I picked up skill fragments in the demon world.

Chapter 876 Starting late but catching up early
"That old bastard, King Pingbian, has already been drained of his strength by Tu Shanqing, yet he's still alive. It's simply outrageous!" Zhang Chen cursed inwardly.

“King Pingbian is the most powerful prince in the North. Although most of the North has fallen, the remaining territory is still enormous. He has gathered countless talented individuals under his command. There are deities who have stabilized his three souls and seven spirits to prevent him from dying suddenly, and his subordinates are searching for elixirs to prolong his life. It would be difficult for him to die if he wanted to. Moreover, the demon race wants to use the name of King Pingbian’s mansion, so they can’t let him die easily.” The fox fairy Nannan explained the hidden story to Zhang Chen.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen seemed to ponder, "Now that you mention it, the current state of affairs in the world is indeed quite interesting."

After Zhang Chen finished speaking, he asked about some minor details before letting the fox spirit Nannan go off to gather information. Then he turned into a streak of blood light and disappeared from the spot, chasing after Chen Ping.

Zhang Chen is now a level 12 expert, and with the Blood God Child following Chen Ping's caravan, he can directly locate the Dragon Tiger Escort Agency. In just half a day, he saw the main force in the distance.

However, to Zhang Chen's surprise, the Pingbian Prince's caravan had vanished without a trace, and even the refugees who had followed the caravan had disappeared. Only the people from the Longhu Escort Agency were walking slowly on the road.

After Zhang Chen extracted the Blood God's memories, he learned that the information about the fox fairy Nannan was outdated. The Pingbian Prince's entourage had already arrived in the capital half a year ago. Chen Ping, having lost the Longevity Tree Coffin, didn't know how to explain it to Dugu Qiu, so he delayed waiting for Zhang Chen.

After learning the information about the caravan, Zhang Chen leisurely walked out from the back of the caravan. As he approached the caravan, one of the escorts was overjoyed to see him: "Young Master Zhang, you're finally back! Our chief镖头 (chief镖头, a term for a bodyguard or镖师, often used to refer to bodyguards) has been waiting for you! I'll go and inform the chief镖头 right away!"

The courier greeted Zhang Chen, who then quickly hurried towards the escort agency's convoy, shouting, "Young Master Zhang is back!"

The shouts drew the attention of many people in the escort agency, who all came forward to greet him. Zhang Chen smiled and responded to them all the way. Before long, a haggard-looking Chen Ping ran out of the caravan and shouted from afar, "Brother Chen!"

Then he rushed over and hugged Zhang Chen's shoulders: "You're finally back! Did things go smoothly?"

Zhang Chen nodded: "It's been very fruitful."

"Come, follow me into the tent for a chat." After scanning the crowd, Chen Ping realized that this was not the place they had agreed upon, so he pulled Zhang Chen into the main tent to catch up.

"Brother Chen, why didn't you hurry to the capital? Why did you delay halfway? Didn't I write a letter for you and give it to Grand Steward Dugu Qiu?" Zhang Chen asked.

Upon hearing this, Chen Ping said helplessly, "Brother, you don't know how serious this matter is. The more I think about it and inquire about information along the way, the more serious I feel. I'm afraid it can't be dealt with by a letter alone, so I have to ask you to come with me in person."

At this point, Chen Ping gritted his teeth and said, "Since things have come to this, I won't hide it from you anymore. Do you know about the legendary Longevity Tree Coffin that's all the rage in the North?"

"Of course I know." Zhang Chen nodded. He not only knew about the matter, but was also deeply involved in it.

"Years ago, Grand Steward Dugu Qiu was ambushed in the north and fought a great battle with the demon clan's great master, Tiger Power Immortal 'Zhao Lie,' before suffering severe injuries. The Grand Steward entrusted the Longevity Tree Coffin to my Dragon Tiger Escort Agency. On our journey south, a sudden gust of evil wind blew up, and I actually lost the Longevity Tree Coffin. The Longevity Tree Coffin is related to the expectations of all the officials in the court and the fate of the royal ancestor. I lost it, and I don't know how many people's expectations were ruined. I'm afraid even the Grand Steward couldn't protect me." Chen Ping kept complaining, his voice filled with indescribable bitterness.

Zhang Chen feigned surprise upon hearing this: "I didn't expect you to be involved in the matter of the Longevity Tree Coffin. But you underestimate my relationship with the Grand Steward. Don't worry, I will definitely do my best to help you."

Upon hearing this, Chen Ping, with tears in his eyes, bowed respectfully to Zhang Chen: "Brother, I will never thank you for your great kindness. From now on, my Dragon Tiger Escort Agency will be at the command of the Grand Steward."

He wanted to use Zhang Chen to pledge his loyalty and find a backer in the capital. He knew Zhang Chen was a man who never spoke falsehoods. If Zhang Chen said he had a way, then he must really have a way and would never deceive him.

After the two finished speaking and resolved the matter, Chen Ping gave an order to the bodyguard to set out a whole roasted lamb. The two ate to their hearts' content before going to rest.

Zhang Chen had been under immense pressure for the past few years, and even the Queen Mother of the West dared not rest casually. Now, as he gradually settled everything, his mind began to relax. He slept until the sun was high in the sky before getting up, lazily walking out of the tent. Then, the caravan's packers began to pack up the tents and continued on their way.

Zhang Chen then enjoyed a rare period of comfort, living a life of luxury with plenty of food and drink, where everything was done for him. He was able to relax completely.

Three days before their arrival in Kyoto, the caravan was suddenly blocked by a young man in brocade robes who demanded an audience with Zhang Chen. Zhang Chen stepped forward upon hearing the commotion and looked at the newcomer: "Who are you?"

"I am from the Prince of Pingbian's residence. Her Majesty sent me with a secret letter. Are you Young Master Zhang Chen?" The man bowed respectfully.

Zhang Chen nodded: "That's right, it's me! But I wonder where the Princess's letter is?"

The young man in brocade robes respectfully delivered the letter. Zhang Chen took it but did not open it in a hurry. Instead, he looked at the man in brocade robes and saw that the man's blood and qi were surging, indicating that he was a rare martial arts master. Moreover, there was bloodline power flowing in the man's body, which clearly showed that he was not an ordinary person.

"Is there anything else you need, Your Highness?" Zhang Chen asked.

The man in brocade hesitated for a moment, glanced around, and then looked at Zhang Chen as if he wanted to say something but couldn't. Seeing this, Zhang Chen led him to a secluded spot and said, "You can say whatever you want to say. There are no more 'six ears' here."

As Zhang Chen spoke, he used the laws of sound to isolate the surroundings, creating a vacuum zone.

"Your Majesty has entered the palace, but her journey has not been smooth. She has been blocked by Huang Tiandao and has been unable to see the Emperor. Even if Your Majesty's charms are extraordinary, she has nowhere to use them without seeing the King. Therefore, Your Majesty has heard that you have a relationship with Grand Eunuch Dugu Qiu. Could you use Dugu Qiu's influence to give Your Majesty a chance to meet the Emperor of Dasheng, even if it's just for a brief meeting? Your Majesty is confident that you can win over the King." The man in brocade robes said.

Zhang Chen remained noncommittal upon hearing this, but he had now changed his mind about whether or not to help the fox spirit disrupt human relations.

Previously, he was weak and had no choice but to cooperate with Bai Cang. Now that he is a twelfth-level expert and one of the top masters in the world, he needs to reconsider whether to continue to sacrifice the safety of the entire human race for his own benefit.

"Huang Tiandao's reach is so long? It can even reach into the inner palace?" Zhang Chen asked curiously.

"Huang Tiandao has a disciple who infiltrated the palace as a eunuch. He's incredibly shrewd and perceptive, and has actually distinguished himself within the palace, gaining the favor of the King." The man in brocade glanced at Zhang Chen, as if afraid Zhang Chen wouldn't understand the seriousness of the matter, and then added:
"Speaking of which, this person is also acquainted with you, young master. You two are even friends."

Zhang Chen was stunned and subconsciously denied it: "Impossible. Apart from Gu Dugu Qiu, I don't know any eunuchs in the inner palace."

Then, remembering that the other person had only entered the palace in recent years, he added, "As for the people I know, anyone with a bit of integrity would never enter the palace to become a eunuch."

When Zhang Chen denied it, the man in brocade smiled and said, "Young master, do you still remember Chu Mingyue of Huanghua Temple?"

"It's him!" Zhang Chen's pupils shrank upon hearing this, and he exclaimed in surprise. How could he not remember Chu Mingyue from Huanghua Temple?
That was when Zhang Chen was first forced by Zhang Xiaohua to mistakenly enter Huanghua Temple, where he stumbled upon their plot to rebel. He then joined Huanghua Temple. At that time, Huang Tiandao was about to select the six stars of the Southern Dipper and the seven stars of the Northern Dipper. Chu Mingyue was Huanghua Temple's chosen candidate, and Xiao Douding was Chu Mingyue's little fan. Most importantly, Chu Mingyue's yang root was cut off by him during the competition, and it was done intentionally.

It can be said that Zhang Chen and Chu Mingyue are sworn enemies. He originally intended to eliminate Chu Mingyue completely, but unfortunately, Chu Mingyue suddenly disappeared. Unexpectedly, he heard news of her today. Moreover, she had infiltrated the imperial palace and become a eunuch, and had even become a favorite of the Great Victory King, gaining his favor.

At this moment, Zhang Chen could only sigh, "Indeed, capable people can stand out anywhere."

As for Huang Tiandao using Chu Mingyue to prevent Bai Cang from meeting the Human King, he could analyze the logic behind it. After all, Huang Tiandao was vying with the demon race for control of the Northern Border King's Mansion, so it was only natural for him to weaken the demon race's power and influence, and it was also reasonable for him to prevent the old fox Bai Cang from meeting him.

"Although Chu Mingyue is in the deep palace, she is searching for your whereabouts everywhere, and even your family's whereabouts are being searched in secret. If it weren't for Her Majesty's repeated secret assistance, I'm afraid the crimes of your younger siblings would have already been presented to the King." The man in the brocade robe said.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen's expression gradually darkened. He could tolerate others dealing with him, but he would never allow others to deal with his younger brothers and sisters.

"Moreover, your enemies in the capital are all mixed up together. That little princess Chai Wenji and the imperial son-in-law Zhang Gaoqiu are already married, and she has become the true imperial son-in-law. In fact, because of you, that dead eunuch has already secretly colluded with them. The capital has now laid a net of heaven and earth. It's better if you don't go, because if you go, I'm afraid you will stir up a huge storm." The man in the brocade robe said.

(End of this chapter)