If you were to ask which imperial agency the people of the Jianghu feared most...
...the Jinyi Guard would undoubtedly be number one.
As the Emperor's right hand, the Jinyi Guard possessed the authority to monitor the entire realm and even operate their own Imperial Prison.
Legend had it that those who entered the Jinyi Guard's prisons would beg for a quick death.
Because living was a hundred times more torturous than dying.
Any Sect or Noble Family targeted by the Jinyi Guard rarely escaped the fate of complete annihilation.
The Jinyi Guard had once been a taboo topic in the Jianghu; the mere mention of their name would make people's faces pale.
Although in recent years, with the decline of the Great Xuan Dynasty, the Jinyi Guard's fearsome reputation had diminished significantly.
However, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse.
When the Jinyi Guard mobilized, a storm of blood was sure to follow.
At that moment, to the sound of neighing horses and thundering hooves, a troop of men on horseback arrived at Shuangqi Inn.
The troop consisted of a dozen or so men. They wore Flying Fish Suits, had Brocade Spring Sabers at their waists, and carried crossbows. Each one of them radiated a potent aura; the weakest among them was a Martial Artist of the Innate Realm.
The man in the lead had an effeminate appearance, but his aura was as profound as a deep abyss. He projected an unshakeable, mountain-like presence.
His Cultivation had reached the Grandmaster Realm at the very least!
"Surround it."
The leading Jinyi Guard officer waved his hand.
SWISH SWISH SWISH!
In an instant, the Jinyi Guard behind him flickered into motion. Moving with extreme speed, they surrounded Shuangqi Inn completely, leaving no escape route.
Their crossbows were aimed at the inn, Crossbow Arrows ready to fly at a moment's notice!
「Inside the inn.」
The proprietress looked at Wang Xiao with a faint, unreadable smile on her face:
"Heh, young man. Risking your life for a bowl of beef noodles… do you think it's worth it?"
She brushed a stray strand of hair from her forehead, her expression unhurried and calm.
Wang Xiao said nonchalantly, "I'm just wondering if I'll even get to eat this bowl of beef noodles today."
Zhang Yuanzhu said from the side, "Young Hero, rest assured. We have already laid an inescapable trap, just waiting for these lapdogs of the Court to walk into it."
After a pause, he glanced at the Daoist beside him and added, "Besides, my master is very strong. These Jinyi Guard are no match for him."
The Daoist flicked his Duster. "Our target today isn't one or two of the small fry outside. This old Daoist will not make a move until Chen Tiangang appears."
"You two are my eldest disciple and my final disciple. If you can't even handle these small-time thugs outside, then you'd deserve it if you died."
As he spoke, he turned to Wang Xiao:
"As for this young friend, since you've chosen to stay and watch the show, I presume you've already put aside all thoughts of life and Death."
Wang Xiao's lips tightened.
"Your target is the Commander of the Jinyi Guard?"
If Wu Shengtiang was the number one expert of the Great Xuan Court...
...then the undisputed second strongest was the Commander of the Jinyi Guard, Chen Tiangang.
Rumor had it that this man had broken through to the Grandmaster Realm twenty-five years ago!
He was publicly acknowledged by the Jianghu as the Grandmaster most likely to break through and become a Martial Saint!
If he were to become a Martial Saint, the Great Xuan Dynasty would have two of them.
At that point, the balance of power in the entire world would surely shift.
It was even possible that the Great Xuan Dynasty could use the opportunity to regain its vitality.
The Daoist chuckled. "This old Daoist may not be able to beat Wu Shengtiang, but that doesn't mean I can't take on Chen Tiangang, does it? Fifteen years ago, this old Daoist fought Chen Tiangang to a draw. Now, who knows who will win or lose."
Wang Xiao looked at the plain-looking Daoist. "I wouldn't have guessed. To think you're actually a Grandmaster."
The Daoist replied, "What, regretting that you didn't ask to become this old Daoist's disciple?"
Wang Xiao said, "I have traveled the world and seen many masters, but I have never seen a duel between Grandmasters. Today will certainly be an eye-opener. This show is as spectacular as I'd hoped."
In his years of travel, he had journeyed far and wide, witnessing the Martial Arts of various Sects.
Relying on his Talent, Analyze All Things, he had managed to master all kinds of Martial Arts.
However, he had never truly witnessed a battle between Grandmasters.
After all, while Grandmasters weren't as rare as Martial Saints, seeing one in person was still an uncommon occurrence.
Witnessing a life-and-Death duel between Grandmasters today would surely be beneficial to his own breakthrough to the Martial Saint realm.
The Daoist was about to speak again when a powerful, resonant voice boomed from outside:
"Zhang Yuanzhu, come out! I know you're in there. Hand over that item, and I can give you a quick Death. Otherwise, once you're in my Jinyi Guard's Imperial Prison, dying won't be so easy."
Hearing this, Zhang Yuanzhu looked at the proprietress next to him.
"Senior Sister, we've been setting the stage for so long. Isn't it time for the show to begin?"
Upon hearing his words, the proprietress actually unfastened her robes and pulled out the belt from underneath.
On closer inspection, it wasn't a belt at all, but clearly a Soft Sword.
"Heh heh, I've run this inn in the Border Region for years, and these lapdogs of the Court still dare to surround my place? Do they really think I'm a pushover?"
Yan Hongqing's Inner Strength surged. She let out a sharp whistle that carried for several miles.
The next moment, from the stables, the cattle pens, and even from beneath the yellow sands outside the inn, people of all shapes and sizes suddenly leaped out.
Every single one of them was an expert of the Innate Realm, and they charged ferociously toward the Jinyi Guard ambushing the inn!
The great battle was about to erupt!
CLANG CLANG CLANG CLANG CLANG!
The clang of metal and furious roars rang out from outside the inn.
Yan Hongqing said, "The leader of the Jinyi Guard, Households Commander Liao Guangyun, is a Grandmaster Realm Martial Artist. I will deal with him. Junior Brother, you take care of the other Innate Realm Martial Artists."
"Alright," Zhang Yuanzhu nodded.
With a flash, the two of them charged out of the inn.
Watching the backs of Yan Hongqing and Zhang Yuanzhu, Wang Xiao spoke:
"Daoist Master, you certainly have a knack for teaching disciples. In just six years, you've turned a beggar who knew nothing into an Innate Realm Martial Artist."
One must understand that his own master, Zhang Tianyang, had cultivated bitterly for twenty years before he finally stepped into the Innate Realm.
Without his help, Zhang Tianyang would likely never have had the chance to become a Grandmaster in his lifetime.
The fact that this Daoist could produce one Grandmaster and one Innate Realm expert was a testament to his extraordinary abilities.
The Daoist said:
"This old Daoist sees that our young friend is not old, yet your aura is remarkable. You must be a Grandmaster Realm Martial Artist at the very least. This old Daoist is rather curious, which Sect does our young friend hail from?"
Wang Xiao replied calmly:
"Before I left my mountain, I made a promise not to reveal my lineage."
The Daoist sighed.
"A pity. This old Daoist must wait for Chen Tiangang to show himself. Otherwise, I would have truly liked to test your skills today, young friend."
Wang Xiao said:
"How are you so certain that this Chen Tiangang will definitely come?"
The Daoist said:
"This old Daoist holds a Treasure Map left by the world's richest man, Shen Tianshan. Do you think the Court wants it or not? Right now, Wu Shengtiang is busy fending off the various Rebel Armies and can't be in two places at once. To ensure they get this Treasure Map, who do you think the Court would send?"
Hearing this, a look of realization dawned in Wang Xiao's eyes.
'Whether the Treasure Map was real or fake, as long as there was even a sliver of hope, the Court would absolutely not let it go.'
'After all, with rebellions flaring up everywhere, the one thing the Court lacked most was provisions and military supplies.'
'If they could find the treasure from the Treasure Map, the Court would undoubtedly be able to greatly alleviate its current tense situation.'
Wang Xiao was about to say something more, but his eyes suddenly flashed as he looked outside the inn.
The Daoist's aura also grew heavy as he said faintly:
"It's time for this old Daoist to go and meet an old friend I haven't seen in fifteen years!"
He walked past Wang Xiao and strode out of the inn.