I, a prison guard in the Heavenly Prison, secretly became invincible thanks to the system.

"His Majesty has secretly decreed that you are permitted to study at the Azure Scale Guard for a period of time, and return in six months."

At the Imperial City Guard headquarters, Leng Ruyi took out a small imperial edict and handed it to Ye Kang.

"Furthermore, this matter was initiated by the princess asking the empress, who then went to the emperor, so you still need to repay the princess a favor."

"It's natural."

Ye Kang nodded and accepted the imperial edict.

With this, I can legitimately go to Jiangnan.

Lord Leng continued, "This mission will last quite a while. The princess intends to travel to Jiangnan soon, and she will need you to protect her."

"It should."

Ye Kang frowned, but agreed.

After all, we owe the princess a favor, and we should repay it with every bite and drink.

Ye Kang then went to the armory to collect his uniform and BMW, replenishing his equipment before returning home.

The Ye family had already made preparations for their departure and had settled the wages of their cook and the wine shop's employees well in advance.

The two maids went with them to Jiangnan, leaving Madam Ye worried about them staying alone in the capital.

Now that the Ye family is wealthy, they can't be careless when they travel. They hire the best carriages and drivers, as well as four martial arts masters, all of whom are top-notch.

As for his home, Ye Long asked Uncle Meng from the city patrol to come and take care of things whenever he needed.

Ye Kang simply rented the house to Jin Baobei. This guy didn't have a place to stay in the capital, so he could stay here and also take a look at the house.

With a top-tier expert in charge, Ye Kang felt very reassured.

With everything prepared, the next morning, two large carriages left the city.

Five large horses walked beside the carriage, leading the way and acting as guards.

Although they were traveling on the official road, the journey was far from peaceful, and no one could guarantee absolute safety.

With these four martial arts masters by their side, they can deter many scoundrels.

After traveling for half a month without any incidents, they left the northern territory, crossed the Jiayang River by boat, and entered the Jiangnan region.

On this day, the carriage was traveling leisurely along the official road when the curtain was lifted and Madam Ye peeked out.

"Kang'er, have we reached Meihe Town yet?"

Ye Kang glanced at the road sign and nodded, "Yes, we should spend the night in town."

"That's good. Your father and I want to go and find an old friend."

"Old friend?"

“It’s Master Shen from Meihe Town. Back then, your father and I eloped, and it was thanks to Master Shen that we were able to escape the martial artists sent by your maternal grandfather.”

"Such a connection!"

Ye Kang immediately decided to pay a visit to this Master Shen.

In the evening, the carriage arrived at the town ahead.

The town was quite bustling, with many pedestrians, most of whom would stare in amazement at the horse-drawn carriages.

As a town that is a necessary stop on the official road, Meihe Town makes money by receiving passing guests. The Ye family's carriage is luxurious and they have bodyguards, so it is obvious that they are rich.

Therefore, many people ran over with smiles.

"Welcome to Meihe Town, sir! Please choose our inn! Our rooms are excellent!"

"Choose us, sir! We have a hot spring foot bath!"

Many innkeepers gathered around, frantically trying to attract customers.

One of the female owners even hinted, intentionally or unintentionally, that her inn offered some special services.

After careful consideration, Ye Kang chose the inn with the hot spring.

I don't really care, but my parents and older brother have been on such a long journey, they need to soak their feet to relieve their fatigue.

The inn was not far from the main road; it was just a few hundred steps from the town center. The inn was very luxurious, a grade higher than the surrounding inns.

The waiter led the horse to the stable, while the innkeeper ushered the guests into the inn.

"Dear guests, you have excellent taste! Although our shop is a bit pricey, it's worth the price. You can relax by soaking your feet, listen to music and watch plays in the main hall, and our food is top-notch, prepared by chefs who have trained in Nanjing!"

The shop owner was a plump middle-aged man with a ruddy complexion and a lively spirit when he spoke.

Ye Kang simply tossed out a large silver ingot and asked for three superior rooms and five ordinary rooms.

They ordered a good meal in the hall, and everyone sat down to eat together.

Many people stayed at inns during this period, mostly wealthy merchants. Merchants dominated this official road, with very few government officials.

While eating, Mrs. Ye chatted with the shop owner.

"Boss, there seem to be more pedestrians in town than before?"

"Look at what you're saying. This road is the only way for merchants to travel between the north and south. Merchants from Jinling all have to pass through this road, and naturally they all have to rest in Meihe Town. Moreover, the current situation is not peaceful, and no one dares to travel at night."

"Something's not peaceful? Why is that?"

"Isn't it all because of those damned feuds in the martial arts world? Several major sects are fighting each other, and it's always us kind-hearted people who suffer the most?"

"I see. May I ask, sir, is Master Shen from town at home?"

"You know Master Shen!"

The shop owner suddenly stood up in shock.

Upon seeing his expression, Madam Ye's face immediately changed.

"Could it be that Mr. Shen has run into trouble? He is an old friend of mine, and I was just about to visit him."

"Alas, you are too late. Master Shen has just passed away. If you had come a few days earlier, you might have been able to see him..."

"what!"

Both Ye Long and his wife looked gloomy.

"What a coincidence! I've never heard of him having any illness before."

The shop owner gave a cold laugh upon hearing this.

“Master Shen is in good health; how could he possibly fall ill?”

"Why is that?"

"Didn't I just say that it was a feud between martial arts masters? Unfortunately, Master Shen got caught up in it and was killed by a group of martial artists. The Shen family's mourning hall hasn't been dismantled yet, so you can still offer incense if you go now."

"A feud between江湖 (jianghu) figures..."

The Ye family members all gaped open.

Only Ye Kang frowned.

The four martial arts masters exchanged glances and quietly moved closer to Ye Kang.

"Second Young Master, this matter is suspicious. It's best not to get involved, lest you have an unpleasant journey."

Ye Kang nodded, not paying much attention.

At this moment, after the meal was finished, Madam Ye looked at Ye Kang and said, "Kang'er, your father and I should offer incense to Master Shen for his great kindness back then. You two should rest first."

"I will go with you. Please trouble the four brothers to protect the maid at the inn."

The four bodyguards clasped their hands in a gesture of respect, indicating that there was no problem.

Madam Ye nodded: "Alright, let's set off now, so as not to delay our rest."

Ye Kang immediately followed his parents to the Shen residence at the very back of the town.

This is a large mansion with two stone lions at the entrance, but at this moment, mourning cloths are hanging on the lions' heads.

Ye Kang walked over, and the guards at the gate immediately became wary.

After Ye Kang explained the reason, a group of people immediately came out to greet him.

The leader was a middle-aged man, whose tall stature couldn't hide the dejection on his face.

"I am Shen Fan, a junior. I was unaware that my father's old friend had come to visit. I have failed to greet you properly. Please come in, my father..."

"Condolences."

Ye Long quickly comforted him.

The group entered the mourning hall and respectfully offered incense.

The family members were heartbroken, especially the women, whose faces were filled with sorrow and despair, looking extremely miserable.

After offering incense, Madam Ye sighed and said, "Master Shen is a kind man, I never expected him to suffer such an accident, I am truly..."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a young man in mourning clothes in the crowd couldn't help but grit his teeth and speak out.

"It's not misfortune at all, it's clearly that someone has their eyes on our family property!"