Chapter 290 : Secret Mission
Chapter 290: Secret Mission
In the afternoon, Chen Ming rode into the palace in a luxurious carriage.
The carriage had been gifted by his fiancée, Xia Mudan, for his convenience. Their wedding date had already been set for six months later. This date had been specifically selected by her mother, Princess Yong’an, who had consulted the Imperial Astronomer. It had been reported to the Empress Dowager and received her approval.
After the date was fixed, Xia Mudan found it inconvenient to visit him again. She remained at home, peacefully awaiting her marriage.
These aristocratic families had quite a few broken rules.
Her mother, Princess Yong’an, was not someone who followed rules herself, yet she loved to control her daughter, insisting that her daughter abide by all the old customs.
Just as Chen Ming was thinking about this, the little eunuch Xiao An, who was driving the carriage, reminded him, “Your Highness, up ahead is the Phoenix Carriage of the Princess Royal. Shall we greet her?”
“Of course.”
Once the carriage came to a halt, Chen Ming pushed open the door. “Greetings, Princess Royal.”
“Greetings, Prince of Linjiang.”
The door of the Princess Royal’s carriage opened as well, and she returned the courtesy. “There’s no need for such formality, Prince of Linjiang. You may call me Zhaoyu from now on.”
“I dare not.”
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the two shut their carriage doors again, riding side by side.
One was the Princess Royal, the other the Prince of Linjiang—it was difficult to determine whose status was more exalted.
Amid the silence, the two occupants of the carriages communicated across several meters using divine sense.
“To think that after just one Trial, you have transformed and become the Prince of Linjiang. Your fortune is the most remarkable I have seen in my life.”
“It was mere luck. I wonder what commands the Princess Royal has for me, sending a message through Gu Yuyin requesting this meeting?”
“Now that you are the esteemed Prince of Linjiang, how could I dare to command? I simply wish to ask you for a small favor.”
“Please speak, Princess. If it is within my power, I shall not refuse.”
Indeed, he owed the Princess Royal a favor. Without her help, he wouldn’t have entered the third level of the Celestial Prison, wouldn’t have met Daoist Master Wang Chenzi, and certainly wouldn’t have been able to accumulate so much experience before the Night Banquet of the Ghost Festival.
“I want you to kill someone for me.”
The Princess Royal’s voice carried a hint of killing intent as it entered his ears.
He was a bit curious. With the Princess Royal’s power, there was actually someone she wanted dead but could not deal with herself—she had to ask him?
“Who is it?”
“A woman surnamed Yu. She just broke through to Second Grade. With your strength, killing her is as easy as flipping your hand.”
Surnamed Yu?
Chen Ming wondered—could it be such a coincidence? He probed, “Princess Royal, please don’t put me in danger. Who would dare kill someone from the Yu Family?”
That was a top-tier aristocratic clan with a legacy spanning thousands of years, a superpower that had survived through multiple dynasties. A true gatekeeping clan.
He had read quite a few records from the Six Doors Authority to understand just how formidable the Yu Family was!
“Rest assured. That woman was long ago expelled from the Yu Family. The Yu Family hates her and wishes for her early death. If you kill her, they might even thank you.”
From her description, Chen Ming immediately knew—it had to be Yu Haitang.
But what grudge did she have with Yu Haitang? Why did she want her dead?
He said, “Is that so?”
“Her story is long. You can investigate it yourself later. She’s currently in Jiangzhou, residing at the Chen Family in Qingfeng City…”
“Surely the Princess Royal jests. Jiangzhou is thousands of li from the capital. How could I possibly go kill her?”
“Soon, you will have the chance.”
The Princess Royal did not elaborate, leaving the matter hanging in mystery.
Chen Ming began to speculate—could it be that the Emperor intended to send him to Jiangzhou?
He asked again, “What kind of grudge does the Princess Royal have with this woman?”
“That’s not something you need to know. Prince of Linjiang, are you willing to help me with this favor?”
“Very well. If I truly go to Qingfeng City, I will take action.”
“With that promise, I am relieved.”
After she finished speaking, the Princess Royal’s carriage suddenly turned and took another route.
Chen Ming closed his eyes and began to ponder.
He had only agreed to act, not to kill.
His relationship with Yu Haitang—how could it be compared to the Princess Royal?
The reason he agreed was twofold. One, he had no good reason to refuse. Two, if he did refuse and the Princess Royal sent an even stronger assassin, that would be even worse.
Now, he could feign compliance while secretly disobeying, delay for a year or so. By the time the Princess Royal realized, it would be much harder to kill Yu Haitang.
Yu Haitang’s rate of advancement was also astonishing. They had nearly broken through to Third Grade at the same time. And now, so quickly, she had reached Second Grade.
Chen Ming relied on cheats, while she relied entirely on comprehension and talent.
...
Before long, Huaqing Courtyard was reached.
This was a very famous compound within the palace. After every imperial examination, the newly ranked scholars would be invited here to meet the Emperor.
It was the same for the martial exams.
In reality, the Night Banquet of the Ghost Festival was an examination for the aristocratic youths. Those who performed well naturally caught the Emperor’s eye.
This time, the top twenty were all invited.
Of course, all eyes were on Chen Ming. The others were merely his backdrop.
Not just in the Emperor’s eyes—but in status as well!
Now that he held the title of Prince of Linjiang, he was practically at the peak of nobility. The others didn’t even qualify to stand on equal footing with him.
At this Huaqing banquet, Chen Ming wasn’t seated with the other nineteen—he had a separate place of honor.
Wang Jinhu and the rest were both envious and jealous, but they also understood that the gap between them and the Prince of Linjiang was far too vast. So vast, they might never catch up in their lifetime.
The Emperor made a brief appearance, said a few encouraging words, and then departed. Before leaving, he called Chen Ming to walk with him.
Thus, Chen Ming accompanied the sovereign as they strolled through the garden.
The rest of the palace attendants followed from afar, not daring to approach.
When the Emperor reached a lakeside pavilion, he suddenly stopped and sighed. “Loyal subject, do you know? The Great Jin is now in a precarious state, like the setting sun hanging low.”
Startled, Chen Ming quickly replied, “Why does Your Majesty say this? Under Your Majesty’s rule—”
The Emperor waved his hand, signaling him not to continue. “No need to flatter me. I am well aware of the state of Great Jin. In recent years, the nations of the Northern Frontier have produced a National Preceptor, uniting them into a single alliance. They are sharpening their blades, preparing to invade southward.
“The Southern Chu has produced a Prime Minister who turned the tide singlehandedly. In just a century, he brought prosperity and greatly expanded their territory. If their Young Emperor hadn’t feared this minister’s rising power and dismissed him twenty years ago, the Southern Chu might have already launched their attack northward.
“Western Kang, after being defeated by Great Jin one hundred and fifty years ago and bowing to us, turned westward to conquer the desert and plunder the wealth and population of the western states. Their strength has grown greatly. They are just waiting for the right moment to stab us in the back.
“And now, the Cult of Eternal Life is rising from the ashes—the Blood Demon Sect, Undying Sect, Nine Nether Sect...
“Each time I think of these things, I feel a thorn in my back, terrified that this five-hundred-year-old empire might fall in my hands.”
As the Emperor spoke, he gripped Chen Ming’s hand tightly. “Loyal subject, I do not wish to be a ruler who loses the nation, nailed to the pillar of historical shame. Will you help me bear this burden?”
Seeing his heartfelt plea, Chen Ming immediately pledged, “So long as Your Majesty commands it, even if I must give my life, I shall see it done.”
“Good.”
The Emperor said with emotion, “With your words, I am reassured. The threats of the Northern Frontier, Southern Chu, and Western Kang are not yet imminent. The true menace to Great Jin lies in the Cult of Eternal Life. So long as there is no internal chaos, foreign powers cannot destroy us.
“From today onward, I task you with eliminating the Cult of Eternal Life, ridding me of this internal threat.”
At this, Chen Ming seriously doubted whether the Emperor was fully awake.
That was the Cult of Eternal Life! And he, a mere Second Grade, was being sent to wipe them all out? Wasn’t this an overestimation of him?
“I would die a thousand deaths without complaint. However, with my current strength, I fear I may jeopardize Your Majesty’s grand plans.”
He accepted the task, then tactfully implied that it was a bit beyond his current abilities.
The Emperor patted his shoulder. “I wouldn’t send you to your death. Eliminating the Cult of Eternal Life isn’t something done overnight. First, understand them. Know your enemy, and you will win every battle.
“There’s a covert investigation team within the Six Doors Authority. They’ve been investigating the Cult of Eternal Life for years. I now promote you to First Grade Governor. Secretly carry this token and make contact with them.
“Tell no one about this mission—not even your fiancée. You may announce publicly that you’re entering seclusion, then quietly leave the capital for Jiangzhou to investigate the Blood Demon Sect’s activities there. Return before the wedding to report to me.”
“Yes.”
After hearing the plan, Chen Ming finally relaxed.
It seemed this Emperor hadn’t gone completely mad. If he had truly ordered him to destroy the Blood Demon Sect directly, he might have considered fleeing.
Investigating was doable.
Besides, this was a good excuse to return to Jiangzhou.
“When you go meet Lord Hong of the Six Doors Authority the day after tomorrow, find a man named Shang Xiangrong in red robes. He oversees all covert agents in the Six Doors Authority. Show him the token, and he will know what to do.”
“Yes.”
Chen Ming’s heart trembled slightly.
This Emperor was well-informed—he even knew he was meeting Lord Hong in two days.
The Emperor continued, “That Xuantian Battle Armor is too conspicuous. It wouldn’t be suitable for this journey. I grant you two other items to aid you.”
With that, he beckoned to the waiting eunuchs outside.
Two old eunuchs hurried over, each carrying an item.
The Emperor took a brocade box from one of them and handed it to Chen Ming. “This item is called the Formless Treasure Garment. It allows you to change appearance at will. Even a First Grade expert cannot break its defense. It once belonged to a famous assassin of the previous dynasty.”
Then he took a long rectangular box from the other eunuch. “This is the Frost Chi Sword, the sect treasure of the Hanshan Sect. Not long ago, that sect colluded with the Blood Demon Sect and was exterminated by my men. The cultivation method you practice shares origins with theirs. You may assume the identity of a Hanshan heir. For more, consult Shang Xiangrong.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Chen Ming accepted the two treasures, his impression of the Emperor greatly improved.
This was how one truly empowered a subordinate—offering a peerless treasure and a divine weapon in one breath. With such a generous boss, who wouldn’t be motivated to work hard?