You die for me!

Taking on the post of garrison commander meant being tied down to a location. Unless one died, grew old, or became disabled, they couldn't step down. Otherwise, they could only strive to climb higher.

In reality, with Zuo Qianqiu's strength and achievements, he could have long ago taken up a position with real power as a thousand-household commander in Yun Prefecture's Jinyiwei Myriad Household Office.

However, the purple mountain demon menace had not yet been quelled, and he also hadn't found a suitable successor. Thus, he had delayed taking up the post.

It was from that time that he began to take disciples and cultivate successors. But even for his eldest disciple, Wang Teng, to take over, it would require at least another decade.

Without the strength of the Spirit Aperture Realm peak, one could not stably hold the position of Longyuan Prefecture's thousand-household commander.

Longyuan Prefecture was a border commandery, unlike the inner prefectures.

"If I get the chance, I will definitely go and see for myself."

Chen Fan's heart stirred with longing upon hearing this. However, he knew that one had to take things one step at a time, and eat meals bite by bite.

He had a golden finger. As long as he was given enough time, he was certain he could stand at the pinnacle of martial arts!

"You come from Ping'an County and have never traveled far. This journey to Yun Prefecture is long. Round trip, plus the time spent at the Myriad Household Office, will take at least a month."

"I recall that in three days, a distinguished guest will be dispatched from Longyuan Prefecture with a contingent of Jinyiwei to Yun Prefecture. You can lead the team and travel with them."

Zuo Qianqiu spoke.

Wang Teng's eye twitched upon hearing this. He knew his master was trying to trick someone again.

It was true that the Commander's Office lacked good body-refining techniques, and it was also true that the Myriad Household Office possessed Spirit Aperture Realm body-refining techniques. But letting Chen Fan fall into a pre-arranged trap and escorting that distinguished guest home was the real intention!

"What distinguished guest requires us Jinyiwei to escort them?"

Chen Fan frowned upon hearing this.

The Jinyiwei were the Emperor's personal guards, authorized to execute first and report later, with imperial decree. Their duty was to monitor noble families and sects, slay demons and devils, and protect the peace of a region.

How had they now become guard dogs for some damned distinguished guest?

"Even if it were a prince or minister, they couldn't mobilize us Jinyiwei without Emperor Wu's special permission. But this distinguished guest is of imperial blood, naturally noble beyond compare."

"The journey from Longyuan Prefecture to Yun Prefecture is long, with many areas infested by demons and devils, fraught with danger. And the distinguished guest's identity is sensitive, so an imperial decree was issued from the Central Province Imperial Capital, requiring Jinyiwei along the route to provide escort."

"However, the distinguished guest is not someone without the strength to even truss a chicken. Perhaps your safety will also require the protection of the distinguished guest and the protectors by their side."

Zuo Qianqiu spoke meaningfully.

In his opinion, it was merely a matter of prestige. If it were just the distinguished guest and their protectors, they could reach Yun Prefecture in a few days riding fast horses. Why would they need the Jinyiwei?

But they, the Jinyiwei, were merely dogs raised by Emperor Wu. Whatever the Emperor commanded, they could only obey, with no room for refusal. They could only hope this distinguished guest wouldn't be too troublesome.

"Alright then."

"This subordinate thanks Commander Zuo for his kind intentions!"

Chen Fan no longer hesitated. The reason was that a particularly disheartening problem lay before him: he genuinely didn't know the way to Yun Prefecture's Jinyiwei Myriad Household Office.

There were certainly maps in Longyuan Prefecture, but they were difficult to understand. If he took a wrong turn, it would be a pure waste of time and embarrassing.

"It is my duty."

Commander Zuo nodded.

"Chen Fan, let's go, I'll take you to eat!"

Just as the three of them were staring blankly at each other, having run out of things to say and preparing for awkward small talk, Lu Xuenning, dressed in a standing collar, brocade skirt with eight treasures, appeared at Chen Fan's home. Seeing Zuo Qianqiu and Wang Teng also present, her expression immediately soured.

"Junior Sister, listen to me!"

Before Lu Xuenning could speak, Wang Teng knew his junior sister's displeased expression must be due to a misunderstanding.

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

He immediately pulled Lu Xuenning aside and whispered a few words in her ear.

"Really?"

Lu Xuenning was stunned and then spoke with disbelief.

"Absolutely true."

"Deputy Commander Chen's physical condition is quite good. Furthermore, after Master examined his body, he provided a suggestion to suppress the erosion of Blood Sha into his flesh."

"In three days, he will depart for Yun Prefecture's Jinyiwei Myriad Household Office martial library to find a suitable body-refining technique!"

Wang Teng spoke earnestly.

Of course, he didn't mention that his master was tricking Chen Fan into acting as a bodyguard for a distinguished guest.

"That's great! I knew he'd be fine."

"He didn't look like someone who cultivated the Blood Sha Skill at all."

Lu Xuenning smiled happily upon hearing this.

"Junior Sister, I must say, you look particularly beautiful dressed like this today."

Wang Teng winked at her.

"Go to hell!"

Lu Xuenning threw a powerful punch at her senior brother, her face flushing.

There were indeed female Jinyiwei in Longyuan Prefecture, but they usually wore the Flying Fish Robe and carried the Embroidered Spring Blade. The only difference was in their hair accessories; otherwise, everyone was the same.

It was only during their days off that these female Jinyiwei would change into women's clothing, but generally, few people wore it. Lu Xuenning herself rarely did.

She had come to see Chen Fan today, wanting to take him sightseeing in Longyuan Prefecture city. Naturally, it wasn't suitable to wander around in a Flying Fish Robe, so she had changed into casual clothes.

"Xuenning, you're here at the perfect time. Deputy Commander Chen is new to Longyuan Prefecture and isn't familiar with it yet. For the next few days, you'll accompany Deputy Commander Chen and help him get acquainted with the environment."

Zuo Qianqiu nodded at Chen Fan and left Chen Fan's separate courtyard with Wang Teng.

"Your subordinate bids farewell to Commander Zuo!"

Chen Fan cupped his fists in a salute and spoke.

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

Lu Xuenning said excitedly.

"Thank you, then!"

"I'm hungry anyway."

Chen Fan said with a smile.

For some reason, seeing Lu Xuenning dressed in women's clothing felt very strange. It was like your good buddy suddenly turned into a woman and went shopping with you.

When they were in Ping'an County, Lu Xuenning always wore the uniform of a ninth-rank Black-Robed Head Catcher, and it was the male version, complete with a hat. Although her face showed she was female, people usually ignored it during their interactions.

Now, with this sudden change in attire, he was a bit overwhelmed.

"Are you going shopping with me dressed like this, Deputy Commander? Be careful, the common folk will just avoid you."

Lu Xuenning warned.

"How could that be?"

"Is the reputation of the Jinyiwei in Longyuan Prefecture not very good?"

Chen Fan asked, somewhat surprised.

He knew that in Ping'an County, the Jinyiwei and constables wore their standard uniforms when they went out. This saved a lot of trouble and even allowed them to "borrow" things.

"This is a rule set by the master. Jinyiwei from the Longyuan Prefecture Jinyiwei Commander's Office are not allowed to wear Flying Fish Robes to eat or 'borrow' things in the inner city."

"Also, it's not just the Jinyiwei. The constables and yamen runners from the Government Office are the same."

"The common people fear the authority we represent, so they dare not overcharge, or even dare not charge at all. If this continues, who would dare to do business?"

Lu Xuenning explained.

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

Chen Fan said.

"And change your shoes too."

Lu Xuenning suddenly remembered the embarrassing incident when she and Chen Fan first went to Spring View Pavilion.

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

So, to avoid being recognized, it was best to change completely.