You Go Die!

Once one accepted a post of garrison duty, it was like being tied to a single place. Unless one died, grew old, or became crippled, there was no retiring. Otherwise, one could only fight desperately to climb higher.

With Zuo Qianqiu's strength and merits, he could have long since gone to the Brocade Guard's Myriad Household Garrison in Cloud Prefecture and taken a Chiliarch post with real authority.

But the Purple Mountain demon scourge had yet to be quelled, and he had not found a suitable successor either, so he had delayed taking up his new post.

It was from that time onward that he began accepting disciples and grooming successors. Yet even for his eldest disciple, Wang Teng, to take over, it would take at least another decade or more.

Without the strength of the peak Divine Aperture Realm, one could not sit securely in the position of Chiliarch of Dragon Abyss Prefecture.

Dragon Abyss Prefecture was a border prefecture, unlike those inland prefectures.

"If I get the chance, I'll definitely go and see it for myself."

Chen Fan's heart stirred at the thought, but he knew that roads had to be walked one step at a time, and meals eaten one bite at a time.

He had the Golden Finger. So long as he was given enough time, he would surely stand atop the pinnacle of martial arts!

"You were born in Ping An County and have never traveled far from home. Cloud Prefecture is a long way off. Counting the journey there and back, plus the time delayed at the Myriad Household Garrison, it will take no less than a month."

"I recall that in three days, a distinguished person will requisition a squad of Brocade Guard from Dragon Abyss Prefecture to travel to Cloud Prefecture. You can lead the team and accompany them."

Zuo Qianqiu said this.

Wang Teng's eyelid twitched when he heard it. He knew his master had started fooling people again.

It was true that the Chiliarch Garrison lacked good body-tempering techniques. It was also true that the Myriad Household Garrison possessed body-tempering techniques of the Divine Aperture Realm. But it was even truer that his master was luring Chen Fan into a trap laid long ago, making him escort that distinguished person home!

"What distinguished person needs to requisition our Brocade Guard as escorts?"

Chen Fan frowned.

The Brocade Guard were the Emperor's personal guard. They could execute first and report afterward, wielding authority specially granted by imperial power. They monitored Aristocratic Clans and sects, slew demons, monsters, ghosts, and fiends, and guarded the peace of a region. Those were their duties.

How had they now become dogs guarding the homes and courtyards of some damned distinguished person?

"Even princes and high ministers cannot mobilize our Brocade Guard without His Majesty the Martial Emperor's special authorization. But this distinguished person is imperial kin, naturally noble beyond words."

"The road from Dragon Abyss Prefecture to Cloud Prefecture is long, passing through many places where demons and monsters lie in wait. Danger lurks at every step. Since this distinguished person's identity is sensitive, an imperial order was issued from the Central Capital, requiring the Brocade Guard along the route to provide escort."

"However, this distinguished person is hardly someone too weak to truss a chicken. Perhaps your safety will instead require the protection of that person and the Dao protector at their side."

Zuo Qianqiu spoke meaningfully.

In his view, it was nothing more than a matter of pomp. If it were only that distinguished person and her Dao protector, they could reach Cloud Prefecture in a few days on fast horses. Why would they need them?

But the Brocade Guard were merely a dog raised by His Majesty the Martial Emperor. Whatever His Majesty ordered them to do, they could only obey. There was no refusing. He only hoped this distinguished person would not be too troublesome.

"Fine, then."

"This subordinate thanks Left Chiliarch for your kindness!"

Chen Fan no longer dwelled on it, because an especially painful problem lay before him: he truly did not know the road to the Brocade Guard's Myriad Household Garrison in Cloud Prefecture.

Dragon Abyss Prefecture certainly had maps, but they were difficult to read. If he took a wrong turn, he would waste time and make a fool of himself.

"As it should be."

Left Chiliarch nodded.

"Chen Fan, come on. I'll take you to eat!"

Just as the three of them stared wide-eyed at one another, speechless and preparing to force out a few awkward words, Lu Xuening appeared in Chen Fan's home. She wore a stand-collar eight-treasure skirt patterned with rippling water. When she saw Zuo Qianqiu and Wang Teng there as well, her expression immediately darkened.

"Junior Sister, listen to me!"

Before Lu Xuening could speak, Wang Teng knew that her terrible expression meant she had misunderstood.

She thought he and their master had come to persuade Chen Fan to disperse his cultivation.

He immediately pulled Lu Xuening aside and whispered a few words into her ear.

"Really?"

Lu Xuening froze, then spoke in disbelief.

"Absolutely true."

"Vice Chiliarch Chen's physical condition is not bad, and after Master examined him, he offered a method to suppress the Blood Fiend's erosion of his flesh."

"In three days, he will depart for the armory of the Brocade Guard's Myriad Household Garrison in Cloud Prefecture to seek a body-tempering technique suited to him!"

Wang Teng declared solemnly.

Of course, he did not mention that their master had tricked Chen Fan into becoming that distinguished person's bodyguard.

"Wonderful! I knew he would be fine."

"He doesn't look anything like someone who cultivates the Blood Fiend Art."

Lu Xuening smiled happily.

"Junior Sister, I have to say, you look rather pretty dressed like this today."

Wang Teng said, waggling his brows at her.

"You go die!"

Lu Xuening immediately gave her eldest martial brother a heavy, powerful punch, and her face flushed red.

There were indeed female Brocade Guard in the Dragon Abyss Prefecture Chiliarch Garrison, but everyone usually wore Flying Fish Robes and carried Embroidered Spring Blades. Only their hair ornaments differed; otherwise, they were all the same.

Only on rest days would these female Brocade Guard change into women's clothing, though few normally bothered to wear it. Lu Xuening herself rarely did.

Today, she had come to see Chen Fan because she wanted to take him around Dragon Abyss Prefecture City. Naturally, Flying Fish Robes were unsuitable for strolling about, so she had changed into casual clothes.

"Xue Ning came at just the right time. Vice Chiliarch Chen has only just arrived and is not familiar with Dragon Abyss Prefecture. Over the next few days, accompany Vice Chiliarch Chen and show him around properly. Let him get used to the surroundings."

Zuo Qianqiu nodded to Chen Fan, then left Chen Fan's courtyard with Wang Teng.

"This subordinate bids Left Chiliarch farewell!"

Chen Fan clasped his fist in salute and spoke.

"Chen Fan, let's go. I'll take you around."

Lu Xuening said excitedly.

"Then many thanks."

"I'm hungry too, as it happens."

Chen Fan said with a smile.

For some reason, seeing Lu Xuening dressed in women's clothes felt extremely strange to him. It was like seeing one of your best brothers suddenly turn into a woman and go strolling with you.

Back in Ping An County, Lu Xuening always wore the uniform of a Ninth-Rank Black-Robed Constable, and it was even a men's style, complete with a hat. Although her face clearly showed she was a woman, people would automatically overlook that fact during their usual interactions.

Now that she was suddenly dressed like this, he found it somewhat hard to handle.

"You're going shopping with me in that Vice Chiliarch uniform? Be careful, or the common folk will take detours whenever they see you."

Lu Xuening reminded him.

"Why would that be?"

"Does the Brocade Guard in Dragon Abyss Prefecture City have a poor reputation?"

Chen Fan asked in surprise.

Back in Ping An County, the Brocade Guard, constables, and the like would all wear their official uniforms when going out. It saved them much trouble, and they could even squeeze out a little extra profit.

"These are Master's rules. The Brocade Guard of the Dragon Abyss Prefecture Chiliarch Garrison are forbidden from wearing Flying Fish Robes into the inner city to eat, drink, and throw their weight around."

"And it is not only the Brocade Guard. The constables and yamen runners from the government offices are the same."

"The common people fear this skin of ours, so they do not dare name a price, and sometimes do not even dare ask for money. If that goes on for long, who would still dare do business?"

Lu Xuening said.

"That makes sense. Wait for me a moment. I'll go change clothes too."

Chen Fan said.

"Change your shoes too."

Lu Xuening suddenly recalled the embarrassing incident from the first time she and Chen Fan had gone to Wangchun Pavilion.

Even a courtesan had possessed such sharp eyes, let alone the owners of various shops.

To avoid having their identities recognized, it was best to change themselves from head to toe.