The guard scratched his head. "Young General, we've been patrolling and haven't seen her!"
Chu Chen stared at the guard and said in a deep voice, "This matter is unusual. Send people to investigate. Inform me immediately if you find any trace of her."
"Yes, sir!" The guard nodded.
"Also, arrange a group of guards to protect my father and elder brother. If anyone dares to trespass into the mansion, kill them without mercy!" A hint of chilling killing intent mixed in Chu Chen's voice.
"Yes!" The guard nodded.
Chu Chen sat in his study, looking at the battle report sent from the front by Zhang Zhiyuan, a trace of worry on his brow.
"General, rest assured, with Commander Zhang in charge, no one in Canglong City will dare to cause trouble. You should focus on how to protect the Emperor." The guard's voice sounded beside him.
Chu Chen sighed slightly and said, "I hope nothing goes wrong."
Half a month later, in the imperial palace.
In a pavilion in the imperial garden, an old man sat on a stone stool, drinking tea. A small table beside him held a cup of hot tea.
The old man savored it slowly, appearing quite content, as if enjoying the tranquility of the moment.
The old man was Prince Zhao Wuyang of the Southeast, who commanded the troops of the five southeastern prefectures and held great prestige in the southeastern region.
"His Majesty arrives!" At this moment, a sharp voice echoed from outside the hall, and then a middle-aged man in a purple-gold dragon robe walked in.
A gentle smile adorned his face. "Grandpa Zhao, you're here so early."
The middle-aged man in the purple-gold dragon robe was none other than the current Emperor, Long Kun.
"Heh heh, I'm accustomed to coming here for a pot of tea every morning and waiting for you."
Zhao Wuyang smiled and said, "Your Majesty, please don't mind. I'm old and prone to sleepiness."
"How could I?" Long Kun shook his head and said, "I've heard more than once that Grandpa Zhao is a rare diligent and studious person. Even I am ashamed!"
"Alas... the thing I hate most in my life is reading," Zhao Wuyang said with a helpless bitter smile, picking up the hot tea on the table and taking a sip.
"To be honest with Your Majesty, I haven't read for many years since my son died. So many years have passed in a blink of an eye, I've forgotten how to write."
"Grandpa Zhao is a meritorious minister of our dynasty. Without your efforts, our Great Qi would not be as prosperous as it is today."
Long Kun flattered him, "Grandpa Zhao's literary talent is outstanding. He is proficient in poetry, song, chess, calligraphy, and painting, truly a master of the literary world of Great Qi!"
"Your Majesty is too kind." Zhao Wuyang cupped his hands humbly.
"By the way, Grandpa Zhao, you said yesterday that you wanted to help me with something. What is it?"
Long Kun asked directly. Although he was the ruler of a nation, he showed no airs in front of Zhao Wuyang and was extremely respectful.
"Does Your Majesty remember your seventh uncle?" Zhao Wuyang suddenly asked.
"Of course, I remember," Long Kun nodded. "My father and my seventh uncle were very close. He is my elder. How could I forget him?"
"Since Your Majesty remembers seventh uncle, I will tell you then," Zhao Wuyang slowly exhaled.
"Three years ago, seventh uncle disappeared in Qingyun City without a trace."
"Qingyun City?" Long Kun paused slightly, as if recalling something.
A moment later, his eyes lit up, and he exclaimed, "You mean that small city in the northwest?"
"Does Your Majesty know seventh uncle's whereabouts?" Zhao Wuyang's eyes brightened.
"I remember that when seventh uncle left the imperial city, he seemed to say he was going to visit an old friend, taking only some banknotes and money with him. Shortly after he left, I buried him in the mountains in the northwest," Long Kun said after some thought.
Hearing this, Zhao Wuyang frowned and said, "The northwestern mountain range is vast and boundless, and there are many unknown fierce beasts lurking there. If seventh uncle really went to the northwestern mountains, I'm afraid..."
Long Kun's expression also became solemn. "This matter is of great importance. I must seal off all city gates as soon as possible. No one is allowed to enter or leave, and the situation within the city must be closely monitored."
Zhao Wuyang nodded slightly, then stood up and cupped his hands towards Long Kun, "In that case, I shall take my leave."
After seeing Zhao Wuyang off, Long Kun sent someone to summon Chu Chen to the palace to discuss the matter.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, has Old Minister Zhao visited?" Chu Chen asked eagerly as soon as he entered the imperial study.
"He has visited," Long Kun nodded and said, "The reason I summoned you to the palace is because of what Old Minister Zhao said."
"Oh?" Chu Chen blinked in confusion. "Please forgive my ignorance, Your Majesty, but I really don't understand what Old Minister Zhao said."
"Heh heh, it's actually simple. Old Minister Zhao said that you are a rare martial arts prodigy and that you should learn martial arts from him."
Long Kun said with a faint smile, pouring Chu Chen another cup of tea. "Come, try this. This is a fine tea I've treasured for many years."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Chu Chen took the teacup with both hands and drank it down, feeling a warmth spread through his body.
Long Kun smiled and said, "I plan to appoint you as the Commander of the Imperial Guards."
"What? Commander of the Imperial Guards?" Chu Chen was startled and quickly waved his hands. "Your Majesty, absolutely not. I am just an ordinary person, how can I be the Commander of the Imperial Guards?"
The Commander of the Imperial Guards was in charge of apprehending corrupt officials and was immensely powerful. Chu Chen did not wish to be embroiled in royal disputes, as it would surely bring trouble upon him.
"Heh heh, Minister Chu, you misunderstand. This is not asking you to be the Commander of the Imperial Guards, but to carry out missions on behalf of the Commander of the Imperial Guards. With your abilities, you are more than capable of this job."
Chu Chen was taken aback and then understood. "Then... do I need to make any preparations?"
"You will temporarily be in charge of the security of Xiling City, preventing any lurking villains. If any emergencies occur, you can provide assistance," Long Kun explained with a smile. "I also believe you have the ability to do so."
"Your Majesty flatters me too much. I am merely a crude martial artist, how could I have any ability?" Chu Chen said with great humility. "Your Majesty, the duty of the Imperial Guards is to apprehend corrupt officials and maintain peace and order. Although I understand martial arts, my skills are mediocre, barely enough to deal with two or three ordinary soldiers. I am completely unsuitable for the responsibilities of the Imperial Guards."
"I know all of this," Long Kun said with a smile and waved his hand. "I have already made my decision. This time, I will dispatch Imperial Guard secret agents to search the northwestern mountain range, while you will remain in Xiling City to assist the Imperial Guard secret agents. Everything will proceed according to plan."
Chu Chen was slightly stunned. He hadn't expected Long Kun to be so cautious, even dispatching a team of secret agents to search the northwestern mountain range.