Mountain Patrol Military Officer

"Look, beside the carriage in the center, that person riding the horse seems to be a high-ranking official of the Sky Patrol Department." Someone seemed to recognize one of them, their voice filled with suspicion.

"That person is a Deputy Inspection Envoy from the Sky Patrol Department!" Someone whispered, recognizing him with eyes full of awe.

"Beside him, walking side by side, is a Lord Shaoqing from the Taichang Temple!" In the Divine Capital, where dragons lurk and tigers hide, wealth abounds, someone else recognized another important person beside him.

This surprised many people, who, piercing through the night, looked with suspicion at the black carriage between these two court dignitaries.

Being escorted by two senior officials from both the Sky Patrol Department and Taichang Temple, who could the person inside the carriage possibly be?

For a moment, the route was filled with people whispering and curious.

All along, in the gaze of everyone, hundreds of horses galloped through the streets, breaking through the night, heading straight to the center of the Divine Capital!

In the distance, a Dragon Court gathering the world's Dragon Energy and imposing in its presence, stood. It was the residence of the Emperor, the seat of Daqian's luck. In the night, it could only be described as magnificent.

Like the Ninefold Celestial Palace, the tall and majestic palace walls were built with glazed bricks, shimmering with starlight, with bronze totem columns of Ying Long erected every hundred zhang. Floating islands dotted the sky like a forest, with palaces appearing to rise above the sea of clouds, resembling the residence of Heavenly Court deities, a majestic world faintly visible under the night, exuding solemn divinity.

Galloping horses sped, thundering hooves rushing to the base of the palace wall, where voices called them to halt.

Below the palace wall stood Golden Armor Guards. These Armored Soldiers had different armor than those of the Heavenly Army, with dragon-patterned arm guards, each equipped with the Heavenly Gate Qi Mechanism, truly extraordinary, used to guard the Dragon Court gates.

These were the Imperial Guards!

"Who goes there?"

The Imperial Guards halted their path.

The Black-armored cavalry dispersed to the sides, revealing the carriage in the center, along with Xu Liang and Gou Yue on either side.

The two had traveled from Shu, enduring thirteen days and nights, finally accompanying the Ninth Mountain's Colonel back to the Divine Capital.

As for the latter part of the journey, they had encountered some assassination attempts, which delayed them a bit.

"Oh, it's Lord Xu and Lord Gou!" The leading Imperial Guard recognized their distinguished features, his expression easing and he respectfully cupped his hands.

Xu Liang sat atop a tall horse, his face solemn, explaining,

"His Majesty summoned the Ninth Mountain's Colonel from Jiannan Road to the capital! We are here accompanying the mandate."

Then he instructed,

"Hand over General Chen's memorandum!"

A Black Armor soldier at the forefront dismounted, quickly walking to the leading Imperial Guard, presenting a memorandum in his hand.

This memorandum, known as the "Greetings Memorandum," is used by officials upon their arrival in the capital after being summoned to inform the Emperor in the Dragon Court that they have arrived.

The leading Imperial Guard was astonished when the Junior Minister from the Taichang Temple explained the occupant of the carriage, his expression involuntarily changing, but he soon controlled his expression.

He took the memorandum and turned back to his subordinates, saying a few words.

Another Imperial Guard promptly ran deep into the palace walls.

Meanwhile, the lead Imperial Guard maintained a casual demeanor and politely said, "Please, esteemed lords, wait a moment. After the memorandum is delivered, someone will come to escort the general to Xuankong Temple for his stay."

This is the protocol for out-of-town officials arriving in the capital!

Xu Liang naturally understood and said nothing further, while inside the carriage, Chen Yuan remained silent and calm.

Soon, emerging swiftly from the shadowy corridor of the deep palace walls, came an eunuch dressed in eunuch's clothes.

Handling the affair were an elderly eunuch and a young eunuch, carrying lanterns!

"I am on duty today, on an assignment, and shall first escort General Chen to his lodging!"

The elderly eunuch spoke simply with his head lowered, not looking or speaking much.

The Black Armor cavalry automatically allowed two horses for the eunuchs to mount.

Next, following protocol, the elderly eunuch led the entourage, taking Chen Yuan and his party grandly to a mountain beside the palace walls, where there was the Xuankong Temple, part of the Royal Garden meant for the lodging of out-of-town officials.

Ordinarily, out-of-town officials couldn't stay at the Royal Garden; only officials of the rank of Sealing Border Official were usually accommodated here.

Technically, the rank of Colonel didn't qualify, but Chen Yuan was an exception.

The elderly eunuch led Chen Yuan to the Xuankong Temple on the mountain; only the carriage was allowed to ascend, while the accompanying hundreds of Iron Cavalry were instructed to set up camp below the mountain.

"General Chen!"

"We've arrived!"

"This is Xuankong Temple, where the general will lodge."

The carriage arrived at the entrance of the ancient temple, and the leading elderly eunuch sent the young eunuch to knock and notify the resident abbot inside.

Then he dismounted and, lowering his head, approached the carriage, his tone carrying a hint of respect, though upon careful listening, it was a bit unnatural.

At this time, the curtain was drawn open, and Chen Yuan finally revealed his figure.

He disembarked, looking at the ancient temple surrounded by tall banyan trees, its yellow walls and blue tiles imbued with a strong scent of incense, nodding approvingly.

"Thank you for your trouble!"

Just then, the copper lock gate of the thousand-year-old temple opened under the moonlight filtering through the trees.

A few monks emerged.

"Amitabha Buddha!"

"The esteemed guest arrives; this old monk fails to welcome you adequately."

The leading monk, wearing a patchwork robe, invoked a Buddhist chant, his voice resonating as he advanced to greet them.

Chen Yuan's gaze met the old monk's, noticing his drooping brows, shoulders, and ears. His eyes involuntarily emitted golden light that flickered momentarily before disappearing.

Chen Yuan's spirit slightly tightened, the Dharma Eye automatically activating, marking the first time he encountered such a situation.

The old monk's appearance faintly revealed the aspect of an Arhat, difficult to discern in depth.

He adeptly concealed the anomaly in his eyes.

"Master Abbot, this general is the Ninth Mountain's Colonel from Shu, summoned by His Majesty to lodge here." The elderly eunuch briefed the abbot on their origin and respectfully stepped aside.

Chen Yuan stepped forward, supporting himself with his hand, "I trouble you, Master Abbot!"

The old monk nodded, "No disturbance, the general is indeed a talented youth, remarkable."

The old monk made this comment, then gazed towards Xu Liang behind, performing a Buddhist ritual, "Lord Shaoqing is also present, apologies for the disrespect."

Evidently, he recognized him.

Xu Liang quickly responded in kind.

"Master Sanjie!"

Following the brief exchange, they were invited into the temple, while the elderly and young eunuchs completed their task and took leave.

After one pot of tea, in a compartment room, Chen Yuan was settled comfortably.

The Master Abbot appeared initially but subsequently delegated temple monks to arrange vegetarian meals and lodging.

With their task completed, Xu Shaoqing and Gou Yue prepared to depart.

"General Chen, now that you've arrived at the Divine Capital, I must return to report!"

Outside the compartment room door, Xu Liang bade farewell to Chen Yuan.

The journey had concluded, and the atmosphere among the three had significantly shifted.

There was an emerging sense of uncertainty.

Rather, their assembly was inherently temporary, lacking strong bonds.

Beside, Gou Yue assisted with his hand, opting not to speak.

Chen Yuan clearly sensed the subtle change, contemplating deeply,

"Regardless of circumstances, on this journey, I am thankful to both of you. Be it at Bailong Pond, Baoqing Prefecture, or later awakenings, I remember this favor."

"I only ask that before you leave, you inform me of certain individuals' residences!"

"After all, it's my first time here, unfamiliar with people and places, at court, I should meet some people to make acquaintance, necessary to prepare greeting cards ahead!"

Chen Yuan said this with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Xu Liang furrowed his brows, especially unconvinced.

"General Chen truly intends to visit these places?"

These places had shown their true colors amid the assassination attempts, and he found it hard to believe the Colonel intended to visit them.

He wished to advise the general, newly arrived in the Divine Capital, not to act impulsively.

"Indeed!"

Chen Yuan nodded, "The world doesn't operate solely through fighting and killing, does it?"