Ming Dynasty: I am truly not the Emperor of Longevity

How dare this lowly ninth-rank inspector be so audacious?!

Upon hearing Inspector Zhang utter the words "the Emperor's personal guard," Sun Dexiu felt a surge of anger.

I had clearly warned him not to tell anyone that I had contacted him.

This applies even to the soon-to-arrive Imperial Guard.

This matter is not difficult for Inspector Zhang.

You just have to do whatever the Embroidered Uniform Guard asks you to do, as long as you don't mention that you were here.

But what was he doing just now!

In front of so many people, how could they openly call themselves "the Emperor's personal guard"?

This is like ignoring what you're saying!

Does he not want that thing around his neck anymore?!

Something still doesn't feel right!

What I showed him was a ticket issued by the Eastern Depot (Dongchang).

"The Emperor's personal guards" should refer to the Embroidered Uniform Guard!

Are there any Imperial Guards here?

Although the young master Lu Chen behind him should be a member of the royal family, the information written on his travel permit only indicated that he was the illegitimate son of a captain of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Those who have never seen the emperor's true face should not be able to discern any clues.

The son of the Imperial Guard's chief officer was nothing more than a commoner.

Could it be that the man surnamed Ma who fought with the casino thugs earlier was actually a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?

That's possible, after all, that person was blocking Lu Chen's way just now.

He himself had suspected that he might be a guard protecting Lu Chen.

No, that's still not right!

When I met this inspector, he clearly knew nothing.

When did he find out that Lu Chen was protected by the Imperial Guards?!

. . .

While Sun Dexiu was secretly pondering what was going on, Lu Chen was also secretly observing the chivalrous man who had stepped forward to help him.

Is this person actually a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?

I couldn't tell at all.

If that's true, then the casino owner deserved to die.

After ordering his archers to carry the corpses to the patrol office, Inspector Zhang straightened his clothes.

His official robes were slightly disheveled because he had just slapped the gambling den owner himself.

After finishing the tidying up, Inspector Zhang walked towards the two of them with a look of trepidation.

It really looked just like the scenes I'd seen in movies and TV shows before I traveled back in time, of low-ranking officials meeting their superiors in ancient times.

It seems I wasn't wrong!

The person who helped him turned out to be a member of the Imperial Guard.

Huh, what's going on?

Shouldn't this guy bow to this Imperial Guard?

Why did she walk past him and head towards me?!

"This humble servant, Zhang Cheng, a ninth-rank patrol inspector of Wadian Town, Nanyang County, pays his respects to Lord Lu!"

Before Lu Chen could figure it out, Inspector Zhang bent down and knelt down, performing a deep bow in worship.

"Wishing you good health, sir!"

"Wishing Lord Lu good health!"

Upon seeing their superior's actions, the dozens of archers from the patrol unit who had been standing around also knelt down and saluted Lu Chen.

What on earth is going on?!

Looking at the sea of ​​archers kneeling before him, Lu Chen felt like his brain was about to shut down.

Just moments before, these archers were their imagined enemy.

He was still figuring out how to break through their encirclement.

Who could have imagined that the situation would take such a dramatic turn in just a short while!

Even if he really was "Lu Chen", he was just a commoner family member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, without any official rank.

Those so-called elite guards in brocade robes were just something he used to fool Ma San Kui; they shouldn't be taken seriously.

Moreover, even a Jinyi Lishi (a type of bodyguard in brocade robes) might not necessarily have a higher status than a ninth-rank patrol inspector.

It was simply impossible for Inspector Zhang to give him such a grand salute.

. . .

This inspector actually knelt down and bowed to Lu Chen, addressing him as Lord Lu!

The sudden dramatic turn of events nearly caused Lu Chen's mind to shut down, while Sun Dexiu was also almost speechless with shock.

Unlike Lu Chen, a time traveler, Sun Dexiu was familiar with the etiquette between officials at all levels from a young age.

The manner that Inspector Zhang performed for Lu Chen was that of a subordinate meeting a superior.

Moreover, it was only used between officials who were at least several ranks apart.

In other words, in Inspector Zhang's eyes at this moment, Lu Chen was not a commoner, but an official appointed by the imperial court.

However, not long ago, when he questioned Lu Chen, Lu Chen had no idea who he was.

The only thing that could happen is what happened during the time she was searching for Lu Chen in Wadian Town after they parted ways!

What could it be?

The only possibility is that the Imperial Guard has arrived!

I knew it! How could a lowly ninth-rank official, who was so afraid of being implicated that he even killed his own concubine to distance himself from the gambling den owner, possibly dare to openly disobey the orders of the Eastern Depot?

The "Imperial Guard" he mentioned was not himself, but Lu Chen!

But Lu Chen's face clearly belongs to a member of the royal family, so how did he become a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?

Moreover, judging from Lu Chen's own expression, he had absolutely no idea what was going on!

What should I do?!

A decision must be made immediately!

As per Eunuch Huang's orders, the mission of this trip must not be known to the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Seeing that Lu Chen might be in danger, I had no choice but to take action myself. It was an emergency, a last resort.

This young master Lu is unaware of his own identity. What kind of image does he have in his eyes?

He was probably a chivalrous person who would draw his sword to help those in need.

No, I have to leave immediately before Lu Chen figures out what Inspector Zhang is doing and is too busy to deal with him!

Judging from the current situation, Lu Chen is no longer in any danger.

If he waits until he understands the situation and takes control, he will definitely try to keep me here, thank me, and even host a banquet for me in Wadian Town.

If I accept, I'll probably have to run into that Imperial Guard.

The Eastern Depot had a large number of personnel, all of whom were transferred from the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Some even held positions in both the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot simultaneously.

Many people in the Embroidered Uniform Guard had seen him.

This person is Lu Bing's confidant. Even if he doesn't recognize me, as long as I describe my appearance to Lu Bing when I get back, I won't be able to hide the fact that I've been following him.

It would be inappropriate to refuse Lu Chen's invitation.

It might even displease this young master Lu.

Leaving right now is the best option!

There must be some kind of relationship between Lu Chen and the Emperor; he is undoubtedly a member of the royal family.

By lending a helping hand today, I have already forged a good relationship with him.

Even if he leaves now, this young master Lu will remember this favor.

As for what exactly happened today, it's quite simple to find out.

Just ask Inspector Zhang afterwards.

"So it was Lord Lu in person."

After making his decision, Sun Dexiu sheathed his dagger, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Lu Chen,

"Now that all the thieves have been executed, I shall take my leave."

If fate allows us to meet again in the martial world someday, I, Sun, will certainly ask Lord Lu for a cup of wine.

Without waiting for Lu Chen's reply, she turned and walked out of the gambling den.

. . .

So there really are such free-spirited heroes in this world.

Watching Sun Dexiu's departing figure, Lu Chen felt a surge of admiration.

Ignoring Inspector Zhang, who was still kneeling before him, Lu Chen bowed to him in return.

"It's settled then. I, Lu, will certainly drink to my heart's content with Brother Sun, until we're completely drunk!"