Forgotten Legend of the Bloodied Flower

"How should we open the door?"

"Use force?" Nan Luo was thinking of just hacking the door with his swords.

Long Qian Xing's lips twitched. He looked at the young brat. "You wouldn't be able to open the door if you do that. This is one of the hardest wood in the entire land, Nan Luo."

"Oh."

"You don't even know such simple knowledge?"

"Shut up!"

Old Master Nan motioned for Hou Liang and the man swiftly kicked the wooden gate and used the force to reach the top. Looking at how effortlessly he did that, the soldiers were stunned.

"Your fame is not without reason, General Nan." Emperor Yang Zhou glanced at Hou Liang, who had entered to open the door. The gate was at least fifteen feet tall and to be able to reach such height with martial arts alone already proved that the people around General Nan was not ordinary.

"You're praising me too much, Your Majesty."

"Grandfather asked me to ask for your guidance." Emperor Yang Zhou's eyes flickered when he mentioned about his grandfather. Since he didn't have a chance to meet with Old Master Nan until today, he never asked. "Did he ever say something to you?"

"I will tell you if you succeed in taking back the palace." Old Master Nan didn't immediately answer the young man's inquiry.

"I understand."

Swish!

The door was opened and Hou Liang pointed in the direction of the main hall. "There are more guards in that direction. They might be coming if we don't hurry."

"Let's go."

The group rushed inside and headed to the door at the side. It was directed to the other side of the area, but at the same time, there was an underground tunnel from here. Long Qian Xing worked and moved the barrel that covered the door.

"There's smell of blood from inside." Long Qian Xing furrowed his eyebrows as he looked at the hole before him. "Your Majesty, please be careful."

"I'll be fine." Emperor Yang Zhou was calm. He nodded and they all quickly jumped down.

Old Master Nan waved his hand. "Hou Liang, protect the entrance with several soldiers. Should they enter through this path, you'll deal with them."

"Yes, General."

"We should hurry. It'll be sunrise soon."

"Yes."

Drap! Drap! Drap!

Long Qian Xing led the way while the others followed behind him. Even though they were running at high speed, Long Qian Xing didn't seem to be worried that they would get lost at all in this dark tunnel.

"Did you know where we're going?" Nan Luo asked.

"I memorized all the escape route." Long Qian Xing didn't even look at Nan Luo as he silently counted the steps.

Nan Luo was stumped. "How in the world did you even know the escape routes here?"

"It's in my father's work room."

Nan Luo: "…" I should try to break into grandfather's room too in the future.

Old Master Nan seemed to be able to guess what his grandson was thinking as he hit the young boy's head. "Don't think of anything strange. Long Family had long pledged to protect the future Emperor. They're also the hidden guards of the Imperial Family should something goes wrong with the young Emperor."

"Huh?" Nan Luo furrowed his eyebrows. "Then, what about you, Grandpa?"

"I'm just a declining general family." Old Master Nan sighed. He patted Nan Luo's head as they continued to run. "I don't have as much information as that Old Man Long but the information I have is enough."

Nan Luo blinked his eyes but didn't say anything more. He had learned history in the past. Even though he couldn't say that he liked it, he still knew some things. Fei Yang Kingdom had started to rise in terms of military power ever since the previous three Emperors.

There were some reforms that was done and it was continued by the next Emperor, which strengthened Fei Yang Kingdom greatly. The Emperor before Emperor Xuan (Prince Yang Zhou's father), was an Emperor who loved war and even personally led his soldiers at the frontline.

Thanks to him, Fei Yang Kingdom grew in size.

However, it was still far from being able to take the other four kingdoms around. As war continued to take place, the Emperor also continued to strengthen the kingdom. The policy to give rewards based on merit also propelled many talented people to come to Fei Yang Kingdom.

It was good.

If the Emperor was capable.

When Emperor Xuan become the Emperor, he was far from capable. Rather than continued to strengthen the military, he spent his time in the palace and played around with women. Prince Yang Zhou's mother was his favorite consort, whom he spent time almost every single day.

Thanks to the Imperial Concubine's favor, Yang Zhou could become the crown prince and now, the Emperor.

But Yang Zhou was only 16 years old, which was too young for him to lead the nation. With so many talented people yet the leader was nothing more than a young kid, it was clear that things wouldn't be so pretty.

They would want a puppet emperor rather than a capable one if they wished to become the leader.

Besides, the second prince also didn't want to give up the seat of the Emperor. There have been several assassination cases ever since Emperor Yang Zhou became the Emperor but this one was truly the worst. After all, previously, Emperor Yang Zhou would not be forced to leave the palace and asked help from Nan Family.

'But why did they pick Nan Family?'

Nan Luo was wondering about that.

There were several general families in the capital city since there were several people who held the position of general in the entire Fei Yang Kingdom.

"Is this route connected to the main hall?" Nan Luo asked.

"Yes. No one is allowed to bring weapon to the main hall, so this become the escape route and also places to keep secret guard to protect the Emperor." Old Master Nan passed a look at Nan Luo. "In the future, you might need to use it."

"Gah? I don't want to become Imperial Guard!"

"...Let's hope so."

Nan Luo really wanted to tell his grandfather that he didn't want to when he sensed sudden danger.

Dzing! Jleb!