Ninth Princess

On the main road, Ye Kang and Jin Baobei had been galloping for two days.

Jin Baobei concealed her identity, afraid of being recognized, and followed Ye Kang, acting timidly.

Ye Kang teased, "Boss Jin, I heard that Wang Hai is pursuing you. It's a shame I killed your suitor."

Upon hearing this, Jin Baobei shivered and quickly shook her head.

"I have no connection with Wang Hai! That guy, relying on the Golden Saber Sect's backing, has forcibly taken countless innocent girls. If I didn't have some strength, he would have succeeded long ago. Senior Ye killing this scoundrel is truly something I should thank you for."

"So, the Golden Saber Sect doesn't have a good reputation."

"Naturally. Mengzhou has a martial culture, with dozens of large and small sects, and numerous factions. Almost all of them have engaged in oppressing the good."

Ye Kang nodded; this didn't surprise him.

Even in the small Jiangping Prefecture, which was relatively close to the imperial city, the martial artists were incredibly arrogant. Not to mention Mengzhou, which was even farther from the imperial city.

He continued, "Among Mengzhou's ten great sects, besides the Golden Saber Sect, who else do you think would covet the Ninth Princess?"

Jin Baobei's face turned ashen upon hearing this.

This was a life-threatening question!

But since Ye Kang had asked, she didn't dare not answer.

Hesitantly, Jin Baobei vaguely replied, "Among the ten great sects, only the Sword Worship Sect and the Crimson Flame Cult are on good terms with the Golden Saber Sect. These two are most likely to collude with the Golden Saber Sect..."

"I see. Then do you know of any major events happening in Mengzhou recently?"

"What does Senior mean?"

"Rebels."

Ye Kang said with a smile.

Jin Baobei instantly broke out in a cold sweat.

Being able to utter those two words proved that this Senior Ye was undoubtedly someone from the Imperial Court.

She whispered, "One of my informants said that the Six Mansions Cave Lords of Liuhe Mountain are recruiting soldiers and forging weapons and armor on a large scale, which is very suspicious."

"Liuhe Mountain? What's their background?"

"They are mountain bandits. Mengzhou has countless mountain bandits, and Liuhe Mountain is the largest group. They often rob merchant caravans and massacre villages."

"The bandits are rampant, and the prefectural government isn't sending troops to suppress them?"

"Senior jokes. The prefectural government doesn't have the military strength for that. The Governor and the generals are at odds, and they can't mobilize the army's forces."

The two chatted as they arrived at the prefectural city.

Jin Baobei dismounted to pay the city entrance fee, and only then did the city guards let them pass.

Both of them had concealed their strength, appearing to be just two second-rate experts.

In Mengzhou, where martial artists were as numerous as cow hair, second-rate experts were like pebbles thrown into the sea, unable to make even the slightest ripple.

"Senior Ye, I have an informant who runs an inn in the city. We can stay there."

"Alright, you lead the way."

The two soon arrived at an inconspicuous inn. After Jin Baobei revealed her identity, the innkeeper immediately arranged two superior rooms for them.

The rooms were on the third floor, offering an excellent view of the street outside.

Both were weary from their journey, so they naturally ordered a table of food and drinks first.

After eating and drinking their fill, it was already evening. Ye Kang looked out the window.

"Boss Jin, where is the Grand Tutor's Mansion?"

Jin Baobei pointed towards the southeast and said, "Follow this street to the end, and the largest mansion there is it."

"Good. I'll go check on the Ninth Princess's safety. You're free to do as you please."

After speaking, Ye Kang directly climbed out the window and left.

Under the cover of night, his figure was like a phantom, swiftly disappearing.

Seeing this, Jin Baobei's heart suddenly stirred.

"Why don't I escape now?"

But moments later, she immediately dismissed the idea.

You can't run away from the monk and the temple. It's better not to test the patience of an Innate expert.

Ye Kang felt the same way; he wasn't afraid of Jin Baobei playing any tricks.

This was the confidence that his strength gave him.

Soon, Ye Kang traversed half the city, and a massive mansion finally appeared before him.

The gate bore the four characters "Grand Tutor Han Mansion."

This was the ancestral home of Consort Jing's family.

Consort Jing's maiden name was Han. The Han family was a prominent and influential clan in Mengzhou, and their residence was extremely opulent.

To maintain such a family business, guards are indispensable.

Six armored soldiers stood before the gate alone, each a third-rate expert, exuding an imposing presence.

Ye Kang leaped onto the side wall without a sound.

As soon as his senses activated, he detected several powerful presences nearby.

"At least five super-class experts and more than ten first-class experts. They must be Imperial Guards sent to protect the Ninth Princess. It's a shame there's no Innate expert among them."

Ye Kang moved with the wind. If he fully concealed himself, even super-class experts wouldn't be able to find him.

At the same time, the distribution of those experts pointed him directly to the Ninth Princess's location.

It was an inconspicuous small side room, yet it was surrounded by ten experts. It was clear this place was no ordinary.

As Ye Kang was contemplating how to see inside, the door to the side room suddenly opened.

A stunningly beautiful girl of seventeen or eighteen, standing tall and graceful, poked her head out.

While no one was paying attention, she headed straight for the main gate. Just then, a stout, portly man rushed over to block her.

"Oh, my dear Princess! Please don't run off like that. If anything were to happen to you, my whole family would lose their heads!"

"Uncle, how do you always show up so promptly?"

The girl looked disappointed and had to abandon her plan to sneak out.

It seemed she was the Ninth Princess, and the man blocking her was likely the Imperial Uncle.

Seeing that the Princess was safe, Ye Kang didn't linger and slipped away.

Meanwhile.

The Ninth Princess returned to her room, her previously naive and quirky expression suddenly turning grim.

"Old Wu, has that person left?"

Inside the room, there was an elderly woman leaning on a cane, her eyes squinted, looking frail and ancient.

She nodded gently. "That person bore no ill will. They seemed to be merely confirming the Princess's safety. They should be another group of guards arranged by Her Majesty."

Upon hearing this, the Ninth Princess sighed helplessly.

"Mother is really something. Arranging a group of Imperial Guards wasn't enough, and now she's sent another one. It's endless."

The old woman, known as Old Wu, smiled kindly.

"Her Majesty is merely concerned for the Princess's safety. After all, the situation in Mengzhou is becoming increasingly chaotic, which is normal. However, I didn't expect Her Majesty to arrange for such a young Innate First Rank expert. I've never heard of this person before."

"Hmph, what if he's Innate First Rank? Old Wu, you are Innate Third Rank. With you here, no one can harm me."

"Your Highness flatters me. I'm already half dead and heading for the grave. Sooner or later, I won't be able to protect you. It's your good fortune that Her Majesty found such a young Innate First Rank expert."

"Don't say that, Old Wu. You've watched me grow up since I was little. You'll definitely break through your limitations! Right now, I just hope that Innate First Rank doesn't interfere and mess up my plans."

The Ninth Princess sighed silently, a worried expression clouding her face.

Ye Kang was unaware that the Ninth Princess had an old monster of Innate Third Rank by her side.

If he had known, he wouldn't have risked exposing himself by sneaking into the Grand Tutor's Mansion at night.

At this moment, he had already set his sights on another group of black-clothed assailants.