Inheriting a security escort agency, the game begins with escorting the eldest princess.

Chapter 12 Zhao Jingzhong at age 9

After the Battle of Yanyun Mountain ended, the journey back to the capital was smooth, and no more assassins appeared.

Chu Sheng, on the other hand, lived in the carriage and received exceptionally good treatment.

Li Anlan dared not disturb his cultivation. At first, she thought that Chu Sheng was seriously injured and needed time to heal, but after only three days, she discovered something was wrong.

Chu Sheng's aura grew increasingly powerful and masculine. Li Anlan could clearly sense that Chu Sheng's cultivation was getting stronger. He was already a peak ninth-grade martial artist. Was he about to break through?

In fact, Li Anlan's guess was correct; Chu Sheng's cultivation was about to break through.

He gained a lot from the battle with Qingxuan, and his understanding of the way of the sword was completely new. His cultivation level also improved naturally, and he was ready to break through to the Grandmaster level at any time.

He did not choose to break through, but forcibly suppressed his realm, preparing to find a deserted place to break through after arriving in the capital.

Chu Sheng restrained his aura, let out a long breath, and slowly opened his eyes. He saw Li Anlan staring at him. "Your Highness, how far are we from the capital?"

"We should arrive in the capital this afternoon."

"So fast?"

"You've been cultivating for three days now," Li Anlan said. "Master Chu, has your cultivation level broken through?"

Chu Sheng shook his head, "No!"

Li Anlan nodded. "Let's talk!"

"Your Highness, please speak!"

Li Anlan pondered for a moment, "Once you arrive in the capital, you don't need to enter the city. Someone will give you the silver, and you can leave directly."

"Why?" Chu Sheng asked, puzzled.

"You killed Qingxuan and the assassins from Yanyu Tower. They won't let this go. Since you don't plan to develop Zhenyuan Escort Agency in the capital, there's no need to put yourself in danger."

"The capital is their territory, you understand what I mean?"

Chu Sheng understood Li Anlan's meaning. These people dared to kill even the current princess, which showed how ruthless they were. He was just a Jianghu bodyguard, and they wouldn't even take him seriously.

In Li Anlan's view, his confrontation with the person behind Qingxuan was undoubtedly like throwing an egg against a rock.

"Your Highness, I must go to the capital."

Li Anlan paused, "The reason?"

"Three years ago, the Zhenyuan Escort Agency's shipment was robbed, and my master was severely injured. This incident is related to the person behind Qingxuan," Chu Sheng said calmly. "I must avenge my master."

"Make them pay the price."

"Besides, even if I don't go to the capital, will the Misty Rain Pavilion and the mastermind behind it let me go? They won't."

"Escorting His Highness to the capital, I have become a thorn in their side, and they all want to get rid of me as soon as possible."

Li Anlan said, "Since you know all this, why not leave? The world is vast, and there is bound to be a place for you to hide."

Chu Sheng shook his head, "No, there is no such word as 'dodging' in my dictionary. I will not retreat a single step in order to avenge my master, no matter how strong the enemy is."

"They wanted to kill me, and I wanted to kill them just as much."

At this point, he laughed and said, "I call this getting involved myself."

Li Anlan shook his head helplessly and said, "Master Chu, do you know who you're facing?"

"The person behind Qingxuan is Zhao Jingzhong, the Ninth Prince. He holds a high position in the court and wields immense power. His martial arts skills are unfathomable, and ordinary grandmasters cannot even withstand a single move from him."

"Among the top masters in the martial arts world for a century, none dared to challenge him."

"He commands countless assassins and masters; the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard are everywhere; all sects and factions in the martial arts world bow down to him; even my imperial brother shows him respect. What makes you think you can fight him?"

Chu Sheng laughed and said, "That sounds very powerful. No wonder he dared to kill you."

Li Anlan smiled bitterly and said, "He controls the imperial court internally and suppresses the martial arts world of Great Xia externally. Your strength alone is too weak. Take my advice and don't confront him head-on."

"With your martial arts talent, you will surely surpass him in time."

"It's not too late to take revenge then."

"A gentleman takes revenge even after three years, that's true, but I'm different. I take revenge on the spot, I never let it linger overnight." Chu Sheng realized that Zhao Jingzhong was a martial arts master of unparalleled skill, but he couldn't understand why such a person would attack his master.

His master was merely a bodyguard in the martial arts world; he shouldn't have any dealings with the all-powerful Ninth Prince.

"Your Highness, Zhao Jingzhong is so powerful, is there no one in Great Xia who can subdue him?"

Zhao Anlan said, "There is one person who can rival him, and it is precisely because of this person's existence that Zhao Jingzhong dares not take the final step."

"Who?" Chu Sheng asked curiously.

"The Prince of Kao Shan, Li Wuji," Li Anlan said. "My uncle has been guarding the eastern border, resisting the invasion of the powerful enemy from the Eastern Tang. Although he is not in the capital, his influence remains, and he can deter Zhao Jingzhong from overstepping his bounds."

"Forget it, the situation in Daxia is quite complicated, and I can't explain it to you in a short time. Anyway, this water is very deep, and if you can't handle it, you will be crushed to pieces once you get caught in it."

Having lived two lives, Chu Sheng had roughly guessed some of the situation of the Great Xia royal family. Zhao Jingzhong, the Prince of Kaoshan, and the Xia Emperor were a balance.

Despite being a high-ranking official, Zhao Jingzhong could not advance further, as he was a eunuch and could not ascend to the throne. If he were to murder the emperor, the most qualified person to sit in that position in the Great Xia Dynasty would be the Prince of Kaoshan.

At that time, Li Wuji would have a legitimate reason to eliminate Zhao Jingzhong.

The reason why Emperor Xia dared not touch Zhao Jingzhong was precisely to protect himself. If it weren't for the Nine Thousand Years Old restraining the Prince of Kao Shan, Li Wuji could have easily seized the throne if he had attacked him.

The relationship between the three is abnormal, yet also balanced.

It was precisely because the Xia Emperor dared not touch Zhao Jingzhong that he dared to act so recklessly and even wanted to kill the eldest princess.

However, none of this concerned him. He only wanted to avenge his master, then protect the goods and become a carefree镖人 (bodyguard/escort) in the martial arts world.

He had nothing to do with any power struggles or changes of the throne.

Li Anlan knew she couldn't change Chu Sheng's mind. "You already know who's behind this. Be careful after you enter the capital."

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

..........

Beijing.

Inside the magnificent and imposing Qian Sui Mansion.

A figure knelt trembling by the lake. Zhao Jingzhong threw down his fishing rod and said angrily, "Grandmaster Qingxuan has been killed, and that kid from Zhenyuan Escort Agency is only eighteen years old. How could he have such great strength?"

Cold sweat dripped from Xuanwu's forehead onto the wooden board. "Father, everything I said is true, absolutely true. In the battle of Yanyun Mountain, Lord Qingxuan died, and the ten assassins sent by Yanyu Tower also died at the hands of Chu Sheng."

Zhao Jingzhong's expression was sinister, and he said coldly, "You can't even handle such a small matter? Judging by the time, the Princess will be arriving in the capital this afternoon."

He strolled over to Xuanwu, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Tell Lord Xiao to stop Li Anlan from entering the capital at all costs, or else he'll bring his head to me."

"Qingming, Qingyuan, you two come along too."

"Won't such a commotion at the city gate displease His Majesty?"

"It's alright. Even if you don't make a move, the assassination attempt on Li Anlan's way back to the capital will still be blamed on us." Zhao Jingzhong looked at Qingming. "Chu Sheng of Zhenyuan Escort Agency has the strength to fight a Grandmaster. This kid has a secret. We need him alive."

"Yes, sir!"