THE EMPEROR'S SUMMON
902 Words
The bamboo forest was silent once again.
Only the soft murmur of the nearby stream and the distant cries of birds broke the stillness.
Prince Zhao Yun stood with the imperial decree in his hands, reading every word a second time. The elegant calligraphy bore the crimson seal of the Imperial Secretariat.
"By the order of His Imperial Majesty, all imperial princes are to return to the capital without delay."
Below it was another line that tightened Zhao Yun's chest.
"The Emperor's condition has worsened."
He slowly rolled up the decree.
"The capital cannot wait."
Captain Lu Feng nodded, though his injured shoulder was tightly wrapped in fresh bandages.
"If His Majesty truly lies at death's door, every noble family in the empire will begin choosing sides."
Mei Lian looked at Zhao Yun with concern.
"And Governor Chen?"
Zhao Yun's eyes hardened.
"He believes I will leave Qinghe without exposing him."
He glanced toward the wooden chest filled with Han Shou's records.
"He is mistaken."
---
Before departing the forest, Zhao Yun and the guards buried Han Shou beside the ancient pine tree where he had spent his final years.
A simple wooden tablet was placed before the grave.
It read:
Han Shou
A Loyal Servant of the Great Tian Empire
Zhao Yun knelt before the grave.
"I cannot restore your honor today."
"But I promise that one day your name will be remembered throughout the empire."
Captain Lu Feng and Mei Lian bowed beside him.
Even Shen, the former assassin, lowered his head in silent respect.
---
The group returned to Qinghe City before sunset.
As soon as Governor Chen heard of Zhao Yun's arrival, he ordered another grand banquet.
The governor greeted the prince with an exaggerated smile.
"Your Highness! I heard you were attacked by mountain bandits."
"What a terrible misfortune."
"I thank Heaven that you escaped unharmed."
Zhao Yun studied the governor's face.
There was not a trace of grief.
Not even surprise.
It was the smile of a man pretending to know nothing.
"We were fortunate," Zhao Yun replied calmly.
"But others were not."
Governor Chen forced a sympathetic expression.
"A tragedy indeed."
"I also heard the former magistrate, Han Shou, was killed."
"What a shame."
"He had become quite... unstable in his old age."
The room fell silent.
Several officials lowered their heads.
None dared challenge the governor.
Zhao Yun's voice became cold.
"Han Shou died protecting innocent people."
The governor's smile faded for the briefest moment.
Then it returned.
"I am sure His Highness has his reasons for believing so."
---
That night, Zhao Yun gathered Lu Feng, Mei Lian, and Shen inside his residence.
The wooden chest lay open before them.
"We cannot carry every document to the capital," Lu Feng said.
"If we're attacked again, everything could be lost."
Shen nodded.
"The Black Wolf Society has spies everywhere."
"They'll search every road."
Mei Lian thought quietly before speaking.
"What if we divide the evidence?"
Everyone turned toward her.
She continued,
"If one person is captured, the others can still reach the capital."
Zhao Yun smiled.
"A wise suggestion."
The documents were separated into three bundles.
Lu Feng would carry the tax records.
Mei Lian would hide Han Shou's letters inside her medicine chest.
Zhao Yun would keep the sealed jade scroll with him.
Shen looked uneasy.
"What about me?"
The prince handed him a small map.
"I have another task."
Shen accepted it with both hands.
"The Black Wolf Society keeps your sister somewhere."
"I want you to find her."
Shen stared at Zhao Yun in disbelief.
"You still intend to rescue her?"
"I gave you my word."
Emotion filled Shen's eyes.
"I will not fail you, Your Highness."
---
Far beneath Governor Chen's mansion, inside a secret chamber lit only by candles, the silver-masked assassin stood before his master.
Governor Chen paced nervously.
"The prince leaves for the capital tomorrow."
"He has the evidence."
"What should we do?"
The assassin remained silent for a long moment.
Finally, he spoke.
"There is only one chance left."
Governor Chen stopped pacing.
"The Iron Gorge."
A cruel smile slowly spread across his face.
"Yes..."
"The narrowest mountain pass between Qinghe and the capital."
"The perfect place for an ambush."
The assassin nodded.
"I will gather every remaining member of the Black Wolf Society."
"This time..."
"The Fourth Prince will not survive."
---
Before dawn, Zhao Yun's procession quietly departed Qinghe.
The city gates opened just enough for them to pass.
Few people knew they had left.
From the top of the city wall, Governor Chen watched them disappear into the morning mist.
"Ride quickly, Prince Zhao Yun," he whispered.
"The road ahead will be your grave."
Miles away, hidden among the cliffs overlooking the Iron Gorge, dozens of black-clad warriors silently took their positions.
Archers concealed themselves behind jagged rocks.
Swordsmen waited in narrow caves.
Explosive oil jars were buried beneath loose stones along the road.
At the highest point of the gorge stood the silver-masked assassin.
He looked down at the winding mountain path below.
His voice was calm.
"No mistakes."
"When the prince enters the gorge..."
"Seal both exits."
"No one leaves alive."
Far below, unaware of the deadly trap awaiting them, Zhao Yun and his companions continued their journey toward the Imperial City.
The race to save the Emperor had begun.
But first...
They would have to survive the Valley of Death.
- Writer
