Chapter 201: Chapter 201: Arrival
The following dawn.
The raging wind and rain had ceased, and now the sky was high and clear with scattered clouds.
But the muddy mountain paths and the fallen branches and leaves scattered everywhere still bore witness to the severity of last night’s storm!
Yu Feihong had already led his troops away.
He continued to hunt down those Martial World individuals who had freed the prisoners, not letting even one escape would truly erase the shame of the Imperial Guard Bureau!
Before leaving, however, Yu Feihong left a squad of elite guards for Wang Chen.
Clearly, Wan alone was not enough to give the supervisor true peace of mind!
Wang Chen did not decline.
At that time, a muscular Imperial Guard stepped into the great hall, knelt on one knee, and saluted with a fist: “Immortal Master.”
Wang Chen finished his bowl of Spirit Rice porridge, nodded, and said, “Let’s go.”
After a pause, he added, “From now on, you don’t need to kneel when saluting.”
Wang Chen had no intention of being overly courteous to petty officers.
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He simply found it inconvenient to kneel repeatedly.
And a waste of time.
These Imperial Guard experts were all meticulously trained by the Imperial Guard Bureau, having undergone rigorous training from a young age, consuming secret medicines, and practicing secret skills, making them exceptionally formidable in combat.
With the Firearm Machine Crossbow and tactical formations, they could effortlessly encircle and kill Innate experts!
Most importantly, these Imperial Guards were extremely loyal to both the Imperial Guard Bureau and the Emperor of Great Qian.
They were almost impossible to turn!
The muscular Imperial Guard responded by bowing his head: “Yes!”
A moment later, Wang Chen, riding the Dragon Piao, led the way, once again setting out on his journey to Nan Shao.
The maidservant Wan was also on horseback beside him, with ten warhorses following closely behind!
The iron hooves crossed the mountain path, splashing bits of mud.
At the same time Wang Chen set off.
In the Prefect Mansion of Nanshao, hundreds of miles away, a clean-shaven, scholarly-looking middle-aged man was conversing with an old man in hemp clothing on a high pavilion.
The middle-aged man was dressed in the attire of a fifth-grade Bai Xuan official and said in a deep voice: “Master Weng, I have received a falcon message from the Qian Capital. According to the timing, the new Heavenly Master from the Cloud Sun sect should be arriving in these next few days.”
He was none other than Ruan Zhaoming, the Prefect of Nanshao!
When talking about the Cloud Sun sect and the Heavenly Master, there was not a trace of respect in the voice of the Prefect.
In fact, there was even a hint of disdain!
“So let them come.”
The man in hemp clothing spoke indifferently: “Just like before, hold them high on the pedestal.”
Ruan Zhaoming’s eyes flickered: “I just worry that he might disrupt our plans!”
“Heh.”
The man in hemp clothing chuckled coldly, his tone chilling: “Immortal Masters, like mortals, can also be killed.”
He asked, “What’s the background of the other party?”
“The man is named Wang Chen, likely a Qi Cultivation at the seventh level.”
Ruan Zhaoming furrowed his brows: “He’s from the Outer Sect of Cloud Sun and is now a disciple of Sunset Peak, with no notable master.”
“Then he has no real backing.”
The man in hemp clothing was dismissive: “If he’s smart, we’ll have no issues, but if he interferes with our plans, then we may as well send him back.”
His last remark was laden with murderous intent!
“But if something does happen…”
Ruan Zhaoming’s brows twisted into a frown: “The Cloud Sun sect probably won’t leave it at that!”
“You needn’t worry.”
The man in hemp clothing smiled mysteriously: “The Cloud Sun sect is about to face trouble. By then, not to mention a mere Guarding Heavenly Master, even if that person in Qian Capital ascends, they probably won’t have time to care!”
Ruan Zhaoming was shocked: “Is that true?”
The man in hemp clothing looked displeased: “Prefect Ruan, when have I ever joked with you?”
Ruan Zhaoming hastily apologized: “Please calm your anger, senior.”
He knew that the man had a high status in the Academy Palace and had access to many secrets; he would not speak without certainty.
A great weight lifted from the heart of the Prefect in that instant!
“To be on the safe side.”
The man in hemp clothing suggested: “Once he takes office, you should have a few people test him.”
Ruan Zhaoming nodded, “Disciple understands.”
He stood up and approached the window, his gaze sweeping over the dense, tiled roofs of Nanshao City.
He looked towards the continuously undulating mountain ridges to the north.
The Prefectural Governor faintly felt that the person he dreaded was making his way over the mountains!
Originally, Nanshao Prefecture was a territory of the Southern Yue Kingdom.
Over two hundred years ago, the Southern Yue Kingdom was annihilated by Great Qian, which then incorporated this land into its Prefectural Government to this day.
Nanshao Prefecture, with seven mountains, two rivers, and a stretch of plain.
Since most of the area is mountainous, the natural conditions are quite harsh.
Therefore, there are only around one hundred and fifty thousand households, with a population of five to six hundred thousand.
But these are merely the official figures.
In reality, there are many mountain people and wild folk in Nanshao Prefecture who resist imperial control. They fortify themselves in the high mountains, occasionally descending to raid the locality.
The local government office is also helpless against them.
Nanshao City, where the Prefectural Government resides, is the largest city in Nanshao Prefecture, with a population of over two hundred thousand.
A clear river winds around the city, providing convenient access by both water and land.
With the mountains at its back, the city is surrounded by open and flat plains to the east, west, and south. Villages and small towns are scattered like stars, clearing a large amount of fertile land.
All this information about Nanshao City was relayed to Wang Chen by Wan.
After a day and a night of hard travelling, he and the Imperial Guard squad finally left the rugged mountains behind.
Nanshao City lay ahead!
This Prefectural City couldn’t compare with Qian Capital, of course, but its walls were high and solid, square and imposing. From afar, it resembled a giant beast lying in wait beside the mountains.
It possessed a unique temperament.
They reached the western gate of Nanshao City following a straight imperial road.
The city gates were wide open, with many civilians crossing the drawbridge laid over the moat to enter the city.
It was a bustling scene of activity!
The appearance of Wang Chen and his entourage inspired innate awe among the pedestrians, who promptly made way to the sides of the road.
The soldiers guarding the gate, however, grew alert and gripped their weapons tightly.
Hiss, hiss, hiss~
An Elite Imperial Guard spurred his horse ahead of Wang Chen, reaching the bridge before pulling on the reins to stop.
He tossed his token to the City Guard Army officer who tried to block him.
The officer caught the token, glanced at it, and his face changed instantly.
He hurriedly cleared the way.
The Imperial Guard Bureau’s big shots were not someone a petty gate officer like him could afford to offend.
Escorted by ten Imperial Guards, Wang Chen, with Wan by his side, crossed the long street and headed straight for the Guarding Heavenly Master Mansion in the north of the city!
The Imperial Guards stopped in front of the door, then dismounted one after another.
However, the door of the Heavenly Master’s Mansion was tightly shut, without even a gatekeeper present, and the ground in front was strewn with fallen leaves.
The place even emitted a sense of desolation and bleakness!
An Imperial Guard stepped forward and knocked on the door, “Is anyone there?”
He knocked for a long time until the solid door panels thudded loudly.
Finally, someone opened the gates.
“What barbarians come from the beyond!” The man began to curse as he opened his mouth, “Do you know where you are, is this a place for you to run wild?”
His face was flushed red as he spoke, spewing out the smell of alcohol, “Damn it!”
He was obviously drunk.
The Imperial Guard who knocked backed away a step and looked towards Wang Chen.
He dared not deal with the people from the Guarding Heavenly Master Mansion at will—it was for Wang Chen to decide their response.
Wang Chen’s attitude was clear, “Slap him!”
A mouth that’s not clean.
Only a resounding slap could wash it clean!
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Second update, end of chapter.