Chapter 610: Paulownia Wood Puppet

Early June.

Chang'an.

The sun was blazing fiercely.

On the Xiaochang of the Left Wu Hou Guard in the afternoon, the scorching sun hung high, baking the Blue Bricks on the ground to a searing heat, and even the passing breeze carried a blistering wave of heat.

The flags around the Xiaochang wilted under the sun, except for the large banner embroidered with the character "Chen," which still fluttered in the air.

In the center of the Xiaochang, two fine horses galloped at full speed.

Their hooves struck the Blue Bricks, producing a crisp "dadada" sound and kicking up clouds of dust.

Riding each horse, the two men wore Xuan Armor; the dark armor glimmered with a cold sheen in the sunlight, and each held a horse spear.

The spear shafts were crafted from fine hardwood, and the tips were razor‑sharp, flashing a chilling gleam.

The young rider on the snow‑white horse to the left was Chen Yan.

He stood tall and slender; the Xuan Armor made his face appear even more handsome, his brows and eyes bearing youthful vigor yet a composure beyond his years.

His eyes were sharp as a hawk's, fixed on the opponent opposite, and he gripped his horse spear firmly and steadily.

On the opposite crimson horse sat Liang Guan.

"Charge!"

With a fierce shout, both spurred their horses and whipped forward, charging at each other.

The two horses accelerated, the wind howling past, lifting their battle robes.

In an instant they closed the distance, and their spears thrust forward, colliding with a heavy clang.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

Three crisp metallic clangs rang across the Xiaochang, making eardrums buzz.

At the moment of impact, sparks flew, the two figures passed each other on horseback, then quickly turned their horses and charged again.

For a moment the Xiaochang was filled with the sounds of hooves, metal clashing, and the horses' whinnies, a thrilling scene.

Chen Yan's techniques were swift and fierce yet disciplined; each move carried the force of thunder yet always left room for adjustment at crucial moments.

Liang Guan, seasoned and experienced, moved with steady, airtight defense, and his occasional counter‑strikes were sharp and ruthless.

They exchanged blows, and in the blink of an eye ten‑plus rounds had passed.

After another charging round, they eased the Horse Rein and stepped back a few paces.

Liang Guan, still on his horse, panted heavily, his chest heaving, lifted a hand to wipe sweat from his forehead, and breathed out, "Huff!"

He then looked at Chen Yan opposite, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes, and shouted loudly, "A Yan, again!"

Hearing that, Chen Yan's lips curled slightly, revealing a youthful, spirited grin.

He tightened his grip on the spear, gave his arm a light shake, the tip slicing the air with a soft sound, and replied, "Good!"

Before the words finished, he shouted toward Liang Guan, "Elder, watch out!"

Saying so, he clenched his legs against the horse's belly, swung the Horse Whip down hard; the horse winced, let out a neigh, its hooves kicking up, and charged at Liang Guan again.

Liang Guan, seeing this, refused to yield, let out a low shout and rode forward to meet him.

The two figures collided again, spears clashing, and three crisp metallic clangs rang out, "Clang! Clang! Clang!"

This time Chen Yan's assault grew even fiercer, his spear whipping like a storm, each thrust targeting Liang Guan's vital points.

Liang Guan felt his arms go numb, his grip trembling, teeth clenched as he strained to block Chen Yan's onslaught.

After several more rounds, Liang Guan felt his strength draining away.

Beneath his Xuan Armor, his battle robes were soaked with sweat, clinging tightly.

Sweat on his forehead fell like beads on a broken string, dripping onto the scorching armor and instantly vaporizing.

He gasped, his chest heaving, each breath hot and ragged: "Huff! Huff! Huff!"

Finally, he waved his hand hurriedly and shouted, "I'm done! I'm done!"

Saying so, he eased the Horse Rein, dismounted, and staggered toward the edge of the Xiaochang.

He felt his legs grow weak, his muscles aching; after all, he was in his forties, his stamina no longer what it once was…

Especially when facing a youthful champion like Chen Yan, he was even more outmatched.

Beneath a large locust tree at the Xiaochang's edge stood a stone table with several jars of cold tea.

Feng Heng, clad in dark battle robes, sat on a stone stool, sipping tea at leisure.

He watched the duel in the center, a smile full of amusement in his eyes.

When Liang Guan approached, Feng Heng did not rise; he simply smiled and gestured toward the stone stool beside him.

Liang Guan walked to the stone table, grabbed a water jar, unscrewed its stopper, and gulped down large mouthfuls.

The icy water slid down his throat, easing the heat and fatigue a bit.

At that moment, Chen Yan arrived beneath the locust tree.

He lifted his hand and removed his Xuan Armor.

The heavy armor hit the ground with a dull thud.

His battle robes were equally soaked, clinging to his body and outlining his upright figure.

Feng Heng watched Chen Yan approach, grabbed a water jar and tossed it to him, laughing, "A Yan, you've improved in every skill lately!"

"Those moves just now almost had even Old Liang unable to parry."

As a spectator, he saw everything crystal clear…

The horse spears, horsemanship, and strength are all top‑tier today.

Chen Yan reached out, caught the jar, unscrewed it, tipped his head back and drank a few gulps, the cold tea dispelling much of the heat.

He wiped the water from his mouth corner, smiled, and said, "All of this is thanks to the diligent practice and meticulous guidance of the two Elders, isn't it?"

"Otherwise how could a little nephew make any progress?"

Liang Guan eased his strength, set down the water flask in his hand, waved his hand at the words, and said, "You are being far too modest…"

Then, looking at Chen Yan, his eyes held a hint of helplessness and a hint of admiration: "Others can't see it; could the Old Master not see it either?"

"You kid just now didn't give it your all!"

Chen Yan blinked, a sly smile appearing on his face, and said, "Sure enough, nothing can be hidden from a veteran who has long endured the battlefield!"

He had indeed held back, first because he was mindful of Liang Guan's age, fearing to hurt the Old Master.

Secondly, it was also to save face for his elder.

After all, they have been working hard to spar with you…

Liang Guan shook his head, as if recalling something; the smile on his face gradually faded, replaced by a deep sense of regret.

He looked at Chen Yan and couldn't help but sigh, "It was your grandfather, the old man, who passed away too early…"

He said, sighed, and with full regret added, "Otherwise, with your talent and the Old Master's personal instruction, within three years you would be so formidable in direct combat that finding an opponent would be difficult!"

"Your grandfather back then was one of the top few fierce generals of Great Zhou, unfortunately…"

Before the words finished, he let out another heavy sigh, his tone full of regret.

In terms of mobilizing troops, the Great Zhou of that era, which produced military gods, might still have someone capable of a fair contest…

But in a one‑on‑one duel, there was none!

The wind beneath the locust tree carried a hint of heat; Liang Guan's regret had not yet faded when Feng Heng set down his tea cup, lightly tapped the stone table with his fingertip, a faint smile curling his lips, and said, "Hey, nothing is absolute!"

Speaking, his eyebrows lifted slightly, his gaze landing on Liang Guan, his tone carrying a hint of reminder: "Did you forget the youngster Lu under A Yan?"

"Even if you faced him when you were young, it would probably be hard to withstand, right?"

Liang Guan heard that, was first stunned, then slapped his head hard, a look of sudden realization on his face, and nodded repeatedly, "Ha! I actually forgot that kid!"

Speaking, a flash of awe passed through his eyes, his tone growing more emotional: "That kid is tall and robust; when he stands there, he looks like a small hill, his brute strength terrifying!"

"On the battlefield, he charges like a sharp spear!"

Feng Heng, hearing this, also nodded in agreement, his gaze on Chen Yan, his tone bearing praise: "It's still A Yan who has the skill to subdue such a fierce general and make him serve his own purposes…"

"The Lu of Wu County's lineage is such that ordinary people can't control him; only A Yan can make him willingly follow his side!"

He paused, his voice deepening a bit, looking at Chen Yan: "With that Lu kid following you, when you lead troops on campaign later, you'll be able to handle many unexpected situations…"

Chen Yan's hand holding the water flask paused slightly, a faint smile curling his lips, a hint of understanding flashing in his eyes.

He was naturally aware of Lu Ming's loyal bravery; such a valiant man could shield him from a fatal blow.

Having such a person by his side indeed gave him extra confidence.

While the three were talking, a faint footstep sound suddenly came from the entrance of the Training Ground.

An imperial guard dressed in the left Wu Hou guard uniform hurried over; the dark‑colored armor was specked with dust, clearly having run the whole way.

He stepped before the three, first performed a respectful military salute, then raised his head, his gaze on Chen Yan, and loudly said, "Grand General, the Prince of Ancheng wishes an audience!"

"A Ze is here?"

Chen Yan heard that, murmured softly, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes.

He steadied himself, waved his hand at the guard, and loudly said, "Bring him in quickly!"

The guard obeyed and stepped back; within moments, a figure clad in a purple official robe hurried toward the locust tree.

The newcomer was Yuwen Ze, his brows slightly furrowed, his expression bearing a hint of gravity.

Yuwen Ze hurried to the stone table, first bowed to Chen Yan, Liang Guan and Feng Heng, his voice clear, "A Xiong! Lord Liang! Lord Feng!"

Liang Guan and Feng Heng, seeing this, quickly raised their hands in a mock support, smiled and nodded in greeting.

Yuwen Ze then turned, looking at Chen Yan, his gaze tinged with urgency.

Chen Yan, seeing his demeanor, felt even more surprised and couldn't help asking, "A Ze, why did you come?"

Yuwen Ze didn't answer directly, only furrowed his brows tighter and said gravely, "A Xiong, there is something I need you to examine!"

Having said so, he lifted his sleeve, carefully retrieved from his bosom an item wrapped in brocade, and handed it to Chen Yan.

Chen Yan, more puzzled, reached out and took it; his fingertips brushed the brocade and felt the contents were hard.

He then slowly untied the brocade, extracted the contents, and upon close inspection, couldn't help but gasp slightly, "This is…"

Spread in his palm was a palm‑sized paulownia wood puppet, its eyebrows and eyes rough, evidently crafted hastily.

Most shocking was that the puppet's belly had been violently pierced by a peach‑wood nail; the tip lodged inside, leaving only a short nail stub.

"Paulownia wood puppet?"

Chen Yan murmured low, his gaze on the puppet, his brows gradually furrowing.

His eyes moved up the puppet's abdomen to the three characters written in cinnabar on its chest.

At first, the three characters were blurred by the cinnabar, indistinct; Chen Yan leaned closer.

After studying them carefully and seeing the characters clearly, he shivered, his expression instantly turning serious.

He snapped his head toward Yuwen Ze, his voice tinged with incredulous shock, "It says Du…?!"

"The name of a younger sibling?"

Yuwen Ze, seeing this, nodded heavily, his voice low, "Exactly!"

Chen Yan's complexion grew even more solemn; he clenched the puppet tightly, his knuckles whitening, and looked up at Yuwen Ze, asking gravely, "Where did this come from?"

Yuwen Ze inhaled deeply and replied gravely, "From the Prince's manor!"

He paused, then added, "This morning, a servant cleaning the outer courtyard's flowerbeds found it beneath a peony tree, wrapped in this brocade, not buried very deep…"

Nearby, Liang Guan, seeing their solemn expressions, also stepped forward, craned his neck to examine the puppet in Chen Yan's hand.

His gaze first fell on the peach‑wood nail, then shifted to the brocade wrapping the puppet; his brows furrowed further, he lifted a corner of the cloth, examined its pattern and embroidery, and whispered, "This fabric looks just like something from the palace…"