Chapter 607: Revealing Identity

Zu'an was originally filled with the sadness of parting and had many things he wanted to say to Qiao Xueying. At the very least, he had planned to see her off.

But when such news came through his golden badge, his expression changed.

This was because the divine consciousness of Zhuxie Chixin was transmitted through the golden badge!

Besides serving as an ID, the Embroidered Uniform Guard's badges also functioned as a communication device, similar to the pagers carried by traffic police in his previous life, allowing them to receive direct orders from superiors.

Of course, this function was rarely used; when it was, it usually signified an urgent emergency.

Furthermore, once you received a message, you had no choice but to comply. If you tried to shirk your duty and didn't arrive at the scene promptly, the magic array on the golden badge would record all the information, such as the distance from the incident location. Afterwards, the Embroidered Uniform Guard's internal affairs would use this information to assign merits or hold you accountable.

These were common facts Zhuxie Chixin had explained to him when he first became an Embroidered Uniform Guard. Zu'an's only relief was that the golden badge, apart from recording minor information like distance, didn't have a surveillance function; otherwise, everything he had done would have been exposed.

This was actually normal. Every Embroidered Uniform Guard was an outstanding individual among their peers, and the more capable a person was, the prouder they tended to be. If a surveillance device were placed on them, recording every movement, who could tolerate it?

Therefore, retaining the notification function and recording only the simplest information for rewards and punishments was already the best compromise between both sides.

"What's wrong?" Qiao Xueying noticed his unusual behavior and asked curiously.

Zu'an explained what had happened, while secretly wondering, "What on earth is going on? First, a large number of assassins appeared in the Empress's chambers, and now there are assassins at the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace?"

Had the imperial guards collectively gone absent without leave?

And wasn't the Emperor the strongest person in the world? It was said his divine consciousness covered the entire palace. Why had there been no sign of him after such major incidents?

Qiao Xueying uttered a sound of surprise: "I haven't heard of Shadow Pavilion having any other operations. Besides, attacking the Empress's chambers this time already involved their elite forces. To simultaneously attack the Eastern Palace as well, I doubt Shadow Pavilion has that much power."

After hearing her intelligence, Zu'an's heart stirred: "Then it's most likely another faction."

He still had doubts. The coordination between these two factions was too coincidental. Just moments ago, all the imperial guards were rushing towards Kunning Palace, then they began pursuing the assassins from Shadow Pavilion. At that very moment, something happened at the Eastern Palace. It would take some time for those guards to rush back. No wonder Zhuxie Chixin notified all nearby Embroidered Uniform Guards to go for rescue.

Wait, why hadn't he seen Zhuxie Chixin at all from beginning to end?

Unfortunately, the badge was more like a one-way mission dispenser and had no communication function.

Qiao Xueying then said, "A'Zu, you should hurry back. Otherwise, it will be troublesome if you're held accountable later."

Zu'an hesitated, "But then I won't be able to see you off."

Qiao Xueying smiled, pressing her lips together, "You already saw me off by walking such a long way with me in the palace just now. I'm really happy."

Zu'an embraced the girl again, feeling her slender, delicate body. "Xue'er, I'll definitely find a chance to visit you in the Elf tribe."

Qiao Xueying's eyes curved like crescent moons, and her voice was so sweet it was almost cloying: "Mm, I'll wait for you."

After parting ways with Qiao Xueying, Zu'an put his mask back on and re-entered the palace gates, hurrying towards the Eastern Palace.

He was filled with frustration and resentment. He had already made up his mind: "Since they made Xue'er and me part ways early, I'll just go through the motions later."

Any force capable of assassinating the Crown Prince in the Eastern Palace was definitely terrifying, and those sent must be masters. He had no interest in risking his life to protect a fool he had only met twice.

His attempt to go through the motions at Kunning Palace had failed, so this time he had to learn from that lesson.

However, he didn't waste any time on the way, as the badge would record such information. If he walked slowly, it would be too obvious.

When he arrived at the Eastern Palace, he found the entire place was a bloody mess.

The ground was littered with the bodies of imperial guards and black-clad assassins; blood flowed like a river.

The Eastern Palace's defenses were clearly on the verge of collapse. Only a middle-aged man, leading a small number of guards, was desperately holding on.

Judging by his official uniform, he should be Cao Hou, the Crown Prince's Junior Tutor and an eighth-rank master.

Prince Qi was the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor, but given his status, it was clearly impossible for him to constantly be by the Crown Prince's side as his teacher.

Therefore, this Junior Tutor was likely the Crown Prince's true mentor.

Earlier, Zu'an had been summoned by the Empress to Kunning Palace, so he hadn't had a chance to formally meet him.

Perhaps from long years as the Crown Prince's tutor, he exuded an inexplicable authority. His attacks were straightforward and honorable, and he alone held back several of the top masters among the assassins.

As expected of an eighth-rank master, Zu'an watched in admiration.

Unfortunately, he was outnumbered. Despite his imposing aura, he could only manage a strained defense.

Zu'an shifted his gaze and saw that even the Crown Princess was fighting with a sword.

The Crown Princess was already beautiful, and with her tall figure, her robes fluttered and her waist moved gracefully as she fought, making her look like a fairy from a painting.

Zu'an couldn't help but secretly comment, "She's only slightly less beautiful than my Chu Chuyan wife."

She was protecting the Crown Prince behind her. The fat prince was now cowering in a corner, trembling. Although he had been cleansed of his impurities with rare treasures by the Emperor since childhood, making him much stronger than ordinary people, he didn't have the slightest courage to help his wife.

On his left and right, he shielded two eunuchs, Xiao Xuzi and Xiao Hezi. One held a stool, the other a broom, both trembling as they looked around.

Zu'an was speechless. "Are you serious? At least grab a knife! The ground is covered in bodies; picking up any weapon would be better than this."

The Crown Princess's cultivation level was probably between fifth and sixth rank, which counted as a master in the martial world. Most of the assassins were at a similar level.

Unfortunately, as a pampered Crown Princess, she lacked practical combat experience.

Several times she was almost injured by assassins, fortunately, a small, agile figure moved swiftly around, shielding her from harm.

"Evil-Warding Swordplay?"

Zu'an gasped inwardly, but quickly realized it was just that her footwork and attacks were very fast, somewhat similar to the Evil-Warding Swordplay.

He had already clearly seen the figure: it was the Crown Princess's personal maid, Rong Mo. Her cultivation was much higher than the Crown Princess's. Every time her figure flickered, she would leave a wound on the opposing assassin.

What surprised Zu'an even more was her weapon: not a common weapon like a saber or sword, but a tiny embroidery needle!

It wasn't like Dongfang Bubai's style; it was more like...

He thought for a long time before finally recalling a fitting description: it was like when Granny Rong pricked Xiao Yanzi and Ziwei in "My Fair Princess."

"It truly is Granny Rong the assassin, damn it."

Zu'an simply couldn't associate the charming and delicate maid in front of him with Granny Rong's wrinkled, orange-peel face.

"Wait, no," he thought. "Judging by her displayed cultivation, it's probably as high as sixth or seventh rank. Talented individuals like Chu Chuyan and Pei Mianman, without any special encounters, could at most reach sixth rank. How could this little maid possess such ability, with cultivation even higher than theirs initially?"

He immediately realized that the person's age would definitely not be as young as her appearance suggested. Perhaps she really was a wrinkled old nanny.

Additionally, there were also several Embroidered Uniform Guards in the Eastern Palace. It was clear they had been performing duties nearby and rushed over after receiving the message.

Unfortunately, most of them wore copper badges, and there seemed to be only one silver badge. Although their cultivation was decent, it had no significant impact on the overall situation; they merely helped alleviate some pressure on the Crown Prince's side.

Zu'an made sure his mask was on properly and planned to just deal with one or two assassins in a corner. Who knew that his appearance didn't escape the notice of either side? Seeing another Embroidered Uniform Guard arrive, the assassins collectively frowned, but weren't overly concerned. These Embroidered Uniform Guards typically didn't have very high individual cultivation, and on normal days, they wouldn't carry the Emperor's tokens of authority to act on his behalf, so they weren't much to fear.

However, when those few Embroidered Uniform Guards saw Zu'an, their eyes lit up: "It's the Golden Badge Lord! We're saved!"

Hearing his shout, everyone turned their attention to Zu'an, and several assassins, whose cultivation was clearly far superior to the others, charged directly at him.

Zu'an: "..."

"Damn it, I even deliberately put away my golden badge to just go through the motions, and you still recognized me?!"