Chapter 3 His Majesty personally gets himself implicated (a disgrace).
Relying on others is hopeless. Yun Zhan slumped in his chair, his eyes filled with despair. Was he really just going to wash his neck and wait to die?
No! There's another way!
A foolish, risky, but perhaps the only way that wouldn't be directly interfered with by "fate"—he went himself!
As the saying goes, it's easier to see the King of Hell than to deal with his underlings. He refused to believe that he, the "True Dragon Emperor" (albeit an imposter), could personally bring down Yan Linye. Perhaps his imperial aura could even neutralize some of the other's luck?
Besides, those secret guards might have failed because they weren't smart enough! Yun Zhan is a modern man from the information explosion era; surely he has more clever ideas in his head than these ancient people?
"Eunuch Gao!" Yun Zhan sat up again as if he had risen from the dead.
Eunuch Gao trembled in fright: "Your Majesty?"
"Prepare a set of ordinary clothes for me, and some travel expenses! I'm going on an incognito trip!" Yun Zhan gritted his teeth. "I want to see for myself whether this Yan Linye really has three heads and six arms!"
The eunuch nearly fainted from fright: "Your Majesty! You mustn't! Even a son of a noble family wouldn't sit under a dangerous roof, and you are of immense wealth; how can you so easily take such a risk..."
"Enough nonsense! My mind is made up!" Yun Zhan exuded an air of arrogance (in his own opinion). "If you utter another word, I'll send you to keep those 'empresses' company!"
Upon recalling that group of muscular men, Grandpa Gao instantly shut his mouth and scrambled off to prepare.
A few days later, Yun Zhan, weary from his journey, finally found his way to a small county town under the jurisdiction of Hejian Prefecture, following the vague address previously reported by his secret guards. He truly experienced the hardships of traveling in ancient times; his bones were practically shaken to pieces.
He learned that Yan Linye seemed to often meet with people at a small tavern in the west of the city. So, carrying a gold-inlaid and jade-embedded dagger he had brought from the palace (which looked rather useless), he sneaked up to the vicinity of the tavern.
He hid behind a large tree, peeking inside cautiously. The tavern wasn't crowded, and his gaze quickly settled on a seat by the window.
A young man sat there, dressed in a simple blue cloth robe, yet his tall and upright figure was undeniable. He was talking to someone at the same table; his profile was distinct, his nose high and straight, and a faint, natural smile seemed to play at the corners of his mouth. Sunlight streamed through the window, bathing him in a soft glow.
Even from a distance, Yun Zhan could sense an indescribable aura emanating from that person—calm, gentle, yet subtly carrying an undeniable sense of power.
Yun Zhan's heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason.
Holy crap! This is Yan Linye?!
Where's the promised warlord of a chaotic era? Where's the promised rebel leader? How come he looks... like a male lead in an idol drama?! With that face and that aura, he'd be a top idol in modern times!
Yun Zhan looked down at his dusty clothes from the journey, then touched his face, which he hadn't washed properly for days, and a strange fire of jealousy burned within him!
Why?! Why is this guy so incredibly lucky, and so handsome too?! Is there no justice in this world?! God, are you being unfair to everyone?!
Anger and jealousy instantly overwhelmed the fear of "fate." Yun Zhan gripped the dagger in his arms, his wickedness growing: "What's the use of being handsome? Watch me, today I'll be a 'face destroyer'!"
He surveyed the terrain and discovered a secluded alley behind the tavern. His plan was to wait for Yan Linye to emerge, then stab him in the back as he passed through the alley!
Yun Zhan crouched down and slipped behind a pile of junk in the alley, his heart pounding with a mixture of nervousness and excitement.
Time ticked by, and just when Yun Zhan's legs were about to go numb from squatting, he finally heard footsteps and voices. It was Yan Linye! After saying goodbye to a few people, he walked alone into the alley.
The opportunity has arrived!
Yun Zhan took a deep breath, seized the opportunity, and suddenly jumped out from behind the pile of debris, raised his dagger, and shouted: "Yan Linye! Prepare to die!"
However, he overlooked a crucial problem—his legs went numb from squatting for too long.
Then, a spectacular scene unfolded: his leap, which should have been majestic and imposing, turned into a staggering fall because his legs wouldn't obey him. He lost his balance and crashed headfirst to the ground!
"Holy crap!"
Thump!
Yun Zhan fell flat on his face, a classic case of "dog shit." The dagger in his hand flew out and landed with a clatter not far from Yan Linye's feet.
Dust flew everywhere.
Yun Zhan lay on the ground, seeing stars, feeling as if his internal organs had shifted.
Yan Linye was clearly taken aback by this sudden "attack." He stopped and looked down at the "assassin" lying in front of him, dazed and confused. He then glanced at the flashy but impractical dagger at his feet, a look of astonishment flashing across his face.
But instead of immediately calling for help or taking action, he squatted down and asked with concern, "Young man? Are you alright?"
His voice was gentle and clear, like a spring breeze.
Yun Zhan grimaced in pain, cursing every god in his mind. He struggled to get up, but his limbs were weak and his legs were numb, making him move as clumsily as a turtle unable to turn over.
Seeing this, Yan Linye reached out and gently supported his arm, helping him to stand up.
Up close, this guy is even more handsome! He has a healthy wheat-colored skin, deep-set eyes, and incredibly long eyelashes. Most importantly, his eyes are clear and open, carrying a genuine concern that makes him impossible to dislike.
Yun Zhan was even angrier! Why did the villains have to be unlucky guys like him, while the heroes were all outrageously handsome?! Was there no law anymore?!
"I...I'm fine!" Yun Zhan flung Yan Linye's hand away, his face flushed and his neck thick with anger as he denied it, trying to salvage some dignity. He quickly bent down to pick up the embarrassing dagger.
Yan Linye, however, beat him to it, bending down to pick up the dagger. He examined it for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly at the dazzling gemstone on it, before handing it back to Yun Zhan, his smile deepening slightly: "Young brother, this dagger... is quite unique. However, it's best to put it away when traveling, lest you injure yourself."
These words sounded like concern, but Yun Zhan felt like he was being mocked!
Yun Zhan snatched the dagger, stuffed it back into his pocket, and glared angrily at Yan Linye: "Mind your own business!"
Yan Linye looked at the boy in front of him (Yun Zhan's body was quite young). Despite being covered in dirt from the fall, his eyes shone with an astonishing brightness, carrying a stubborn refusal to admit defeat and... a strange sense of absurdity, like a kitten baring its teeth and claws but posing no threat at all. Far from being angry, he found it quite amusing.
"Young man, it seems you have some misunderstanding about me?" Yan Linye asked good-naturedly.
"Misunderstanding? There's no misunderstanding!" Yun Zhan retorted, "I... I just don't like the look of you!" He couldn't very well say that he came to kill him so that he wouldn't turn his head into a wine vessel later, could he?
Yan Linye chuckled, finding the young man even more amusing. He glanced at the sky and said, "This place is not safe to linger. If you have nothing else, young brother, I'll take my leave first." With that, he nodded to Yun Zhan and turned to leave.
"Hey! Wait a minute!" Yun Zhan called out to him instinctively. The mission wasn't finished yet! Although it had started poorly, they couldn't just give up like this!
Yan Linye turned around and cast an inquiring glance.
Yun Zhan's mind raced; he needed to find a reason to approach him! That's it! Intelligence! Gather intelligence! Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated!
He forced out what he thought was a friendly (but was actually a twisted) smile: "Um... Brother Yan, right? I've heard so much about you! Actually... actually I came here because I admire you! Just now... that was just a joke! Yes, a joke!"
Yan Linye watched the other man's clumsy acting and awkward demeanor, his interest growing even stronger. He smiled and readily agreed, "Oh? So it was a misunderstanding. May I ask your name, young brother?"
"I...I am called Yun Zhan!" Yun Zhan gave his real name, since no one in this era would recognize him anyway.
"Brother Yun Zhan." Yan Linye took out a small money pouch from his pocket and handed it to Yun Zhan. "I see you look travel-worn, you must have come from afar. This is not much money, but take it to have a good meal and change into clean clothes. If you have any difficulties, you can come to the charity house in the west of the city to find me."
After saying that, he didn't linger and turned to leave the alley with a flourish.
Yun Zhan clutched the money pouch, still warm from his body, watching Yan Linye's figure disappear into the alleyway, his emotions a jumbled mess.
The assassination attempt was a complete failure, and in such a disgraceful way.
But strangely, the expected scene of being beaten, killed, or handed over to the authorities didn't happen. That Yan Linye seemed...quite gentle? Not only did he not hold it against him, he even gave him money?
"Pah! Hypocrisy! Winning people over!" Yun Zhan spat, trying to dispel the strange feeling in his heart. "This is definitely his way of winning people over! Yes! Historically, these kinds of ruthless heroes are the best actors!"
He looked down at the money pouch in his hand, then touched his knee, which was still throbbing slightly.
Damn it, what a bad start! He lost both face and his troops. But to just give up like this? Absolutely not!
Yun Zhan gritted his teeth, his eyes rekindling with fighting spirit (and mostly defiance): "Yan Linye, you just wait! Close combat is even better! I refuse to believe I can't find a chance to kill you! We... have plenty of time!"
He limped out of the alley, deciding to use the money provided by the "enemy" to treat himself to a good meal before making further plans. After all, a full stomach is essential for killing!
As Yan Linye walked away, recalling the clumsy yet amusing boy from earlier, a slight smile unconsciously crept onto his lips.
"Yun Zhan... is such a strange yet adorable little fellow."
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