Chapter 21: Soul-Snatcher Defects to Crown Prince Li Chengqian

Zhao Hu’s words took Gou Hun by surprise, leaving him momentarily stunned.

He had saved the Crown Prince out of good intentions, so why had it suddenly become a complication? And this question he wanted to ask—could it be that he had identified him as an assassin? But he hadn’t even drawn his weapon. Could the Prince see straight into his soul?

Gou Hun’s mind raced with doubt, while his right hand instinctively drifted toward his waist. He realized that if things went well, he would remain a guard of the Eastern Palace; if not, he would forever be Gou Hun the assassin. His reputation had always been formidable and unshakable. In the past, his flying blade had been invincible, meeting no rival, but it had remained sheathed for a long time. Was it destined to be unsheathed today?

Though his heart was in a tumult, he had to answer the Crown Prince. "Your Highness, please speak," Gou Hun said, bowing hurriedly while his right hand remained poised for combat. However, noticing the obviousness of his stance, he quietly withdrew his hand from his blade.

This tiny detail did not escape Li Chengqian’s watchful eyes. He was still testing Gou Hun to gauge his loyalty. Li Chengqian shot a glance at Zhao Hu, who understood immediately and gave two coughs.

"Ahem..." Zhao Hu cleared his thoughts, looked at Gou Hun, and asked, "Tell me, now that you have saved me, what reward do you desire?"

In an instant, the weight lifted from Gou Hun’s heart. He had braced himself for an interrogation, never expecting such a simple question. "This..." Gou Hun hesitated, a faint smile tugging at his lips before he replied, "Reporting to Your Highness, this subordinate seeks no reward. Your Highness's safety is the greatest reward of all."

"Excellent. I like you," Zhao Hu said, nodding repeatedly before turning to Commander Yang Jiguang. "Commander Yang, take this brother back; I wish to thank him personally."

"As you command, Your Highness," Yang Jiguang agreed, though he cast a troubled glance toward the direction where the other assassin had fled.

"You mean the assassin who escaped?" Zhao Hu asked, reading his mind instantly.

"Yes, Your Highness is wise. I am concerned that the assassin may return to harm you," Yang Jiguang said, clearly distressed by the predicament.

At that moment, Yang Jiguang caught a glimpse of Li Chengqian giving him a signal. He instantly understood: the Prince did not want him to pursue the matter. Yang Jiguang signaled back to Zhao Hu, who had already received the same silent instruction from Li Chengqian.

"Go back first. That assassin is of no concern. Just leave a few men to keep watch," Zhao Hu said, turning to mount his horse. The guards rushed forward to assist him. The rest of the retinue followed him toward the main hall, with Gou Hun walking at the front under Yang Jiguang’s watchful eye.

Gou Hun had originally planned to slip away quietly—a hero who does good deeds without leaving a name—but now that he had been identified as the Prince’s savior, he was surrounded by guards and escape was no longer easy. Resigned to his fate, he reluctantly accompanied them to the hall.

Shortly after, they arrived. "Come, provide a seat for this brother. Everyone else, step outside," Zhao Hu said upon sitting down, gesturing to a nearby chair.

Yang Jiguang bowed and beckoned Gou Hun. "Come, brother, the Crown Prince has commanded you to sit here—close to him, for ease of conversation."

"This... is that appropriate?" Gou Hun asked, feeling overwhelmed.

"Sit down, brother. Today you are my savior; it is I who should bow to you," Zhao Hu said, preparing to rise and bow to Gou Hun.

Gou Hun was deeply moved. This was the Crown Prince whom Li Tai had painted as a debauched, ignorant dandy. If such a considerate and kind Prince was considered worthless in Li Tai’s eyes, then who was truly the one lacking character? Gou Hun hesitated, lost in thought, forgetting to refuse the gesture.

Seeing the "Crown Prince" about to bow to a guard, Yang Jiguang stepped in, punching Gou Hun in the back and shouting, "How dare you be so arrogant as to let the Crown Prince bow to you!"

The sharp pain brought Gou Hun back to reality. Out of habit, his hand drifted to his waist.

"You still want to reach for your blade and strike me?" Yang Jiguang raised his voice, stepping closer.

"Your Highness, I deserve death! I was lost in thought. Please forgive me," Gou Hun stammered, rushing to help Zhao Hu up before kneeling on the ground, not daring to look up. His apology was clearly sincere.

Zhao Hu laughed heartily. "Get up, brother. I am not angry. If not for you, I would have been in great danger. I should be thanking you; how could I ever blame you?" Zhao Hu pulled him up and insisted he sit by his side.

"Your Highness, I... I cannot accept this," Gou Hun said, a different light appearing in his eyes. He was moved to his core. He had never encountered such treatment. For a Crown Prince to be so humble and disregard his own status was unheard of in any dynasty.

"Sit. You deserve it," Zhao Hu insisted, pulling him down.

"Many thanks, Your Highness," Gou Hun said, sitting down with a tremble of uncertainty.

***

"I see your martial arts are excellent, and I have a bold idea," Zhao Hu suddenly said, following a silent cue from Li Chengqian.

"Your Highness, command me. As long as I can do it, I will go through fire and water without hesitation!" Gou Hun stood and bowed, having learned enough etiquette during his time in the capital to be respectful.

"Again with the formality. I am simply talking to you as a friend; no need for such restraint," Zhao Hu said with a wave and a smile.

"Yes, Your Highness," Gou Hun replied, waiting for the question.

"I am currently in need of a personal bodyguard. Since I have witnessed your peerless skills, I intend to appoint you to that role."

Boom. It was as if a thunderbolt had struck Gou Hun. For an assassin, being asked to serve as the personal bodyguard to the Crown Prince was an incredible irony—and a testament to the Prince’s total lack of suspicion. He was overwhelmed with gratitude. He had acted out of a sense of justice, expecting no reward, and this unexpected honor left him speechless.

Just as he struggled to process this, a chilling voice echoed from outside the hall: "Gou Hun, you traitor! Just wait—we will never let you go!"

The voice was a woman’s, sharp and wretched, drifting through the hall. Gou Hun turned pale; he had been exposed. This was his junior sister, Yi Hun. He knew her to be lethal, a true disciple of their master and the master's beloved daughter. He had been the lead assassin for this mission, with Yi Hun as support and their junior brother, Mie Hun, also present—all of them highly skilled, though Gou Hun was the strongest.

Before Gou Hun could react, Yi Hun and Mie Hun struck. Yi Hun fired a sleeve-dart toward him, while Mie Hun unleashed his signature throwing knives. "Gou Hun, prepare to die! We are purging our ranks!"

Li Chengqian signaled Zhao Hu, who roared, "Shield-bearers, move!" In an instant, guards surged forward with shields. "Archers, take positions!" The archers followed, aiming their bows at the roof where the two assassins were perched.

The attackers' projectiles were deflected by the shields. Gou Hun, realizing he was now fighting for his life against his own kind, drew his own blade and threw it. He struck Mie Hun in the arm.

"Go! We must leave!" Yi Hun cried, dragging the wounded Mie Hun away as they vanished from the rooftops.

"Pursue them!" Zhao Hu commanded.

"It is useless; you won't catch them," Gou Hun said, a dim light in his eyes.

"Why?"

"Their skills are too high. I have hidden some truths from you, Your Highness. Please forgive me," Gou Hun said, preparing to confess.

"I actually know everything. Say no more," Zhao Hu interrupted with a wave. "Come, let us go inside and speak in detail."

***

Once inside the inner room, Gou Hun knelt. "I have deceived you, Your Highness. I deserve death."

Zhao Hu pulled him up. "You are Gou Hun, yes?"

"Yes, Your Highness," he admitted, finally dropping the pretense.

"Gou Hun, it is a grand name. I officially invite you to join the Eastern Palace as my personal bodyguard. Will you accept?"

"Your Highness, I see now that serving the imperial court and you is the only righteous path. In truth, I was sent here to assassinate you," Gou Hun confessed, burying his head in shame.

"Do not be constrained. From this moment on, you are my bodyguard," Zhao Hu said, grasping his hand.

Gou Hun’s heart was settled. He had watched the Prince and realized he was far more reliable than his own kin, and infinitely more honorable than the scheming Wei Wang, Li Tai. Li Tai’s reliance on assassination was the mark of a petty man. The Prince’s magnanimity in the face of his treachery proved his superiority.

With tears in his eyes, Gou Hun took an arrow from his quiver and snapped it in two. "I swear that from this day forward, I serve only Your Highness. If I break this oath, may I be like this arrow!"

Zhao Hu nodded. He knew then that Gou Hun was loyal. "Rise. I trust you with my life."

"Thank you, Your Highness," Gou Hun replied, trembling with emotion.

Soon, Li Chengqian and the others arrived to congratulate the Prince on gaining such a formidable warrior. Zhao Hu laughed, holding Gou Hun’s hand. "This is Gou Hun. He is now my personal bodyguard, and I have entrusted my life to him."

Gou Hun realized he had found the right master. From now on, anyone who dared threaten the Crown Prince would have to go through him first.

"Gou Hun," Yang Jiguang laughed, "a fine name. With you protecting the Prince, no demon will dare act with impunity."

The atmosphere turned jubilant as they shared a meal to celebrate. Suddenly, Li Sijian arrived outside. "Your Highness, the Emperor has prepared a private feast at the Taiji Palace. He requests your presence."

The room went silent. "Everyone, enjoy the meal. I shall return shortly," Zhao Hu said before stepping out.

Outside, he met Li Chengqian. "The Emperor awaits," the Prince said calmly. They exchanged clothes, and Li Chengqian departed with Li Sijian for the Taiji Palace to meet Li Shimin—a journey into the unknown, fraught with uncertainty.