C13 Changwu Escort Agency

Time had flown by, and Lu Chen had been meditating in a cross-legged position for a full day already!

Meanwhile, Ling Xiangxue had somehow acquired a fresh set of clothes and slipped into them. She positioned herself opposite Lu Chen and began her own process of recuperation.

After some time, Ling Xiangxue's eyes fluttered open, and she cast a complex glance at Lu Chen before standing up with a soft sigh, ready to depart.

"Squeak squeak!"

Just then, Lu Chen's chest garment quivered, and out sprang a black monkey with a streak of purple-golden fur on its forehead, lunging at Ling Xiangxue's sword.

This was none other than the Immortal Indicating Monkey, Xiaohei!

Xiaohei latched onto Ling Xiangxue's sword and gnawed at it, producing a "clang clang" noise against the blade.

Ling Xiangxue's brow creased slightly, and with a delicate flick of her wrist, she attempted to dislodge Xiaohei from her sword.

Finding the sword unexpectedly tough and unable to chew through it, Xiaohei grew frustrated, especially as Ling Xiangxue gave the sword a light shake.

"Squeak squeak squeak!"

Feeling indignant, Xiaohei brandished its claws at Ling Xiangxue in a show of bravado.

By now, Xiaohei had undergone two hibernations, and its Spirit Force Fluctuation had reached that of a sixth-grade Spirit Disciple.

"Xiaohei, stop that. She's our lifesaver!" Lu Chen's voice intervened. At the sound, Xiaohei glanced over, showed its teeth in a half-hearted snarl, but then ceased its antics and obediently slid down from the sword.

The dual hibernations had not only enhanced Xiaohei's Spirit Force but, as an ancient Spirit Beast, its intelligence had also significantly developed, allowing it to grasp the gist of Lu Chen's words.

Xiaohei remembered that Lu Chen had saved it and often treated it to delicious fare, which was far superior to the scraps it used to steal cautiously. It knew better than to cross Lu Chen now.

Ling Xiangxue, upon hearing Lu Chen, lifted her head and met his gaze with a fleeting look before turning away, remaining silent.

Caught by Ling Xiangxue's glance, Lu Chen felt a twinge of awkwardness, and a quiet stillness settled between them.

Lu Chen couldn't contain himself any longer, yet he was at a loss for words. As he opened his mouth, nonsensical words tumbled out.

"Miss Ling, your clothes are... not quite right..."

"..."

"Scoundrel!"

Ling Xiangxue, having been seated in meditation for an extended period, had naturally loosened her dress without noticing, preoccupied as she was with her tumultuous emotions. Now, with Lu Chen's prompt, even a girl as typically impassive as she couldn't help but blush.

With a faintly reddened face, Ling Xiangxue adjusted her attire, then hesitated briefly before saying,

"I... I should go now."

Never before had Lu Chen witnessed any expression from Ling Xiangxue apart from her usual icy demeanor. Seeing her current state left him utterly gobsmacked.

"Ah, um!"

The once majestic Spirit Emperor from his past life now seemed nothing more than a bashful youth experiencing his first crush.

But it wasn't entirely his fault. In his past life, Lu Chen had little interaction with women other than Yao Wushuang, and now, with the integration of his past and present souls, his actions were almost instinctive.

Noticing that Lu Chen was at a loss for words and sensing his awkwardness, Ling Xiangxue took a few steps, ready to depart.

"Wait!"

In that instant, Lu Chen called out, pulling a fruit from his pouch and tossing it to Ling Xiangxue.

"I promised to help you with the detoxification. This Water Flame Fruit is my way of thanking you for trusting me when you were in grave danger."

Lu Chen was well aware of the deal he had struck with Ling Xiangxue; he had agreed to aid her in detoxification as a means to draw out the Three Water Centipede Poison to assist in unlocking his second meridian. He knew exactly who stood to benefit and who stood to lose.

Catching the fruit effortlessly, Ling Xiangxue reverted to her detached tone.

"You agreed to help me with the detoxification, and it's only natural that I protect you in return."

Lu Chen offered a gentle smile, choosing not to respond.

Just then, a discordant voice interrupted the moment.

"I'd quite enjoy continuing to watch this tender scene between you two youngsters, but I'm afraid my comrades below might not be so accommodating!"

Lu Chen and Ling Xiangxue turned towards the source of the voice, and in the next moment, a sullen middle-aged man emerged from the underbrush.

The man towered over most, his frame so gaunt that his deep-set eyes betrayed no emotion. A massive sword hung on his back, a stark contrast to his slender silhouette.

"Perhaps you're unaware of my identity, but I'm quite aware that four of my men met their end at your hands, correct?" The middle-aged man's soft chuckle carried no trace of anger, despite Lu Chen having slain his subordinates.

"You're the leader of that group, Bodyguard Wang?" Lu Chen inquired, eyeing the middle-aged man.

"I am Wang Dong, of the Imperial City's Changwu Escort Agency. Are you aware of the repercussions for killing one of our own?" Wang Dong's gaze held a flicker of murderous intent as he continued.

"You two might be nobility from some minor family, but tell me, have you heard of the Liu Family in Haodong City?" He paused, seemingly allowing Lu Chen and his companion a moment to ponder.

"The Liu Family once dared to intercept our agency's convoy and made off with our horses. Yet, that very night, two masters of the Soul Controlling Stage from our agency arrived and erased the Liu Family from existence!"

Wang Dong's eyes narrowed menacingly as he unsheathed the colossal sword from his back.

"I'm sharing this to make it clear: to the Changwu Escort Agency, your small-town family is nothing more than an ant waiting to be squashed!"

"Is that your spiel over with? Or is that just your standard opening line?" Lu Chen said with a dismissive wave of his hand, pointing to the woods around them. "And while you're at it, call out your hidden lackeys. Interrupt my romantic endeavors, and today, you'll learn the true meaning of being crushed."

"You!" Wang Dong hadn't expected Lu Chen to detect his hidden men, but he no longer bothered to conceal them.

"Fine then, brothers, emerge and exact vengeance for our fallen!" With those words, Wang Dong hoisted his enormous sword and charged at Lu Chen. He was convinced that by taking down Lu Chen, who exuded the strongest Spirit Force Fluctuation, the young woman would pose no further challenge.

Moreover, this young lady was quite the looker, which meant he could also...

As the thought crossed his mind, Wang Dong's massive sword cleaved through the air towards Lu Chen.

Meanwhile, a cadre of bodyguards, mostly ranked at Grade Five and Six, emerged from the surrounding jungle, including two Grade Six Spirit Disciples.

Lu Chen chuckled and turned to Ling Xiangxue.

"Your strength isn't fully back yet. I'll leave these small fries to you while I take on the big fish!"

"Okay!"

Ling Xiangxue remained silent, offering a slight nod. With a graceful flick of her wrist, a blinding white light pierced forth.

Lu Chen, too, stepped forward to meet the oncoming giant sword.

"Gold Chanting Spell, second stance, Silk Gold Coating!"

Lu Chen transformed his hands into palms, which were instantly enveloped in golden silk, fearlessly facing the attack without any guard.

"You think you can block my giant sword with your bare hands, a mere Grade Seven against a Grade Eight Spirit Disciple? You truly have a death wish!"

Wang Dong watched in disbelief as Lu Chen dared to engage him hand-to-hand, and he scoffed in derision.

"Boom!"

The next moment, a thunderous crash echoed, and Wang Dong stared in astonishment. The youth before him had his palms pressed together, forcefully trapping Wang Dong's giant sword.

"Such a grand display, yet so little impact. You've truly let me down!"

Caught off guard, Wang Dong heard Lu Chen's icy voice ring out. It was a stark contrast to his earlier nonchalance, now as merciless and chilling as the Lord of the Underworld, sending a shiver of foreboding through Wang Dong.

"Now, it's my turn!"

Lu Chen declared, and the very next second, a golden fist hammered into Wang Dong's chest.