Time flows like a river, rushing by without leaving a trace.
A month later, Chen Jinheng and Han Ying successfully passed the sect assessment period for intern disciples of the Xiaoyao Sect.
The two stood out in the trainee disciple challenge, becoming official disciples of the Xiaoyao Sect with first and second place finishes.
Following them were Meng Qing and Meng Fan from the Hundred Flowers Sect.
Only by becoming a formal disciple can one participate in the missions assigned by the Free and Unfettered Sect.
Recently, the Hundred Flowers Sect has been receiving a flood of requests to find missing persons, even though the sect has only about thirty disciples.
In order to uphold the reputation of the Free and Unfettered Sect, Gu Qianluo has sent out even her last disciple on a mission.
Even Cuiyu has been gone from the Xiaoyao Sect for more than half a month.
Gu Qianluo picked up a thick stack of authorization letters from her desk, a bitter look appearing in her eyes.
"Finally, I've finished arranging all the tasks that have accumulated over the past month."
If any requests come to me today, I, the sect leader, have no one left to command.
Just then, hurried footsteps sounded from outside the door.
"Junlan! Get ready! We've received a secret order! We must find this person within ten days!"
Gu Qianlu frowned and looked up at Tang Jiuzhao, who was usually elegant and composed.
He appeared extremely agitated today, with beads of sweat dripping from his forehead, looking quite disheveled.
"Brother Tang? All the disciples of the Hundred Flowers Sect have been dispatched on missions, and there is no one left to assign!"
"It's alright! I have already ordered the Quick Blade Sect and the Wind Chasing Sect to each send a swordsman to assist you."
This matter concerns the very life and death of the sect. Junlan, this time we can only succeed; failure is not an option.
Upon hearing this, Gu Qianluo took a token from Tang Jiuzhao.
Upon seeing the appearance of the token, Gu Qianluo's heart skipped a beat, and she asked seriously,
"It's... half of the Tiger Tally!"
"That's right! This tiger tally was delivered by a guard from the Eastern Palace!"
The person who commissioned this mission was none other than the Crown Prince.
Gu Qianluo narrowed her eyes slightly, not expecting that the client this time would be Li Zhiyan.
She gathered her thoughts, rubbed the tiger tally in her hand, and her brows furrowed.
"This is a fake tiger tally. According to historical records, the tiger tally was inscribed with twelve characters."
"The tally of armor and weapons is held by the emperor on the right and by Sheng Ling on the left."
"That's right, although this tiger tally is fake."
The other half of this tiger tally represents the person we are searching for.
"Do you have a portrait of that man?"
"Here! This is a portrait delivered by the Crown Prince's guards along with the tiger tally."
This man is none other than Chu Qiang, the Grand General who protects the nation and father of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess!
Upon hearing this, Gu Qianluo's expression suddenly darkened.
She remembered that in her previous life, it was because of this person that the emperor forced Li Zhiyan to marry Chu Li, who later became Consort Li.
"For a general to fall into the hands of the enemy is no ordinary matter."
"It is precisely because this matter is strange that I, the sect leader, have dispatched disciples from other sects to accompany you!"
According to reports from our informants, Chu Qiang is being imprisoned by bandits in an iron cell in Cangzhou!
You must bring the person back within ten days!
Otherwise, the Crown Prince will certainly not let our Xiaoyao Sect off the hook.
"Alright! Since the matter is urgent, Junlan will spare no effort to complete the mission!"
When will the two swordsmen from the Quick Blade Sect and the Wind Chasing Sect arrive?
Upon hearing this, Tang Jiuzhao quickly summoned his disciples to urge them on.
Suddenly, a tall figure slowly walked into the house, clasped his hands in greeting, and said...
"Disciple Liu Cheng greets Sect Master Tang and Sect Master Junlan."
"This disciple has come to assist Sect Master Junlan on the orders of Master Bei Yi!"
Gu Qianlu was startled; the swordsman Tang Jiuzhao had mentioned was actually this new disciple.
She was only a meter away from Liu Cheng, and this was the first time she had seen Liu Cheng's face clearly.
Liu Cheng had dark, deep eyes, sharp features, and a long beard. He spoke with a slight smile, exuding the charm of a mature man.
Gu Qianlu's brow twitched slightly. Listening to Liu Cheng speak, she always felt a familiar sense of security. She teased Liu Cheng,
"So you are Master Bei Yi's prized disciple, whom he always talks about?"
I've heard you're proficient in all eighteen martial arts, a top disciple of the Quick Blade Sect, appearing only once every few decades.
"I am honored by the praise from Sect Master Junlan. I am merely showing off my limited skills before an expert."
"Hehe, you don't need to be modest. I just want to know about your martial arts skills."
This mission is extremely dangerous. I, the sect leader, must ensure my own safety in order to find the person the client is looking for.
We must find this person within ten days, otherwise, the Crown Prince will bring harm to the Free and Unfettered Sect.
After speaking, Gu Qianluo placed the scroll in Liu Cheng's hands.
Liu Cheng's eyebrows twitched slightly. He quickly took the scroll and examined it, murmuring softly, "..."
"It was him?"
"What? You know him?" Gu Qianlu asked in confusion.
"Chu Qiang is a great general who protects the country. I was fortunate enough to serve under him for a few months and had the honor of meeting him a few times."
The truth is that Chu Qiang and Chen Jinheng once went on a campaign together to fight the Xiongnu.
At that time, Chen Jinheng was still relatively inexperienced, serving only as Chu Qiang's deputy general. However, they had gone through thick and thin together and were considered close friends.
"So, he was your former boss!"
You'd better hurry this time; he's been imprisoned in an iron cage, and his life or death is still unknown.
We must find a way to rescue this person quickly.
"Sect Leader Junlan is absolutely right! Since you're in such a hurry, let's set off immediately!"
As soon as Liu Cheng finished speaking, without waiting for Gu Qianluo to refute, he grabbed her wrist and flew down the mountain.
Tang Jiuzhao watched the two figures leave together, his eyes darkening and his heart heavy.
When Han Ying arrived, the two had already left Xiaoyao Mountain.
"Liu Cheng! Let go! There's still one disciple from the Chasing Wind Sect who hasn't arrived yet!"
Gu Qianlu's heart sank. This mission was dangerous, and she could not act rashly. Having an extra guard would provide extra protection.
"Sect Leader Junlan, rest assured! I am all you need! As long as I am here, I will absolutely not allow any villains to harm you in the slightest."
Seeing that he still hadn't stopped, Gu Qianlu frowned, and her words carried a hint of anger.
"Liu Cheng! This matter is of utmost importance. You must not act impulsively or show off your power!"
The two soon arrived at the Xiaoyao Sect horse farm at the foot of the mountain and carefully selected a fast horse that could travel a thousand miles a day.
Liu Cheng was a military general, and he had his own unique methods for selecting a good horse.
He led a fine horse from the horse farm, walked up to Gu Qianluo, and asked in a deep voice.
"Sect Leader Junlan, in my humble opinion, this fine horse is very suitable for you."
Upon hearing this, Gu Qianluo's gentle gaze fell upon the fine horse, revealing a satisfied expression.
This Liu Cheng is indeed quite capable; he was able to pick out the best horse in the stable—Feilong—so easily.
Gu Qianluo's brow twitched slightly. She quickly took the reins from his hand and sneered coldly.
"Thanks! Giddy up!"
Gu Qianlu raised the reins, the flying dragon raised its head and neighed towards the sky, dust rose from the ground, and the two rode away on the wind.
A smug smile flickered across Liu Cheng's lips.
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