Old Acquaintances in the Imperial Capital

"I confirm."

Xu Yuan gave Mr. Wine an affirmative answer, then turned slightly to the side and said, "I haven't introduced him to you yet. This is His Highness the Third Prince, who needs to secretly go to the Houting County to seek assistance."

"The Houting County area?"

Mr. Wine paused for a moment, then bowed respectfully:

"Since the Third Young Master insists, then I will not try to persuade him any further."

He paused, then bowed respectfully to the Third Prince:

"Your Highness, are you planning to leave the city tonight?"

Upon seeing this, Li Yunqing immediately returned the greeting. Although the other party was merely a commoner, the strong deserved respect.

"If we can get out of the city tonight, that would be the best outcome."

"OK."

Mr. Wine readily agreed, looking at Xu Yuan and saying:

"Third Young Master, please come in and have a seat. There are some matters in the pawnshop that require my attention."

Please, go ahead.

Xu Yuan nodded with a smile, while Mr. Wine vanished in a flash.

For a moment, the entrance fell silent.

Xu Yuan stepped into the pawnshop and glanced at Li Yunqing, who was still standing there dumbfounded:

"Your Highness, aren't you cold outside?"

"."

A thoughtful look appeared in Li Yunqing's eyes as he stepped into the pawnshop.

The layout of the main hall of "World Pawnshop" was no different from the movies and TV dramas Xu Yuan had seen in his previous life, except that it was much larger and had more areas for people to wait and rest.

The two entered the rest area and sat down.

Because the pawnshop was closed, only a few lights were on, making the main hall appear somewhat empty and dim.

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea,

Li Yunqing looked towards the inner hall and suddenly chuckled, saying:

"He hasn't returned for so long; it seems this Mr. Wine must be of considerable status."

Xu Yuan raised an eyebrow:

"I'm not sure about that, how so?"

Li Yunqing enigmatically.

"I guess this Mr. Wine must have gone to deal with and destroy some classified information, otherwise it wouldn't have taken so long."

The powerful figures within major factions fall into two categories: those in charge and those who don't.

Those in charge, like Hua Hong Lou Ji, held frighteningly high positions and were even willing to physically assault the boss's son.

While those who don't manage affairs may hold high positions, without managerial talent, they are essentially just top-tier henchmen.

Mr. Wine is clearly the former, and should be an important figure under Lou Ji.

A thought flashed through his mind, Xu Yuan was speechless for a moment before laughing:

"Your Highness is indeed meticulous."

Li Yunqing suddenly asked:

"Third Young Master, if the weather doesn't clear up, Beifeng City will become a dead city. You've lent me your only Origin Beginning expert, but what about yourself?"

Xu Yuan spread his hands out:

"I have my own way of doing things. What? Does the Third Young Master want to buy this information from me? I'll sell it to you for one million taels of silver. Do you want it?"

Li Yunqing rolled her eyes:

The more you know, the more trouble you'll have; it's better not to know.

Xu Yuan chuckled and was about to speak when he saw two figures slowly walking out from the back room of the pawnshop.

Looking to the side, Xu Yuan's eyes showed a hint of surprise.

Wow, there's another old acquaintance here.

Zhou Chen.

He still had a stubble beard and a sword slung over his back, but now he had a scar on his face.

It seems he's fought quite a few tough battles since being assigned to the Northern Border.

The moment Zhou Chen saw Xu Yuan, his expression immediately turned serious, as if he was gathering his emotions.

At this time,

Li Yunqing rose from the soft couch and asked:

"Mr. Wine, and who is this gentleman?"

"."

Xu Yuan's eye twitched.

Didn't this guy say he'd seen Zhou Chen before?

He just blurts things out without thinking.

Taking a breath, Xu Yuan smiled sinisterly:

"This is Zhou Chen, has Your Highness forgotten?"

Li Yunqing blinked, opened his mouth, and laughed heartily:

"Ah, so it's Mr. Zhou. I have a close friend who shares your name, but unfortunately, we were forced to separate because he offended a second-grade Origin Beginning."

Zhou Chen's unshaven face showed a blank expression.

"Same name, same surname? Second-rank Origin Beginning?"

Xu Yuan waved his hand and smiled at Zhou Chen:

"His Highness is joking with you. Long time no see, Mr. Zhou."

"."

Zhou Chen turned his gaze back and immediately began to prepare his emotions.

A short while later,

He sniffed, strode over to Xu Yuan, knelt down directly, his eyes reddening.

"Young Master San, it's great to see you here after our parting in Jingjiang Prefecture."

"."

Xu Yuan was somewhat surprised.

The third- Grandmaster, who had previously gone to great lengths to perform only a cupped-hand salute, actually knelt down before him upon their reunion.

He paused for a moment,

Zhou Chen continued:

"Mr. Wine instructed me to follow you, and I, Zhou, will protect you at all costs, even at the cost of my life."

"What route?"

"."

Quiet,

Zhou Chen stiffened, glanced at Mr. Wine beside him, then at Xu Yuan, and tentatively asked:

"Third Young Master, this city is now a dead city. Aren't we supposed to head north and leave the city?"

"Who told you I was leaving the city?"

"." Zhou Chen.

Beifeng is now a dead city. What does a dead city mean? Anyone left inside will be slaughtered without exception.

Why isn't the Third Young Master leaving?

It's all over.

He was still thinking of going back to the Imperial Capital with this Third Young Master, legitimately and without any problems.

Xu Yuan ignored Zhou Chen. Although Mr. Wine had arranged for Zhou Chen to be his bodyguard, he didn't intend to have him follow him. He glanced sideways at Mr. Wine:

"Mr. Wine, now that you've finished your business, the Third Prince is entrusting it to you."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chen watched longingly from the side.

Mr. Wine completely ignored his subordinate's gaze and nodded.

"Of course, I can set off with His Highness the Third Prince immediately."

As soon as he finished speaking,

The joy of running away made Li Yunqing grin, but before he could utter a sound, a loud bang suddenly exploded in the next block.

"Boom!"

Unsurprisingly, another unexpected incident occurred.

The firelight illuminated the dark sky. Xu Yuan glanced out the window, then looked at Mr. Wine inside.

He could only sense the surging of Source Qi over there, indicating that someone was engaged in battle.

Mr. Wine glanced in the direction of the explosion and chuckled softly:

"The sect members and the Secret Investigation Bureau personnel, however, it's all over now."

"Secret Investigation Bureau?"

Xu Yuan murmured to himself.

It wasn't that woman, was it?

"Xu Mengxi was transferred from the Capital City."

Mr. Wine chuckled and explained, "Third Young Master, you may not know this, but this woman, shortly after being transferred to Beifeng City, seized many smuggled goods from the sect and arrested many children of high-ranking sect members. If it weren't for this incident, this woman would probably have died unexpectedly very soon."

"."

It really was that woman.

Xu Yuan wasn't too surprised by what Mr. Wine said.

Lou Ji provided him with a detailed account of the situation within Beifeng City in the intelligence she sent him.

This Beifeng City can basically be described as Great Yan version of Gotham, or even more chaotic.

The forces involved are complex and intertwined, and interests are deeply entrenched, so that basically one move can have far-reaching consequences.

Having done so much, the fact that she didn't commit suicide suggests that her cultivation level and background must be quite strong.

After a moment's thought, Xu Yuan asked:

"Mr. Wine, why did Xu Mengxi make a move tonight?"

Mr. Wine didn't speak again. After sensing the situation slightly, he casually said:

"The son of the great elder of Lingshui Palace broke into the house and robbed a common girl, but was killed by her. Just now, the dandy guard was fighting with her, and now he is also killed."

"Spirit Water Palace?"

Xu Yuan murmured, "I remember this is the largest sect in the Three Northern Prefectures?"

Mr. Wine nodded:

"Yes, before the blizzard disaster struck, they were largely instigating the setbacks in the war in the Northern Border."

Xu Yuan grinned:

"It must have been a long-standing grudge, and now they've finally found a pretext. They hate evil, are resolute and unyielding, and they even know a bit about flexibility. Not bad, not bad."

Mr. Wine smiled:

"If the Third Young Master understood our losses, he probably wouldn't think that way."

The Prime Minister's Estate was the focus of Xu Mengxi's care.

In the eyes of the Royalist Faction, they were thieves who had stolen the country.

Because of this woman, many of his informants were arrested. If it weren't for Lou Ji's comprehensive intelligence coverage, their losses due to Xu Mengxi might have far exceeded those of the sect.

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan remained silent for a moment and did not say anything more about the topic.

The Prime Minister's Estate was not a noble and righteous force; the old man was an idealist who would stop at nothing.

To achieve his ultimate goal, he resorted to all sorts of extreme measures.

Li Yunqing left, disappearing into the blizzard-stricken night along with Mr. Wine.

Xu Yuan also rode in a carriage towards the government office.

Just like in Jingjiang Prefecture, Zhou Chen drove the carriage while he rested inside.

Despite the wind and snow, the specially designed tire tracks allowed for a smooth ride.

As he passed through the next block, Xu Yuan thought he might see his old friends from the Imperial Capital in this Northern Border, but unfortunately, they were gone, and only some patrolling soldiers were cleaning up the ruins.

To be honest, Xu Yuan really likes Xu Mengxi.

It wasn't because she was good-looking, nor was it related to her stance, but because the world needs people like her.

Time passed second by second.

suddenly,

Zhou Chen's cheerful voice came from the front of the carriage:

"Third Young Master, are you really not leaving the city?"

Xu Yuan found it slightly amusing:

"What, you want to leave the city?"

Zhou Chen chuckled awkwardly, and his voice came again:

"I'm just worried about the Third Young Master's safety. Beifeng City is facing imminent collapse; if we don't leave now, we might never be able to leave again."

Xu Yuan didn't waste any more words and said directly:

"As the imperial son-in-law, and with Wu Yuan still in the city, how can I leave so easily?"

"The Third Young Master is right." Zhou Chen said no more.

"."

The carriage traveled quietly for several miles.

Xu Yuan's voice drifted out again from inside the carriage:

"Mr. Zhou, if you wish to leave the city, I can arrange it for you. Lou Ji has left me with more than one way out."

"."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chen's hand gripping the reins tightened suddenly, but then he loosened it and said with a chuckle:

"You flatter me, Third Young Master. In Jingjiang Prefecture, Old Zhou is already used to carrying your Third Young Master, and it will continue to be so in the future."

He adopted a very humble attitude.

Although only half a year had passed, their relationship had completely changed.

While in Jingjiang Prefecture, Xu Yuan did a lot of work and put in a lot of effort to win the loyalty of Grandmaster Zhou Chen.

Now, he doesn't need to do anything; Zhou Chen has to fawn over him.

Because Zhou Chen isn't blind.

In one year, he went from having no cultivation level to the fifth rank.

If he dares to put on airs again, will Zhou Chen still be able to work in the Prime Minister's Estate?

Moreover, if he left, all his previous friendship with this Third Young Master would be for naught.

Inside the carriage,

Xu Yuan, who was resting with his eyes closed, smiled slightly.

"In that case, Mr. Zhou, please remain at the Beifeng Government Office for the time being."

If Zhou Chen agrees, he will indeed make arrangements for him, since the two had a fairly pleasant relationship in Jingjiang Prefecture.

And the opponent will most likely be able to escape the dead end of Beifeng City as a result.

However, if he agrees, Zhou Chen will no longer have a chance with his confidant.

Perspective determines many things.

Although he is still a floor tile in the Prime Minister's Estate, quite a few third-rank Grandmaster have already died at his hands.

Moreover, since his father had placed him in this position, he naturally wouldn't treat any Grandmaster he encountered as a once-in-a-millennium treasure as before.

However, Zhou Chen was behaving the same way he did in Jingjiang Prefecture.

Very smart, and knows how to assess situations.

The three Grandmaster who initially followed him were all powerful individuals who didn't interfere in affairs; they were essentially the first group of people his father arranged for him.

However, Xu Yuan will most likely only choose Zhou Chen and Ying'er.

Si Ziyu will most likely continue to work as a high-ranking henchman in the Prime Minister's Estate.

Yes, Grandmaster are also high-level fighters.

In the eyes of ordinary people, Grandmaster are like gods, but in the eyes of Lou Ji and his father, these third-rank Grandmaster, and even those second-rank Origin Beginning who don't care about anything, are just high-level henchmen.

Because the powers in the Great Yan Kingdom have a monopoly on Cultivation Resources.

To become stronger, you need sufficient resources to cultivate, and to obtain resources, you can only rely on a powerful force.

Of course, nothing is absolute.

In this world, everything is about seeking fortune and wealth through risk.

If they want to rob, these powerful individuals can certainly do so; after all, murder and arson bring wealth and power.

However, the price to pay is that they will be hunted down by a united force of powerful figures from the entire Great Yan.

This violates the rules.

Once this trend starts and isn't stopped, the world will descend into chaos. Neither the imperial court nor any sect can tolerate such a thing happening.

In order to deal with such powerful individuals causing trouble, the Great Yan has already developed a very comprehensive defense system.

The Burial Village, where the protagonist Qin Mo grew up, was forced into existence and was also wiped out in this way.

Apart from a few who had seen through the illusions of the world, most of the powerful demons and thieves hiding there were people who couldn't make it in the Great Yan and were forced into seclusion.

My thoughts wandered slightly, and when I came to my senses, the carriage had already entered the Beifeng Government Office.

The car stopped at the Drill Ground in front of the council hall. Zhou Chen chuckled softly and opened the car door for him.

"Third Young Master, we have arrived."

Xu Yuan nodded to him and tossed him a token.

"Thank you. You can go now and find the steward at the government office. He will arrange a separate courtyard for you. You can stay here for the time being."

Zhou Chen accepted it and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture:

"Very well, I await your orders, young master."

As the two were talking,

Zhou Chen's eyes suddenly narrowed, and he glanced to the side, instinctively grasping the hilt of the sword behind his back.

"Young master, please be careful."

"."

Xu Yuan raised an eyebrow.

He wasn't worried about being assassinated in the government office; rather, he was surprised that Zhou Chen could sense such a thing as intention.

Looking back, a bloodthirsty rage ignited in Xu Yuan's eyes. He saw a woman dressed in a red Qilin official robe standing not far away on the stone path, her fists clenched and her gaze fixed intently on him.

It's a bit late.