Staying Alive Cautiously in the Celestial Realm and Becoming the Strongest

"It was given to me by an elder."

Wang Chen replied quietly, feeling very annoyed inside.

As the saying goes, it's easy to meet Yama but hard to deal with his Little Ghosts; the Little Ghosts at the entrance of the Yamen are the most troublesome. The gate guard's attitude made it clear he had ulterior motives.

Wang Chen knew very well that at this moment, stuffing a big red envelope into the guard's hand would likely settle the matter.

But, although he could afford to give, he feared the guard was not fated to receive such a red envelope!

"Say the name, let's hear it."

Seeing Wang Chen not 'getting it', the gate guard looked even more displeased, "Perhaps I know him!"

Wang Chen: "Zhang Weiran."

"Zhang Weiran?"

The gate guard clearly knew of him, first stunned, then sneered, "He's just a Junior Flag..."

"What's your relation to Zhang Weiran?"

Just then, a rough voice suddenly came from beside them.

Wang Chen turned his head and saw a burly man dressed in a flying fish suit standing at the entrance, staring at him fiercely.

The gate guard was immediately panicked and hastily saluted, "Head of the Hundred Households..."

The burly man extended his hand toward him, "Give it here."

Without daring to delay, the gate guard hastily placed the copper badge into his hand and then cautiously stepped aside.

The burly man glanced at the badge and then looked towards Wang Chen.

Wang Chen bowed with clasped hands, "I am Ling Zhiyuan, a junior, glad to meet the Head of the Hundred Households!"

He explained, "Zhang Weiran is a lifelong friend of my father, and he recommended me to join the Blood Cloak Guard in Jiangyuan."

The burly man asked, "You're a junior of Zhang Weiran, based on your accent, you're from Jingnan, right?"

Wang Chen nodded, "I am from the Ling Family of Anyang in Jingnan."

Since he had decided to join the Blood Cloak Guard, hiding his identity was not an option; it would only bring trouble.

"Anyang city?"

The burly man squinted his eyes, "You don't seem like you're from an average family; why come here to join?"

There was also a Capital Guard Yamen in Anyang city, and Wang Chen's choice to come so far was quite suspicious.

Wang Chen replied with a bitter smile, "My family has encountered some trouble, my father met with misfortune, and I had no choice but to come to Anyang seeking opportunities."

"I see!"

The burly man was astute and immediately understood.

His gaze at Wang Chen carried a hint of pity, "How old are you this year, and what is your cultivation level?"

Wang Chen answered, "I'm fifteen years old and have just entered the Martial Master Tier."

"Fifteen years old?"

The burly man's eyes widened in shock, "You're not lying to me, are you?"

Wang Chen looked and carried himself in a way that did not seem like a fifteen-year-old youth.

Wang Chen shook his head firmly, "I would not dare!"

"I supposed you wouldn't."

The burly man thought for a moment, not believing Wang Chen would dare to blurt out lies about such matters—it was easy to verify.

"Normally you would need to come here in five days for an assessment."

He stroked his chin and said, "Since you have a recommendation from Zhang Weiran, you can skip the assessment. Come to the Capital Guard Yamen to report tomorrow morning at the hour of chen!"

"Sir!"

At this, the gate guard couldn't help but interject, "This isn't following the rules!"

Rules are made by men; what he was truly upset about was how easily Wang Chen got a slot in the Blood Cloak Guard, and the thought that the latter would be wearing the flying fish suit the next day made him enviously furious.

It slipped out in a moment of impulse.

Slap!

His face took a heavy slap, one side swelling and reddening rapidly.

"Are you teaching me how to do my job?"

The burly man, his eyes flashing with ferocity, scolded the clueless gatekeeper, "Don't think you can strut around here in front of the Capital Guard Yamen, just because your sister is cozying up with Hundred Household Chen!"

"Scram!"

The gatekeeper, clutching his face, beat a hasty retreat.

"Pah!"

The burly man spat in disdain before turning back to Wang Chen, "Don't mind that scum. Just come tomorrow and report my name, and that will be enough."

"I am Wei Zhengxiong."

"So it's Lord Wei..."

Wang Chen bowed again, "Thank you for your patronage, my lord!"

"No need for formalities."

Wei Zhengxiong shook his head, "With your talent, there might come a day when I will need you to look after me."

He was speaking the truth.

Wang Chen had reached the Martial Master Tier by the age of fifteen, a cultivation level extremely astonishing even for someone born into a Noble Clan.

If not for a crisis at home, the Blood Cloak Guard would never have been able to recruit such talent!

Wei Zhengxiong believed that his decision at that moment was the right one, and he would break the rules in the same way even if the Guard Marshal were present.

Wang Chen modestly replied, "You are too kind, my lord."

Wei Zhengxiong chuckled, patting Wang Chen on the shoulder.

He had a change of heart, "Here's what we'll do: I consider Zhang Weiran a friend. You'll stay at my place tonight, and I'll bring you back here to the Capital Guard Yamen tomorrow to complete the formalities."

This Hundred Household found Wang Chen more pleasing by the minute.

Wang Chen hesitated, "This... It would trouble you too much, my lord."

"Not at all."

Wei Zhengxiong took Wang Chen by the shoulder directly, "Let's go now!"

Wang Chen didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but he didn't want to offend this enthusiastic Hundred Household and thus followed him to his residence.

Wei Zhengxiong's home was not far from the Capital Guard Yamen, a two-section estate that, while not of the richest or most prestigious, was beyond the means of ordinary families.

Wei Zhengxiong's wife was gentle and dignified. When she saw Wang Chen whom her husband had brought back, she couldn't help but freeze.

"Wife, let me introduce you."

Wei Zhengxiong said with a smile, "This is my nephew Wang Chen. He's come to Jiangyuan due to some troubles at home and is seeking refuge with me. Have the servants prepare a guest room quickly. He will be staying for a few days."

Wang Chen bowed, "I greet you, Aunt."

"Oh."

Wei's wife gasped lightly, as if awakening from a dream, her pretty face turning a faint blush, "There's no need for such formalities."

Wang Chen couldn't help but rub his nose, inwardly giving a wry smile.

The lapse of Wei's wife was clearly caused by his own face!

And more trouble was yet to come.

Wei Zhengxiong had one wife and three concubines, with two sons and five daughters between them. The daughters, ranging from fifteen to sixteen years old to seven to eight years old, were all summoned to meet and be introduced to Wang Chen.

Despite Wei Zhengxiong's rugged build and stout figure, his wives and concubines were each and every one attractive, and his daughters had inherited their excellent genes, each looking beautiful and lively.

When these girls saw Wang Chen, their eyes sparkled.

And then Wang Chen found himself surrounded by crisp "brother" calls and the sweet scent of his nieces, giving him the surreal impression that he had entered the Grand View Garden and become Jia Baoyu.

Wei Zhengxiong saw no issue with this and actually appeared to enjoy the scene.

This made Wang Chen regret coming along; if he were to accidentally get entangled, it would be difficult to extricate himself!

And then Wang Chen found himself surrounded by crisp "brother" calls and the sweet scent of his nieces, giving him the surreal impression that he had entered the Grand View Garden and become Jia Baoyu.

Wei Zhengxiong saw no issue with this and actually appeared to enjoy the scene.