Chapter 1 The Beginning

It was early morning, and a thin mist hung in the air. The once bustling Xianghe Inn had been reduced to ruins.

A mighty group of Blood Rain Guards protected what seemed to be an ordinary carriage, setting off for the imperial capital.

Inside the carriage were only Master Fei, Fei Xinlan, and Fei Qing.

"Father, have some tea."

Fei Qing personally offered the tea.

Master Fei took the teacup, took a sip, and sighed, "After hearing all you've said, I now know how much danger you've been through these years. My vision is far inferior to yours, but I still want to remind you... the higher you climb, the lonelier it gets. Be cautious and prepare a way out for yourself."

"I've reached a point where there's no turning back. Only by moving forward fearlessly can I deter the wicked," Fei Qing said calmly. "Father, you don't need to worry. I stand on His Majesty's side. In this entire world... His Majesty is the supreme being."

Master Fei sighed inwardly.

If His Majesty were truly supreme, the previous emperor wouldn't have died young, and the current emperor wouldn't have ascended from prince to emperor.

"Father, I've followed His Majesty for many years. I was by his side when he was still a prince. Everything I have was bestowed by His Majesty. There is no turning back for me," Fei Qing said, looking at his father. "The reason I summoned you here in my letter is because of the current situation. I fear some opponents might resort to unscrupulous means to control you in secret. So, upon sensing a change in the situation, I immediately summoned you to the imperial capital. In the imperial capital... with His Majesty's protection and the deterrence of the Martial Academy Headmaster, even if I fall, you can still be safe, and the Fei family can continue."

"The Martial Academy's Headmaster Ming?" Master Fei asked, startled.

"Yes, I had to ask His Majesty to intervene to persuade Headmaster Ming to accept Xinlan as a disciple," Fei Qing said.

"Accept me as a disciple? Who is Headmaster Ming?" Fei Xinlan asked, puzzled.

Fei Qing said, "The number one expert in the imperial capital!"

"The number one expert in the imperial capital? How good is he?" Fei Xinlan asked curiously.

"Can you see them?"

Fei Qing looked out the window. "All these Blood Rain Guard experts around us, even Wang Jiuyan, the Southern Protector-General... even if all these experts worked together and charged forward fearlessly, Headmaster Ming, with just one sword, would slaughter them all."

Fei Xinlan was dumbfounded. "That strong?"

"The best in the imperial capital. Even if you look at the whole world, even if there are unfathomable experts hidden away, Headmaster Ming would probably rank among the top three," Fei Qing said. "At least I don't know anyone who is stronger than him. He has carried two swords on his back for so many years. But no one has ever forced him to draw the second sword!"

"To be able to become his disciple! Your older brother has paid a great price. You must cherish this opportunity," Fei Qing said, looking at his sister. This was also a great backer he had found for his family.

Fei Xinlan nodded.

"Oh, right," Fei Qing suddenly smiled. "Xinlan, you've grown up. After arriving in the imperial capital, you should also start thinking about settling down. If there's anyone you like, you must tell your older brother."

"I'm not in a hurry," Fei Xinlan said, blushing slightly. "Don't talk about that."

"I heard from Father that when you summoned bodyguards this time, you specifically chose three, and two of them are male?" Fei Qing teased, looking at his sister. It had been many years since he had seen her. That little girl had grown into a woman, but he could still see traces of her childhood in her features and eyes. Fei Qing wanted to make up for the years of neglect.

"Yes."

Fei Xinlan quickly said, "The journey to the imperial capital was too dangerous. Many people died. Senior Sister Qiu lost an arm, Brother Luo barely escaped with his life, and Brother Jing was very strong, but still barely escaped from the hands of a Dharma King of the Black Lotus Sect."

"Those bodyguards who died will be compensated, and I won't mistreat those who survived," Fei Qing nodded. With his power, he was used to the deaths of his subordinates.

"I heard from Old Lu that the bodyguard named 'Jing Ming' is also from Lanyue City? And is only thirty years old this year?" Fei Qing asked. Of the three that his sister had chosen, only Xu Jingming caught Fei Qing's attention. As for Qiu Tong and Luo Baichuan... they were still too weak.

Master Fei said, "Yes, this Guard Jing was very attentive along the way."

"He's a promising talent," Fei Qing nodded slightly.

"Brother, if you mistreat them, I'll be very angry," Fei Xinlan said, staring at her older brother. "They risked their lives to protect me and Father."

"Don't worry, little sister," Fei Qing said, smiling and ruffling his sister's hair.

...

After chatting with his family for a long time in the carriage, Fei Qing left the carriage and rode alongside Wang Jiuyan.

"Brother Jiuyan, please forgive my neglect," Fei Qing said.

"You haven't seen your family for many years, so naturally you have a lot to talk about," Wang Jiuyan said with a smile.

Fei Qing said, "To thank you, Brother Jiuyan, I'd like to recommend a talented individual to you."

Wang Jiuyan was stunned. "A talented individual?"

With his status and position, very few people were qualified to be called talented.

"A martial arts prodigy," Fei Qing said. "Three months ago, he was only a second-rate expert. In these three months, he has made rapid progress... Last night, he even escaped from the hands of the Black Lotus Sect's Night Dharma King."

"What?" Wang Jiuyan was shocked. "Escaped from the hands of the Night Dharma King?"

"You can investigate if you don't believe me. There were three first-rate experts working together at the time! The other two were instantly killed by the Night Dharma King, but this martial arts prodigy, with just a spear, managed to survive and was not even injured," Fei Qing said. "With his rate of growth, don't you think... he might become a newly promoted 'super-class expert'?"

"What's his name?" Wang Jiuyan immediately asked.

First-rate experts were nothing special in the imperial capital.

After all, many talented people from all over the world flocked to the imperial capital, and many Cosmic Professional Players also came to the imperial capital. There were indeed quite a few who reached the first-rate level.

But the 'super-class' realm was very rare.

"His name is Jing Ming, from Lanyue City," Fei Qing said.

Wang Jiuyan nodded. "I understand."

******

In the afternoon, the massive Blood Rain Guard team arrived at the imperial capital.

"This is the imperial capital?" Xu Jingming, Qiu Tong, and the others exclaimed in amazement as they looked at the magnificent and enormous city. The city walls were twenty zhang high! Looking up at them was like looking at a mountain! The city walls stretched to the end of their vision.

This was the imperial capital, the most massive city in the Blood Rain World! A place where countless gold and silver gathered, a place where experts gathered.

"The imperial capital, here I come," Xu Jingming said, his blood boiling.

His hope of earning 'ten thousand gold' was greater in the imperial capital! He was quite lucky to have successfully escorted the Fei family to the imperial capital and successfully latch onto Commander-in-Chief Fei.

If...

He, Xu Jingming, had died in battle as a bodyguard! Then this identity would be gone.

If the Fei family had been killed or kidnapped, not only would he not receive credit, but he would also be guilty!

So, for Xu Jingming to be able to safely escort the Fei family to the imperial capital, he had to sigh with relief and admit he had good luck.

"Make way, make way."

"Quickly, make way."

The guards at the south gate of the imperial capital immediately cleared the crowded gate to allow the massive Blood Rain Guard team to enter the city.

"My lord."

The gate guards all knelt on one knee when they saw Wang Jiuyan, showing the utmost respect.

Although Fei Qing's official rank was one level higher than Wang Jiuyan's! But Fei Qing was the Grand Commander of the Eastern Region of the Empire, an official from outside! And Wang Jiuyan was one of the four Protector-Generals of the imperial capital, the 'Southern Protector-General' directly in charge of countless people in the southern city. How could the gate guards dare to be negligent?

"I heard that the imperial capital is a mixed bag, with experts everywhere," Qiu Tong said, riding her horse and looking around, speaking to Xu Jingming beside her. "The Blood Rain Guards of the Four Protectorates of the imperial capital suppress all sides and maintain order in the imperial capital. They have great power. Because the power is too great, it's divided into four Protectorates. That Lord Wang... is the Protector-General of the Southern Protectorate of the imperial capital! He's definitely a big shot in the imperial capital."

Xu Jingming nodded.

Fei Qing was riding alongside Wang Jiuyan, showing that their positions were close.

"There are experts everywhere in the imperial capital. We are insignificant here," Xu Jingming said, his gaze sweeping around. He could feel the terrifying aura hidden in this massive city.

It was the aura formed by the gathering of the mental power of a large number of top experts! In this city, even first-rate experts had to be careful.

"It's the imperial capital after all!" Qiu Tong said, her eyes burning with passion. "The place with the most experts in the world! A person should come to this place of gathering winds and clouds in this lifetime to experience and see the world! Even if they die, it won't be a wasted life!"

Xu Jingming glanced at Qiu Tong.

That's right.

For the natives, the meaning of the imperial capital was even more special. Although most natives had heard legends about the 'imperial capital,' very few of them were able to come and see the imperial capital in their lifetime.

...

"Hmm?"

In a large mansion in the imperial capital, there was a pavilion on a rock garden, from which one could see far into the distance. At this moment, a beautiful woman in purple was sitting in the pavilion reading a book. Suddenly, she sensed something and looked up into the distance.

With cell-level control, her eyesight was excellent, and she could clearly see the Blood Rain Guard team on the street in the distance.

At a glance, her gaze locked onto Wang Jiuyan.

Sensing something, Wang Jiuyan turned his head and looked over.

Their eyes met across a distance of two miles.

"Lord Wang," the beautiful woman in purple said with a slight smile.

Wang Jiuyan looked at her calmly, ignored her, and continued riding forward.

Whoosh!

A figure appeared out of thin air in the pavilion. It was an old woman.

"Investigate what our Lord Wang and Grand Commander Fei went to do outside the city," the beautiful woman in purple ordered.

"Yes, mistress," the old woman replied and disappeared quietly.

The beautiful woman in purple looked at the book in her hand, frowning slightly, but with a thrilling charm. She whispered softly, "Wang Jiuyan, oh Wang Jiuyan, you are really a blockhead. If you married me, I would help you with all my strength, and you would have soared long ago. Why do you dislike me so much?"

With her discerning eyes, she had only taken a liking to Wang Jiuyan in all these years.

******

Prince Qi's Mansion.

"Wang Jiuyan led the Blood Rain Guard experts, with one man and three horses, traveling lightly at full speed. He finally arrived at the most critical moment and drove back the Black Lotus Sect's Night Dharma King. The Fei family survived," a subordinate reported respectfully.

Prince Qi sat there, smiling and feeding his beloved concubine wine.

"Yes, drink it all." Prince Qi looked at everything with a smile. Some of the wine spilled and flowed onto the concubine's chest.

Prince Qi lowered his head and licked it clean before looking up at his subordinate. "It's Wang Jiuyan again? This Wang Jiuyan has ruined so many good things for this Prince! This Prince sees him as a talented individual and has treated him kindly and tried to befriend him time and time again, but he doesn't give me face and even ruins my plans!"

"Your Highness, should we let him suffer a little?" the subordinate said, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.

"Tell me."

Prince Qi asked curiously, "How are you going to make Wang Jiuyan suffer? I'm very curious. When did you get such ability?"

The subordinate smiled awkwardly. "Of course, this humble one has no ability, but if Your Highness wants him to suffer, he will definitely suffer."

"I don't have that ability."

Prince Qi shook his head. "This Wang Jiuyan is different from Fei Qing! Wang Jiuyan is deeply rooted in the imperial capital. The most important thing is not that he has reached the super-class realm himself, but that... the forces he secretly controls are very strong. Whether it's the Flower Brothel Palace or the Blood Clothes Tower, some hidden forces in the imperial capital seem to be crazy, and they all stand with Wang Jiuyan. Of the four Protector-Generals of the imperial capital, he is the most difficult one to deal with."

"On the surface, he has the Blood Rain Guards of the Southern Protectorate under his command. In the dark, he also has various forces. Why won't this Wang Jiuyan give me face? How great would it be if we were friends?" Prince Qi had been coveting Wang Jiuyan for a long time.

The subordinate didn't dare to say anything.

"It's fine that the Fei family survived. Anyway, those who died were Fei Qing and the people from the Black Lotus Sect. I didn't lose anything," Prince Qi said with a smile, waving his hand and continuing to coax his beloved concubine. "Beautiful, let's continue drinking."

The subordinate immediately retreated obediently.

...

Fei Manor.

In the imperial capital, Fei Manor was considered a relatively ordinary official residence, but it was easy to accommodate more than a hundred guards and dozens of maids and servants. Xu Jingming, Qiu Tong, and Luo Baichuan were also temporarily staying at Fei Manor.

"Thank you, my lord," Qiu Tong said gratefully.

"You are Xinlan's senior sister, and Xinlan repeatedly asked me to take care of you. If you want to thank someone, thank Xinlan," Fei Qing said, nodding with a smile.

Qiu Tong nodded, clearly excited.

"Go ahead and prepare well. You will take office in three days," Fei Qing said.

"This subordinate takes his leave," Qiu Tong said, already referring to herself as a subordinate, and walked out of the pavilion.

Xu Jingming walked over from afar at this time. Qiu Tong winked at him, with a smile that couldn't be concealed, making Xu Jingming understand, "It seems like good news."

In the pavilion.

Fei Qing sat there, observing Xu Jingming as he approached.

"This person's strength is improving rapidly, but his past experiences are very vague. A village outside the city, capable of nurturing a second-rate expert?" Fei Qing thought to himself. "If I weren't sure that my sister summoned him to be a bodyguard, I would suspect... that he was planted by the enemy."

As a Cosmic Professional Player, Xu Jingming's world targeting would become stronger as his status increased.

Of course, his current status was still very ordinary; he was just a bodyguard.

"Jing Ming greets Lord Fei," Xu Jingming said, bowing.

"I already know about the contributions you made along the way," Fei Qing said, looking at Xu Jingming and nodding. "My sister repeatedly told me not to mistreat you. I'll give you two choices. One is to send you to be an imperial palace guard! The imperial palace guards are responsible for protecting His Majesty and the princes and princesses in the long term, and the future is great. If His Majesty takes a liking to you one day, you will soar. Of course, you can only start as an ordinary guard."

"The other option is to go to the Blood Rain Guard! I have a wide network in the Blood Rain Guard. You can serve as a captain as soon as you enter," Fei Qing said. "I promise you that as long as you make enough contributions, you can be promoted to the position of a centurion. This is the limit of what I can do."

"The Blood Rain Guard in the imperial capital is different from the ones in the regions. The requirements for recruitment are very strict! The position of centurion is already very rare, even higher in rank than the regional Blood Rain Guard Commander of a city. The position of a chiliarch... requires His Majesty's personal approval," Fei Qing said. "Choose one of these two paths."

As a Cosmic Professional Player, Xu Jingming had already collected information about the Blood Rain World and had a general understanding of the situation in the imperial capital.

His choice...

Was, of course, to earn 'ten thousand gold' more quickly.

"Thank you, my lord," Xu Jingming said respectfully. "I am willing to serve as a Blood Rain Guard captain."