In the Ming Dynasty, I became invincible simply by extracting memories!

"You've only been out of prison for a few days, and you've already faced two assassination attempts, each more dangerous than the last. This shows how deeply the Yan faction hates you. The Yan faction is deeply entrenched in the court. If you continue to stay in the capital, who knows what other methods they might devise to deal with you. But I think their influence hasn't yet reached the military. Even if they want to take action against you again, they'll have to think twice."

"Thank you, sir!" Shen Lian bowed. "By the way, sir," Shen Lian suddenly remembered something else, "what are your plans for my companion, Fang Xuejian?"

"This person..." Zhu Xixiao pondered for a moment, "I've heard he's devoted to scholarship. What do you think about assigning him to the Imperial Observatory?"

Shen Lian was overjoyed, "That couldn't be better!"

"Alright, I'll write a letter to the Imperial Observatory later. It should be able to arrange a sinecure for him there. By the way," Zhu Xixiao looked at Shen Lian and asked, "who exactly is this Fang Xuejian to you? You seem to value him quite a bit."

"He is my... fellow townsman, Lord Zhu. I can tell you that he is no ordinary man and will surely achieve great things in the future."

Zhu Xixiao smiled, neither confirming nor denying.

"Shen Lian".

"grown ups."

Have you ever considered your future?

"This..." Upon hearing this, Shen Lian was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly, his expression revealing a calmness born of experience. He then slowly replied, "In response to your question, sir, my life has been one of wandering and hardship, filled with many experiences. My desires are actually quite simple: to find a peaceful place to live. As for the fame and fortune that people pursue, while I dare not claim to be noble enough to consider them as worthless, I would never betray my conscience or resort to unscrupulous means to obtain them. Ultimately, regardless of whether my circumstances are favorable or unfavorable, I only seek to have a clear conscience and inner peace."

"What a fine 'seeking only peace of mind'!" Zhu Xixiao chuckled upon hearing this, his tone tinged with both admiration and praise. "If every official in the court could think like you, acting only to have a clear conscience, then what worries would there be about the stability and longevity of our Great Ming Dynasty? However..." He changed the subject, his expression turning serious. "You are here on a mission to the southeast. If you can handle this matter well and make it a success, it will not only benefit the country and its people, but it will also greatly benefit your personal career. At that time, let alone a regular promotion, I can even put in a good word for you before His Majesty." At this point, Zhu Xixiao placed his hand on Shen Lian's shoulder, looking earnestly into his eyes, and continued earnestly, "This is a rare opportunity. I hope you can understand it carefully and seize it."

Shen Lian was taken aback for a moment, then realized what he meant and cupped his hands, saying, "Rest assured, my lord, I will certainly not fail in my mission."

Zhu Xixiao looked at him, nodded, and said, "The journey to the southeast is long and arduous. The pirates are brutal and entangled in a mess of collusion between local officials and pirates. The White Lotus Sect is also involved. Be careful in everything you do, think things through carefully, and don't rush into anything. I'll back you up in the capital."

Shen Lian thanked Zhu Xixiao for his help, and the two chatted for a few more minutes about the situation in the court before Shen Lian took his leave.

Just as Shen Lian was about to leave, Zhu Xixiao suddenly called him back:

"Oh, right, there's something I forgot to ask. Someone reported that several prisoners have gone missing from the imperial prison. Do you know what happened?"

"This... cough cough, I don't know. Perhaps they escaped in the chaos."

Zhu Xixiao glanced at Shen Lian, said nothing, and simply waved for Shen Lian to leave.

As soon as they stepped out of the council chamber, Yi Dong was waiting outside.

"Young Master Shen, weren't those prisoners released by you?"

"Shh!" Shen Lian gestured for silence. "This is something only heaven, earth, you, and I know."

Yi Dong simply stuck out her tongue.

The two rode together in a carriage back home.

Upon entering the courtyard, Shen Lian first knocked on Fang Xuejian's door.

The door was opened halfway, revealing Fang Xuejian's disheveled face with bloodshot eyes.

"What are you doing?"

"I have something to tell you."

"I still have experiments to do."

"It's a very important matter."

The door was fully opened, and Fang Xuejian leaned against the doorframe, saying calmly, "Speak."

"We'll be moving away from this place soon."

"Moving again? I think I'm fine here, why move?"

"This place is no longer safe, and as for why," Shen Lian said, lowering his eyes, "you know it yourself."

"Alright, alright, let's move!" Fang Xuejian waved his hand dismissively. "Anyway, we're destined to be nomads, so where are we going to move to?"

"Lord Zhu has already told me that he is preparing to send you to the Imperial Observatory."

"The Imperial Observatory?" Fang Xuejian's eyes lit up. "What a great place! It's the gathering place for scientific and technological talents from all over the country. Once we get there, with our intelligence and talent, we'll definitely—wait a minute," he suddenly realized the implication in Shen Lian's words, "I'll go to the Imperial Observatory, what about you?"

"I'm going to the southeastern front to fight against the Japanese pirates."

"You, you?" Fang Xuejian laughed loudly. "You still want to go to the front lines to fight?"

Shen Lian looked at Fang Xuejian without saying a word.

Fang Xuejian grew anxious, grabbing Shen Lian's shoulders with both hands, "The Southeast is such a dangerous place, what are you going there for? Are you out of your mind?"

"Fang Xuejian, listen to me. If I can return safely from this trip to the Southeast, our living conditions will be greatly improved."

"But what if something happens to you?"

"No way," Shen Lian looked into Fang Xuejian's eyes and smiled, "Don't you believe me?"

"..."

Shen Lian continued, "With your intelligence and talent, you'll definitely achieve great things at the Imperial Observatory. Show those bumpkins there what modern technology is all about!"

Upon hearing this, Fang Xuejian couldn't help but smile and nodded, saying, "Alright, I'll wait for you to come back in the capital."

Shen Lian then said to Fang Xuejian, "Don't just bury yourself in your experiments. Take some time these next few days to pack your things. After I leave, the people from the Imperial Observatory will come to pick you up and take up your post. Once you're there, focus on your studies and don't worry about me."

Fang Xuejian hummed in agreement, scratched his messy hair, and said, "Don't worry, I'll definitely settle down in the Imperial Observatory. By the time you come back, I might have already become a Director." After saying that, the two looked at each other and laughed.

Shen Lian patted Fang Xuejian on the shoulder, turned around, and saw Yi Dong and Yi Xia standing in the middle of the courtyard.

"I heard every single word you said," Yi Dong said, taking a step forward, hands on her hips, her tone a mix of playfulness and certainty. "So, when are we finally leaving?"

"Us?" Shen Lian seemed somewhat surprised and repeated the word.

"That's us!" Yi Dong replied matter-of-factly. "Since Lord Zhu specifically instructed the two of us to protect you, we will naturally escort you all the way and never leave your side. We've got this mission in mind."

"But Xia's injuries haven't fully healed yet," Shen Lian said with a worried expression and hesitant tone, "and the situation in the southeast is complicated, the road ahead is dangerous..."

"That's precisely why it's so dangerous; we both need to be there to protect you," Yi Dong immediately chimed in, her expression becoming serious. "Besides, the journey from here to the southeast is long. By the time we get there, Yi Xia's injuries will definitely be fully healed. Isn't that right, Yi Xia?"

Xia nodded gently, her gaze calm. Then, the two of them turned their attention to Shen Lian, waiting for his response.

After a long silence, Shen Lian finally shrugged, a helpless yet gentle smile appearing on his face: "Alright, since that's the case... then I'll trouble the two young ladies to take good care of me along the way."

"Great! I'll go pack my bags right now!" Yi Dong beamed with joy. But as she turned around, she remembered something and turned back to ask, "By the way, when exactly are we leaving?" Before she finished speaking, she had already skipped and hopped into the house.

Xia stayed where she was, glanced at Shen Lian quietly, whispered "thank you," and then turned and followed him into the house.

Shen Lian went back inside to pack his luggage.

In reality, Shen Lian didn't have much to pack. The climate in the southeast wasn't as cold as in the capital, so he didn't even need to bring many clothes. All he carried were a few garments and a few taels of silver.

As Shen Lian picked up an old piece of clothing, intending to throw it away, something rolled out of the clothing.

Shen Lian quickly picked it up. It turned out to be a small white plaque, light and hard in texture, and felt like it was made of ivory.

The sign is engraved with a lifelike black fox, and the craftsmanship is extremely exquisite, making it no ordinary item.

Shen Lian stared at the sign and suddenly remembered that it belonged to his original self.

From the time the original owner could remember, he had always carried this tag with him. According to Shen Lian's adoptive parents, the tag was already on him when he was found.

Shen Lian stared at the sign for a while, then tucked it into his arms.

As darkness fell, someone knocked on the door.

Upon opening the door, Shen Lian saw a junior officer from the Embroidered Uniform Guard sent by Zhu Xixiao to deliver documents and travel expenses. Shen Lian accepted the gifts, thanked the officer, and the officer, without lingering, clasped his hands in a fist salute and turned to leave. Shen Lian closed the door, put away the silver, and sat down by the table. Recalling Zhu Xixiao's warning before his departure about the White Lotus Sect's collusion with the remnants of the Yan Party, he lightly tapped his fingertips on the table, feeling that this trip to the southeast would likely not be peaceful.

Just as he was pondering, footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate again. Shen Lian got up and opened the door, only to see Fang Xuejian standing at the door with a cloth bag in his hand. After hesitating for a while, he said, "Take this with you." He then stuffed the cloth bag into Shen Lian's hand.

Shen Lian opened it and found a small packet of purified gunpowder and several explosive tubes, with the fuses already wrapped around them.

"I just made this a few days ago. You can use it when you encounter something tough. Just be careful not to touch the fuse." Shen Lian felt a warmth in his heart, put the cloth bag away and put it in his bag, patted Fang Xuejian's shoulder without saying anything.

Fang Xuejian waved his hand, turned around and walked back. When he reached the center of the courtyard, he stopped and turned back to call out, "Come back alive! I'm still waiting for you to build a great career with me."

Shen Lian smiled and nodded in agreement.

The next day, everyone in the courtyard was ready and waiting for their superiors to pick them up. The courtyard was filled with an atmosphere of impending farewell. The clanging sounds of Fang Xuejian's experiments could no longer be heard from the east room, and Yi Dong's laughter could no longer be heard from the west room. Everyone was waiting for the carriage that would take them away.

Unexpectedly, the person who came first was the one who was supposed to receive Fang Xuejian—the person was the Assistant Director of the Imperial Observatory. He was very polite, cupped his hands to Shen Lian and the others, explained his purpose, and then stood aside to wait without urging them.

Fang Xuejian, carrying his large box of experimental equipment, hurriedly bid farewell to Shen Lian and the others. After a hug, Fang Xuejian followed the others into the carriage. The curtain was drawn, and the carriage rumbled away down the street. Shen Lian stood at the door watching the dust cloud until it disappeared from sight before turning back to the courtyard, where he sat alone until dark.

The next day, the carriages that would take them to the southeast arrived at the door. Shen Lian and Yi Dong carried the luggage onto the carriage, and Yi Dong then helped Yi Xia onto the carriage. After all the luggage was on board, the driver cracked his whip, and the wheels started turning, heading towards the southeast of the capital.

It was afternoon, and the sun was shining obliquely. Many merchants and ordinary people who lived outside the city and needed to enter the city to do business every day were eager to leave the capital before the curfew began. As a result, the queues to leave the city were winding and long, with crowds and carriages bustling about.

After waiting in line for nearly an hour, it was finally their turn.

"What are you doing?" the city gate guard asked sternly.

"Reporting to you, sir, this is a carriage sent by the Embroidered Uniform Guard to Fujian. It is ordered to leave the city. Please do us a favor," the coachman replied respectfully.

"Order from above! All people and vehicles leaving the city must be inspected. Everyone inside, get out!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Lian and the others got out of the carriage. They saw a city gate guard standing in front of the carriage, solemnly blocking its way.

"Sir, what's going on? Everything was fine just a few days ago, why are you suddenly cracking down so hard?" The coachman leaned forward, trying to get closer to him and find out more.

The guard ignored his attempt to speak, and simply asked in a cold voice, "Have you brought all the necessary documents and identification to leave the city?"

Shen Lian handed over the official documents that Zhu Xixiao had prepared in advance, and secretly slipped some loose silver into the documents.

The guard took the document, glanced at it, then looked up at Shen Lian, subtly slipping the silver into his pocket. His stern expression softened slightly. He glanced into the carriage, then handed the document back to Shen Lian, muttering a complaint under his breath:

"It's all because of that incident at the Northern Garrison Prison a few days ago, which caused panic in the capital. That's why the higher-ups ordered a thorough investigation. Well, you can go now."

Shen Lian took the document and was about to turn and get into the carriage when he suddenly heard someone calling his name in the distance. The voice sounded somewhat familiar. He turned around and saw only a dark mass of people waiting to leave the city, their heads thronging and figures intertwined, making it difficult to identify them.

"Hurry up, don't block the way!" the guard urged from the side.

Even after getting into the carriage, Shen Lian couldn't help but look back several times.

"What's wrong, Young Master Shen?" Yi Dong noticed that Shen Lian's expression was strange and asked softly.

"It's nothing," Shen Lian replied, his hand unconsciously touching the small token in his pocket.

"It's nothing."