Chapter 1243 - 872: Latecomer Surpassing the First

"That old fellow Prince Pingbian has been drained of his vitality by Tushan Qing, yet he’s still not dead. It’s simply unjust!" Zhang Chen cursed under his breath.

"Prince Pingbian is the greatest prince in the Northern Land. Although most of the Northern Land has fallen, the remaining territory is still vast and intimidating. He has countless gifted individuals under his command. There are divine spirits stabilizing his three souls and seven spirits to prevent sudden death, and his subordinates are searching for spirit medicine to prolong his life. It would be difficult for him to die easily, especially since the Demon Race wants to exploit the name of Prince Pingbian’s Mansion and can’t let him die so simply," the Fox Spirit Nannan explained the hidden truth to Zhang Chen.

Hearing this, Zhang Chen was thoughtful: "Hearing you say this, the current world situation does seem interesting."

After speaking, Zhang Chen asked a few minor questions before letting the Fox Spirit Nannan depart to gather information. Then, he transformed into a beam of blood light and vanished, chasing after Chen Ping.

Now that Zhang Chen is a Twelfth Tier expert, with the Blood God Child following Chen Ping’s caravan, he could directly pinpoint the location of the Dragon-Tiger Escort Agency. It took just half a day to see the large troop in the distance.

However, to Zhang Chen’s surprise, Prince Pingbian’s convoy had vanished without a trace, and the refugees trailing around the convoy were also gone. Only the Dragon-Tiger Escort Agency’s people were slowly walking down the road.

After extracting the memory of the Blood God Child, Zhang Chen realized that the Fox Spirit Nannan’s information was outdated. The Prince Pingbian’s convoy had reached Kyoto half a year ago, and Chen Ping, unsure of how to explain the loss of the Tree of Life Coffin to Dugu Qiu, was stalling and waiting for Zhang Chen.

Having acquired the convoy’s details, Zhang Chen casually emerged from the back of the convoy, making his way leisurely. When a porter saw Zhang Chen, he was overjoyed: "Young Master Zhang, you’re finally back! Our Chief Leader has been waiting for you! Let me inform him right away!"

The porter greeted Zhang Chen and swiftly rushed towards the escort agency’s large convoy, shouting loudly: "Young Master Zhang is back!"

With this call, countless people in the escort agency turned their attention and eagerly greeted Zhang Chen. Smiling, Zhang Chen responded to the greetings as he proceeded, soon seeing the haggard-looking Chen Ping running over from the convoy, calling out from afar even before reaching Zhang Chen: "Mr. Chen!"

Then he rushed over and hugged Zhang Chen’s shoulders: "You’re finally back. Did things go smoothly?"

Zhang Chen nodded: "I gained a lot."

"Come, let’s talk in the tent." After scanning the crowd, Chen Ping sensed it wasn’t the right place to talk, so he pulled Zhang Chen into the main tent to catch up.

"Mr. Chen, why haven’t you quickly entered Kyoto, and instead wasted time midway? Didn’t I write you a letter and entrust it to Grand Steward Dugu Qiu?" Zhang Chen inquired.

Chen Ping sighed helplessly: "Brother, you don’t understand the seriousness of the situation. The more I traveled and asked for information, the more serious it seemed. I’m afraid a single letter won’t suffice to handle it, so I needed you to accompany me personally."

Chen Ping bit his lip as he said this: "Things have come to this point, I won’t hide from you anymore, do you know about the Tree of Life Coffin that’s being talked about in the Northern Land?"

"Of course I know." Zhang Chen nodded, not only was he aware, but he was also deeply involved in it.

"In the past, Grand Steward Dugu Qiu was ambushed in the Northern Land and fought a fierce battle against the Demon Race’s top expert Hu Li, the Immortal, nicknamed ’Zhao Lie’. Severely injured, the Grand Steward entrusted the Tree of Life Coffin to our Dragon-Tiger Escort Agency. During our journey south, a sudden vicious wind caused me to lose the Tree of Life Coffin, which is crucial to many officials’ expectations and the fate of the royal ancestors. Losing it, I fear I dashed many hopes, and even the Grand Steward may not be able to protect me," Chen Ping continuously lamented, his voice filled with indescribable bitterness.

Feigning surprise, Zhang Chen said: "I didn’t expect you to be involved with the Tree of Life Coffin. But don’t underestimate my relationship with the Grand Steward. Rest assured, I’ll definitely fully support you."

Hearing this, Chen Ping, with tearful eyes, respectfully saluted Zhang Chen: "I cannot thank you enough for your great kindness, brother. In the future, our Dragon-Tiger Escort Agency will be at the Grand Steward’s disposal."

He wanted to use Zhang Chen as a medium to deliver a pledge of allegiance and find a strong backer in Kyoto. He knew Zhang Chen never uttered false words; if Zhang Chen said he had a way, there indeed was a way, and he wouldn’t deceive him.

After finishing their conversation and resolving the matter, Chen Ping instructed the escort masters to prepare whole roasted lamb. After enjoying a satisfying meal, they each went to rest.

Over the past few years, Zhang Chen had been mentally tense, not daring to rest freely while with the Queen Mother of the West. Now that he was gradually settling all issues, his mind started to relax. He slept until late morning before finally getting up, lazily walking out of the tent as the porters began packing up the tents, ready to continue the journey.

Following this, Zhang Chen experienced a period of rare comfort. Throughout the journey, he ate and drank luxuriously, having clothes and food handed to him, making Zhang Chen very relaxed.

Just three days before reaching Kyoto, someone suddenly blocked the escort agency’s convoy. There stood a young man in a brocade robe in front of the convoy, asking directly to see Zhang Chen by name.

Zhang Chen heard the commotion and came out, looking at the newcomer with a pair of scrutinizing eyes: "Who are you?"

"I am a servant from Prince Pingbian’s Mansion, the Lady requested me to deliver a secret letter. Are you Young Master Zhang Chen?" The newcomer respectfully performed a bow.

Zhang Chen nodded: "Correct, I am! Though, where is the letter from the princess?"

The elegant-clad gentleman respectfully handed over the letter. Zhang Chen received it but did not rush to open it. Instead, he looked at the gentleman in brocade, noting the vigorous flow of Qi Blood around him. A rare Martial Dao expert, evidently not a mere commoner.

"Does the Princess have any other instructions?" Zhang Chen inquired.

The gentleman in brocade hesitated slightly, glanced around, then seemed about to speak to Zhang Chen but held back. Seeing this, Zhang Chen led him to a secluded spot: "Feel free to speak your mind; there are no others here to overhear."

As Zhang Chen spoke, he used the Law of Sound to create a vacuum zone around them.

"The Lady has entered the palace but her progress is impeded by obstructions from the Yellow Heaven Dao, preventing her from meeting the Emperor. Even though her charm techniques are unparalleled, she cannot exert them without meeting the Human King. The Lady heard you have ties with Grand Steward Dugu Qiu. Could you leverage Dugu Qiu’s influence to get the Lady a chance to meet the Great Victory Emperor, even if just briefly? The Lady is confident in securing the Human King’s favor," the gentleman in brocade spoke.

Zhang Chen did not immediately agree. His stance on helping the Fox Spirit disrupt Human Dao was reconsidered.

When his strength was weaker, he had no choice but to collaborate with Bai Cang. Now as a Twelfth Tier powerhouse, one of the top experts globally, he must rethink whether to continue risking the safety of the entire Human Race for his own gain.

"The reach of Yellow Heaven Dao is so extensive? Even infiltrates the Inner Imperial Palace?" Zhang Chen inquired curiously.

"Yellow Heaven Dao has a disciple who infiltrated the Inner Palace as a eunuch. His adeptness at diplomacy and influence is considerable, gaining favor from the Human King," the gentleman in brocade continued, watching Zhang Chen’s reaction to emphasize the gravity.

"And this person is actually acquainted with you," he added.

Zhang Chen was taken aback, reflexively denying: "Impossible, aside from Dugu Qiu, I don’t know any eunuch from the Inner Palace."

Then he recalled that the person only joined the palace several years ago and added: "Anyway, anyone I know who has some integrity would never enter the palace to become a eunuch."

The gentleman in brocade smiled at Zhang Chen’s firm denial: "Do you remember Chu Mingyue from Huanghua Temple?"

"It’s him!" Zhang Chen exclaimed, his pupils contracting in surprise, recalling Chu Mingyue from Huanghua Temple.

Back when Zhang Chen was coerced by Zhang Xiaohua and inadvertently stumbled into Huanghua Temple, uncovering its plot for rebellion, and subsequently joining the temple. Later, coinciding with Yellow Heaven Dao’s selection of the Southern Dipper and Beidou Seven Stars, Chu Mingyue was a promising candidate from Huanghua Temple, and Xiaodouding was Chu Mingyue’s little admirer. Most significantly, Chu Mingyue’s male organ was slashed by Zhang Chen in competition, intentionally at that.

It’s no wonder Zhang Chen and Chu Mingyue have a deep-rooted grudge. Zhang Chen initially planned to eradicate Chu Mingyue entirely, but the latter disappeared unexpectedly. Who would have thought he would hear of Chu Mingyue now, managing to infiltrate the Inner Imperial Palace as a eunuch and even become a favorite by the Great Victory Emperor.

Momentarily, Zhang Chen could only sigh: "Indeed, capable individuals distinguish themselves anywhere."

Regarding Yellow Heaven Dao using Chu Mingyue to block Bai Cang’s audience with the Human King, Zhang Chen understood some rationale. After all, Yellow Heaven Dao contends for control over Prince Pingbian’s Mansion in the Northern Land against the Demon Race, naturally aiming to weaken their influence, obstructing Bai Cang makes sense.

"Though Chu Mingyue is inside the palace, he’s actively searching for information about you, even investigating your family. Had the Lady not repeatedly aided secretly, the criminal records of your younger siblings would have already been presented to the Human King," the gentleman in brocade stated.

Zhang Chen’s face grew dark upon hearing this; he could tolerate others targeting him, but never his siblings.

"Furthermore, your opponents have clustered together in Kyoto. Princess Chai Wenji and Prince Consort Zhang Gaoqiu are married, forming a formidable alliance, and due to your connection, the detested eunuch has already colluded with them secretly. Kyoto is now a Heaven and Earth Net; opting out is viable, but your presence would surely incite tempestuous chaos," the gentleman in brocade commented.