Chapter 1788

"Xiaochuan, how's it going?" Li Shiqing and Zhao Yun immediately walked over and asked.

"No problem," Wang Xiaochuan smiled faintly. "Just a few lowlifes sent by the Zhao Hao Sect."

"Xiaochuan, be careful," Li Shiqing said anxiously. "Zhao Hao won't let this go."

"Don't worry," Wang Xiaochuan smiled slightly. "I have a way to deal with him."

Zhao Fu.

Zhao Hao was waiting in the hall for news. When he heard Wang Xiaochuan had easily driven off those black-clad men, he wasn't surprised. He knew Wang Xiaochuan's Wu Gong was formidable—dealing with those men was no challenge. But he hadn't given up; he wanted to see what else Wang Xiaochuan was capable of. "Someone," Zhao Hao called again.

Another guard entered and asked, "Your Highness, what are your orders?"

"Go and order all the covert agents to shadow Wang Xiaochuan," Zhao Hao said coldly. "I need to know every move he makes."

"Yes, Your Highness." The guard immediately went to deliver the order.

Han Imperial Palace.

Wang Xiaochuan was chatting with Li Shiqing and Zhao Yun when he suddenly felt a chill. He knew someone was watching him from the shadows. He ignored it and continued chatting with Li Shiqing and Zhao Yun.

After a while, Wang Xiaochuan made an excuse to leave. He knew Zhao Hao was watching him, so he deliberately let Zhao Hao know he was going to find Huang Shang.

Wang Xiaochuan arrived at Huang Shang's residence and found Huang Shang in seclusion, cultivating. He didn't disturb him, waiting outside instead.

After a long while, Huang Shang finally emerged from seclusion. He saw Wang Xiaochuan waiting outside and was slightly surprised.

"Xiaochuan, why are you here?" Huang Shang asked.

"I need your help," Wang Xiaochuan said. "I want you to assist me."

"What is it?" Huang Shang asked.

"I want you to help me deal with Zhao Hao," Wang Xiaochuan said.

"Zhao Hao?" Huang Shang was surprised. "What's he done?"

"He's been shadowing me, trying to strike me down," Wang Xiaochuan said. "I know you can handle him."

"No problem," Huang Shang smiled faintly. "Leave it to me."

Zhao Fu.

Zhao Hao was waiting in the hall for news. When he heard Wang Xiaochuan had gone to see Huang Shang, he knew his opportunity had come. He planned to use Huang Shang to eliminate Wang Xiaochuan.

"Someone," Zhao Hao called.

A guard immediately entered and asked, "Your Highness, what are your orders?"

"Go tell Huang Shang that Wang Xiaochuan is waiting for him at his residence," Zhao Hao said slyly. "I'm sure Huang Shang will come."

"Yes, Your Highness." The guard immediately went to deliver the message. Han Imperial Palace.

Wang Xiaochuan was discussing how to deal with Zhao Hao with Huang Shang when he suddenly heard movement outside.

"Xiaochuan, it sounds like someone's outside," Huang Shang said.

"I'll go check," Wang Xiaochuan rose immediately and went out. Outside, he found several black-clad men attacking him. They were skilled, but didn't kill.

Wang Xiaochuan knew these men were sent by Zhao Hao, meant to show him Zhao Hao's strength. He paid no mind and easily drove them off.

"Xiaochuan, how's it going?" Huang Shang walked over immediately and asked.

"No problem," Wang Xiaochuan smiled faintly. "Just a few lowlifes sent by the Zhao Hao Sect."

"Xiaochuan, be careful," Huang Shang said anxiously. "Zhao Hao won't let this go."

"Don't worry," Wang Xiaochuan smiled slightly. "I have a way to deal with him."

Zhao Fu.

Zhao Hao was waiting in the hall for news. When he heard Wang Xiaochuan had driven off those black-clad men again, he grew impatient. He knew Wang Xiaochuan's Wu Gong was formidable—dealing with those men was no challenge. But he hadn't given up; he wanted to see what else Wang Xiaochuan was capable of.

"Someone," Zhao Hao called again.

Another guard entered and asked, "Your Highness, what are your orders?"

"Go tell Huang Shang that Wang Xiaochuan is waiting for him at his residence—if he doesn't come, I'll send men to kill him," Zhao Hao said coldly.

"Yes, Your Highness." The guard immediately went to deliver the message.

Han Imperial Palace.

Wang Xiaochuan was chatting with Huang Shang when he suddenly heard movement outside.

"Xiaochuan, it sounds like someone's outside," Huang Shang said.

"I'll go check," Wang Xiaochuan rose immediately and went out. Outside, he found several black-clad men attacking him. They were skilled, but didn't kill.

Wang Xiaochuan knew these men were sent by Zhao Hao, meant to show him Zhao Hao's strength. He paid no mind and easily drove them off.

"Xiaochuan, how's it going?" Huang Shang walked over immediately and asked.

"No problem," Wang Xiaochuan smiled faintly. "Just a few lowlifes sent by the Zhao Hao Sect."

"Xiaochuan, be careful," Huang Shang said anxiously. "Zhao Hao won't let this go."

"Don't worry," Wang Xiaochuan smiled slightly. "I have a way to deal with him." Zhao Fu.

Zhao Hao was waiting in the hall for news. When he heard Wang Xiaochuan had driven off those black-clad men once again, he flew into a rage. He had expected Wang Xiaochuan to feel fear upon realizing his life was threatened—but Wang Xiaochuan remained utterly unconcerned.

"Someone!" Zhao Hao shouted loudly.

A guard immediately entered and asked, "Your Highness, what are your orders?"

"Go tell Huang Shang that if he doesn't come to me immediately, I'll send men to kill his entire family," Zhao Hao roared.

"Yes, Your Highness." The guard immediately went to deliver the message.

Han Imperial Palace.

Wang Xiaochuan was chatting with Huang Shang when he suddenly heard movement outside again.

"Xiaochuan, it sounds like someone's outside again," Huang Shang said.

"I'll go check," Wang Xiaochuan rose and went out. Outside, he found several black-clad men attacking him. They were skilled, but didn't kill.

Wang Xiaochuan knew these men were sent by Zhao Hao, meant to show him Zhao Hao's strength. He paid no mind and easily drove them off.

"Xiaochuan, how is it?" Huang Shang immediately walked over and asked.

"Nothing." Wang Xiaochuan smiled slightly: "Just a few small lackeys sent by Zhao Hao."

"Xiaochuan, you must be careful." Huang Shang said worriedly: "Zhao Hao certainly will not let this go."

"Rest assured." Wang Xiaochuan smiled slightly: "I have a way to deal with him."

Wang Fu.

Zhao Hao was waiting for news in the main hall. When he heard that Wang Xiaochuan had once again repelled those men in black, he was nearly going mad. He could not understand why Wang Xiaochuan could remain so calm and composed when facing a threat to his own life.

Just as he was raging with fury, a guard hurried in to report: "Your Highness, Huang Shang requests an audience."

"Let him in!" Zhao Hao said immediately. He wanted to see what reaction Huang Shang would have when facing a threat to his own life.

Huang Shang was brought in very quickly.

"Your Highness, this subordinate has failed in his duty; please punish me." Huang Shang knelt on the ground to beg for punishment.

Zhao Hao stared at him coldly: "You dare to disobey this King's order? Do you not fear death?"

"This subordinate does not fear." Huang Shang answered without hesitation.

Zhao Hao was instantly speechless. He had not expected this result. Did this Huang Shang really not fear death?

"Huang Shang, this King gives you two paths to choose: one, stay at Wang Fu as an ordinary servant; two, leave Wang Fu and make your own living. You choose."

Huang Shang shook his head and said: "Thank you, Your Highness, for your care. This subordinate still decides to stay at Wang Fu; only I hope that in the future, when Your Highness needs this subordinate, you may simply summon him."

"Good, very good. Huang Shang, this King will remember what you said today." Zhao Hao said gloomily.

"This subordinate obeys the decree." Huang Shang said respectfully.

Zhao Hao took a deep breath and forced himself to calm his emotions. He was now certain that Huang Shang was an unparalleled expert, and that even an expert more powerful than himself might exist. Currently the heaviest task for Zhao Hao was to subdue this super expert.

Zhao Hao continued to ask: "Huang Shang, this King heard you are skilled in swordsmanship. This King specially sent ten swordsmanship experts to you, among whom were three swordsmanship grandmasters. Where are they now?"

"Replying to Your Highness, this subordinate has dismissed them all and sent them back to their hometowns to recover from illness."

Zhao Hao looked at him in surprise. He did not expect Huang Shang to voluntarily dismiss his personal bodyguards. However, what shocked him even more was Huang Shang's loyalty to him.

Zhao Hao thought to himself: This Huang Shang is indeed an top-tier expert worth winning over. He is willing to help me complete the task my father entrusted to me, and he is willing to be loyal to me. If I can obtain his assistance, it will surely be of great help to my grand plan to ascend the throne and become emperor in the future.

Thinking of this, Zhao Hao said: "Huang Shang, from this day forward, you shall follow this King at all times. This King appoints you as the Governor of Imperial Guards to assist this King in handling court affairs."