Chapter 78

Changing ships will probably require going to Nanjing City; the assassin that Bai Lang mentioned has not appeared since—assassinating on the river surface is indeed quite difficult, and Bai Lang's reputation has already spread. As for the court's great generals, they are the ones who almost quelled the Roving Bandits rebellion, so their martial prowess naturally became known. "They say his unorthodox training is unrivaled in the world." At least he hasn't earned any chaotic nicknames.

Bai Lang was rather bored; although he was adjusting his mental state, these moments still affected him enough—he had already become accustomed to killing. Days without a kill always felt weak… especially the battle with the Huashan Sect Leader, which further stirred Bai Lang's bloodlust, though he eventually restrained the fierce tiger within his heart.

The Tiger Form True Meaning gradually turned into a White Tiger killing aura, which fits Bai Lang's current status… He changed to an official boat in Nanjing, then took the Grand Canal, traveling safely without anyone attempting to assassinate him—something even the Huashan Sect Leader could not accomplish, and surely no one in the jianghu could either.

Especially, Bai Lang charged into battle, cutting down many Huashan masters as well as several generals of Li Zicheng's army, and even the earlier Zhang Xianzhong… Bai Lang's fame for bravery spread across the land. Though a boat is slower than a galloping horse, it runs day and night, so his speed to the Capital (Jingcheng) was still swift. Bai Lang's residence was a grant from the court—otherwise he could not afford a place befitting his rank, and its staff were provided under the Emperor's and inner court's care.

Bai Lang would be granted an audience on the second day; this was for pacifying the Roving Bandits, and would not involve a grand ceremony at the Grand Temple—Chongzhen could not afford that face, and it would affect not only him but also his brother, father, and grandfather. Still, a modest congratulatory ceremony could be held; Bai Lang was simply taking the lead.

Prince's Junior Guard, Left Commander, General Jianwei, and the bestowal of a python robe to Bai Lang, White Jade Pillar; the sky was still dark, yet he had already risen and begun dressing in official attire. Bai Lang had no wife nor concubine, so a maid helped him don the official robe—a bright red, gold‑embroidered python robe that fully reflected his status as a second‑rank military official. Bai Lang was tall and handsome, with a visage like that of some Xu fellow and a massive beard, truly befitting a great general…

Bai Lang refused to ride in a sedan chair; for a military officer, taking a sedan chair would be a disgrace, so he rode a horse. A carriage would have been fine, but a horse is better for an officer. In front of the horse, a new, unfamiliar house servant held a placard to clear the way. Bai Lang rode leisurely along the main road toward the Forbidden City, heading to attend today's court assembly—because of his pacification of Li Zicheng, the Emperor decided to hold a grand assembly to flaunt Bai Lang's martial achievements. With the two Governor-Generals returning to the Capital (Jingcheng), the ceremony was expected to be even larger.

Bai Lang dismounted and strode like a comet into the waiting crowd of officials—he wore a red python robe, obviously standing out among the green‑clad junior officials. All the Capital (Jingcheng) officials, regardless of rank, were well‑informed and could naturally guess who the tall, horse‑sized young officer in the bright red robe was. He was probably the youngest second‑rank military officer since the founding of the dynasty by the first emperor, and certainly the youngest Prince's Junior Guard. "Prince's Junior Guard Bai!" the junior officials bowed, and Bai Lang, unfamiliar with the protocol, offered a salute while walking.

"These people are surely thinking, 'Warrior!' Hahaha," Bai Lang chuckled inwardly. He never cared much for such etiquette; as a military officer of this era, he had no need to pay special attention—these days even the Censors are probably powerless against such officers—unless one is a powerful Governor-General, the notion of civil officials suppressing military officers has long become a thing of the past.

Especially these Censors, they could treat them as fart‑dogs. They might try to impeach Bai Lang over his manners, but it has no effect on him. Moreover, his reputation for bravery has spread throughout the court, yet he commands no personal troops, making him an exemplary general whom the Emperor trusts immensely. Still, the numerous battle reports circulated have informed the entire court of Bai Lang's valor; a lone rider who can break formations, charge, cut down generals and seize banners as if in an empty field is a rarity since antiquity. The "Xiang Wang reborn, tiger‑like courage" was even handwritten by Governor Sun in the victory dispatch.

Now it seems this man is tall and imposing, with a beard like a steel wire, and the description in the victory dispatch is probably accurate… Bai Lang strode like a comet to a group of old and half‑old men; their clothes were all red, a place fitting for Bai Lang, essentially at the forefront, and soon they entered a room to rest.

No need to stand out in the cold like those junior officials; that's the privilege of high officials. These people also chatted casually with Bai Lang; everyone wanted to get to know each other—such a warrior in this era truly becomes their instrument of force, and it would be commonplace for the Ming Dynasty to add another noble family someday.

Of course, there were many indirect talks about matchmaking—actually Bai Lang's place shouldn't be here; he should be among the military officers and the decorative noble ranks on the other side… Yet it's not that Bai Lang is unaware… these senior civil officials didn't expose it, allowing the young Prince's Junior Guard to mingle among them.

"Speaking of Prince's Junior Guards throughout the ages, I think our current Prince's Junior Guard truly lives up to the title," a Minister joked, while others merely smiled. The Prince's Junior Guard is the deputy to the Prince's Senior Guard, originally tasked with protecting the Crown Prince; Bai Lang thought about it and couldn't help but admit the remark was accurate.

Given his martial skill, escorting the Crown Prince through thousands of troops would be no problem; such a brave man truly justifies the title of Junior Guard. Bai Lang merely touched his official hat and chuckled, "He is indeed a simple fellow." Bai Lang's ears were sharp, and he actually heard an Elder Councilor whisper that.

When the seating was arranged, Bai Lang realized he had gone to the wrong place; he flushed slightly, prompting friendly laughter from the military officers and nobles. Having no backing was fine; a freshly minted senior military officer is the best recruitment target and the best marriage prospect—nobles still have news, and it seems the Emperor intends to grant titles. Even if not now, soon this Prince's Junior Guard Bai will likely become a certain Marquis, and with greater merit, a Duke is not impossible.

In fact, powerful military families across the regions are each trying, through their own channels, to forge marital ties with Bai Lang—if he nods, they could probably gather dozens of wives and concubines in the blink of an eye.