112: Chapter 112 Royal Guard? Thirty Miles Outside the City to Meet

Yellow sand swirled with gravel on the official road, clattering softly against the blue armor of the escort team.

Lin Zhe and his group were only fifty li away from Holy Light City. The wilderness on both sides of the official road gradually turned into continuous stretches of green crops. Occasionally, solo players carrying herb hoes could be seen crouching by the ridges to gather herbs. Seeing the two-hundred-man escort team passing by majestically in uniform enchanted armor, they subconsciously made way, pulled out their terminals to snap photos, and didn't forget to mutter, "Boss Lin Zhe's prestige is truly something else."

"Rumble—!"

At the end of the official road in the distance, a cloud of yellow sand suddenly billowed up. The thunderous sound of horse hooves made the ground tremble slightly, and even the green crops by the roadside quivered.

Qing Yu instantly raised her hand, and the escort team immediately brandished their weapons into a defensive formation. Arrows were nocked, and swords unsheathed; their movements were as synchronized as a single person. The surrounding solo players were so scared that they crouched behind the ridges, thinking the Remnants of the Three Clans had gathered a large force for an ambush, their faces turning pale.

The dust drew closer, and everyone finally saw the appearance of the newcomers—a uniform line of black-armored tall horses. Each of the thousand knights wore gilded black iron armor with five-clawed golden dragon patterns embroidered on the chest, and the royal emblems on their shoulder guards gleamed dazzlingly in the sunlight. Leading them was the Royal Guard Commander, holding a bright yellow royal ceremonial flag that fluttered with the dragon pattern in the wind. The two knights at the front of the line held horns made of pure gold, engraved with intricate cloud patterns, looking extremely valuable at a glance.

"Bwooooom—!"

The Golden Horn was blown, and its vigorous sound traveled several li, making people's eardrums tingle.

The surrounding players were simply stunned, not even noticing when the herb hoes in their hands fell to the ground with a "clatter." That was the Empire's Golden Horn! It was only brought out for state banquets, welcoming foreign monarchs, or prince-level distinguished guests. The last time it sounded was during the Queen's coronation ceremony!

The black-armored troop reined in their horses neatly ten meters in front of Lin Zhe. The sound of hooves stopped simultaneously without the slightest disorder. Zhao Feng, the commander of the Royal Guards, rolled off his saddle and dismounted, quickly walking to Lin Zhe's white horse. With a "thud," he knelt on one knee, his voice loud enough to be heard half a li away: "This subordinate, by order of Her Majesty the Queen, has led a thousand members of the Royal Guards thirty li out of the city to welcome Mr. Lin Zhe! The ceremonial specifications are set at the Imperial Prince level. Her Majesty the Queen has already prepared a state banquet at the palace, waiting for the gentleman to enter the city!"

"Holy crap?!"

The spectating players instantly exploded with excitement, jumping up. One agitated young man lost his footing and fell directly into the nearby ditch, getting covered in mud but not caring. He held up his terminal to film a video, his hands shaking.

Prince-level honor guard? A thousand-man Royal Guards meeting him thirty li outside the city? Lin Zhe, an NPC from a Refugee background, could actually get such immense respect from the Queen of the Human Empire? This prestige has reached the ceiling!

The video spread to the world channel at the speed of light, and the entire server exploded. The messages flooded so fast that the server lagged for three seconds:

[Am I blind? Even the Golden Horn was brought out? I only heard that horn once during the Queen's military parade! This treatment for Boss Lin Zhe is even more exaggerated than a prince returning to the Imperial Capital!]

[Who was the one talking trash before saying Lin Zhe was just an ordinary NPC? Come out and take your beating! Can your ordinary NPC get the Queen to send a prince-level honor guard to welcome him?]

[I'm squatting at the gate of Holy Light City right now! Nobody stop me! I want to see the scene of the Boss entering the city with my own eyes! The betting pool on whether the Queen will personally welcome him is already open. I'm betting my entire net worth that the Queen will welcome him in person!]

No one noticed that in the oak forest by the roadside, several Remnants of the Three Clans in plain clothes were originally carrying poisoned arrows and had prepared rockfall traps, planning to ambush Lin Zhe when he passed. Seeing the formation of a thousand black-armored cavalry, their faces turned as white as paper, and the poisoned arrows in their hands "clattered" to the ground.

"Are they crazy? The Queen actually sent so many elites to pick him up? Our few people aren't even enough to fill the gaps between their teeth! Retreat! Quickly retreat back to the city!" The leader of the remnants had sweat pouring down his forehead. He didn't even have time to dismantle the traps he had set. He hunched over and led his people away in a panic, fearing they would be discovered by the Royal Guard scouts and cut down on the spot.

Zhao Feng stood up, patted the dust off his knees, and personally walked to Lin Zhe's white horse. Holding the reins with both hands, his attitude was so respectful he was almost touching the ground: "Please, sir. Her Majesty the Queen specifically instructed that your safety is the top priority. All towns along the way have been cleared, and no blind fools will come to disturb you."

Lin Zhe gave a faint "Mm," his fingertips lightly tapping the saddle, not saying much.

The troop set off again. The thousand Royal Guards split into two columns, protecting both sides of the group. Their black armor glinted coldly in the sunlight, and the Golden Horn blew from time to time; the pomp was ridiculously grand. When the commoners passing by saw this display, they subconsciously stood by the roadside and bowed, thinking it was some prince traveling incognito.

Just as they reached the entrance of the first small town, the town mayor had already led all the town's officials and gentry to wait by the official road. Each held gifts, their waists bent almost to the ground. Seeing Lin Zhe's troop approach, the mayor hurriedly brought up a plate of freshly roasted venison and ten jars of fine century-old brew, saying respectfully: "This humble official welcomes Mr. Lin Zhe. A small gift, please accept it. May you enjoy it on your journey."

Qing Yu stepped forward to accept the gifts and casually gave the mayor a 10% drop rate buff as a return gift. The mayor was so happy he couldn't close his mouth, bowing repeatedly in thanks.

In the next few towns they passed, the officials had received royal messages long ago and were all standing by the official road to welcome them, none daring to be even slightly negligent. The nobles who were once overbearing in their local areas also stood honestly by the roadside and bowed, fearing they would offend this distinguished guest whom even the Queen favored, and end up like Li Biao of Red Leaf City.

Xing Jianwan, riding on the white horse beside him, shook the terminal in her hand and said to Lin Zhe with a smile: "The whole server has exploded. The world channel is full of posts about your prestige. Many players have even rushed over from other main cities just to see you enter the city. The gate of Holy Light City is now packed like sardines. The official team temporarily added three servers to stabilize the lag."

Ling Xi held the Nature Warning Jade Pendant, her light brown deer-like eyes also filled with a smile: "Her Majesty Su Ninghua is indeed thoughtful."

At that moment, a cold system prompt sounded in Lin Zhe's mind: [Ding! Detected that the top-tier female NPC Su Ninghua's favorability toward the host has increased to 90. Third bond trigger progress +5%, current progress: 40%!]

Lin Zhe's fingertips moved slightly as he looked ahead. In the morning light, the golden spires of Holy Light City were already clearly visible, and even the outlines of the city defense cannons on the walls could be seen. The wind carried the unique atmosphere of the Imperial Capital's prosperity. Rule Perception spread out, and he could clearly feel several malicious auras hidden in the city instantly retracting, obviously frightened out of their wits by the display of the royal honor guard and not daring to show their heads again.

A faint, cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth, and he didn't take it to heart.

"Bwooooom—!"

The Golden Horn sounded again, its vigorous voice carrying for several li. The hoofbeats of the thousand-man honor guard clattered as they steadily advanced along the wide official road toward Holy Light City, with commoners along the way making way, their gazes full of awe.