The woman said, "During this time, General Zhao Yuan has been searching everywhere for those bandits, hoping to apprehend them. This time, our Marquis Wu'an's estate is also involved."
"Oh? I wonder who your estate plans to send?"
"Besides you and me, and a few commanders, there are also three hundred elite iron cavalry, all of whom are guards from the Marquis Wu'an's estate."
The woman continued, "This contingent will be under my direct command, assisting General Zhao. If you wish to see someone from the Lin family, you can accompany me to the Marquis Wu'an's estate. Perhaps you will happen to meet them."
Chu Chen was secretly delighted upon hearing this, but feigned helplessness, "I do wish to see them, but the Marquis Wu'an's estate is heavily guarded. I'm afraid I won't even be able to get in."
"Don't worry. My father has a deep relationship with General Zhao Yuan. I'll have my father arrange it for you," the woman said, parting her red lips.
After a moment, the woman ended the communication spirit stone call and said to Chu Chen, "My father will be here shortly."
Chu Chen nodded, then stood up and cupped his fists, "That would be excellent. I shall take my leave then."
"Farewell, and don't see me out," the woman waved her hand.
Not long after, peace returned to the room. The woman lowered her eyes and murmured, "Father, have you truly decided to help him?"
In a luxurious restaurant in Wu'an City, an old man in a green robe was sipping tea.
Suddenly, a ripple appeared on the table.
"Hmm?" The old man in the green robe frowned slightly, then took out a communication spirit stone and probed it with his divine sense, "Yun'er?"
"Father, your daughter has something she wishes to discuss with you. Could you do your daughter a favor?" Yun'er's voice sounded anxious.
She had concealed the matter concerning General Zhao Yuan, but this matter had to be reported quickly, otherwise, once discovered, it would inevitably implicate her.
"Speak," the old man in the green robe said calmly.
"I want to ask Father to lead troops to clear out the fierce bandits that General Chu is trying to capture!" Yun'er said through gritted teeth.
The old man in the green robe shook his head, "Yun'er, Chu Chen's influence is immense. Even if I were to intervene, I might not be able to suppress him."
"I don't care. You must handle this matter properly. If you don't help, don't blame your daughter for turning hostile!" Yun'er's tone suddenly turned cold, her attitude resolute.
The old man in the green robe was stunned for a moment, then sighed, "Alright, I promise you."
"Thank you, Father!"
Yun'er's voice was full of gratitude, and she then said, "Father, please don't forget what my mission is..."
The old man in the green robe's pupils contracted slightly upon hearing this, as if recalling something. He said solemnly, "Yun'er, rest assured, I have never forgotten."
"Mmm!" Yun'er nodded.
Chu Chen was unaware of what was happening in Wu'an City. He had already left the city.
Meanwhile, outside Wu'an City, over three hundred imperial guards were stationed in an orderly fashion in the wilderness.
The man at the forefront wore silver armor and a long sword at his waist, clearly a general-level officer.
"Deputy General Yang, those fierce bandits are cunning and cruel, skilled in using poison. We should be careful and not be careless!" someone reminded him.
"Hmph, we have weapons and armor. What are mere poisons to us? Once I capture the bandit leader, I'll interrogate him thoroughly!"
Deputy General Yang let out a cold snort, then leaped from the carriage and charged into the forest first.
Seeing this, the people around them followed suit, each holding their weapons and treading with practiced steps, surging into the dense forest like a torrent.
The soldiers searched for a while but found no trace of Chu Chen.
"There are indeed signs of a struggle here, but not a drop of blood on the ground. Could that scoundrel have fled far away?" Deputy General Yang frowned.
At this moment, an imperial guard soldier flew out from the forest and reported, "Deputy General, I've found a stream."
Deputy General Yang immediately waved his hand, "Full speed ahead! Follow the stream all the way. Even if we have to dig three feet deep, I want him found!"
Hundreds of soldiers quickly dispersed and galloped along the stream, moving at a rapid pace, disappearing into the jungle in an instant.
Chu Chen had not gone far. He stood on a treetop, surveying the scene below. He noticed that these soldiers were pursuing along the stream.
"They've indeed come!" Chu Chen grinned.
After leaving Wu'an City, Chu Chen had been keeping an eye on any movement behind him. He had guessed that the Marquis Wu'an's estate would definitely send people to pursue him.
Therefore, he had deliberately taken detours, not wanting to be caught.
However, Chu Chen was puzzled that after taking a large detour, he still couldn't shake off these pursuers, and they were getting closer.
"Could these people have been tracking me for so long?" Chu Chen's heart pounded. He hadn't detected their presence at all. This could only mean two things.
The first possibility was that these people were too powerful, their strength completely beyond Chu Chen's comprehension. The second was that these people had been hidden in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to strike.
"It seems this world is more dangerous than I imagined!" Chu Chen took a deep breath, not daring to delay any further.
His figure flashed, turning into an afterimage, and he quickly moved towards the outskirts of the city, disappearing into the vast night.
In the eastern suburbs of Wu'an City, Chu Chen hid, silently observing, waiting for the pursuers to approach.
The sound of breaking wind echoed through the sky. Chu Chen looked up and saw a dark figure flying through the air at great speed. In the blink of an eye, it arrived beside the giant tree where Chu Chen was hiding.
The masked man in black descended, looked around, and his cold voice slowly sounded, "You have quite the nerve, daring to lurk here alone."
Chu Chen narrowed his eyes, staring at the masked man in black. His gaze fell on the long spear strapped to his back, which was a gleaming treasure saber.
"Who exactly are you?" Chu Chen asked warily.
"Dead people don't need to know so much," the masked man in black snorted, flicking his finger through the air.
Chu Chen cursed inwardly at the man's words, then drew his long saber and unleashed a dazzling, brilliant saber energy.
A fierce explosion erupted, and a strong gust of wind swept in all directions. Both Chu Chen and the opponent retreated a few steps.
"Your martial arts are not weak," the masked man in black looked at Chu Chen with a hint of surprise.
Chu Chen narrowed his eyes. In that brief clash, he clearly felt that the opponent's internal energy was extremely profound, even surpassing his own by a considerable margin.
"It seems you are no ordinary bandit. Could you be a young master from some family?" Chu Chen pondered.
"You guessed wrong. I am the one who will kill you!" the masked man in black roared, his figure like a ghost, closing in on Chu Chen in an instant.
He raised his hand and punched out, his fist energy domineering and unparalleled, its power immense.
"Bang!" Chu Chen raised his hand to block, and immediately felt a crushing force like an overwhelming tide bearing down on him. He retreated dozens of meters consecutively, his chest feeling heavy, and his internal blood and qi churning.