The poorest member of the Imperial Guard, the Empress begged me to embezzle.

"Shadow Taotie".

Upon hearing this, Chu Xiu frowned and said in a deep voice.

Swish!

The shadowy Taotie appeared out of thin air and bowed respectfully to Chu Xiu, saying, "Greetings, Lord Marquis."

"Are the shadow guards keeping an eye on the eight princes?"

Chu Xiu looked calmly at Ying Taotie and asked him a question.

There were originally nine princes, but Prince Zhao, Murong Zhi, rebelled and was killed. Now, only eight of the nine sons appointed by the late emperor remain as princes.

However, the Great Zhou Dynasty was not simply composed of eight princes.

In the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, there were more than a dozen princes, all of whom were members of the imperial family.

Murong Changge, the Imperial Guard General and Imperial Uncle, was a representative figure among the princes of the imperial clan, and his title was Prince Zhong.

"Reporting to Your Lordship, our Shadow Guards were not keeping an eye on any of the princes."

Ying Taotie shook her head and said to Chu Xiu.

He naturally knew which eight princes Chu Xiu was referring to.

"From today onwards, keep a close eye on these eight princes."

Chu Xiu pondered for a moment, then said to Ying Taotie, "Remember, don't let anyone know."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will obey your command."

Ying Taotie's eyes narrowed, and he said solemnly.

"Lin Huaiyu, you will hand over our Embroidered Uniform Guard's disguise and concealment techniques to Ying Taotie."

"From this day forward, the Shadow Guards will also be trained in the disguise and concealment techniques of our Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"The special concealment technique must be mastered to the minimum level of the beginner stage by every Shadow Guard."

Chu Xiu said in a deep and powerful voice.

Although the Shadow Guards also possess their own concealment techniques and are quite adept at hiding their presence, otherwise the Shadow Guards of the Great Zhou Dynasty would not have such a formidable reputation.

However, Chu Xiu knew very well that although the Shadow Guards' concealment technique was good, their ability to reach this point was not solely due to the concealment technique, but more so to their cultivation level.

The concealment technique he taught the Embroidered Uniform Guard was even more powerful than that of the Shadow Guard.

If the Shadow Guards could cultivate the Embroidered Uniform Guard's Concealment Technique, their stealth capabilities would become even stronger, playing a crucial role in intelligence gathering.

Even though the overall strength of the Embroidered Uniform Guard has improved significantly, it is still somewhat inferior to the Shadow Guard.

"Thank you, Lord Marquis..."

Ying Taotie's eyes lit up, and she thanked Chu Xiu with great joy.

He had always been by Chu Xiu's side, so he was naturally very clear about the Embroidered Uniform Guard's ability to conceal their presence.

Now that their Shadow Guards have obtained the Embroidered Uniform Guard's concealment technique, their strength will undoubtedly become even greater.

"Yes, Your subordinate obeys."

Lin Huaiyu said with a respectful expression.

"Keep an eye on the three: King Qi, King Yan, and Wang Hao."

"I must know their every move!"

Chu Xiu stood with his hands behind his back and spoke calmly.

"Yes, Your Excellency obeys!"

Upon hearing Chu Xiu's words, Ying Taotie replied without hesitation.

Chu Xiu waved to Ying Taotie and Lin Huaiyu, then remained silent.

Ying Taotie and the other person exchanged a glance, bowed, and left together.

Because Lin Huaiyu also needed to teach Chu Xiu the art of disguise and the art of concealing one's breath.

In the deepest part of the Prince of Yan's mansion, in a courtyard.

Prince Murong Jian of Yan was sitting at a stone table, holding a scroll and reading.

A man in black appeared out of thin air in front of Murong Jian, knelt down before him, and said with utmost reverence, "Your Highness, Prince Qi has agreed."

"accepted?"

What are your conditions, Fourth Brother?

Murong Jiantou raised his head, put down the book in his hand, and said with a smile.

"Your Majesty Qi said that he only wants the Jinyiwei's killing blade formation."

"Moreover, even the Jinyiwei's killing blade formation only needs to be given to him once."

"However, he will not use the Jinyiwei's killing blade formation."

"We need to take action. Once we obtain the Killing Blade Array, we can send you a copy."

The man in black hesitated for a moment before speaking to Murong Jian.

"Fourth brother, fourth brother, you're still so cautious. Are you worried that if you take action against the Embroidered Uniform Guard, His Majesty will find out?"

"However, you may be afraid, but I am not!"

Murong Jian said with a hint of disdain in his eyes.

In fact, from the moment the man in black told him that King Qi had agreed, he already knew that Wang Hao had definitely agreed to King Qi's request.

King Qi certainly wasn't worried that they would renege on their promise after receiving the Killing Blade Formation and refuse to give him a share.

If he obtains the Killing Blade Formation and fails to deliver it to Prince Qi's residence discreetly within a certain timeframe, Prince Qi will likely personally report them to His Majesty, exposing the matter.

He knew his fourth brother all too well in this respect.

The man in black kept his head down and remained silent.

Murong Jian glanced at the man in black and said calmly, "Tell my uncle that the plan can begin!"

"Yes."

The man in black spoke with a firm and powerful voice.

Murong Jian bowed and disappeared into the courtyard.

"I'm scheming against you, and you're scheming against me."

"Then let's see whose calculations are more superior, and who will have the last laugh."

Murong Jian's gaze was not directed at the Embroidered Uniform Guards, but rather at the Qi Prince's residence, and he said in a low voice.

The next day, early in the morning.

Chu Leisurely strolled towards the headquarters of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. He immediately spotted Lin Huaiyu waiting at the main gate of the headquarters.

"Greetings to the Marquis."

Lin Huaiyu bowed to Chu Xiu.

"No need to be polite."

"Tell me, what's the matter?"

Chu Xiu said as he walked towards the headquarters of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

"Reporting to the Marquis, five villages in Hongnong County have been completely wiped out."

"Everyone in the village, regardless of age or gender, including the poultry and livestock, was drained dry and turned into mummies."

"It seems to be related to the Blood Demon Sect."

"It's very similar to the Blood Shadow Divine Skill of the Blood Demon Sect."

Lin Huaiyu said with a solemn expression.

"Blood Shadow Divine Art?"

Chu Xiu frowned and said.

"My lord, the Blood Shadow Divine Skill is the most powerful and unique skill of the Blood Demon Sect, and it is infamous throughout the martial arts world."

"To cultivate this martial art, one must drink blood, and drink countless amounts of fresh blood."

"The more blood you drink, the faster your cultivation will advance."

"There was once a person who did not practice martial arts, but by chance he obtained the Blood Shadow Divine Skill. After practicing it, he grew from someone who did not know martial arts to a master at the level of a human immortal in a short period of time."

Lin Huaiyu took a deep breath, a look of apprehension on his face, and said, "Moreover, after cultivating the Blood Shadow Divine Art, one can transform into a blood shadow as one cultivates."

The Blood Shadow technique can even grant immunity to a certain degree of attack, making it extremely difficult to kill a Blood Demon Sect expert who has cultivated the Blood Shadow Divine Art.

"A demonic martial art like the Blood Shadow Divine Art, which can be mastered quickly and requires the consumption of fresh blood, must have some flaws or drawbacks, right?"

Chu Xiu pondered for a moment and then asked Lin Huaiyu.