Chapter 97: Diaochan's Kidnapping

Cao Peng rode his horse alone to the outskirts of the city, where Diao Chan's residence lay not far away. As he had promised before his departure, he must pay her a visit. The horse's hooves struck the ground with a steady clatter. He had not yet reached the manor when he sensed something profoundly wrong; the air felt unnaturally still. Noticing the door already dusted with gray and untouched, he surmised that calamity had struck. Nine times out of ten, something had gone amiss!

Pushing the door open, bloody footprints stained the ground right at the entrance. Cao Peng's features hardened, a lethal aura gathering in his eyes. Who dared to mock him in such a brazen manner? He would crush that villain to dust and ashes without mercy.

Stepping inside revealed a scene of utter devastation, corpses littering the floor. The guards, servants, and maids had all perished within the house. Cao Peng felt a surge of confusion. Who could have orchestrated this? It was clearly targeted, though he could not yet determine whether it aimed at him or at Diao Chan.

He examined the bodies: each throat severed with a single precise stroke, the mark of a master swordsman. Among his finds were several unusual weapons. With a heavy heart, Cao Peng departed. Back at his estate, he ordered men to bury the fallen and hurried to locate Man Chong, commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Aware of Cao Peng's grave concern, Man Chong himself took charge of the inquiry. The special blades traced at once to their source: a shadowed quarter of Xudu City known as Yelou Fang.

At the mere mention of that name, Cao Peng let out a derisive snort. He cared nothing for its reputation; he would venture there to confront whoever dared challenge him.

"General, that district is a den of thieves and rogues, surely unsuitable for you to enter," Man Chong began, but his words died as he met Cao Peng's murderous stare. This venture was essential.

Cao Peng insisted on going himself, accompanied only by Man Chong and four Embroidered Uniform Guards. Too many would risk alerting the enemy. As they emerged, rain began to fall in the worst possible moment. The ground quickly turned to mud. Their carriage halted just outside the district's fringes.

"Split up and move!" the four guards dispersed into the lanes. Only Man Chong remained with Cao Peng. Only here did the full truth of Man Chong's warning become clear: why he had called Yelou Fang the most chaotic quarter of Xudu. Amid decaying alleys stood brothels and gambling dens, harboring fugitives and murderers alike. Fights and stabbings flared constantly. Ruthless rangers mingled with gamblers and thugs; courtesans on upper balconies openly courted patrons. Cao Peng stood out sharply in his dark green robes, the very image of a refined gentleman. Such refinement clashed violently with this world, drawing every thug's gaze. Whispers arose: what manner of young master ventured here? Were the desperadoes wondering if he was a lone, wealthy target? Yet a burly protector loomed behind him, making most hesitate.

Cao Peng and Man Chong approached an ironware shop. Its proprietor bore a prominent scar across his face, his eyes sharp and hostile. Without preamble, Cao Peng laid the blades on the counter. "This is from your shop. Who bought them?"

The scar-faced man examined the weapons closely, his expression shifting. Both Cao Peng and Man Chong noted it. Clearly the man knew their origin. "Hehe," he sneered with ill intent. "You know the owner, do you? Knowledge like that demands payment."

"How much?" Cao Peng demanded.

The man named an exorbitant sum. Cao Peng's face drained of color; Man Chong's hand tightened on his hilt. "Take it or leave!"

Cao Peng seized the man's shoulder, refusing to let him retreat. Without flourish, his fist shattered the scar-faced man's nose. Shop assistants lunged; Cao Peng offered no mercy, dragging the man to the wall and drawing his azure sword in a single sweep that reduced the counter to splinters. The assistants froze. Cao Peng pressed the blade to the scar-faced man's throat. "Speak the truth, or you shall carry this secret to the grave!"

His voice chilled the man to the bone. Seeing no deception in Cao Peng's eyes, he produced a letter from his robes and surrendered it. Cao Peng scanned the contents, then departed with Man Chong. The missive was plain: at the riverbank beyond the city lay the man to confront.

A direct challenge. It was clear the target was Cao Peng himself. Excitement kindled in him. He turned to Man Chong. "Return and have the place cleared. This district has no place under our rule."

"Understood," Man Chong replied. "This matter concerns you no longer; return with me."

Man Chong barred his path. "My lord, you are a priceless treasure. How can you risk yourself?"

Cao Peng brushed him aside. "In this hour, the only path is to fetch reinforcements at once."

Though ordered to withdraw, Man Chong followed to the riverbank. There, bloodstains marked the stones: meet on the small island in the lake. Cao Peng boarded the small boat and drifted with the current toward the heart of the waters. Man Chong grew frantic; any mishap to his charge would demand his own life in atonement. Yet reason told him urgency was paramount, for aid must be summoned now.