Chapter 3: Outside Tongzhou City, Those Who Come Are Not Well-Intentioned (Seeking Monthly Votes)

Outside the gates of Tongzhou City, a group of Jing'an Guards were peering into the distance from time to time; due to the scorching summer heat, they wiped the sweat from their faces repeatedly, clearly having waited for a long time.

The leader was a burly, middle-aged man with sallow, dark skin and a pair of small mustaches, who was none other than Zheng Xuancheng, a Hundred-Household of the Tongzhou Jing'an Guard Hundred-Household Office.

Flag Officer Chen Zhongyi asked, "Sir, what kind of background does this Small Flag have? To actually trouble you to set aside official duties and personally lead us out of the city to welcome him."

"Indeed, Sir, can a golden phoenix really fly into this godforsaken place of ours?" another Flag Officer, Xu Zhiyong, also pricked up his ears and chimed in from the side.

Zheng Xuancheng looked back and, seeing that the other subordinates were at a distance from the three of them, pursed his dry lips and said, "This young master is the son of the Weiyuan Marquis family. Tell me, is he worth my welcome?"

"Hiss~" The two Flag Officers looked at each other and gasped in unison. Who didn't know that the Weiyuan Marquis Mansion had guarded the borders for generations, forcing the Northern Rong to never dare head south, and the current Weiyuan Marquis was a Force Transformation realm expert who held great power?

There are five levels of martial arts: Body Tempering, Qi Condensation, Roaming Dragon, Force Transformation, and Profound Mastery. Profound Mastery experts are extremely rare in this world, and a Force Transformation expert can already be honored as a Grandmaster, not to mention the Weiyuan Marquis is also a titled Marquis; wherever his son goes, wouldn't he be treated like a precious guest?

"Sir, that's not right." After Chen Zhongyi realized this, he frowned and said, "It's not strange for such a person to join the Jing'an Guard, but why would he come to this godforsaken place of ours to be a mere Small Flag?"

"That is where the story lies. This young master killed the nephew of Wan Guifei in full view of everyone and was kicked out by his family," Zheng Xuancheng replied indifferently.

Chen Zhongyi and Xu Zhiyong both sensed something unusual. The two exchanged a look, and Xu Zhiyong tentatively said, "Sir is truly well-informed."

"Wan Guifei sent someone to tell me." Zheng Xuancheng took in the reactions of the two and said quietly.

The complexions of Chen Zhongyi and Xu Zhiyong changed drastically.

Zheng Xuancheng revealed his true intentions, "The two of you, the Noble Consort said that if you help her resolve this hatred in her heart, you will enjoy endless glory, wealth, and high official positions in the future. Are you content to be trapped here for the rest of your lives, accomplishing nothing?"

"But Sir, that is the son of the Weiyuan Marquis family!" Chen Zhongyi said in a lowered voice.

Zheng Xuancheng corrected him, "He is a son who was banished by the Weiyuan Marquis to Tongzhou to fend for himself! Besides, as long as we act carefully, who could trace it back to us? Furthermore, do you think you have the qualifications to refuse the Noble Consort?"

They were small people; from the moment they were born, they had no right to choose, only the fate of being chosen.

The expressions of Chen Zhongyi and Xu Zhiyong were uncertain.

"Set your minds at ease. It is said that Pei Shaoqing bullied men and women and committed all kinds of evil in the Capital. Not only did he offend many powerful figures, but he had long since fallen out of favor with the Weiyuan Marquis. If he really cared about this son, why would he exile him to Tongzhou to be a mere Small Flag?" Zheng Xuancheng patiently did the ideological work for the two, "Wan Guifei's son is deeply favored by the Emperor and is very likely to be named Crown Prince to inherit the throne in the future. You used to blame this harsh land for having no opportunities, but now that a golden chance for success has arrived, why are you still hesitating?"

"We are willing to follow you, Sir, and share the worries for the Noble Consort!" Finally, after the two looked at each other for a moment, they gritted their teeth and agreed.

Compared to their immediate superior and Wan Guifei, Pei Shaoqing, the playboy from the Marquis Mansion who had committed a grave error and been banished to Tongzhou to fend for himself, was easier to deal with.

Zheng Xuancheng revealed a satisfied smile, "Having worked with you two for so long, I knew you would make a wise choice, and you truly did not disappoint me."

He had only explained this to them now so as not to leave them any time or space to think.

"It is all thanks to your guidance, Sir," the two flattered.

Suddenly, someone exclaimed, "They're here!"

Zheng Xuancheng and the others looked up and indeed saw nine riders escorting a carriage approaching from afar.

Five of the horses were each carrying a corpse.

"Let's go, follow me quickly to welcome them." Zheng Xuancheng frowned slightly, then immediately relaxed and said with a smile.

Pei Shaoqing lifted a corner of the curtain and watched Zheng Xuancheng lead the crowd over. The other party's excessive enthusiasm made him somewhat vigilant, and he muttered to himself, "Those who come are not well-intentioned."

The Jing'an Guard holds high status and great power. Even if he is the son of a Marquis, as a superior, the leader should not logically lower his posture so much in public to face him.

Otherwise, how could he command respect and lead his team in the future?

When things are abnormal, there must be a Demon.

"You are the one who is not well-intentioned," Xie Qingwu hummed.

Pei Shaoqing ignored her, shouted for the carriage to stop, and lifted the curtain to get out. Because his current persona was that of a playboy who had hollowed out his body with wine and women and knew nothing of martial arts, he deliberately put on a show and asked someone to help him down before successfully exiting the carriage.

Zheng Xuancheng was also stunned when he saw the tall and imposing Pei Shaoqing. This did not match the playboy image he had imagined; he could only say that as expected of a son of a noble family, he was indeed born with a good appearance.

After a moment of hesitation, he put on a smile again and stepped forward quickly, "I am Zheng Xuancheng, a Hundred-Household of the Tongzhou Jing'an Guard. Young Master Pei, you have had a tiring journey."

"Mm, greetings, Hundred-Household Zheng." Pei Shaoqing acted as if it were only natural for the other party to welcome him.

This arrogant face made Zheng Xuancheng's expression stiffen for a moment. He suppressed his displeasure and looked at the five corpses to change the subject, "Young Master Pei, these are..."

"I encountered horse thieves on the way through Phoenix Mountain. I repelled them and killed five of them," Pei Shaoqing said calmly.

Zheng Xuancheng felt disdain in his heart. You don't know martial arts and you can repel horse thieves and kill five of them? You really dare to gild yourself; it must have been all thanks to your guards.

"Young Master is heroic, I admire you!" He flattered him with an admiring face. A plan formed in his mind, and a flash of light appeared in his small eyes as he said with a smile, "The horse thieves of Phoenix Mountain outside the city have been a scourge for a long time, repeatedly attacking passing merchant caravans and local wealthy families. They are truly full of evil. The County Government has also tried many times to send troops to wipe them out, but it is hateful that the bandit leader nicknamed the Executioner, Xu Yuanqing, is insidious and cunning. Not only has he escaped repeatedly, but he has also killed and wounded many constables.

The County Government had no choice but to just ask our Hundred-Household Office for help. I never expected that Young Master Pei would have severely wounded the thief Xu on the way to take office. This is truly heaven's will! In my opinion, why don't we trouble you, Young Master, to be in charge of this matter?"

"Hundred-Household's insight is excellent. With Young Master Pei taking action, that thief Xu will have nowhere to fly," Xu Zhiyong hurriedly chimed in.

Alarm bells rang in Pei Shaoqing's heart.

While Zheng Xuancheng was lowering his status to excessively flatter him, he was also deliberately using words to build him up, inciting him—a newcomer who didn't understand the situation—to go and wipe out the Phoenix Mountain horse thieves.

Combined with what Xie Qingwu said about "himself" killing Wan Guifei's nephew, all these things gave Pei Shaoqing a bold guess: that Zheng Xuancheng was acting under the instructions of Wan Guifei to use the hands of the mountain bandits to kill him.

Even if one took a step back, even if Zheng Xuancheng was not acting under the instructions of Wan Guifei, this was clearly intended to harm him.

However... you want to use my own blade to kill me?

Heh, then I'll play along with you.

His heart was filled with murderous intent, but on the surface, he remained calm, appearing as if he had been carried away by the flattery, "Haha, easy, easy. A mere group of low-class mountain bandits, I can wipe them out with a flip of my hand."

"Young Master has great spirit!" Zheng Xuancheng clapped his hands in praise, then raised his hand to lead the way, "The journey must have been tiring. Your lodging has already been arranged. Young Master, please go and rest for a while, and we will hold a welcoming banquet for you in the evening."

"Mm." Pei Shaoqing nodded slightly and walked in front with his head held high. When he reached the city gate, he stopped and looked at the wanted poster posted on it, pointing to a portrait of a man with a full beard, "Is this the Phoenix Mountain horse thief leader Xu Yuanqing? He looks like this?"

How would I know if I look like that?

"To tell you the truth, that thief Xu never leaves survivors and is always cautious. He covers his face with a black cloth, so no one knows his true appearance. This portrait is just based on street rumors. It is even said that he has a green face, fangs, and is ten feet tall," Zheng Xuancheng shook his head and replied.

"So that's how it is." Pei Shaoqing realized, then laughed, "But soon I will take off his face mask and let everyone see his true face."

"That is only natural. I will congratulate Young Master Pei in advance on your success," Zheng Xuancheng said with a smile.

"Haha, Hundred-Household Zheng, please!"

"Young Master, please first."

Although Tongzhou City was not large, it was quite lively.

"Ice~ sugar-coated haws~ ice sugar-coated haws!"

"Young Master, come in and play, come on~"

The road was bustling with pedestrians, merchants were hawking their wares along the street, and children were chasing each other in play; the sounds of arguments, laughter, and rooster crows all vied to enter one's ears.

The group swaggered through the market like street-clearing tigers, causing people to dodge them in haste, and finally stopped in front of a rather decent-looking residence; Zheng Xuancheng said to Pei Shaoqing in a fawning manner, "Young Master, this house belongs to me; it has been vacant for some years, so please stay here for now. The servants have all been arranged, and I hope you are satisfied."

"Then many thanks to Hundred-Household Zheng." Pei Shaoqing accepted it calmly and said naturally, "Hundred-Household Zheng and everyone else have also worked hard; go back and rest first."

Zheng Xuancheng wanted to curse; this bastard was too overbearing and unreasonable, wasn't he? He had gifted him the house, yet he was chasing him away without even inviting him in for a drink of water; no wonder even his own father didn't care for him and had banished him to this godforsaken place.

If it weren't for the need to maintain the facade of fawning over Pei Shaoqing to deceive him, Zheng Xuancheng wouldn't have bothered to serve him at all.

"Yes, please have a good rest, Young Master; we shall drink to our hearts' content tonight. Farewell." Zheng Xuancheng remained outwardly composed, and after speaking, he left directly with his men.

After walking a distance away, Chen Zhongyi, who was brimming with suppressed anger, finally vented his frustration, "My lord, this Pei fellow is too arrogant; it's one thing that he didn't even look at us properly, but it's clear he doesn't even hold you in any regard."

"It is best that he doesn't hold us in regard; the more respectful we are to him, the more he will lower his guard against us, and when something untoward happens, no one will suspect us." Zheng Xuancheng stroked his small mustache and replied unhurriedly, looking as though he had everything under control.

Xu Zhiyong asked tentatively, "My lord, did you have other plans when you asked him to assist the County Government in suppressing the bandits?"

"Conceal Pei Shaoqing's identity and send word to Xu Yuanqing so that he dies at the hands of the bandits, then we shall kill the bandits to avenge him." Zheng Xuancheng's face darkened, his tone chilling.

"My lord is wise!" After flattering him, Chen Zhongyi voiced his concern, "The guards by Pei Shaoqing's side are all skilled hands; apart from Xu Yuanqing, Phoenix Mountain is, at the end of the day, just a group of low-class bandits, so I fear it will be difficult to take his life."

"I recall that Flag-Leader Xu recently broke through to the peak of the Body Refining Realm?" Zheng Xuancheng did not answer, but instead said something that seemed irrelevant in a casual tone.

Xu Zhiyong understood instantly, "This subordinate understands."

(End of this chapter)