Chapter 898: Decision

The Blood Guards wield immense authority, yet even within the Da Liang Kingdom, they are not free to act as they wish.

Ultimately, this formidable force serves as a sharp blade in the hands of the royalty; they must heed the emperor’s will before striking. Should the blades develop minds of their own, they would inevitably be reforged.

Over the centuries, more than a few Commanders of the Da Wei, the highest-ranking officers of the Blood Guard, have met their fates through beheading and prolonged execution!

The events within the Ling family appear to outsiders as mere infighting; even if laws were broken, such matters fall outside the jurisdiction of the Blood Guard.

Zhang Weiran, also known as Small Flag Zhang, is merely the lowest-ranking military officer within the Blood Guard hierarchy.

Were he to meddle in the affairs of the Ling family and be reported, he would face dire consequences!

“This is a nomination order.”

Zhang Weiran handed Wang Chen an exquisite copper token: “Take this to the Da Wei Yamen in Jiangyuan City to participate in the Blood Guard’s entrance examination. Under equal conditions, you may be admitted at a lower rank!”

The opportunity offered to Wang Chen by the Blood Guard small flag was to join the ranks of the Blood Guard.

Once he became part of the Blood Guard system, his safety would be assured. Those who stirred up trouble within the Ling family would have to weigh their own lives carefully if they intended to eliminate him.

The Blood Guard deals with enemies as ruthlessly as the autumn wind sweeps away fallen leaves!

Once Wang Chen became a Blood Guard, as long as he strived to rise to the ranks of Zongqi or Baihu, avenging his family and reclaiming their legacy would be straightforward. He might not even need to lift a finger, as others would willingly assist him.

“But whether you can join us in the Blood Guard depends on your own abilities,” Zhang Weiran concluded. “The Blood Guard does not tolerate idlers!”

Wang Chen nodded, gripping the copper token tightly: “Thank you, Uncle.”

“You call me ‘Uncle,’ and this is the most I can do for you,” Zhang Weiran said with a sigh. “Your father…never mind, I’ll give you this little trinket.”

As he spoke, he handed Wang Chen a palm-sized beast skin pouch: “You’ll find this useful now.”

Screech~

Just as Wang Chen accepted the beast skin pouch, a piercing eagle’s cry echoed through the air.

In the next moment, a gray shadow darted through the half-open window, swiftly landing above Zhang Weiran.

It was a small hawk!

Zhang Weiran’s expression turned grave as he reached up to remove a bamboo tube tied to the hawk’s leg, then extracted a roll of silk paper from within.

He unfolded the silk paper and scanned its contents before standing abruptly and barking, “Forward lookout reports—traitors have been sighted! Brothers, follow me at once to pursue!”

“Yes!”

The eleven Blood Guards responded in unison, abandoning their rice wine and beef, and swiftly donning their hats.

Zhang Weiran adjusted his own hat, gave Wang Chen a slight nod, and then strode toward the door.

Bang!

The door swung open, and the Blood Guard small flag vanished into the howling wind and rain in an instant.

The remaining Blood Guards followed closely behind, forming a disciplined and formidable elite force.

In the main hall of the inn, over a hundred people dared not even breathe loudly. After a long while, they finally seemed to exhale in relief, whispering among themselves, the once lively and boisterous atmosphere now completely dissipated.

After Zhang Weiran and the others departed, Wang Chen suddenly found himself the center of attention.

Numerous furtive glances were cast his way, filled with both curiosity and awe. Even the old man, who had previously been quite friendly, no longer approached him to speak.

There was an air of cautious distance.

Wang Chen paid it no mind; it was merely a chance encounter, and no one owed anyone anything.

He focused on devouring the food and drink on the table, intent on filling his stomach first.

The braised beef at Tongfu Inn was truly exceptional, richly seasoned and infused with medicinal herbs, offering a nourishing effect.

Once he had eaten and drunk his fill, Wang Chen approached the counter and said to Madam Tong, “Innkeeper, I’d like a room, please.”

The beautiful innkeeper gave him a deep look and smiled, “Dear guest, all the rooms are occupied, except for the one reserved by the official.”

Zhang Weiran had already paid, and even though he had left with his companions, she dared not offer the room to anyone else.

But Wang Chen was clearly an exception.

Without hesitation, Wang Chen said, “Then I’ll take it.”

“Very well,” Madam Tong replied.

She reached for a set of keys and smiled, “Please follow me.”

Following the enchanting innkeeper, Wang Chen made his way to the back courtyard.

The room was on the third floor. Madam Tong led the way with a lantern in hand, while Wang Chen trailed behind, his gaze inadvertently drawn to her swaying figure, causing the Qi and blood within him to stir.

It wasn’t that Wang Chen lacked self-control; it was simply the natural instinct of this body!

Madam Tong brought Wang Chen to the door of a room, unlocked it with a key, and said, “Dear guest, please rest well. If you need anything, just call for a servant.”

Wang Chen nodded, “Thank you.”

The room was quite decent; though not luxurious, it was clean and tidy.

In this remote mountain area, one couldn’t expect much more.

After closing the door, Wang Chen sat on the edge of the bed and retrieved the beast skin pouch that Zhang Weiran had given him earlier.

Untying the string, he pulled out a rolled-up hide.

It turned out to be a human skin mask!

He tried it on his face; though the fit wasn’t perfect, it could stretch and adjust, easily concealed by his hair.

Once the mask was snug, Wang Chen glanced at the brass mirror on the nearby table.

The reflection showed the face of an ordinary man, plain and unremarkable.

Though it couldn’t compare to the craftsmanship of the Thousand Transformations, it was difficult to spot any flaws at a glance.

Wang Chen was quite satisfied.

Zhang Weiran clearly understood his predicament, and the items he provided were well-suited to his needs.

Being a Blood Guard…

Wasn’t so bad!

Though the Blood Guard had a poor reputation in the martial world, often reviled as the court’s lapdogs, even the naive Ling Zhiyuan had heard of them and felt a sense of disdain.

Yet, becoming a member of the Blood Guard still carried a certain prestige.

Wang Chen stroked his chin, determined not to disappoint this “Uncle.”

For him, the primary goal of entering Cangqing was to gain experience, and secondly, to explore the world’s essence.

Being part of the ruling class’s system offered more opportunities than being a wandering hermit, and it would serve his mission well.

Of course, being a Blood Guard would come with many restrictions.

But Wang Chen cared little for such constraints; he wasn’t from Cangqing to begin with. Bound only by fate, he had no ties to this world, and its rigid rules could hardly confine him.

Wang Chen had a plan.

First, he would settle the debts this body owed, then rise to become a top Strongest in Cangqing, and finally seek out the world’s essence.

With a ten-year timeframe, he was eager to see just how far he could go this time!