Grassroots Travel: The Star Lord of Another World

Gao Xingchen glanced at the anxious faces of the crowd, and finally returned his gaze to the imperial edict in his hand. In his eyes, the gold-plated paper was like a red-hot iron, burning his heart. After a long silence, he took a deep breath and said slowly: "I understand the concerns of the elders. The court's move is indeed full of doubts, but Nan Li is right. We can't just sit there and wait for death."

He stood up suddenly, his eyes were like torches, and his tone was firm: "I have made up my mind. I will accept the imperial court's offer of amnesty!"

Everyone was stunned and looked at each other, but finally chose to believe their Pavilion Master, the young leader who had led them out of danger time and time again.

Nan Li walked to Gao Xingchen, gently held his hand, and gave him silent support. She knew that Gao Xingchen was under great pressure at the moment, but she believed that this man would be able to shoulder everything and lead Xingchen Pavilion to a more glorious future.

A few days later, all members of the Xingchen Pavilion were ready to go, and under the leadership of Gao Xingchen, they marched towards the center of the Nine Star Realm - Tianshu City.

Tianshu City, the political center of the Nine Stars Realm, was far more prosperous than other cities. There were many shops on both sides of the wide streets, and the sounds of hawking were endless. People from all over gathered here, and it was bustling and lively.

The arrival of Xingchen Pavilion undoubtedly added a different color to this bustling city. They were dressed in uniform black tights, each of them stood tall, with firm eyes, exuding a fierce aura that kept strangers away. They were incompatible with the surrounding environment, but strangely harmonious.

People stopped to watch and talk about it.

"Look, isn't that the Xingchen Pavilion that has gained fame recently? I heard that their Pavilion Master has already broken through to the Heavenly Rank at such a young age. It's true that heroes emerge from youth!"

"Yes, and I also heard that the deputy head of Xingchen Pavilion is a peerless beauty. I wonder if I can see her beauty today!"

"Shh, keep your voice down! The people of Xingchen Pavilion are not easy to mess with, be careful of what you say!"

The people in the Star Pavilion turned a deaf ear to the discussions around them. They looked straight ahead, walked steadily, and remained highly vigilant at all times, as if they were guarding against something.

Gao Xingchen was riding on a tall black horse. He had an upright posture, a handsome face, and deep and firm eyes, as if he could see through everything. He tilted his head slightly, looked at Nan Li who was also riding a horse beside him, and asked in a low voice: "Are you ready?"

Nan Li nodded gently, a faint smile on her lips, but a cold light flashed in her beautiful eyes, "Don't worry, everything is under control."

Gao Xingchen felt relieved and looked forward again. The towering palace shone with golden light in the sun, but it inexplicably made him feel a palpitation, as if behind the golden splendor, there was a huge danger hidden... In the golden and magnificent palace, the ambergris rising from the incense burner could not cover up the tense atmosphere in the air. Gao Xingchen and Nan Li walked side by side in the center of the hall covered with red carpet. On both sides stood the important officials of the court. They looked at the young leaders with burning eyes and whispered to each other.

Gao Xingchen looked calm and composed, not looking sideways, as if he didn't feel the scrutiny, suspicion, or even hostility of those eyes. He was wearing a black robe with gold patterns today, and a piece of white jade on his waist, which made him look tall and majestic. Nan Li was wearing a purple dress, and her long black hair was tied up with a jade hairpin. There was no expression on her delicate face, and she exuded a cold aura that kept people away from her.

"Master Gao Xingchen of the Xingchen Pavilion, and Deputy Master Nanli, please accept the order!" The eunuch's sharp voice echoed in the hall.

Gao Xingchen and Nan Li looked at each other and knelt down, "Your Highness, we accept your order."

"The Emperor, in compliance with the Will of Heaven, proclaims: Xingchen Pavilion is loyal to the emperor and patriotic, and has made great contributions to the defense of the Nine Star Realm. Pavilion Master Gao Xingchen is hereby appointed as the General Zhenyuan, and Deputy Pavilion Master Nan Li is appointed as the First-Rank Lady. I decree this!"

Gao Xingchen received the imperial edict, but he felt no joy in his heart. Instead, he became more alert. Everything was going too smoothly, so smoothly that it made him feel uneasy.

At this moment, the prime minister, who was originally smiling, suddenly changed his expression and pointed at Gao Xingchen and shouted angrily: "How dare you, Gao Xingchen, collude with the Demon Cult and plot a rebellion!"

As soon as the words fell, there was an uproar in the hall. Gao Xingchen and Nan Li looked up suddenly, and saw that the prime minister had a token in his hand. The token was pitch black and exuded a strange aura. It was the token of the Demon Cult!

"This is impossible!" Gao Xingchen stood up suddenly and refuted sharply, "This is clearly a frame-up!"

"Someone come! Take down these traitors!" The prime minister gave an order, and the guards who were originally standing on both sides drew their swords and surrounded Gao Xingchen and Nan Li.

"Protect the Pavilion Master and kill them!" Nan Li reacted quickly, drew out the soft sword from his waist, and protected Gao Xingchen in front of him.

Everyone in the Xingchen Pavilion also drew their weapons and fought with the guards. For a moment, the originally solemn and dignified hall turned into a battlefield, with shouts of killing and the sound of weapons clashing resounding through the sky.

Gao Xingchen and Nan Li stood back to back, struggling to resist the enemies that were pouring in like a tide. They were highly skilled in martial arts and had good coordination, but two fists could not beat four hands, and they gradually fell into a disadvantage.

"Xingchen, we have to break out!" Nanli forced back the enemy in front of him with a sword and shouted anxiously.

"Let's go!" Gao Xingchen made a prompt decision, grabbed Nan Li's hand, and rushed out of the hall.

The two of them fought their way through and finally broke out of the encirclement, but the enemy was still chasing them. At this moment, a black shadow flashed by and blocked their way.

"Master, Deputy Master, hurry up!" It was Xuanfeng. He was covered in blood, but he still fought desperately to stop the pursuers.

"Xuanfeng!" Gao Xingchen and Nanli were heartbroken, but they also knew that this was not the time to be sad.

"Go!" Xuan Feng roared at the top of his lungs.

Gao Xingchen and Nan Li looked at each other, gritted their teeth, turned around, and fled out of the palace...

Gao Xingchen and Nan Li ran all the way and finally rushed out of the heavily guarded palace. As night fell, the stars and the moon were dim, and the two fled into a dark and narrow alley, the shouts of the pursuers behind them gradually faded away.

"Xuanfeng, how are you?" Nanli asked anxiously, supporting the panting Xuanfeng.

Xuan Feng's face was pale, he covered his chest, a trace of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, "I'm fine, just a minor injury, it's nothing serious."

"You said you were fine, but you're vomiting blood!" Nan Li scolded with concern, taking out medicine from her arms and wanting to bandage Xuan Feng's wound.

"Don't worry, I know my own body." Xuan Feng grabbed Nan Li's hand and said weakly, "The most important thing now is to leave here quickly. The people from the court will catch up soon."

Gao Xingchen looked around. This alley was deep and winding, with high walls on both sides. It was indeed a good place to hide. But he also knew that this was not a place to stay for long. He had to find a safe place as soon as possible so that he could recover and plan his next move.

"Follow me." Gao Xingchen shouted in a low voice and led the way into the depths of the alley.

After turning many corners, they finally reached the end of the alley, only to find a high wall in front of them and no way to go.

"What should we do?" Nan Li asked anxiously.

At this moment, a black figure suddenly jumped down from the high wall and landed steadily in front of them.

"Who is it?" Gao Xingchen and Nan Li stared at the person coming vigilantly and clenched their weapons.

"One of us." The man in black whispered, then took off the veil on his face, revealing a handsome face.

"It's you?" Gao Xingchen and Nan Li both exclaimed in surprise.

The person who came was the mysterious ally they had met once before.

"Follow me." Without saying anything more, the mysterious ally turned and walked in another direction.

Gao Xingchen and Nan Li looked at each other, chose to believe him, and followed him through a narrow passage to a dilapidated small temple.

"It's safe here for now." The mysterious ally said, "You guys rest here first, I'll be back soon."

After saying this, he turned and left, disappearing into the night.

Gao Xingchen and Nanli walked into the small temple. There was only a broken Buddha statue inside and the incense burner was full of dust. It was obvious that no one had been there for a long time.

Nanli helped Xuanfeng sit on the cushion in front of the Buddha statue and carefully bandaged his wounds.

"Xingchen, what should we do now?" Nanli asked worriedly.

Gao Xingchen frowned, his mind full of thoughts. Xingchen Pavilion had suffered an injustice, and he had to redress the injustice, but now they were in a desperate situation, with no way forward, what should they do?

Just when he was at a loss, Nan Li suddenly said, "Xingchen, I decided to sneak into the court and find evidence to prove our innocence."

"No, this is too dangerous!" Gao Xingchen refused without even thinking.

"Don't worry, I have my own way." Nan Li's eyes flashed with a gleam, "I will be careful."

Gao Xingchen wanted to persuade her again, but when he saw Nan Li's unwavering eyes, he knew he could not change her decision.

"Then you must be careful." Gao Xingchen held Nan Li's hand tightly, and all his words turned into a warning.

Nan Li nodded, her eyes full of confidence and determination. She knew that for the sake of Xingchen Pavilion and their love, she had to stand up bravely, even if there were mountains of swords and seas of fire ahead, she would never back down.

At the same time, Gao Xingchen also embarked on another road full of unknowns. He was alone, groping forward in the dark. What would be waiting for him ahead? After bidding farewell to Nanli and Xuanfeng, Gao Xingchen embarked on the road of escape alone. He hid his identity, hid during the day and came out at night, carefully avoiding the pursuers. What he saw and heard along the way made him deeply realize the truth of "a cunning rabbit has three burrows", and also strengthened his determination to overthrow the corrupt court.

That day, Gao Xingchen came to a prosperous town and wanted to buy some dry food and water. In order not to attract attention, he changed into a coarse linen shirt and painted his face black with mud, making himself look like a down-and-out tramp.

However, Gao Xingchen's caution did not escape a pair of sharp eyes. Just as he walked into a teahouse and prepared to rest, a fat, big-eared middle-aged man in a brocade robe suddenly blocked his way.

"My little brother, I think you have a noble look, not like an ordinary person." The middle-aged man said with a smile, with a subtle sense of oppression in his tone.

Gao Xingchen was shocked, but calmly asked back, "You must be joking, sir. I am just a poor boy wandering around. How can I be considered noble?"

"Haha, there's no need to be modest, little brother." The middle-aged man said, pulling out a jade pendant from his sleeve and shaking it in front of Gao Xingchen, "Do you recognize this thing?"

Gao Xingchen took a closer look and saw the word "Xingchen" engraved on the jade pendant. It was the token of the Pavilion Master of Xingchen Pavilion! He immediately understood that this seemingly kind businessman was by no means an ordinary person.

"Who are you?" Gao Xingchen asked in a low voice, with a hint of vigilance in his eyes.

"My last name is Li, and I'm a businessman in this city." The middle-aged man put away the jade pendant and said with a smile, "I've heard for a long time that the Pavilion Master of Xingchen Pavilion is noble and righteous. After meeting him today, I find that his reputation is indeed well-deserved."

Gao Xingchen sneered in his heart. This wealthy businessman Li had obviously investigated his background, but he pretended not to know and tried to test him: "Boss Li, you are too kind. I am just a commoner and do not deserve the title of Pavilion Master."

"Master Gao, there is no need to hide it. I know your current situation." Mr. Li put away his smile and said in a serious tone, "I can help you, but you have to agree to one condition of mine."

Gao Xingchen's heart moved. He knew that he was now isolated and helpless and in urgent need of external help. And this rich businessman Li might be his hope for a comeback.

"What conditions?" Gao Xingchen asked.

"Help me get rid of a business competitor." A hint of ruthlessness flashed in Li Fushang's eyes. "As long as you agree, I guarantee that you can make a comeback!"

Gao Xingchen fell into deep thought. He knew the danger of seeking the skin of a tiger, but now he had no choice. In the end, he decided to accept Li Fushang's proposal, but at the same time he secretly decided to beware of this old fox.