Staying Alive Cautiously in the Celestial Realm and Becoming the Strongest

Carriages and horses briskly move along, flags fluttering, valiant knights galloping, all heading westward.

Wang Chen glanced back at the road they had just traversed, seeing the Imperial Capital gradually fading from view.

For some reason, possibly influenced by Sun Zhengheng, he had a foreboding feeling!

"Lord Wang..."

At this moment, a knight quickly approached Wang Chen and whispered, "Her Highness requests your presence."

The knight's voice was crisp and pleasant, and with fair skin and a beautiful visage, her gender was obvious.

Among the escort team of three thousand Feathered Forest Guards, there were fifty female knights, specifically tasked with accompanying the carriage of Princess Qingyun.

Wang Chen nodded: "Understood."

He picked up the reins, steering the Yellow Fatty Horse closer to the luxurious carriage pulled by eight fine horses.

This carriage was of royal standard, its cabin extremely spacious, akin to a mobile house with all sorts of facilities, easily accommodating a dozen passengers.

As for the passengers, naturally, it was Princess Qingyun and her accompanying maids.

"Master!"

As Wang Chen approached, Princess Qingyun poked her head out of the open window: "Can you come up? I have many questions to ask you."

The nearby guards pretended to see and hear nothing, focusing strictly on their duties.

Wang Chen couldn't help but smile ruefully: "Your Highness, it's not very proper."

Although he now carried the title of the Crown Prince's Protector and was indeed Princess Qingyun's mentor, entering her carriage under everyone's gaze was not appropriate!

Princess Qingyun huffed, withdrew her head, and then slammed the window shut.

Clearly, she was signaling to Wang Chen that she was upset.

Wang Chen shook his head, not taking it to heart.

If he were in Princess Qingyun's place, traveling miles to a foreign land to marry a complete stranger, his mood would not be great either.

Wang Chen once again widened the distance from the carriage.

But not long after, the same female knight approached once again, this time bringing along a food box.

Wang Chen understood right away, it was a token of respect from his unofficial disciple.

A touch of warmth stirred in his heart.

The long procession stretched for miles on the official road, causing eastward traveling merchants and travelers to respectfully make way, stopping by the side of the road.

For safety reasons, the speed of the escort procession was not fast, and along the way, local nobles from cities and counties they passed came to greet and host them, offering all kinds of respectful gifts.

At this pace, Wang Chen estimated it would take at least half a year to reach the capital of Great Yan!

Along the way, Princess Qingyun behaved obediently.

Though she did not invite Wang Chen to the carriage again to instruct her, she still diligently studied Taoist Skills and conveyed her questions to Wang Chen through notes when encountering difficulties.

She was quite hardworking.

For such a disciple, Wang Chen naturally spared no advice, adding a bit of fun to this dull and long journey.

A month later, the marriage escort team arrived at the West Sea Great Prairie.

The West Sea Great Prairie is located within West Sea Prefecture, which is the largest among the many prefectures of Great Liang and spans a vast area.

However, the population of West Sea Prefecture is not very large and is mainly concentrated in several cities.

This meant that the team's journey ahead would be much more challenging; it would not be possible to stay in cities frequently nor receive hospitality and supplies from local government offices.

Furthermore, the West Sea Great Prairie was also home to a significant menace.

"Mainly three groups of horse bandits..."

Sun Zhengheng told Wang Chen: "Especially the White Wolf Thieves, they are extremely strong with all three leaders possessing the strength of fifth-tier Martial Ancestors!"

The White Wolf Thieves have been rampant in the West Sea Great Prairie for decades. Initially, they were just a small group of Horse Bandits, but their strength expanded over time and became a great concern for West Sea Prefecture.

Especially in recent years, many local herders have joined the White Wolf Thieves, causing their power to expand again, once posing a significant threat to the Prefectural City.

West Sea Prefecture has sent troops to suppress them, but other than losing soldiers and wasting food and money, there has been no harvest.

The most problematic part is that there are dozens of Horse Bandits, big and small, scattered across the prairie. They are mostly interconnected, warn each other of danger, and even form alliances!

Wang Chen realized, "Are you worried that these bandits might harm us?"

Sun Zhengheng didn't say so much just because he is talkative.

"Yes."

Sun Zhengheng pointed with a bitter smile at the dozens of cargo wagons in the convoy, "These items alone are enough to attract thieves!"

All the carts were carrying Princess Qingyun's dowry, consisting of gold, silver, jewels, fine fabrics, and silk, all worth at least several million taels—a huge fortune.

It's normal for Horse Bandits to covet such wealth.

Wang Chen smiled and said, "Let them come if they will, aren't your three thousand Feathered Forest Guards competent?"

The Blood Cloak Guard, Imperial Guard, and Feathered Forest Guard are collectively known as the Imperial Three Guards, directly serving under the Emperor of Great Liang, all selected elites from various military corps.

The three thousand Feathered Forest Guards responsible for escorting the matrimonial convoy are the elite of the elite.

Wang Chen didn't believe the mere White Wolf Thieves could contend with this troop, and even if more Horse Bandits joined, it wouldn't be a problem.

Horse Thieves and bandits can handle merchant guards, but against a real army, their weaknesses will be fully exposed!

"I've heard a rumor..."

Sun Zhengheng lowered his voice, "The White Wolf Thieves are linked with Great Yan."

Hmm?

Wang Chen was slightly startled—Great Yan is an ally of Great Liang!

But then he thought and felt naive; there is no real friendship between nations, only interest-based relationships.

If Great Qi in the north wants to annex Great Liang, wouldn't Great Yan have ideas too?

Using Horse Thieves and bandits to plant stakes within Great Liang's borders is indeed a clever tactic.

If the White Wolf Thieves truly have connections with Great Yan, their strength needs to be reassessed to avoid complacency.

"Protector Wang."

Sun Zhengheng sincerely said, "Better safe than sorry. If we indeed fall into a perilous situation, I hope you can take Her Highness and leave first, don't mind us!"

"Okay."

Wang Chen nodded, "I promise you."

Sun Zhengheng showed a relieved smile, "Thank you!"

Woo~

A deep horn sound came from ahead, as the flag guiding the route waved, and the pace of the convoy slowed.

It was getting dark; time to set up camp.

In this place without villages ahead or stores behind, where not even a merchant or traveler was encountered, camping out was the only option tonight.

As night fell and darkness enveloped the land, piles of campfires were set up and lit within the camp.

A group of Feathered Forest Guards gathered around the campfires, enjoying their dinner and chatting jovially, creating a lively atmosphere.

Awooo~

Suddenly, a long howl of a wolf echoed distantly, reaching everyone's ears!

Many of the Feathered Forest Guards immediately changed their expressions!

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Second update delivered.