74: Chapter 74 Prince Jeong

That figure finally walked completely down the stairs.

Leading the way was an old man.

He was clean-shaven with graying hair, wearing a dark red brocade robe embroidered with intricate cloud patterns in gold thread.

His gait was very steady; every step seemed as if it had been measured with a ruler—precise and calm.

A faint, almost imperceptible smile hung on his face, but that smile did not reach his eyes; instead, it exuded a chilling, sinister coldness.

He was a eunuch.

Moreover, he was a high-ranking old eunuch.

Chen Fan's heart sank slightly.

However, what truly attracted everyone's attention in the room was not this old eunuch, but the young man walking beside him.

It was a... young man who could not be accurately described in words.

He was about sixteen or seventeen years old, his stature not yet fully grown, appearing slightly slender.

He wore a moon-white brocade long robe, a leather belt inlaid with beautiful jade fastened at his waist, and a small white jade crown on his head, binding his long, jet-black hair at the back.

His skin was so fair it was almost transparent, resembling fine mutton-fat jade, emitting a soft halo under the light of the hall.

His features were exquisite to the extreme, with a pair of Phoenix eyes, the corners of which slightly upturned, carrying a touch of innate arrogance and aloofness.

His nose bridge was high and straight, his lips thin, though their color was very pale.

His entire being was like a meticulously carved work of art—luxurious, cold, and carrying an inherent air of superiority.

That nobility was not feigned; it permeated from his very bones.

It was as if he were born to stand in the clouds, looking down upon all living beings.

The Jianghu men present, all of whom usually boasted of being heroes, now subconsciously held their breath in front of this young man, not even daring to breathe loudly.

They felt ashamed of their own inferiority.

It was also the first time Chen Fan had so intuitively felt what it meant to have a class gap.

It was a chasm that, no matter how high one's martial arts prowess was, could not be crossed.

The Prefect of Yanzhou followed behind the two, sweating profusely, his waist bent almost to the point of breaking.

He quickened his pace a few steps, arrived in the center of the hall, and announced loudly to everyone, "This is Eunuch Zheng from the palace."

He then pointed to the young man, his tone of introduction becoming even more respectful.

"This is the grandnephew of Eunuch Zheng, Hereditary Prince Zheng. He has come to Yanzhou this time for training and leisure."

The old eunuch chuckled, a laugh that was somewhat shrill and made people feel quite uncomfortable.

"My grandnephew has been pampered since childhood and hasn't seen much of the world.

Upon leaving the capital this time, His Majesty specially instructed that he should see more of this magnificent land and make more friends with the heroes of the Jianghu."

He scanned the room, a flash of sharp light appearing in his murky old eyes.

"You are all prominent figures in Yanzhou city.

In the coming days, I will have to trouble you all to take good care of my Hereditary Prince."

The words were polite, but anyone could hear the underlying tone of command.

Chen Fan understood.

After all that, it wasn't some important guard mission.

It was just accompanying a Young Master from the imperial city to sightsee.

To put it bluntly, it was just being an Advanced bodyguard and tour guide.

What kind of business is this?

Chen Fan was speechless, just wanting to finish this errand early and go home to hold his wife and children.

Just then, Hereditary Prince Zheng, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke.

"Thank you for your hard work, everyone."

His voice was clear and melodious, like jade striking against stone, yet it carried a touch of the cleanliness unique to a young man; however, his tone still held that faint aloofness.

He clapped his hands lightly.

Immediately, an attendant walked up, holding a heavy tray.

On the tray was a red cloth covering.

Hereditary Prince Zheng casually lifted the red cloth.

Whoosh!

A room full of golden light instantly stung everyone's eyes.

On the tray, stacks of brand-new silver ingots were neatly arranged.

A rough count showed at least thirty or forty ingots, each weighing a full ten taels.

"A small token for our first meeting, no need to stand on ceremony."

Hereditary Prince Zheng said indifferently, "Thirty taels for everyone present."

Thirty taels.

The entire hall instantly fell into dead silence.

Everyone widened their eyes, staring fixedly at that tray of white silver, their breathing becoming heavy.

Thirty taels of silver.

For these Jianghu people, this was not a small sum.

An ordinary 8th Grade Martial Artist in a School only received three to five taels a month.

This one-time payment was almost a year's income!

Chen Fan was also stunned for a moment.

Looking at the generous Hereditary Prince Zheng, his view of this errand changed instantly.

Rich?

That's easy to talk about.

Money makes you the boss.

Never mind accompanying him for sightseeing; even other tiring tasks wouldn't be a problem.

"Thank you, Hereditary Prince, for the reward!"

"Hereditary Prince is generous!"

After a brief silence, a wave of sycophantic praise erupted in the hall.

The Jianghu heroes who had felt aggrieved just a moment ago now wore fawning smiles, each wishing they could carve the word "loyalty" onto their faces.

Hereditary Prince Zheng seemed long accustomed to such flattery, with not a flicker of emotion on his face.

He simply turned his head to look at the Prefect of Yanzhou.

"I heard that Yanzhou is famous for the Yan River?"

The Prefect nodded and bowed hurriedly.

"Replying to the Hereditary Prince, exactly.

The Yan River is the largest river in our Yanzhou, with majestic currents and beautiful scenery on both banks; it has been known as the 'Little Jiangnan' since ancient times."

"Especially at night," a sharp-witted Martial Artist interjected.

"On the Yan River, there will be over a dozen large pleasure boats, lit up all night, with singing and dancing that never stops—it's incredibly lively and the premier spectacle of Yanzhou!"

"Oh?"

A hint of interest finally appeared in Hereditary Prince Zheng's Phoenix eyes.

He nodded.

"Then let's go take a look."

He didn't say another word, but his decision allowed for no disagreement.

"Let's set off."

The old eunuch's shrill voice rang out accordingly.

The Martial Artists in the hall immediately roared their agreement and, surrounding Hereditary Prince Zheng, marched in a grand procession out of Tayan Tower.

Chen Fan mingled in the crowd, pushed forward by the flow of people.

In his heart, he was calculating: this Hereditary Prince's surname is Zheng, and the royal family of the Great Shang is also Zheng.

This Hereditary Prince Zheng is likely not simple at all.

And that old eunuch gave Chen Fan an irresistible sense of oppression, something he had never experienced before.

Even when facing the 5th Grade Alliance Leader Song Yuanxing, he had not felt this kind of oppression.

This Eunuch Zheng's strength is unfathomable!

It's just unclear what the purpose of this Hereditary Prince Zheng's visit to Yanzhou is?

Surely he can't really be here just for sightseeing, right?