Forced to Join the Imperial Guard

"Don't worry, there's no need to be so nervous. If I wanted to make a move on you, you'd already be dead!"

The woman's voice was like a yellow oriole emerging from a valley, pleasant to hear, but her words made Ning Chuan's heart tighten.

So, this person is definitely a master!

Hearing her refer to herself as "this official" and that she's from the government.

Ning Chuan's vigilance immediately increased by another thirty percent!

People from the government don't kill without drawing blood; they're all sly old foxes!

He immediately asked, "Your Excellency, you are from the government?"

"That's right, this official is Leng Hanshuang, a Battalion Commander of the Imperial Guard in Qingshan County!"

The woman replied slowly, her body angled as if gazing into the distance, her voice neither hurried nor slow!

Imperial Guard, Battalion Commander? Have I transmigrated to the Great Ming Dynasty?

Looking at the woman's attire, the Embroidered Spring Saber, the Feather Uniform, isn't this the standard equipment of the Great Ming's Imperial Guard?

Ning Chuan took three steps back, putting more distance between himself and the woman, cold sweat dripping from his forehead.

The Imperial Guard is known for its brutality!

I've heard they have one hundred and eight kinds of torture, all horrific and inhumane. One of them is called "sitting on a donkey."

It's not just for women who are unfaithful, but also for men who have committed offenses!

Sometimes, if they don't like someone, they'll drag them up to sit on it!

Thinking of this, Ning Chuan couldn't help but clench his buttocks, trembling slightly, and asked:

"Is this the Great Ming Dynasty?" Ning Chuan asked.

"That's right!"

Damn it, I've actually arrived in the Great Ming Dynasty. I just don't know if it's the Great Ming Dynasty I have in mind.

"Zhu Yuanzhang? Xu Da? Chang Yuchun?" Ning Chuan asked tentatively.

"What Zhu Yuanzhang? What Xu Da, what Chang Yuchun? Who are they?" The woman's voice carried a hint of curiosity.

It's not the Great Ming Dynasty from my world!

There are Imperial Guards, Embroidered Spring Sabers, yet it's not the Great Ming Dynasty from my world?

While he was pondering, he heard the woman say:

"Kid, you committed violence in broad daylight, what crime do you deserve!"

Her tone was condescending, and she was indeed putting on airs of authority.

Ning Chuan's heart tightened again. As expected, officials change their tune faster than they turn a page!

Instead of arresting the bandits from Three Tiger Mountain, they want to punish me!

But what can I do?

I'm just an ordinary citizen, and the person in front of me is an Imperial Guard known for their brutality. If I'm killed senselessly or taken to "sit on a donkey," where can I find justice!

Forget it, I'm just a weakling right now. It's best to go with the flow and prioritize survival.

He immediately shouted:

"Your Excellency, you are mistaken! I am a law-abiding citizen. This person was the Second Boss of Three Tiger Mountain bandits, and he pursued me to this place. I had no choice but to defend myself and kill him. I was merely eliminating a scourge for the people."

Ning Chuan put on an anxious expression, and he was genuinely anxious in his heart.

"Hmph, how dare you deceive this official! The Second Boss of Three Tiger Mountain is a martial arts master, how could you possibly kill him? State your origin."

Ning Chuan hurriedly explained, "Your Excellency, I am Ning Chuan, a commoner from Ning Family Village. He truly was the Second Boss of the bandits!"

"Did you practice the Iron Shirt?" The woman didn't press further and asked another question.

"Your Excellency has a keen eye!"

"It is said that the Third Boss of Three Tiger Mountain, Ma San, also practices the Iron Shirt. What is your relationship with Ma San?"

Ning Chuan was momentarily speechless, unsure how to answer. His Iron Shirt was obtained through the System's Sign In, how could he explain that?

"What if I said I snatched my Iron Shirt from Ma San, would you believe me?"

Ning Chuan offered this explanation verbally, but his vigilance was at its peak. A fierce glint flashed in his eyes.

From the side, the two peaks of Kunlun and Wudang stood tall.

If she doesn't believe me, I'll have to prepare for a desperate fight!

The two women in front of me, although they look formidable, even a cornered rabbit will bite!

If they push me too far, I'll abandon my defenses and launch a suicidal attack towards the Kunlun and Wudang peaks, biting off a piece even if it costs me my life.

Let her remember that even small figures can be terrifying when desperate!

The most effective way to strike an enemy is to find their weakness and attack their vital points fiercely!

"I believe you!"

The woman's answer surprised Ning Chuan, and he also breathed a sigh of relief.

Seeing Ning Chuan becoming more vigilant, the corner of the woman's mouth curved slightly, and she said:

"I see you as a talent, and I am also someone who appreciates talent. I happen to have a vacant position for a Captain under me.

I invite you to join my Imperial Guard to fill this vacancy. I'll lead you to enjoy the good life, and you'll be willing!"

As the woman spoke, she slowly drew out three inches of her Embroidered Spring Saber.

Ning Chuan immediately felt like a knife was at his back, a sharp blade pressing against his heart, making it impossible to breathe!

"I'm willing, I'm willing!"

Ning Chuan felt that if he hesitated any longer, he would be meeting his great-grandmother!

If you can't beat them, join them.

If you can't resist, enjoy it!

Twice in one day, he had received threatening invitations.

One was from bandits, the other from officials, and their methods were identical!

If he had dared to say no just now, his head would likely have been gone already!

The woman slowly sheathed her Embroidered Spring Saber and tossed a badge towards Ning Chuan.

Ning Chuan caught it and looked.

One side of the token read: "Imperial Guard."

The other side read: "Leng Shuanghan."

The characters were exactly the same as the blocky characters from another world.

"This is my token. Complete the formal procedures with the Imperial Guard within a month. If you are late or don't show up, you will be considered a traitor to the Imperial Guard. With heaven and earth as my witness, you will have nowhere to hide!"

Leng Hanshuang's tone was indifferent, her words as cold as ice, just like her name!

With a twist of fate, Ning Chuan's vigilance eased slightly.

"Alright, we'll meet again!"

With that, she turned and left, leaving Ning Chuan alone.

Up to this point, Ning Chuan hadn't even seen her face clearly!

"We'll meet again!"

Ning Chuan watched their receding figures, rubbing the token in his hand.

"What is this! Damn it, I've been forced to join!"

Watching the two figures grow smaller and smaller until they disappeared from sight, Ning Chuan sighed deeply, his expression shifting between uncertainty and indecision.

After a while, he remembered the most important task: looting the bodies.

After a thorough search of the Second Boss's body, Ning Chuan was full of disappointment and kicked the corpse away.

"Pah, you poor bastard!"

"The mighty Second Boss, and not a single copper on him!"

This couldn't be blamed on the Second Boss; he had been woken up in the middle of the night and angrily chased Ning Chuan. Who would think to bring money?

He felt his own pockets again, not half a copper coin. The silver he'd found on Three Tiger Mountain was long gone, lost somewhere.

His clothes were already tattered rags, and the silver he'd robbed had vanished into who knew where. He was penniless again!

He opened his System panel and saw that he had gained 5 Attribute Points from defeating the BOSS, the Second Boss. This brought him some comfort.

He added 1 point to Constitution, bringing his Constitution to 108. He felt a warm current flow through his limbs, and his fatigue and hunger vanished.

He decided not to add the remaining 4 Attribute Points for now, saving them for Stamina.

He picked up the Second Boss's saber. It looked like it was made of good material and should fetch some money.

"First, I need to get some dry rations and water, then head back to Ning Family Village."

"My good Village Chief! Ning the Flayer!

I'm not dead yet, so you're the one who's going to die!"