Capital City was as bustling as ever. But beneath this bustle was a churning tumult.

Unlike the powers in Jianghu, the factions within Capital City were almost all formidable opponents. The mix of Jianghu People gathered here was a chaotic assortment of individuals.

If there was a City where people died every day, then Capital City was definitely number one.

At the Foot of the Imperial City, logically, this should be the safest place. For the Common People, it was indeed safe, but for Jianghu People, this place was filled with nothing but strife.

Some fierce individuals even dared to kill Imperial Court Officials. That's right! They killed Imperial Court Officials right in Capital City.

Though their end was to be captured by the Brocade Guard and made to answer for their crimes, there were quite a few such individuals in Capital City.

Over time, even the Brocade Guard had grown somewhat weary of it. For Jianghu People who committed crimes, as long as it wasn't the serious crime of murder, the guards would just go through the motions and then release them. But any Jianghu People who had taken a life were directly beheaded by the Brocade Guard. No matter who you were, in Capital City, you had to pay with your life if you took one!

「Northern Tribunal of Inquisition.」

Ever since the Ninth Prince and his entourage returned, the Ninth Prince had completely vanished from public view, spending his days inside the Imperial Palace, seeing no one. He even chose to avoid meeting the Officials who supported him. Even the Fifth Prince and the others who had been on the journey with him were clueless about the situation.

Grand General Qian Baichuan, instead of returning to the border, chose to stay in Capital City, spending his days drinking in his Grand General's Mansion.

On the other hand, the previously unremarkable Eighth Prince shone brilliantly after his return. First, he astounded everyone at the poetry gathering at the Ruyi Shipyard, and then he gained the support of the Li Family from Longxi.

As an official, one must have eyes and ears in all directions. The Eighth Prince's sudden prominence worried many.

That was until His Majesty suddenly decreed that all charges against the Seventh Prince, Luo Yushu, be dropped. Everyone in Capital City knew that change was in the air.

「City Gate.」

Xu Nian, who had been traveling non-stop for more than ten days, looked at the City he remembered, and his face inexplicably took on a shade of annoyance.

"Is this Capital City? The modeling looks good; I wonder what it's like on the inside."

"On the way here, I heard the Non-player Characters say that the Teaching Office's Young Ladies are the best. As the Top Archer in the National Server, I must go and explore!"

"Are you this excited, bro? Got hooked on writing experience reports?"

"Not at all, the once-great 'Jiu Yi' god enjoys this sort of thing!"

"..."

Dung Beetle and the other two were extremely excited. Especially the Top Archer in the National Server. It seemed he took this name not to be a good ADC, but to focus on the 'shooting' aspect.

Toxic!

Along the way, in every restful city or town, this guy would stay in a Brothel. Then he would grandly write about his experiences.

"Discussing the experience at Celestial Wall City's Zui Hong Tower—directly seek Miss Wang, the top courtesan."

"Evaluating the skills of the Older Sister from the White Flower Tower in Tushan Town."

"Prepare to be utterly drained! A skill you can experience in the game, especially recommended—the forty-year-old madam in Huaniu City!"

"..."

Xu Nian, using the Game Designer's account, had seen a fair amount of content on the forums. Aside from people clamoring for Third Test privileges, the current sticky post was a player power rankings list. Right behind it were the Top Archer in the National Server's experience reports.

This game doesn't charge money, but he truly played it to its fullest.

Beneath each of his reports, there were countless player responses, with some even offering money for him to Live Stream the game!

Disgusting! Despicable!

Some of the content in those experience reports were things that even Xu Nian had never encountered.

Was this guy really here to play the game?

Even Shen Rongyin had developed a very poor impression of the Top Archer in the National Server during their journey, constantly criticizing Xu Nian through him. After all, the quality of the Disciples reflects the education of the Sect Leader. When the Disciples haven't learned properly, it's the Sect Leader's poor teaching. In any case, Xu Nian ended up shouldering the blame in the end.

"Shen Rongyin, now that we've arrived at Capital City, isn't it time for you to leave?" Xu Nian's gaze swept towards Shen Rongyin.

Throughout the journey, she had found no opportunity to make a move. Xu Nian was very wary of her, leaving her no chance to strike. Now that they were in Capital City, it was even less likely for her to find a chance.

Hearing Xu Nian speak, Shen Rongyin could not afford to persist any longer. Otherwise, her intentions would be too obvious.

"Hmph!" Shen Rongyin was clearly not in a good mood.

Just as she was about to leave, a squad of Brocade Guards, wearing Feiyu Clothing and armed with Xiu Chun Sabers, approached swiftly from the City Gate. The leader was a man in red and golden Feiyu Clothing, moving with light steps.

"This humble Brocade Guard Commander, Sun Buwei, greets the Seventh Prince and Consort Shen. My apologies for the late reception, and I hope for your forgiveness!"

Brocade Guard Commander Sun Buwei! He was said to be one of the most formidable individuals in Capital City. Although his Power wasn't exceptional, he was highly regarded by His Majesty. He had devised methods of punishment that sent shivers down people's spines. In this part of the City, as long as the Imperial Palace was not involved, he was like a knife hanging above everyone's neck!

This man appeared honest and unspectacular, but his methods were ruthless. To have become the Commander of the Brocade Guard, and not by climbing up through martial strength, was enough to reveal the terrifying aspects of Sun Buwei.

Seeing this, Dung Beetle and the others hurriedly snapped photos and recorded videos.

"Holy shit, Brother Xu, your status as the Seventh Prince is pretty useful! Even the Brocade Guard knelt to welcome you."

"Imperial power is supreme, just gotta accept it."

"The Brocade Guard Commander is the big Boss of the Brocade Guard, right? Since we're with our Sect Leader in Capital City, does that mean we can walk around like we own the place?"

"..."

Hearing the trio's conversation, Xu Nian couldn't help but twitch the corners of his mouth.

Shen Rongyin sneered, "You'd better control your Disciples, don't smear the Seventh Prince's reputation!"

After speaking, she walked away with an air of arrogance.

Sun Buwei hurriedly had his men escort Shen Rongyin back to the palace, not daring to neglect her.

Once Shen Rongyin had left, Xu Nian asked, "How did you know I would return to the Capital?"

"Replying to the Seventh Prince, when you left Fengxiang Prefecture, Zhou Yuntong had already sent a message by carrier pigeon. Brocade Guard members have been secretly protecting the Seventh Prince and Consort Shen along the way, and reports have been sent back daily."

Sun Buwei stood to the side, managing a smile. However, his smile, though seemingly honest, always gave people an uncomfortable feeling.

But... they had been secretly protected by Brocade Guard members the entire way?

No wonder they hadn't encountered any robbers on the road; Xu Nian had thought those bandits had become afraid. It seemed those people had likely been secretly dealt with by the Brocade Guard.

"Who else knows I've come back?" Xu Nian furrowed his brow as he spoke.

"Everyone knows," Sun Buwei said with a smile. "With us coming to welcome you, there are certainly spies from the Major Clans watching. They probably already know you have returned to Capital City."

Tsk tsk... What a clever move. Having the Brocade Guard directly escort him meant he was being deliberately pushed into the spotlight.

Xu Nian narrowed his eyes and smiled, "Was this arranged by His Majesty?"

Sun Buwei nodded and explained, "His Majesty said to escort the Seventh Prince back to his residence to rest. It would not be too late to enter the Imperial Palace after he has rested well..."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.