Chapter Nineteen: Commanding Lu Xiaofeng, the Weight of the Golden Secret Guard Token

As a Prince of the Great Ming, Zhu Jinzhen naturally held a clear grasp of the intelligence concerning other princely estates.

There were only a few that could pose even a slight threat: the Southern Prince’s estate, the Southern Peace County Prince’s estate, the Prince of Ning, and finally, the Peace-Pacifying Prince’s estate.

"I am not satisfied with this answer," Zhu Jinzhen said. "It is too vague. And I cannot possibly go from one estate to the next, demanding accountability."

Zhu Jinzhen shook his head. "Lu Xiaofeng, I give you one month. Bring me a satisfactory answer. Accomplish this, and I will grant you rewards beyond your imagination. But if you fail..."

Lu Xiaofeng’s heart leaped into his throat.

Unexpectedly, the corners of Zhu Jinzhen’s lips curved into a light, playful arc. "Rest assured, I will not take your life. However, I will announce to the world that you, Lu Xiaofeng, so coveted power and status that you voluntarily joined the Eastern Depot and have become a eunuch. I believe Cao Zhengchun would be most delighted to welcome Hero Lu into his ranks."

Lu Xiaofeng: "..."

Even Ximen Chuixue’s icy face cracked into a rare, faint smile. Hua Manlou covered his mouth, chuckling. They were the ones who knew Lu Xiaofeng best; they knew that aside from his penchant for meddling and love of excitement, his greatest joys were fine wine and beautiful women. If the Prince of Su truly made such an announcement to the world, Lu Xiaofeng would be finished in the martial arts world. As for the beauties, he could forget about them entirely.

"It seems I really have no choice but to risk my life this time," Lu Xiaofeng sighed helplessly. He had known this would be a thankless task, but he hadn’t expected it to be so difficult on both ends.

"It is not quite as dire as all that," Zhu Jinzhen said, dropping the teasing tone. His expression turned serious. "I know this matter is of great importance. For your safety, Sikong Zhaixing will cooperate with you fully, and two squads of the Secret Guards will be temporarily placed under your command to assist you."

"Secret Guards?" Lu Xiaofeng’s eyes brightened with joy.

"Come in," Zhu Jinzhen commanded. Twenty-odd figures filed into the room in quick succession.

"The Secret Guards are a mysterious force under my command. They are few in number, only about a hundred, organized into squads of twelve, corresponding to the Twelve Earthly Branches," Zhu Jinzhen said, gesturing to the masked, black-clad figures. "Do not underestimate them. Though there are only twelve in a squad, every one of them is at least a master of the Diamond Realm, and each possesses a unique specialty."

Twelve Earthly Branches? Two squads? Lu Xiaofeng was completely moved, observing these men with astonishment.

Zhu Jinzhen tossed out two tokens. "These are the Golden Tokens of the Secret Guards. They recognize only the tokens, not the person. Without these, no one but me can command them."

"Hiss!" Sikong Zhaixing suddenly gasped, blurting out, "The Golden Tokens of the Secret Guards?"

"Aren't you a member of the Secret Guards yourself? Why make such a fuss?" Lu Xiaofeng asked curiously, sensing there was more to the story, though he still feigned a look of disdain for Sikong’s apparent ignorance.

Sikong Zhaixing gritted his teeth. "What do you know?"

Yet, Lu Xiaofeng waited and waited, but no further explanation came from Sikong.

"Your Highness," Sikong Zhaixing said, ignoring Lu Xiaofeng’s inquisitive gaze and bowing to Zhu Jinzhen.

"It is fine. Since the Golden Tokens have been produced, he must know."

"Yes. Then, this subordinate shall overstep." After bowing, the moment Sikong Zhaixing turned around, his posture straightened, his face filled with a sense of reverence that left Lu Xiaofeng dumbfounded.

"The Golden Token of the Secret Guards is the highest authority within the organization. Beyond the twelve Earthly Branches assigned to you, in times of extreme crisis, it can also mobilize one of the Heavenly Stems."

"Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches? Could it be..." Lu Xiaofeng’s heart trembled, his expression turning incredulous as he realized the implication.

"That is correct. Within the Secret Guards, the Heavenly Stems have another title: the Heavenly Phenomena." Sikong Zhaixing nodded solemnly, lowering his voice, filled with envy. "Do you understand now what the two Golden Tokens the Prince has bestowed upon you really mean?"

Heavenly Phenomenon Grandmasters.

While here at the Jiayu Pass and within the Prince of Su’s estate, such figures might not seem like much, in the Great Ming—and across the entire world—a Heavenly Phenomenon Grandmaster was a peerless figure capable of commanding the tides of the world. They were forces beyond human rivalry, standing at the very pinnacle of martial arts, second only to the Earthly Immortals.

The total number of Heavenly Phenomenon Grandmasters in both the Great Ming martial arts world and the imperial court, by a conservative estimate, barely exceeded the fingers on two hands.

And yet, the Golden Tokens in Lu Xiaofeng’s hand could mobilize the ten Heavenly Stems in a crisis.

"If what Sikong Zhaixing says is true, does that not mean Lu Xiaofeng holds the power equivalent to the very peak of the entire Great Ming martial world?" Hua Manlou shivered, startled by the thought.

But upon reflection, it seemed to be the case. The ten Heavenly Stems represented ten Heavenly Phenomenon Grandmasters. The two squads of the Earthly Branches, while varied in skill, were all at least of the Diamond Realm, and one could assume that half of those twenty-four individuals were likely Profound-Pointing Masters.

Ten Heavenly Phenomenon Grandmasters and twelve Profound-Pointing Masters? As Lu Xiaofeng imagined the scene, his heart surged with excitement, but for the first time, he also felt the searing weight of a hot potato. He looked at Zhu Jinzhen, troubled. "Your Highness, this..."

"If you do not want them, I can take them back," Zhu Jinzhen said, seeing through Lu Xiaofeng’s inner conflict. He smiled. "However, this matter involves me and the safety of the Great Ming, and the mastermind behind it wields vast power. With your mere entry-level Profound-Pointing Realm, I would rather not hear one day that you have been tossed aside somewhere."

"Then, this commoner thanks Your Highness for your immense kindness."

Lu Xiaofeng’s hesitation vanished instantly. He hurriedly retracted his hand and tucked the two tokens firmly into his robes. He still valued his life, after all.

"That is better." Zhu Jinzhen smiled and lifted his teacup, taking a sip, the fragrance lingering on his lips.

"This commoner takes his leave." Lu Xiaofeng bowed deeply. Ximen Chuixue and Hua Manlou followed suit.

"Hm." Zhu Jinzhen nodded calmly.

Just as they were about to step out of the Tiance Mansion’s main hall, Zhu Jinzhen’s voice drifted after them.

"As the winds and rains converge, all the monsters and demons have begun to crawl out. Everyone believes themselves to be a player making their move on the board, unaware that from the very beginning, they were fated to be nothing more than discarded pawns that no one cares about. Wouldn't you agree, Lu Xiaofeng?"

Lu Xiaofeng paused, looking back at Zhu Jinzhen, who was sipping his tea with a faint smile. He did not understand the meaning, but after a moment of thought, he replied, "Your Highness is correct."

Zhu Jinzhen laughed aloud. "Hahaha, Lu Xiaofeng, you truly are a fascinating man. Go safely, I shall not see you out."

...

When the soldiers of the Tiance Mansion returned to report, Lu Xiaofeng and the others had already departed.

Zhu Jinzhen smiled and tilted his head toward Zhu Jianqiu. "Did you record the names and forces that Lu Xiaofeng mentioned?"

"Reporting to Your Highness, they have all been recorded."

"Good. In the future, any dark or unsavory business that arises, pin it all on them."

"Yes."

"Also, this Lu Xiaofeng is a man who enjoys meddling and attracts trouble, but if used correctly, this clever man can be of significant utility. We may consider absorbing him into the Secret Guards at a later time."

"Yes."