Under the command of a powerful vassal king, there are numerous intelligence agents, retainers, and personal guards. The Northern Territory, in particular, boasts a terrifying organization: the Xuanjia Guard.
The Xuanjia Guard consists of only seven individuals, also known as the Seven Wonders of the Shadow. Ying Yue'e is one of them. With a cultivation at the peak of the Seventh Realm, she is exceptionally intelligent and skilled in assassination. She ranks sixth among the Xuanjia Guard, earning the title "Absolute Shadow."
Looking at the stunning mature woman before him, Xu Ping couldn't help but sigh. "Lao Bi Deng! Why didn't you let me meet such a beautiful older sister sooner!"
"You little rascal, what kind of rotten idea are you cooking up now?" Xu Cang flicked Xu Ping on the head.
"Hehe! You know perfectly well!"
"You may leave first."
"Yue'e takes her leave." Ying Yue'e slowly retreated.
Xu Ping waved his hand towards the door. "See you tomorrow!"
"Lao Bi Deng, I'm leaving too!"
"After you enter the capital, if… if you encounter anyone from the Young Imperial Manor, take care of them."
"Left Imperial or Right Imperial?"
Hearing this, Xu Cang waved his hand impatiently. "Forget it, it's nothing, get out!"
The next day.
Early in the morning, Xu Ping went to the Northern Great Camp to muster troops. Accompanied by Zhang Ye, he brought a thousand Xuanjia Guard.
Xu Ping was not modest; all thousand of these Xuanjia Guard were cavalry. The Xuanjia Elite Cavalry, numbering only three thousand within the entire Xuanjia Guard, were fully armored in black-gold chainmail, both man and horse. They carried strong crossbows on their backs and long spears in their hands, emanating a strong aura of killing intent.
Facing this elite army, Xu Ping recalled the descriptions in books from his previous life—the scenes of famous Generals throughout history, riding their horses and charging across battlefields. His heart surged with emotion, and he couldn't help but shout, "My Northern Territory sons, none in the world can match us! Like golden spears and iron horses, we swallow up thousands of miles like tigers!"
"Young Master is mighty!"
"Young Master is mighty!"
"Young Master is mighty!"
"With a thousand troops and ten thousand horses of the Xuanjia Guard, what difficulty is there in conquering the four directions?"
"We will not flinch from death!"
"We will not flinch from death!"
Xu Ping waved his arm: "Depart!"
Such youthful spirit, commanding with vigor! How could it not make one yearn and feel their blood boil.
On the other side.
Liu Pi and the Imperial Army were already waiting at the entrance of the Prince's Manor.
Hooves thundered, dust billowed. Watching Xu Ping leading the troops, a hint of helplessness appeared on Liu Pi's face.
He had originally thought Xu Cang would only arrange some guards to accompany them, but unexpectedly, it turned into sending someone to lead troops. He had thought it would be the reserve camp of the Zhenbei Army, but who knew it would actually be the Xuanjia Guard, unmatched in the world. This was already outrageous enough. Even more outrageous was that it was a thousand Xuanjia Guard heavy cavalry. Was this escort? He was too embarrassed to expose Xu Cang; what was the difference between this and showing off his power?
"General Guo, take these silver notes to reward the brothers below." Liu Pi took out the thirty thousand taels of silver notes Xu Cang had given him yesterday.
"Eunuch, we cannot accept rewards without merit, how can this be!" The Imperial Army Commander, Guo Huaian, quickly pushed them away.
"There's no need to decline. The journey there and back is very arduous; just consider it some wine money for the brothers."
"Eunuch, you overstate it; it's merely our duty!" Guo Huaian didn't know what trick Liu Pi was playing; he absolutely refused to accept it.
"Everyone says that I am fond of money." Lord Eunuch Liu shook his head. "I entered the palace at seven years old and have been here for decades. I have no children, no old relatives. I am just a lonely soul; what use are these worldly possessions to me?"
"Eunuch? General Guo does not understand."
"General Guo, I have been in the palace for many years and am a close attendant. If I don't have some hobbies, it's easy to be targeted."
"Holy crap! Lao Bi Deng! Why are you telling me all this? General does not want to hear it!" Guo Huaian secretly thought something was amiss.
Guo Huaian remained silent, and Liu Pi continued, "General Guo, there's no need to worry; this money is not given to you for nothing."
"Eunuch, why don't you speak plainly? General is a crude man and truly does not understand."
Liu Pi frowned deeply. "Do you see this large contingent of troops, the Northern Territory's trump card, the Xuanjia Guard?"
Guo Huaian nodded.
"These silver notes could be wine money, or they could be used for compensation."
Guo Huaian's expression changed upon hearing this. "Compensation? Does Eunuch mean the Xuanjia Guard will attack the Imperial Army? How is that possible?"
"Hopefully not, otherwise, even two thousand more Imperial Army would only add to the innocent souls."
Once the Xuanjia Guard escorted Xu Ping to the capital, they should immediately return to the Northern Territory. But Liu Pi knew that Xu Cang had never intended for these thousand Xuanjia Guard to return to the Northern Territory. It was a bargaining chip for Xu Ping, and also a statement of attitude to the Emperor. As the imperial envoy for this trip, Liu Pi naturally had the obligation to send the Xuanjia Guard back.
If this matter was not handled well, it could easily lead to conflict.
As for what the Emperor would think and see after returning to the capital, Liu Pi was also unsure. On this trip, he could be said to have achieved nothing. Even as the Emperor's confidant, what could he do? In someone else's territory, a dragon must coil, and a tiger must crouch.
However, despite saying so, Liu Pi already had a plan in mind.
Liu Pi once again placed the silver notes in Guo Huaian's hand.
This time, Guo Huaian did not continue to decline but accepted the thirty thousand taels of silver notes.
Arriving at the entrance of the Prince's Manor, Xu Ping dismounted and bowed slightly to Liu Pi. "For this journey, I trouble Eunuch!"
"Young Master, there's no need to be polite; I am merely serving His Majesty. Since Young Master has arrived, there's no time to lose; let's depart immediately."
Inside the Prince's Manor, the butler, Old Gao, was a bit melancholic. "Prince, the young master is about to depart; are we really not going to see him off?"
It was true that Xu Ping was the young master of the Prince's Manor, but Old Gao had also watched him grow up; he was not his biological son, but he was more than a son.
"What's there to see off? It's better if he leaves, so he doesn't wander in front of General all day."
The words "I can't bear to part" were practically written on his face, yet Prince was truly saying one thing and meaning another, Old Gao was quite speechless.
"Yue'e, take good care of Yongning in the capital from now on."
"Yue'e understands. Prince, Yue'e takes her leave."
After Ying Yue'e left, Xu Cang's brows furrowed slightly, and he pondered to himself: I hope my son's journey goes smoothly.
At the entrance of the Prince's Manor, Xu Ping looked around.
"Young Master? What are you still waiting for? Let's depart quickly." Liu Pi urged.
"Soon! Soon!"
At this moment, someone walked out quickly from inside the Prince's Manor.
Seeing the person, Xu Ping waved to them. "Yue'e Jie, come here!"
"Young Master can just call me Yue'e."
Xu Ping strode forward and very naturally took Ying Yue'e's hand. "Let's go! We're heading to the capital!"
The Imperial Capital, Shenjing.
Inside the main hall of the Zhongzai Manor, two richly robed individuals were conversing. One was Situ Wen, the Grand Arbiter of the Bu Government, one of the four pillars of the current dynasty, and the other was Prince Ji Yun, the current Seventh Prince.
"The Crown Prince has gone to Ji Prefecture for disaster relief. You must secure the task of receiving the Yuanwu Country envoy this time, and Grandfather will also speak on your behalf." Situ Wen picked up his teacup and took a sip.
"Grandfather, shouldn't the Bangzheng Division handle the reception of foreign envoys?"
"As for the Prince assisting in the reception, Lu Shangwen will submit a memorial to the Emperor during the court assembly to request an imperial decree. This time, the diplomatic relations between the two countries concern major affairs in the Western Territory. Yuanwu's delegation is led by Left Prime Minister Bai Jing'an, with the Fourth Prince accompanying him. Since the other side has sent a Prince, our Great Zhou cannot be negligent, can we? Naturally, we should also select a Prince to receive them."
"Grandfather wants me to befriend Wu Chengdao?"
Situ Wen put down his teacup. "Wu Chengdao is a low-key person, very deep and difficult to befriend. Although he is a Prince, he has no foundation in Yuanwu and is not worth the effort."
"Grandfather's meaning is?"
"Become a disciple of Bai Jing'an."
"But Bai Jing'an is Yuanwu's Prime Minister. Is it appropriate to privately associate with him and become his disciple?"
"What's inappropriate? You must know that Bai Jing'an is not only Yuanwu's Prime Minister but also the fifth-ranked scholar in the world, a great Confucian of this era. Becoming his disciple will greatly benefit your future reputation and diplomatic negotiations."
"Grandson understands."
"Good that you understand, go back."
"Grandson takes his leave." Ji Yun rose and departed.
Situ Wen took a sip of tea and began to close his eyes to rest. A moment later, an old servant walked in.
"Liu Pi should have arrived in the Northern Territory by now, right?"
"Replying to Master, by foot, he should have arrived in Yan City yesterday."
"Have our people prepare. Do not get entangled with the Imperial Army. Look for an opportunity to assassinate Xu Cang's son, but do not force it if the opportunity isn't there."