章節 4: Startling Saber Strike (2)

編輯: Atlas Studios

Drip!

Although the beads of sweat were small, the sound could be heard all over the street.

Seeing this scene, the people on the street were shocked. They were amazed by Ye Jingtang's lightning-fast and thunderous skills and his courage.

"This kid…"

"Good skills… but poor eyesight…"

Ye Jingtang's eyebrows shot up when his saber was grabbed from behind. But when he saw the figure behind him, his anger froze. He quickly retracted his saber and cupped his fists. "Sir, please forgive me for the misunderstanding."

The reason why he apologized so quickly was not because the person behind him was powerful but because he was wearing a black and blue robe, a gauze hat, and had iron feathers hanging at his waist. It was the signature equipment of constables of the Black Office.

Unlike ordinary constables, the Black Office dealt with Jianghu people. They had the right to arrest and interrogate people directly without questioning. If necessary, they could kill first and report later. No Jianghu people were not afraid.

The constable behind him looked to be in his early thirties. He was slightly plump and had a beard.

After walking through the gates of hell, the constable raised his hand to wipe the sweat off his forehead. His skills were inferior to Ye Jingtang's, and he was in the wrong. Seeing that Ye Jingtang was polite, he raised his hands and returned the greeting. "Excellent skills. I was wrong just now. I am Banner Commander Wang Chihu of the Black Office. Little brother, this saber isn't bad. It looks like it has killed many people. Your skills are worthy of this saber."

Facing the constable's suspicion, Ye Jingtang replied calmly, "I am Ye Jingtang from Liang Province. My family ran an escort agency. The saber was left by my father. It is inevitable that we would encounter situations when traveling around."

While speaking, he took out the 'token' issued by his hometown's government office. On it was clearly written 'Native Place, Occupation, and Age', with the government office's seal.

Wang Chihu checked the token. After he confirmed that it didn't seem to be fake, his expression became much calmer. "I didn't expect a poor and remote place like Liang Province to have a good seedling like you. No wonder they always say that handsome birds are raised deep in the mountains…"

"Chirp~" The eyes of the bird standing on Ye Jingtang's shoulder lit up.

Only now did Wang Chihu notice that there was a bird squatting on Ye Jingtang's shoulder. He was slightly taken aback. "Oh! This bird is quite smart. It's common for people to bring eagles, dogs, and parrots around Jianghu. What is this?"

"A bird from outside the Great Wall. It's an eagle, hmm… a fat eagle."

"If you didn't tell me, I would have thought it was a fat chicken without a neck. It doesn't look like it can fly very high…"

"Chirp!"

Ye Jingtang held down the angry bird. While chatting, he and Wang Chihu walked to a teahouse on the street. "Sir, do you need something of me?"

"Brother Ye, you're an escort head. Are you here to recruit escorts or to make a living?"

"To make a living. Sir Wang, do you want to recruit me into the Black Office?"

Wang Chihu shook his head. "Constables are a lowly profession. You look like you're in the limelight, but once you take off this skin, everyone will hate you. You're young and skilled. Getting you to work in the Black Office is delaying your future. I called you over to show you the way to riches."

"Oh?" Seeing Wang Chihu's frankness, Ye Jingtang had a good impression of him. He smiled and said, "I'd like to hear the details."

Wang Chihu raised his hand and cupped his fists toward the Imperial City at the end of his field of vision. "Her Majesty intends to choose a husband for the Prince of Jing. I think you look quite upright…"

Ye Jingtang's smile froze.

He had some understanding of the Imperial Court. It was said that the empress of the current dynasty had a strong and harsh personality. Originally, she was only a regent. After she tried her best to salvage the situation, she simply abolished her brother and ascended the throne herself. Not only did she become the empress, but she even made an exception and conferred the title of prince of the blood on her sister.

The first thing that came to Ye Jingtang's mind at the mention of the empress's and female prince's man was 'gigolo'. He was very confident in this profession, but he was not interested in it at all. "Thank you for your guidance, Sir Wang. However, I already have a family, and I can't abandon my wife who went through thick and thin with me…"

"The Prince of Jing reveres martial arts. She will really like your looks and skills. How could she mind having another pair of chopsticks at home? You won't leave your wife, so the Prince of Jing might even appreciate you more."

Ye Jingtang knew that the empress, the female prince, and even the empress dowager might 'rape' him if he appeared in front of them.

But this was the first time he had heard the statement of a gigolo bringing his wife to meet his customer face to face.

"Sir Wang, from your tone, you must be acquainted with the Prince of Jing?"

A hint of pride flashed in Wang Chihu's eyes as he gestured to the Black Office in the distance. "The Prince of Jing is Her Majesty's chief assistant. The Black Office is not a part of the six departments and has been assigned to be the Prince of Jing's private guard. Even the Black Office's monthly salary is allocated from the Prince of Jing Estate, so I naturally know her.

"Let's not talk about the Prince of Jing's identity first. Let's talk about martial arts. The Prince of Jing's master is the imperial teacher, revered Daoist Xuanji. You seem to be a good seedling for martial arts. If you obtain the Prince of Jing's favor, and she helps introduce you, your path of martial arts can be said to reach the heavens in a single step. Are you sure you don't want to give it a try and fight for a smooth life?"

Ye Jingtang had long heard about Daoist Xuanji. She was the martial aunt of Void Jade Mountain and the junior sister of Lu Taiqing, one of the Two Sages. She ranked sixth in the world and was considered the strongest woman in the world.

Although Ye Jingtang yearned to meet the extraordinary people of Jianghu and wanted to enter the palace to dig up the Roaring Dragon Chart, he had not fallen to the extent of 'selling his looks' to achieve his goal. "I'm just a lowly wanderer. How can I be so lucky…"

"Hey, I think you have a good chance. That's why I'm telling you this. As long as you're lucky, you can save yourself sixty years of detours…"

…

Ye Jingtang and the constable were chatting in the tea shop, and this place happened to be visible from the top of Jasper Pavilion in the distance.

The Black Office had existed since the founding of the country and was one of the private guards of the emperor. After the empress ascended the throne, she assigned it to the Prince of Jing. Because the 'Green Bandits' had assassinated the prince many times, the location of the Black Office had been moved to outside the Prince of Jing Estate.

Jasper Pavilion was built in the back garden of the Prince of Jing Estate. The five-story building had already exceeded the height of the palace walls and was extremely overbearing. It was for this reason that the common people called this block Jasper Pavilion.

The sky gradually darkened, and Jasper Pavilion was brightly lit. In the study at the top, Dongfang Liren, dressed in a silver python robe, stood on the terrace with a jade crown on her head. There was a painting table in front of her. She held a golden brush and outlined the eyebrows of the beautiful man on the paper. "I asked Wang Chihu to ask about his family background. I did not expect this child to be so skilled… That strike just now is somewhat similar to the Eight-Steps Frenzied Blade's starting stance. Could this child be Zheng Feng's disciple?"

Behind Dongfang Liren was an old woman with white hair that reached the floor. Her figure was fleeting, like a shadow standing behind Dongfang Liren. "I have met Zheng Feng before. His attacks weren't so light. This child looks like he has a good foundation, but his 'tangible form and no power' should be just a coincidence.

"It is said that Zheng Feng's master, Kuang Yazi, stole the Roaring Dragon Chart in the palace back then. If this child knows the Eight-Steps Frenzied Blade, he must have something to do with this…"

The white-haired old woman asked, "Should we send someone to test this child?"

Dongfang Liren pondered for a moment and shook her head. "That is a rumor in Jianghu from before the founding of the country. There is no need to make a big fuss over it. Check his background first. If this child's background is clean, when I finish the portrait, I will send it to Her Majesty to take a look. He is so beautiful. Her Majesty might like him."

"Yes."

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