The Fairy: From the Traveling Merchant

Chapter 889 Surrender
"I had long heard of the 'Blood Sword Gentleman' back in Ganzhou, but unfortunately I never had the chance to meet him. Only today have I finally seen your esteemed presence. You truly are a man of extraordinary appearance." With his refined and otherworldly demeanor and excellent appearance, Chu Yuan immediately showered him with flattery.

In fact, this was their first "meeting". Although they were familiar with each other before, Chu Yuan did not know that the "Xuan Tan Dao Ren" who was good at deciphering texts was Zhao Chen.

During the interrogation in the "Mysterious Maiden Palace" prison not long ago, Zhao Chen did not let him see his true face.

"Mr. Chu, you flatter me..." Zhao Chen said modestly, then smiled and said, "Your righteous act of first reporting 'Jade Toad Immortal' and exposing his evil deeds is also admirable."

These words made Chu Yuan and the three young officers smile bitterly. They didn't want the empty title of "first to accuse" at all, but given the circumstances, what other choice did they have?

However, since Zhao Chen had brought the topic here, it meant that the other party had already guessed their purpose, so Chu Yuan stopped beating around the bush and went straight to the point:
"We have come here not only to thank you for helping us find our relatives and avenge our family, but also to serve under your command."

"I hope you will take me in, young master!"

Officers Wei Baishu, Fang Baichuan, and Chu Baihua also bowed again, saying in unison, "We are the same, hoping that you will take us in, young master."

The three of them actually had fewer options than Chu Yuan, since their units had already dismissed them and they had severed ties with their respective families before entering Kyushu to avoid implicating their clansmen.

Without powerful backers, they would likely be the first to be eliminated by the Liang King's forces.

Zhao Chen glanced at the group of people in front of him, then turned to exchange a look with Sister Hongxia beside him. The latter immediately understood and said with a serious face, "If you want to become Xiao Chen's subordinates, you have to show your value."

"Tell me, what benefits can you bring to Xiao Chen?"

The shrewd and worldly-wise Chu Yuan was well-prepared for this and confidently said, "I heard that the 'Shenmu Gang' in the capital has joined you, young master, and is helping you manage your businesses in the capital."

"But as far as I know, neither of the gang's two young leaders can leave the capital for long."

"Although I am not talented, I have served as a guest in the Li family of Ganzhou for many years, handling many miscellaneous matters and having a lot of connections. I am quite proficient in 'external affairs'."

Zhao Chen quite agreed with what Chu Yuan said, after all, his nickname was "His demeanor is as elegant as the autumn moon, and his voice is as melodious as the spring clouds." From his appearance to his skills, it was clear that he was very approachable and was indeed a talent in "foreign affairs".

In fact, the fact that Shi Wenxuan, the three young officers, and the many female warriors they rescued were able to unite for revenge was also due to Chu Yuan's role as a mediator.

Yan Hongxia was unaware of these things. She glanced at Zhao Chen subconsciously, and after seeing him nod, she turned back to the three officers and asked, "And what about you?"

Although Wei Baishu, Fang Baichuan, and Chu Baihua were not as cunning as Chu Yuan, they had still considered the matter, as it concerned their own lives. Therefore, Wei Baishu, the leader of the three, spoke up:

"The three of us are skilled in reconnaissance and special operations. We can form a new gang or sect and become our lord's henchmen and eyes and ears."

This was clearly the result of their careful consideration.

Zhao Chen had witnessed the three men causing trouble at Wuguan and forcibly abducting Daoist Yuzhen, so he didn't doubt their "professionalism." However, he asked with some doubt, "You want to form a gang? Where will you get the manpower?"

“Some of the female warriors we rescued were homeless, and they all wanted to join us,” Wei Baishu replied.

They say they are homeless, but in reality, it's because their own foundations have been destroyed. The former prodigies have fallen into worthless status, and they are unwilling to return to their families or sects to face scorn and criticism.

I see... Although these female warriors can no longer improve, their current cultivation level is sufficient... Moreover, since they are mainly focused on magical power, they would be considered a considerable force anywhere.

This is far more valuable than Chu Yuan. Zhao Chen thought for a moment, then nodded to Wei Baishu and the other two and said, "I agree to your allegiance, but you must go to the three southwestern states to establish a gang, and it would be best if you could get it on track within three months."

After leaving the capital, he will first go to Yingzhou to keep his appointment with Hongyue, and then he will inevitably head to the southwest.

Although as the "Southwest Wandering Envoy," he can mobilize official forces, it would be even better if he could also have martial arts forces assist him in the advance.

“Establishing a base in the southwest is fine…” Wei Baishu paused for a moment, then said with some difficulty, “But we have offended the Prince of Liang, and we are likely to be targeted by his forces along the way, or even assassinated…”

"It's alright, I'll take you to Shu Prefecture first, and then from Shu Prefecture into the southwest... I'll also send a cultivator with supernatural powers to accompany you and protect you." Zhao Chen waved his hand and said with a smile.

As for the person with "supernatural powers," he had already chosen one: the legendary heroine "Tang Miao," who had always protected him.

I said before that I would set it free, but unfortunately I never had enough Star Coins. Now that I have the money, I might as well keep my word.

Escorting Wei Baishu and his group into the southwest was to be the last task entrusted to the heroine "Tang Miao".

Upon hearing Zhao Chen's words, Wei Baishu, Fang Baichuan, and Chu Baihua were overjoyed. After all, the southwest was remote and within the sphere of influence of the Upper Sect. It would be difficult for Liang Wang's henchmen and Yu Chan Zhenren's disciples and grand-disciples to act recklessly there. Moreover, no one knew about the past of those female warriors, which would help everyone let go of those unbearable past experiences and start a new life.

Especially Wei Baishu's younger sister, Fang Baichuan's fiancée Wei Baizhi, remained depressed even after being rescued, and everyone was afraid that she would do something foolish.

They had always wanted to take Bai Zhi away from the capital, this place of sorrow, as soon as possible, but they were afraid of something happening on the way, so they didn't go.

The solution Zhao Chen has proposed is the best option for the three of them.

This undoubtedly made the three young officers even more grateful to Zhao Chen, and they had already recognized him as their "lord" in their hearts. They even wanted to sign a "contract" at the supernatural level to sell themselves into servitude.

Zhao Chen smiled and shook his head, saying, "There's no need for that. I trust you."

After all, what "contract" can compare to one's own "Sixteen Venus Libra Sword"? If they dare to betray, "ownership" will be automatically acquired.

But Wei Baishu and the other two were unaware of these things, and secretly vowed to live up to this trust.

After arranging the three officers, Zhao Chen looked at Chu Yuan and carefully spoke:

"As for Mr. Chu, I do need to put him through a test first, but please rest assured that I will guarantee the safety of your son and daughter during the test."

He knew very well that unlike Wei Baishu and his group, who were numerous and conspicuous, Chu Yuan was all alone. As long as he hid, he wasn't too afraid of the Liang King's power.

The reason he came to serve was probably more for the sake of his son and daughter.

As expected, upon hearing that his daughter would be protected, Chu Yuan had no more worries and bowed, asking, "Please speak, young master."

"This test is not difficult... I want you to go to Yuzhou and become friends with any one of the core members of the Shi family."

“I will be going to Yuzhou to check the results in about a month. If it goes well, I will not only accept your service, Mr. Chu, but also reward you with a ‘Nine Nether Yin Yuan Fruit’.”

(End of this chapter)