Imperial Scion!

For the next two days, under Lu Xuenning's guidance, Chen Fan gradually familiarized himself with the personnel structure of the Longyuan Prefecture Jinyiwei Commander's Office. The staff of the Commander's Office also became aware of Chen Fan's presence as the newly appointed Deputy Commander.

The Baihu and Zongqi Officers in charge of various logistics departments also came to pay their respects. They knew they would have to work under this young Deputy Commander until their retirement.

It couldn't be helped; Chen Fan was simply too young.

However, Chen Fan told them to carry on as usual and that they could focus on their own work unless there was something important.

As a result, they all offered him various sums of silver and left with satisfied smiles.

Chen Fan was stunned. So this was what "carrying on as usual" meant!

It seemed his predecessor, Deputy Commander Zhao Mu, had been quite adept at skimming profits.

As the saying goes, "Water that is too clear has no fish, and a person who is too observant has no followers." Chen Fan naturally accepted the silver offered by his subordinates.

He also cautioned everyone to skim money reasonably and not to harm the interests of the Commander's Office, warning that he would not spare anyone who caused trouble.

Thus, his position was solidified!

Early on the third day.

Chen Fan, along with Zuo Qianqiu's hundred personal guards, waited at the south gate of Longyuan Prefecture for the distinguished guest's arrival.

Zuo Qianqiu's personal guards were all Martial Artists at the Spirit Concealment Realm Third Pass, and the leading guard was a genuine Baihu officer.

If the two frontline Deputy Commanders of the Longyuan Prefecture Jinyiwei Commander's Office were Zuo Qianqiu's right and left arms, then the two Baihu officers commanding the two hundred personal guards were his most trusted confidants.

The Baihu accompanying Chen Fan to escort the distinguished guest was named Yang Xiao. He was a middle-aged man with a circular mustache, a square face, and a resolute expression. His strength had already reached the fifth level of the Spirit Aperture Realm, which, in terms of cultivation, was higher than Chen Fan's, the Deputy Commander.

In fact, Zuo Qianqiu had originally intended for Yang Xiao to lead the escort, with Chen Fan accompanying him. This would demonstrate the Commander's Office's importance to the distinguished guest and also allow Chen Fan to travel to the Yun Prefecture Myriad Household Office.

"Your subordinate Yang Xiao greets Deputy Commander Chen!"

Upon seeing Chen Fan arrive on a tall horse, clad in a Flying Fish Robe and with a standard-issue dark iron Embroidered Spring Blade at his waist, Yang Xiao respectfully stepped forward.

He did not presume upon Chen Fan, despite his own superior strength and seniority.

In reality, none of those who could become commanders of the Commander's personal troops were fools. If a Baihu officer from a regular brigade had been leading the escort today, he might have tried to put Chen Fan in his place.

However, Yang Xiao, as one of Zuo Qianqiu's two personal guard commanders, held a crucial position and needed to be extremely cautious and low-key.

"Officer Yang is an elder and a senior. There's no need for such formality. Just call me Chen Fan."

Chen Fan responded with a smile.

"The hierarchy between superior and subordinate must not be disregarded!"

Yang Xiao replied with a smile that looked more like a grimace.

"I'm new here and don't understand the rules. Commander Yang is experienced and steady. You should be fully in charge of escorting the noble. If anything goes wrong, I'll take responsibility. If you need my help, Commander Yang, please don't hesitate to ask."

Chen Fan spoke.

"Thank you for your trust, Deputy Commander. I will do my best."

Yang Xiao felt a bit more favorably towards Chen Fan after hearing his words. The same was true for his personal guards.

They had seen many bosses who liked to delegate, and some who actively delegated power to their subordinates. But this was the first time they had seen a superior who voluntarily took on responsibility.

They felt that although the new Deputy Commander of the Commander's Office was young, he was very responsible and had a strong sense of duty.

"The noble has arrived!"

A voice rang out. Chen Fan and Yang Xiao looked towards the south gate simultaneously. They saw a super luxurious carriage, pulled by three demonic beasts, galloping rapidly towards them.

This could no longer be called a carriage; it was practically a luxurious, small-scale Moving Castle. The three demonic beasts resembled horses but had a single crimson horn and were covered in black scales. Their size was immeasurably greater than that of ordinary horses.

"Black Scale Horses, mounts that are hard to obtain even with vast sums of gold. The Beast Tamers of Great Zhou have already domesticated this species, but their annual output is extremely low. Their value is comparable to the Commander's Golden Eagle."

Yang Xiao's heart trembled upon seeing the three Black Scale Horses.

As expected of an Imperial Scion, a member of the royal family. This display was truly grand.

However, besides the officials seeing them off, there weren't many escorts accompanying the carriage. But the old man driving the carriage was no simple person; the three Black Scale Horses were completely docile under his command.

As for the Imperial Scion seated inside the carriage, Chen Fan and the others naturally had no chance to see them.

"Jinyiwei Deputy Commander Chen Fan!"

"Jinyiwei Baihu Yang Xiao!"

"We greet the noble!"

Chen Fan and Yang Xiao stepped forward proactively, then cupped their fists and bowed, saying in deep voices.

Great Zhou was founded on martial prowess. As early as the founding emperor's reign, it was said that martial artists should have backbone and not bow easily. Therefore, since then, the basic etiquette for martial artists in Great Zhou was a bow, and they would not kneel unless on extremely important occasions.

"Thank you, two Jinyiwei sirs, for escorting us. Please rejoin the main escort for now."

A clear voice came from inside the carriage, startling Chen Fan and Yang Xiao.

They hadn't expected the noble inside the carriage to be a woman.

A royal relative who could casually summon an imperial decree and order the Jinyiwei along the route to personally escort them must be at least a County Princess, or even a Princess?

"You two will be responsible for rear guard duty. The County Princess's personal escort will lead the way. Thank you for your hard work."

At this moment, the old man responsible for driving the carriage said to Chen Fan and Yang Xiao.

"Yes!"

The two responded respectfully.

It really is a County Princess!

The Great Zhou Dynasty's royal family was extensive, with many County Princesses. He just didn't know which one this was.

However, a County Princess who could have Jinyiwei escort her must be a favored one.

As for the old man wearing a bamboo hat, dressed as a coachman, if he wasn't mistaken, he should be the County Princess's Guardian. At the very least, he had to be a Spirit Aperture Realm Martial Artist. Chen Fan and Yang Xiao couldn't see through his cultivation, meaning his strength was likely above theirs.

"This mission might be difficult!"

Chen Fan observed carefully, his expression turning grim.

Although the County Princess's escorts were positioned in front and behind them, separated by the tall carriage, as the Jinyiwei passed by them in formation, Chen Fan noticed that almost every one of the County Princess's escorts was injured. While they were all minor injuries, it was likely that those with severe wounds or who had died were either left on the road or had gone to Longyuan Prefecture for treatment.

Not only that, but although the County Princess's carriage was magnificent, like a Moving Castle, there were some arrow marks on it. Although they had been repaired, one could still discern some traces upon closer inspection.

"Could it be that Zuo Qianqiu knew this mission would be difficult, and that's why he sent me?"

"That shouldn't be the case. Judging by the situation, this itinerary was likely set long ago. I was just a last-minute addition. Perhaps even he didn't expect someone would dare to attack an Imperial Scion within the Great Zhou Dynasty's territory."

Chen Fan mused inwardly.

Let alone Zuo Qianqiu, he himself never would have imagined it before coming here. After all, the Great Zhou Dynasty had stood for ten thousand years, its national destiny vast and its reign enduring. Despite being plagued by Demonic Creatures, the Emperor Wu had been on the throne for five hundred years and was currently in his prime.

Moreover, during Emperor Wu's reign, the Great Zhou Dynasty had grown even stronger. He established the Jinyiwei to monitor noble families and sects, slay the Demonic Creatures and monsters within the Great Zhou's borders, and protect the land, suppressing the noble families and sects to the point of suffocation.

This was an unprecedented era of prosperity, not one of chaos!

Yet, under such circumstances, someone dared to intercept and assassinate an Imperial Scion. Weren't they tired of living?

Unless the person attempting to assassinate this County Princess was also... an Imperial Scion!