Chapter 495: Eight‑Level Great Gale

"You think I'm the same as you?"

Gao Yang knew the Jinwu Guard had arrived; they were already safe, and resumed their daily ribbing of Yan.

"I've practiced the six gentlemanly arts since childhood; the bow and arrow are just a snap."

After thinking it over, Chen Yan nodded, fully agreeing with Gao Yang.

The Tang Dynasty's strength lies not only in its powerful troops, but also in its scholars and even its women.

One could say the Tang's civil officials still retain their spirit.

Back then Du Ruhui even claimed he once wielded a blade to kill the enemy, suffering wounds that took months to heal; Du Gou's skill with the bow and arrow is thus easy to understand…

Bullshit!

Chen Yan wore a constipated expression.

Why does it seem that everyone is stronger than me?

Wushe, Li Chunfeng need not be mentioned; Cheng Yaojin is beyond discussion; the three of Cheng Chu Mo… can also be left unsaid.

Now even Du Gou is fiercer than me!

Who could stand that?

"Your Highnesses, the two Princesses, Duke, my subordinate arrived late with aid; please, Duke, punish me!"

A commander nearly eight feet tall approached the carriage, clasped his fists, knelt, his expression a bit fearful.

He knew exactly how many dignitaries were in this convoy; to put it bluntly, if an accident occurs today, Zhenguan Year Five might not be the calmest year; everyone involved, each one, will not get to live!

"Military Commander, please rise; no one foresaw today's events, and you arrived just in time."

Chen Yan stepped down, helped Wu Yi up, pondering whether to seek a second Xue Li.

When Xue Li was around, he never worried about such incidents; today it served as a reminder.

Even the most unlikely events can happen; his and his wife's and daughter's safety are always paramount.

If Xue Li were present, plus ten home‑trained experts, even without these Jinwu Guard it would be fine; at worst they could escape safely.

"Thank you, Duke!"

Wu Yi felt grateful; if the dignitaries were unreasonable or tyrannical, reporting them back to Chang'an might render his efforts futile or even blameful.

But Chen Yan was different; they had secretly guarded his family for a long time, knowing he disliked empty formalities.

Now that Chen Yan says this, it shows the other side truly didn't fault them for not being the first to arrive when the horse bandits showed up, which led the convoy into a surrounded peril.

At this moment, Li Tai, his big belly protruding, walked over, glanced around, and asked puzzled, "Arranged by the aristocratic families?"

Chen Yan was speechless, "Don't pin every blame on them; how could the aristocratic families now come to kill me?"

"Moreover, the families know my situation, know I have you guarding me; the defensive strength is certainly not weak. To arrange horse‑bandit ambushes on our way back to Chang'an—that would be sheer stupidity."

"Makes sense." Li Tai paused, then smiled, "Actually, thinking it over, the aristocratic families now might be the ones who least want you dead, because you could become the pivot of the two sides' contest; if you die, they would be the first to bear the Father Emperor's wrath!"

"And we have several Princesses here; what's the difference between them all getting into trouble and flipping a table?"

"So, don't automatically suspect the other side whenever something happens." Chen Yan clicked his tongue twice, "From a certain perspective, the families are still decent…"

"Eh!"

Mid‑sentence, Chen Yan seemed to spot something interesting, letting out a light "Eh."

The bearded man who earlier had faced death head‑on had already slipped away quietly.

"Hmph!" Wu Yi also noticed, shouting angrily, "He still wants to run; catch him, alive!"

"Yes!"

The order was given, and several riders pursued on horseback.

"He is clever; he must have picked up something from your earlier words, so he pretended to be furious, letting his subordinates cover his escape," Li Tai commented.

Chen Yan neither confirmed nor denied, "He has some sense, but not much; after all he knows who I am. If he were truly clever, he wouldn't try to ambush me. Even arranging an ambush and then stepping out to rescue me would be better than this."

"Brother Chen!"

Du Gou, lugging a large bow, ran over excitedly, "Want to give it a try? It's really fun."

"......" Chen Yan glanced briefly at the big bow in his hand, doubting whether he could draw it, and politely declined to avoid embarrassment.

"Forget it, I don't have that murderous hobby of yours."

Du Gou's smile stiffened, realizing he had overstepped; he tucked the bow away and shifted the topic, "Brother Chen, do you think today's incident was an accident?"

Chen Yan didn't answer immediately, but turned to the newly arrived Fang Yizhi, "Brother Fang, what do you think?"

"I think… (pause) Whether this is an accident is irrelevant. What matters is that four Princesses, a Prince, a Prince's consort, another Grandson, and the three of us, being ambushed on the way back to Chang'an, accident or not, will raise a huge gale."

"For us, who just returned to Chang'an and may be reassigned within a month, that's incredibly advantageous."

"You're surprisingly calm, still finding time to think about this," Li Tai said with a smile.

Instead, Chen Yan and Du Gou fell silent for a moment, showing thoughtful expressions.

As the saying goes, to rise with the wind and break the waves, what comes first?

It's the damn wind!

Originally, for various reasons, they were already eye‑catching enough; if today's horse‑bandit ambush incites Li Shimin's fury, brandishing a slaughter knife, plus his upcoming coronation banquet.

Wind, then it's…?

Not only did it come, it arrived as an eight‑level great gale!

Of course, there are pros and cons.

The higher you fly, the harsher the fall.

Everything depends on their own skill!

"......"

"Sir, they've already been captured!"

Two Jinwu Guard, their faces pale, the bearded men, walked over, pressing him to kneel before the crowd.

Wu Yi said nothing and looked at Chen Yan.

"Yo, tough guy, weren't you just shouting that you wanted to avenge your brother?" Chen Yan pulled Du Gou to his front, "The avenger of your brother has arrived; why have you fallen silent?"

"Is it that you don't like to speak?"

Bearded Wu Guangzu pretended to be calm: "A man may be killed but not humiliated; today we overestimated ourselves, daring to let an egg strike a stone. If you wish to kill or maim me, I will obey your wishes; why mock me with words!"

"Since you know it's an egg striking a stone, aren't you finding it funny?" Chen Yan didn't buy his act.

Wu Guangzu's complexion grew even paler.

"Alright, Military Commander, please take him back; I trust that regarding interrogation, Chang'an has plenty of people more capable than me."

"Yes, Duke!"

"......"