"Protect whom?"

The Young Leader asked.

"Me."

The man pointed to himself.

The Young Leader chuckled lightly and said, "The Celestial Horse Escort Agency doesn’t take on just any job. If we’re to protect someone, they must indicate their identity and background first. We can’t afford to harbor some villain from the Profound Celestial Sect and bring trouble upon ourselves."

The man said nothing but lifted his straw hat slightly, revealing a young and pale face.

The Young Leader glanced at him and was suddenly taken aback!

"It’s you..."

The Young Leader began to speak but realized that this was not the place to converse. He quickly stepped forward, grabbed the man’s arm, and pulled him inside the Escort Agency.

"Escort Du, could you check around to see if there are any hidden scouts or tails watching us?"

The Young Leader instructed, glancing around to ensure no one noticed before closing the agency gates.

Escort Hu looked puzzled and asked, "Young Leader, do you know him?"

The Young Leader seemed a bit excited and nodded, "He’s the top of the Wind and Cloud Ranking, One Sword Frost Cold, Chen Tang!"

"Ah!"

Escort Hu exclaimed in surprise, scrutinizing Chen Tang.

This young man was indeed a rising star in the recent martial world.

Escort Hu asked, "You’ve suffered internal injuries, yet you dare to return?"

Chen Tang smiled slightly but said nothing.

He had been struck by that gray-robed man’s palm. Although he wore the Flood Dragon Armor, the force of the palm still caused internal injuries. Adding to that, taking on the attacks of a Third Grade Martial Artist with a saber and sword made his injuries worse.

He narrowly escaped the city using sheer strength and steady breathing to temporarily shake off pursuers, but it was not a long-term solution.

Besides these chasing Imperial Guards, Chen Tang was worried about another person.

That wounded, escaping Celestial Concealment!

Once this person recovers enough, he might strike at any moment.

This person was the greatest threat!

Even so, Chen Tang couldn’t leave Shen Zhiyuan and Su Li behind, so he risked returning.

The Flood Dragon Bow was too conspicuous, so he buried it outside the city and wrapped the Autumn Water Sword in black cloth, donned his straw hat, and seized the moment guards were patrolling to climb back into the city.

In an inn, upon hearing that Su Muzhe and Yan Shu had rescued them, he felt relieved of one concern.

Chen Tang intended to find a safe place first to mend his internal injuries.

Only by doing so could he face the potential dangers ahead.

But just at that inn, upon seeing the three from the Celestial Horse Escort Agency, he had a sudden idea. Perhaps by using the agency’s cover, he could escape this place!

This Young Leader of the Celestial Horse Escort Agency seemed to have no hostility towards him, even stepping forward to defend him at the inn.

Unexpectedly, this Young Leader not only harbored no hostility but was almost overly enthusiastic towards him.

The Young Leader looked at Chen Tang with some excitement and said, "I saw you back in the Langya Pavilion, defeating Xia Yuanxian of the Black Tortoise Cultivators. You might not know me... I... I’m Yang Jianzhi."

"Now I do. Greetings, Young Leader."

Chen Tang cupped his fists with a smile.

"No need, no need."

Yang Jianzhi waved his hand repeatedly, saying, "If Brother Chen doesn’t mind, just call me Brother Yang."

Chen Tang nodded and said, "Alright."

"Brother Chen, you’re incredible!"

Yang Jianzhi looked at Chen Tang with eyes practically sparkling, "You vanquished the three thousand bandits of the Profound Celestial Sect with one sword, Frost Cold illuminating the Divine Land! Such skill is truly unmatched, inspiring awe across the land!"

Chen Tang smiled and said, "It’s just the Sword Pavilion’s exaggeration, not as many as they say."

"Brother Chen, are you truly the Lion-Tiger Arhat of Beiqian, Demon Saber Chen Tang?"

Yang Jianzhi said, "When I heard that news, I wasn’t sure what to believe. No wonder, no wonder... Brother Chen, could you tell me about the Dragon Slayer incident? I heard that Flood Dragon..."

Chen Tang coughed lightly, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, his face growing paler.

Yang Jianzhi realized immediately and quickly said, "I was inconsiderate. There’s time to talk about this later. Brother Chen, please quickly head inside and let Escort Hu and Escort Du look at you to see if they can heal you with their Inner Qi."

"No need to trouble them."

Chen Tang shook his head.

Escort Hu stood silently by, clearly feeling wary and resistant towards him.

Without any relationship or reason, it wasn’t right to ask someone to expend Inner Qi to heal him.

Chen Tang looked up and said, "It’s late, and the city gates are about to close. I wonder if Brother Yang could hide me within the escort agency’s caravan, heading to a place?"

"Brother Chen, don’t worry. Stay here to heal tonight!"

Yang Jianzhi said resolutely, "No one can find this place. If they indeed show up, I’ll just have to reason with them!"

"Cough, cough!"

Beside them, Escort Hu coughed twice seemingly unintentionally.

At the same time, a figure leapt into the courtyard—it was Escort Du, who had been scouting around just now.

Escort Du said, "It’s safe for now; I didn’t see anyone. However, since Young Hero Chen killed a Commander of the Imperial Guard, if they come knocking, our Celestial Horse Escort Agency can’t protect him."

Yang Jianzhi, coming to his senses after some thought, knew Escort Du was right.

After all, it was the Great Xia Imperial Guard, directly under the Imperial Family.

No matter how powerful the backer of the Celestial Horse Escort Agency was, it was merely the Inspector of Jiangzhou. It wasn’t worth provoking the Imperial Guard over an outsider like Chen Tang.

Yang Jianzhi resolutely said, "Since we’ve encountered this, I can’t stand aside and do nothing. Just as Brother Chen suggested, we’ll hide him in our agency’s caravan and set out tonight."

Nominally it’s an escort mission, but essentially it’s to send someone.

"That works."

Escorts Du and Hu exchanged glances and nodded.

"Where does Young Hero Chen intend to go?"

Escort Du asked, "Langya Pavilion or Sword Pavilion?"

Given Chen Tang’s current situation, among the Six States of Great Xia, only those two places might offer protection.

"Neither."

Chen Tang shook his head and said, "Head north, towards Xiajiang."

His movements and aims had been revealed; if he continued towards Wu State, who knew how many ambushes and dangers awaited?

Even with the Celestial Horse Escort Agency secretly escorting him, it might not remain unnoticed by others.

Changing direction unexpectedly could potentially throw off pursuers.

Of course, heading to Xiajiang, Chen Tang had ulterior motives!

"Do you intend to cross the river and return to Beiqian?"

The three escorts were momentarily stunned, thinking Chen Tang wanted to escape the mess he’d created by heading to Beiqian across the river.

Escort Hu said, "There’s no time to lose. Let’s get ready and leave now."

Chen Tang put his hat back on, and under the arrangements of Yang Jianzhi, sat together with him in a carriage.

With a mission at hand, the personnel of the Celestial Horse Escort Agency quickly gathered, highly efficient, about a hundred men, led by Escorts Du and Hu, moving towards the north gate.

Seeing it was the Celestial Horse Escort Agency’s caravan, the guards didn’t obstruct them, waving them through.

The Celestial Horse Escort Agency exited the city through the north gate, heading north towards Xiajiang.

On the carriage, after a day of escape, Chen Tang, his tense nerves finally relaxing, couldn’t help but let out a light sigh of relief.

He assumed a seated meditation posture, using the Vajra Relic’s power, practicing the breathing technique while visualizing the Sea of Wisdom Enlightenment Map, treating his internal and external injuries while regaining strength.