Volume One: The Overseer and the Student Chapter Twenty-Six: The Times Have Changed

Huang Ming’s sudden shout startled the formidable retainers of the Marquis of Jianchang’s household who had been about to surge forward. They spun around instantly, looking back to see a group of men lurking in a nearby alley, their heads poking out, clearly poised to burst forth at any moment.

This immediately aroused Zhang Jinbao’s vigilance. He issued a stern warning: “The Marquis of Jianchang’s household is conducting official business. Outsiders, mind your own affairs, or you’ll bear consequences you cannot afford!”

At these words, the men of the Embroidered Guards hesitated even more, their advance faltering. Though Huang Ming was at a considerable distance and could not see their faces, he understood their concerns at once. Raising his voice again, he cried out: “Captain Huang, have you truly thought this through? If you merely stand by and let them seize me before your very eyes, what will my father think?

“Besides, the times have changed! Your Embroidered Guards may be in dire straits now, but do you really believe these men can act as recklessly as before?”

These words struck Huang Bingkun like a sudden revelation.

Indeed, the Embroidered Guards had been marginalized and targeted since the Emperor Wuzong’s passing, but was the Marquis of Jianchang’s household not in the same predicament? Both had once acted with impunity only thanks to the late emperor’s favor—and his own position, at least, carried an official title.

More importantly, he himself had already come this far…

Had he found some excuse not to help earlier, and something happened to Young Master Huang, he might have explained himself before Eunuch Huang. But now, standing here in person, to watch Huang Ming bullied and seized by a pack of household thugs would mean making an irredeemable enemy of Eunuch Huang.

In truth, from the moment he led his men here, the choice was already made.

Enlightened, Huang Bingkun hesitated no longer. He drew his blade and shouted, “Brothers, follow me! Protect Young Master Huang!”

With that, he charged forward, sword in hand. Even in mid-stride, he called out, “The Embroidered Guards are taking action—who dares cause trouble here!”

Spurred by his bold lead, a dozen or so of his close comrades shouted in unison and surged forward.

This was wholly unexpected by the Zhang family’s retainers; for a moment, they stood bewildered.

Fury flashed across Zhang Jinbao’s face, but seeing only a handful of opponents, he relaxed slightly and ordered, “Beat them down! I want to see just how many dare oppose the Marquis of Jianchang’s household!”

At his command, dozens of thugs rushed forward, swinging their clubs and sticks, and the melee began in earnest.

Outnumbered, the dozen or so Embroidered Guards were quickly surrounded and beset on all sides. Many took blows, crying out in pain, and it looked as though they would soon be overwhelmed.

Seeing this, Huang Ming’s expression shifted. He raised his voice again, calling out, “Is this all the courage you Embroidered Guards possess?

“No wonder you’ve ended up like this—reduced to rats scurrying in the shadows!

“You don’t even dare touch a pack of dogs like these household lackeys. You watch as your own comrades are beaten and do nothing. Why not just resign and disband the Embroidered Guards altogether?”

His words pierced the hearts of the hesitant guards lurking in the distance like sharp daggers. Their faces changed, their breath quickened, and their eyes blazed with fury.

These past months had felt like a sudden fall from heaven into hell; their pent-up frustration needed no elaboration. It seemed every local official thought little of them; their former prestige had long been trampled into the mud.

Now, were they truly to stand by while a band of mere lackeys beat their comrades? No!

A few men’s eyes widened; with a roar, they drew their blades and charged, snarling, “You insolent dogs!”

The rest, emboldened, followed suit, faces flushed and eyes wild, like enraged bulls, throwing themselves into the fray against the household thugs.

Seeing this, a smile played at the corners of Huang Ming’s mouth, and he felt a surge of relief in his heart.

It is said that provoking a man can be more effective than pleading with him—how true these words proved.

With the numbers now nearly matched, these bullies who only threatened the weak were no match for the Embroidered Guards, who were, after all, trained soldiers.

In short order, with cries of pain, the outcome was decided.

Those swaggering thugs of the Marquis of Jianchang’s household were cut down and left writhing on the ground, howling in agony.

Zhang Jinbao, the steward and leader, was beaten into unconsciousness, collapsing face-first in the dust—a truly ignominious defeat.

And this was only because the Embroidered Guards had shown restraint, striking with the flat of their blades. Otherwise, the ground would have been awash with blood and bodies.

The brawl—perhaps better called a rout—ended swiftly. Before the gates of the Imperial Academy, countless passersby had witnessed the astonishing spectacle, all left wide-eyed and speechless.

But none were more deeply affected than the students and faculty within the academy.

Not long after Huang Ming had appeared, two or three hundred students and lecturers had been drawn outside. There, they had witnessed the entire spectacular and violent scene with their own eyes.

Many felt an inexplicable sense of satisfaction. Looking at Huang Ming, calm and unruffled at the forefront, their eyes showed admiration, amazement, and awe—a complex mix of emotions.

Under the gaze of the crowd, Huang Ming held his head high, descending the steps to stand before the Embroidered Guards, who were themselves both exhilarated and bewildered.

He cupped his fists in a deep bow and addressed them solemnly, “Gentlemen, please accept my heartfelt thanks.

“This gesture is not only to thank you for rescuing me from peril, but also to apologize to you.

“My words earlier were ill-chosen. The Embroidered Guards are not lacking in courage, nor do you fear these pig-dog lackeys. You are true men!”

Huang Bingkun’s expression was somewhat awkward, but after a moment he returned the salute: “Young Master Huang, you are too kind. With our friendship, it was only natural that I come to your aid today…”

Huang Ming quickly reached out a hand in protest. “Captain Huang, Brother Huang, you are only half right. You and I have ties, so it was natural for me to seek your help. But for the others, I owe them a great debt.

“Rest assured, I will not let you bear any consequences. If the Zhangs of Jianchang refuse to let this go, I will face them myself. I will never let you be implicated.

“And, by the way, I truly owe you all my gratitude for what happened today. This is a small token of thanks—please don’t refuse.”

With that, Huang Ming placed the fifty tael silver ingot—still stained with blood from earlier—into Huang Bingkun’s hand. “You have my word: times have changed. The Zhang family of Jianchang would not dare trouble the Embroidered Guards now.”

Huang Bingkun wanted to refuse, but seeing the resolve in Huang Ming’s eyes, he finally accepted. “Then I thank you, Young Master Huang…”