King Carefree would never have risked such danger if not for Ling Dao.

Rumors abounded that the Celestial Dragon Forbidden Area held myriad heavenly and earthly treasures, including miraculous medicines capable of reviving the dead. King Carefree was well aware of Ling Dao's plight and had exhausted every remedy to no avail. His last hope lay within the Forbidden Area.

When Ling Dao was five, the queen had hurried to her family home in search of a cure for her son. Sadly, she never came back. Whenever Ling Dao inquired about the reason for her absence, the prince would only respond with a somber silence.

Standing before Ling Dao at this moment was a Great General clad in armor, Jiang Zhong. Though he appeared to be in his forties, Jiang Zhong was in fact seventy, his martial arts mastery preserving his youthful visage.

"I don't know when the Prince will return, but I am certain that he will be safe," Jiang Zhong assured him.

Without King Carefree, Jiang Zhong might have perished in the wilderness. The king had not only saved his life but had also elevated him to the rank of a renowned Great General. Jiang Zhong was deeply indebted to King Carefree and saw Ling Dao as his own progeny. Having no descendants of his own, Jiang Zhong had long since come to regard Ling Dao as family.

Shortly after King Carefree vanished, many began to stir with anticipation. Yet, out of respect for his formidable presence, none dared to act hastily. But as over a year passed with no sign of him, the consensus was that his chances of survival were slim, and it was time to make a move.

Throughout his reign, King Carefree had made his fair share of enemies. While he ruled, no one would have considered challenging the Free and Unfettered Wangfu—his might was too great. To oppose King Carefree was akin to seeking one's own demise, a fact well understood even by the Great Luo Dynasty's royal family, who wouldn't dare cross him.

King Carefree's influence was so immense that it overshadowed the Emperor himself, a grave transgression. During his time, the royal family had no choice but to bite their tongues in resentment. Now, with King Carefree missing for over a year, the Emperor of the Great Luo Dynasty saw an opportunity to eliminate the Free and Unfettered Wangfu. However, given King Carefree's past services to the dynasty, the Emperor couldn't openly take action.

...

On this particular night, a cadre of black-clad assassins encircled the Free and Unfettered Wangfu. Under normal circumstances, such a disturbance would have roused the entire household. But tonight, even Ling Dao remained deep in slumber.

"Damn it, there was something in the dinner!"

While a formidable figure like Jiang Zhong managed to stay alert, the average person could not. The evening meal had been drugged, and with Ling Dao's frail constitution, he was helpless against it. Only a handful of the Wangfu's guards were still capable of putting up a fight.

"The treachery! There's a traitor among us who has sold us out! How could they, when the Prince has been so good to everyone?"

Amidst the guards' furious accusations, the black-clad assassins stormed the Wangfu. These assassins were highly trained, each move lethal, and they were ruthless in their pursuit. The current guards of the Free and Unfettered Wangfu stood no chance against them.

The ground was soon drenched in blood as the assassins cut down the Wangfu's defenders. The royal family of the Great Luo Dynasty had been notified, but to no avail—they offered no response. It was clear to anyone that the royal family would no longer come to the aid of the Free and Unfettered Wangfu.

"Quick, protect His Highness the Crown Prince! The prince's mansion can fall, but we must ensure nothing happens to His Highness! Come on, follow me and let's get the Crown Prince out of here!"

Jiang Zhong, with eight of his strongest guards, charged toward Ling Dao's room. Thankfully, Ling Dao was unharmed, still deep in slumber. Without a moment's hesitation, Jiang Zhong hoisted Ling Dao onto his back.

"Move out, follow me and let's break through!"

The commotion roused Ling Dao from his sleep, leaving him groggy and weak, without the strength to even speak. As he took in the chaos of the battle outside, he quickly grasped the gravity of the situation.

"Think you can flee with Crown Prince Xiao Yao? Dream on!"

One after another, Black Assassins surged forward. Jiang Zhong grunted in defiance and secured Ling Dao to his back, then brandished his war knife, clashing fiercely with the assailants. The relentless clash of weapons echoed around them.

"Great General, take His Highness and get out of here fast. We'll handle these assassins!"

"Exactly, the Prince has granted us a second chance at life. We'd sacrifice ourselves before letting any harm come to His Highness!"

"What are you waiting for? Get His Highness to safety, now!"

The eight guards fought with reckless abandon, drenched in their own blood, but undeterred. Jiang Zhong cast them a glance and, with a heavy heart, nodded in agreement. He did not fear death, but Ling Dao's survival was non-negotiable.

After calling for his warhorse, Jiang Zhong mounted it, carrying Ling Dao, and charged headlong into the fray. Ling Dao, in his dazed state, saw the eight guards laying down their lives to hold back the Black Assassins, clinging to their attackers with their last breaths, despite being riddled with wounds.

"Clang!"

Suddenly, a Black Assassin lunged at them, her silver longsword gleaming with a cold glare under the moonlight. Jiang Zhong reacted with lightning speed, his war knife meeting the blade head-on. The fierce impact forced his warhorse back several steps.

Jiang Zhong's brows furrowed, and a surge of lethal fury rose within him. Years of combat had claimed many lives at his hand. He swung his knife again, forcefully driving the Black Assassin back. He chose not to linger in battle, instead spurring his warhorse to gallop away.

"Jiang Zhong is here—open the city gates at once!"

At this juncture, he realized that his only sliver of hope lay in fleeing the Capital City. Remaining within its walls spelled certain doom, as Ling Dao's chances of survival would be slim. The involvement of the Great Luo Dynasty's royal family in this affair was indisputable.

With a creak, the gates swiftly swung open, and Jiang Zhong spurred his warhorse forward, charging out. No sooner had he cleared the city than he encountered a cadre of Black Assassins. These assailants had been stealthily positioned outside, clearly prepared for any eventuality.

Jiang Zhong grunted in fury and engaged the Black Assassins in combat. Ling Dao, who had been able to make out only shadows and shapes, was abruptly struck by a vicious kick from one of the assailants, plunging him into darkness.

"Your Highness!"

At the sound of the alarmed shout, Jiang Zhong fought with renewed ferocity, his armor shielding him from what would have been fatal blows. As for Ling Dao, he was left utterly unaware of the ensuing chaos.