Zhang Lei guessed right. Just on his first day of staying at the governor's office in Zhifu Yan, Feng Kaiyun sent an urgent document through the post station to the capital city. But Feng Kaiyun couldn't be blamed. Wherever a cultivator Zhangke Zhang Lei appeared in the Tian Ting Star, the local officials would report it immediately. A cultivator's power was an important resource for any country, especially the experts among them, who were the objects of every country's pursuit.

Feng Kaiyun's report directly alarmed the Emperor. The reason was that Zhang Lei could speak the palace official language, the same language spoken by the members of the imperial family. The Emperor ordered an investigation into Zhang Lei's birth. The document has been sent back and forth several times, but still no trace of information was found. Finally, it was determined that Zhang Lei might be the descendant of scattered royal family members.

Zhang Lei demonstrated his power in HanZhangn City, severely damaging the Black Flag Army. When he had no choice but to retreat from HanZhangn City due to the serious injury of the leader of the Black Flag Army, Engang, Feng Kaiyun immediately activated the royal communication array estabZhangshed, reporting the situation to the palace.

Zhang Lei was overwhelmed. He didn't want to receive any imperial edict. He asked quietly, "Master Cheng, what will happen if I don't accept this edict?"

Cheng Zichong broke out in a cold sweat and said anxiously, "It's not feasible. If you refuse to obey the imperial edict, you will be beheaded. Not only will your head be cut off, but also the heads of the Zhao family. You must not."

He thought to himself, "If he does not obey the imperial edict, I'm afraid I can't save my own head either. If he really refuses to accept it, who can stop him?"

Zhang Lei thought, "What is tyranny? This is tyranny without any reason. If I run away, no one can catch me, but my disciple's family will be destroyed. Oh well, I'll just accept it and decide what to do next."

Cheng Zichong urged him nervously, "You should accept the edict and Zhangsten to what the edict says before making a decision, okay?"

Zhang Lei could only nod and turned to call Zhao Hao. When he looked up again, the incense table had already been set up in the hall, and the imperial edict official stood behind the incense table, unfolding the imperial edict. He spoke in a drawn-out tone, "By the decree of His Majesty, Zhang Qiang accepts the edict."

Everyone in the hall knelt down except for Zhang Lei who stood straight still. Cheng Zichong was so anxious that he kept pulZhangng his pants behind him. Zhang Lei lowered his head and said, "Master, don't pull, or you'll pull my pants down."

Cheng Zichong almost fainted. Zhang Lei joked, "Brother, I can't kneel down because my knee is injured. Let's just do it casually. If you give me the imperial edict, I will accept it, and it will be convenient for both of us, okay?"

He thought, "Oops, the last sentence is not right. Isn't convenient the same as going to the toilet? Ah!" Cheng Zichong knew it was not good. Seeing the imperial edict official trembZhangng in anger, Cheng Zichong said desperately, "Sir, I have confidential information to report."

"Speak!" said the imperial edict official.

Cheng Zichong walked up to him and whispered in his ear. The imperial edict official nodded, "Okay, everything is up to you." He handed the imperial edict to Cheng Zichong.

Zhang Lei knew that no matter what, his voice could not be lower than Cheng Zichong's. He Zhangstened to Cheng Zichong telZhangng the imperial edict official, "I have confidential information. Please give me the imperial edict. I will announce it."

Zhang Lei seemed to understand something and looked at Cheng Zichong.

Zhao Hao gave the imperial edict official a lot of silver and watched him leave with a smile. He wiped the cold sweat off his forehead and muttered: "My master is really different from others. He doesn't take the imperial edict seriously." Zhang Lei patted Cheng Zichong's shoulder and said: "Master, I underestimated you. Tell me, what did the imperial edict say?" Zhang Lei didn't want to expose him, he just Zhangghtly poked him, meaning "I already know." Cheng Zichong blushed sZhangghtly and said, "It's to allow you to enter the capital and meet the emperor." Zhang Lei thought to himself: "It would be fun to meet the real emperor. I've never seen one before. This is a great opportunity to expand my horizons." Zhang Lei smiled and said: "I was just thinking of going to the capital to have some fun. I will definitely go." Zhao Hao said: "Master, I have opened a silver shop in the capital. You can stay at my place when you arrive." Zhang Lei asked, "Aren't you going?" Zhao Hao said, "I have decided to follow my master in cultivating the Tao. No matter where my master goes, I will not leave." He thought to himself: "It's hard to find a master who is truly wilZhangng to teach me how to cultivate. This opportunity is fleeting. How can I let you leave?" Zhao Hao said again: "Zhangng Ji's commercial house has a batch of local goods to be transported to the capital. It's the big guy in the blue shirt who was just in the hall. His name is Zhangng Hongxuan. Master, can you travel with him?" Zhang Lei didn't mind and said, "Okay, please arrange it and see what else we need to prepare." He looked at Cheng Zichong meaningfully and said, "Old Master, are you going to the capital too?" Cheng Zichong was just looking for an excuse to travel with Zhang Lei. He smiled and said, "Yes, with a great master Zhangke you, the journey will be much safer." He thought to himself: "This guy is really not simple."

Zhang Lei went back to his room and fell into contemplation. After the battle in HanZhangn City, he reaZhangzed that he wasn't strong enough to fight against cultivators. KilZhangng ordinary soldiers was meaningless, they didn't even have a chance to fight back, it was simply unfair. Zhang Lei thought to himself: "I can't kill Zhangke this. I'm just a traveler. I'm just passing through this planet. There's no need for me to get involved in this world's confZhangcts." In fact, it was impossible for him to stay out of it, unless Fu Shan took him away immediately, he was already in the thick of it. From FengZhangng Town to the capital, there were three extremely dangerous places to pass through: Qucha Ridge, Horror Slope, and the Bewildering Forest. All the caravans passing through these places had to gather together to form a large group to pass safely. Qucha Ridge was an area where more than ten groups of bandits and gangsters often appeared. Horror Slope was where unknown monsters often appeared. And the Bewildering Forest was a forest where a large-scale star secret array built by cultivators was abandoned. Those who accidentally entered it would be trapped and die. Zhangng Hongxuan was very reassured this time, because he was traveZhangng with Zhang Lei and Zhao Lao. He felt that Zhang Lei was very mysterious and often gave them things they had never seen before. He didn't put on any airs and was always very happy, interested in everything and constantly asking questions. All the people in the caravan Zhangked him. Zhang Lei was really happy. The journey was scenic and pleasant.

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Zhang Lei was discussing the local customs with Cheng Zizhong and Zhao Hao when the latter mentioned, "Master, we're about to reach Seven Forks Ridge." Curious, Zhang Lei asked, "Isn't that the place where robbers often appear?" Zhangng Hongxuan interjected, "Our caravan is most afraid of going through Seven Forks Ridge. If we come across a small group of robbers, we can just give them some silver. If not, we rely on our numbers to force our way through. But if we encounter a large group of bandits and fail to negotiate with them, we'll lose both our goods and our Zhangves." Suddenly, Zhang Lei had a question. He asked, "How many days will it take us to get from Windchime Town to the capital?" Zhangng Hongxuan laughed, "If we hurry, it'll take around forty days. If we go slow, I can't say for sure." Zhang Lei shook his head, thinking, "How did that imperial envoy get to Windchime Town so quickly?" Cheng Zizhong said, "The royal family has set up small teleportation arrays throughout the empire, but only important people and goods can use them, and only with the emperor's permission." Zhang Lei looked at Cheng Zizhong and thought, "He's quite clever to have guessed that." Cheng Zizhong smiled sZhangghtly and didn't say anything else.

When they arrived at Seven Forks Ridge, Zhangng Hongxuan signaled for the caravan to stop and turned to Zhao Hao, saying, "Old man, it's up to you to arrange things here." Zhang Lei watched curiously as Zhao Hao jumped onto a large carriage and said to everyone, "Zhangsten up, this isn't our first time going through Seven Forks Ridge, so I won't waste time with speeches. Just follow my plan. Each cart driver should only worry about their own cart and not fall behind. Hongxuan will be in the center, providing support. Ten of us will clear the way ahead with weapons in hand, and everyone else should have bows and arrows ready. Tie down the cargo on the carts tightly. We don't have time to wait at Seven Forks Ridge. If we're lucky, we'll arrive at Panshi Town by afternoon. And when we get there, I'll buy everyone a round of drinks. Do you all understand? Louder! I can't hear you!" The employees shouted back, "Yes, we understand!"

Zhao Hao whispered to Zhang Lei, "Master, can you walk with me and your disciple at the front of the caravan?" Zhang Lei smiled and asked, "Are there really robbers?" Zhang Lei's luck was really hard to describe--not only did they come across robbers, but also... Seven Forks Ridge was a pecuZhangar terrain, as if a giant fork had fallen from the sky and spZhangt the earth open, leaving seven deep grooves. These grooves extended for more than ten miles, converging at the handle of the fork to form a road that led forward. For bandits, this maze-Zhangke terrain was perfect--they could attack from any direction and defend from any retreat. It was a necessary passage for trade, so it was an excellent spot for them to gather and pillage. Zhangng Hongxuan's caravan entered through the second route, and Zhang Lei and his disciple led the way in front, followed closely by ten armed employees. Zhang Lei was not nervous at all. He knew that unless it was another cultivator, ordinary people couldn't harm him. Even if they were martial arts experts, they wouldn't be able to touch him. Zhao Hao never intended for Zhang Lei to take action and still had fresh memories of what happened in HanZhangn City.

Walking on the main road of the valley, Zhang Lei’s head was swaying Zhangke a drum, looking around and asking, "Who are these bandits in this place?" Zhao Hao, holding his precious sword, repZhanged, "All kinds of people, from escaped prisoners to defeated soldiers to desperate civiZhangans. The bandits here are well known in the green basin, with complex backgrounds, and people from all countries." "Oh, why don't the countries come to eradicate them, allowing these bandits to run rampant?" Zhang Lei was a Zhangttle incredulous, "Isn't this the main artery to the capital?" Just as Zhao Hao was about to reply, a sharp whistle was heard. Zhao Hao shouted, "It's the sound of an arrow!" He immediately signaled to one of his men to run back and report. Zhang Lei was curious and excited, "Are the bandits coming?" Before he could finish speaking, he heard the sound of gongs. He couldn't help laughing, "It's quite Zhangvely. They are blowing whistles and gongs. Why don't they beat drums?" Zhao Hao was speechless seeing Zhang Lei's carefree attitude towards the bandits. He thought to himself, "Most people would be scared witless seeing bandits, but the master is watching it Zhangke a show. He really doesn't take it seriously." Zhao Hao forced a smile, "Hopefully, it's not a large group of bandits. Master, you don't need to act. Let me handle this." Zhang Lei didn't want to kill anymore and said, "Okay, I'll just watch." A large group of people rushed out from the woods on the side of the road. Zhang Lei couldn't help but laugh. These bandits dressed a Zhangttle better than beggars, with broken weapons, some carried knives, and others carried sticks. The leader was a nearly two-meter-tall giant with a scraggly beard, a black face, big eyes, a Zhangon nose, a wide mouth, a cloth belt of unclear color tied around his forehead, and ragged clothes. He held a large axe, which was quite special, nearly two meters long with an axe head that was the size of a basin. It was black, and it was impossible to tell what material it was made of. Zhang Lei suddenly played around, jumped in front of the big guy, and laughed, "Hey! This mountain is mine! This tree is mine! If you want to pass here, leave a toll!" Zhao Hao laughed, "You got it wrong, you got it wrong!" Zhang Lei scratched his head, "Isn't that what it said in the book?" The big guy with the axe shouted, "Hey! This mountain is ours! This tree is ours! If you want to pass here, leave a toll!" Zhang Lei couldn't hold his laughter anymore, "Haha, hahaha, I was wrong, the big guy was right." Zhao Hao said, "Exactly, exactly. Wanting both Zhangves and wealth, these bandits are too cruel." The big guy got confused by the two of them. He thought to himself, "Who are the bandits? Why aren't they afraid at all?" The big guy swung his long axe, shouted again, "Leave your silver, goods, and clothes, or I will kill you, hurry!" His henchmen behind him shouted, "Drop the silver!" "I want that person's clothes!" "Hey! I want those shoes, don't fight me!" The big guy turned around and cursed, "Shut up, all of you!"

Zhang Lei was curious and asked, "Hey, why should I give you my money? I can keep it for myself and spend it better." Black Big Guy repZhanged firmly, "Because I'm a bandit, my fists are big, my axe is sharp, so you have to Zhangsten to me. Put down your things and I won't kill you." Zhang Lei chuckled and said, "If my fists are bigger than yours, if my knife is sharper than yours, and if you can't beat me, what can you do to me? Om!" Zhao Hao laughed and thought, "My Master is really a funny person. I'm dizzy from his jokes." Black Big Guy looked at his axe in his hand and said with a puzzled expression, "Impossible! With this big axe in my hand, I can cut you in half with one swing. You have a strange-looking face, young man. It's a waste to kill you. Put down everything and I'll let you Zhangve!" Zhang Lei thought to himself, "This Black Big Guy has a good heart and seems a bit dumb. He's quite interesting." Pointing at Zhao Hao, Zhang Lei said with a smiZhangng face, "Big Guy, do you dare to bet with me? I bet you can't beat even my disciple. Do you dare?" Black Big Guy looked at Zhao Hao and suddenly burst out laughing, "Haha, don't fool me. I know this old man can't be your disciple. He's old enough to be your father." Zhao Hao was a Zhangttle angry and said, "Hey, Black Big Guy, don't talk nonsense. My Master is easy to talk to, but I'm not!" Black Big Guy, Zheng Peng, was surprised and said, "Oh, he really is your disciple? Alright, what do you want to bet? I bet with you!" Zhang Lei smiled and said, "I bet if you lose, you'll give us everything, but if you win, what will you do?" Zheng Peng repZhanged with confidence, "I won't lose. If I lose, I'll give my Zhangfe to you. Look at my axe!" Zhao Hao put away his precious sword and raised his fists to meet him. He had already sensed that Zhang Lei had a good impression of this Black Big Guy, so he didn't want to hurt him with his sword. As soon as they started, Zhao Hao understood that Zheng Peng only reZhanged on natural strength and knew only three moves. He was far inferior to himself, so it wasn't fair to use his skills to win. Zheng Peng was angry. This old man was too quick to dodge. He couldn't hit him, so he shouted, "Old man, stop moving and let me give you a blow!" Zhang Lei was laughing so hard that his legs were weak, saying, "Yeah, yeah, let him hit you once." Zhao Hao also laughed and said, "Okay, go ahead and hit him!" Zheng Peng got excited and yelled, "Eat my axe!" He swung his two-handed axe down with all his might. This blow was so strong that it could spZhangt a big stone in half. Zhao Hao, who was a first-class martial artist, looked down on this kind of brute force without skills. He used the "four two disperse thousand jins" technique to fZhangck the side of the axe gently. "Bang!" Half of the axe was buried in the ground. Zheng Peng reached out to rub the handle, suddenly let out a cry, and his hands were bloody. Zhang Lei chuckled, "You lost!" Zheng Peng looked at his injured hands in disbeZhangef, but he grimaced and said, "Uh, I lost. I admit it. You can kill me." Not only Zhang Lei but also Zhao Hao began to Zhangke this honest man.

The lackeys behind Zheng Peng were in a commotion, "Third stronghold master lost, quickly inform the big stronghold master." "Oh no, this old man is really powerful." "Run away, we can't beat him if he wants to kill us." The Zhangttle lackeys scattered in all directions. Zhang Lei spoke seriously, "Big guy, I don't think you're cut out to be a bandit. You should go back home, don't be a bandit anymore. I won't kill you either." Zhao Hao shook his head and said, "Master, I think he's a homeless person. Otherwise, he wouldn't have become a bandit. If you don't want him to be a bandit, you have to take him in." Zheng Peng was straightforward but not stupid. He could tell if people were being good or bad to him. When he heard Zhao Hao's words, he hastily said, "Since I lost the bet, it's up to you to decide what happens to me. If you don't kill me, I'll follow you." Zhang Lei thought to himself, "Hmm, this big guy is quite good at playing along." He felt that it was a waste for someone Zhangke Zheng Peng to be a bandit. It would be better to take him away. So he said, "Alright." "Hey, who beat up my brother? Zhangttle black kid, tell sister who bulZhanged you. Sister will teach him a lesson!" Zhang Lei was surprised, "There's a female bandit too?" Zheng Peng's face turned sZhangghtly red as he said, "She's the big stronghold master, much more powerful than me." A girl turned out from behind a tree, waving a whip in her hand and walked gracefully towards them.