Steam-powered martial arts: My virginity cultivation technique has been broken.

The succession to the throne in the Great Chen Empire had been chaotic for three generations. The emperor before Wanyuan seized the throne by killing his brother, the emperor before that Tianqing seized the throne by killing his cousin, and the emperor before that Longyuan seized the throne by his nephew. For decades, the throne changed hands between the two families, and the legitimacy of the succession remained unclear.

Emperor Wanyuan killed his elder brother, the crown prince, and inherited the throne. The former crown prince's lineage was purged, leaving only an infant son to be raised in prison. This was the future Emperor Tianqing. After Emperor Wanyuan's death, with the support of powerful ministers, he killed Emperor Wanyuan's crown prince, who was also his cousin, and ascended the throne.

Emperor Tianqing wanted to emulate Emperor Wanyuan and carry out a bloodbath, but Emperor Wanyuan was prepared. His eldest son, the future Emperor Longyuan, was waging war abroad under the guise of being a favored grandson of the emperor, and his power was formidable.

Before Emperor Tianqing died, he stormed the capital in the winter of the third year of Tianqing's reign, and Emperor Tianqing committed suicide by burning himself in the palace.

Coincidentally, that snowy night was precisely the time when Ku Ning transmigrated.

Three years ago, Emperor Longyuan passed away. The sickly Crown Prince did not live to see the news of the emperor's death in the capital. Three days after the emperor's death, the Crown Prince died, which was recorded by the historians as an illness.

After the Crown Prince's death, the Empress returned to the capital from the Western Capital and welcomed Derong, the son of Prince Bao of the Imperial Clan, to the throne, changing the era name to Xin Chu. Empress Zhou, as the Empress Dowager, ruled from behind a screen and appointed the Emperor's biological father, Ku Xi, as regent to assist in governing.

The Imperial Guard has always been the emperor's personal troops, and the regent was unwilling to be overshadowed by a woman, so he already harbored thoughts of rebellion.

Ku Ning continued to observe and found the woman who was having an affair with Wang Sanpao in a secluded cabin. She was surrounded by a group of martial artists with considerable cultivation. Judging from their positions, postures and movements, it did not seem like they were forcing her.

"There was more to it? This woman's identity is not simple. Brother Wang should be heartbroken if he finds out."

Ku Ning, filled with doubt, stopped his investigation. He already had a certain understanding of the situation on the ship. There were at least two groups fighting over the traitor, one in the open and one in the shadows. Who was the hunter and who was the prey was still unknown.

The only certainty was that they would be disembarking in another hour. He returned to his cabin and began packing his things.

Wang Sanpao stood at the doorway, looking on, and asked in confusion, "Did you tidy up so early?"

Ku Ning replied, "The water is a bit deep. Go and tell everyone to get ready. We'll meet on the deck in ten minutes. Don't get separated from the group."

Along the way, whenever Ku Ning sensed something was wrong, it was usually a major problem, a deep, potentially fatal issue. Wang Sanpao didn't dare delay and went to knock on each door one by one.

On the deck, a group of people gathered.

The flag of Changkong Escort Agency was unfurled ahead of time, and the atmosphere among the agency members was silent.

These past few days, the Four Heroes of Hedong have mostly stayed in the cabin. Ku Ning wouldn't tell them if something happened, which seemed a bit strange: "Head镖头 An, there are still forty or fifty minutes left. It's pretty silly to be standing here so early."

Ku Ning didn't answer him, but instead glanced around and saw several martial arts experts watching them. He handed the briefcase to Wang Sanpao, took the box containing the horse-slaying sword from his back, and placed his right hand on the clasp.

The ship's crew came over and asked, "It's not time for you to stop yet. The wind and waves are high outside, so please go back to your cabins and wait."

The ship's crew had long been replaced. This man, presumably from the Imperial Guard, said, "No need. We're just lowly escorts; we can withstand a little rough seas." He then cupped his hands in greeting to those around him, "Gentlemen, this shipment isn't worth much. Please be lenient. The next dock is our final destination. We'll go our separate ways, and meet again someday."

The two second-rank experts from the Imperial Guard were also drawn by the commotion on the deck: "Brother Zhang, what did he mean by that? It seems he's noticed the ship's layout and thinks we're here to rob the caravan?"

"Perhaps they're feigning ignorance. Our people have said they've had contact with the people of the White Wave Kingdom."

"It could also be a coincidence. They were all bandits, their backgrounds weren't exactly clean, but there weren't any major problems either. They opened the Changkong Escort Agency on April 8th, commissioned by the Zhao family of Shannan to escort the Heavenly Fate Wood to Fengcheng, boarding the train halfway through from Anlu County. The head of the escort agency, An Ning, was greedy and lustful, but quite shrewd. He performed exceptionally well during the journey, possessing a cultivation level of the seventh rank and mastering at least two advanced martial arts techniques, assisting the Railway Guard in resolving the demonic threat. They had a minor conflict with the Zhao family, who also entrusted the Four Heroes of Hedong to hide among them and cause some trouble."

Ku Ning's identity and background were fully revealed by that person, demonstrating the terrifying intelligence capabilities of the Imperial Guards. On the afternoon of their first day aboard the ship, the documents were presented to the two Imperial Guards.

"Two mastered martial arts techniques? What school or sect does he belong to?"

"One is a light-footed skill focused on leaping and bounding, the other a fast-paced swordsmanship. Their schools and lineages are still unknown. But based on their previous and current performances, it shouldn't be a problem."

"Should? When has our Imperial Guard ever used the word 'should'? Better safe than sorry. Since An Ning and the Four Heroes of Hedong are both quite capable, send someone to recruit them for this operation."

"Isn't it against regulations to temporarily recruit people for such a top-secret mission?"

"That Wang Sanpao had a deep conversation with the traitor's woman. How much do you think they know about this incident? An Ning is playing dumb, trying to get away with it. I hate these kinds of self-righteous people the most."

"Brother Zhang, most people would choose to flee in such an unexpected and dangerous situation, which is understandable. There's no need to be overly alarmed. A complex group of people will only cause chaos. Our goal is to find the envoy sent by the White Wave Kingdom."

"Is Commander Song questioning me?"

"Your subordinate dares not, I will do everything according to the instructions of the Garrison Commander."

Commander Song personally came to the deck and said to Ku Ning, "Chief镖头 An, would you like to move aside for a chat?"

Ku Ning gave a bitter smile, knowing he couldn't leave. Of course, he hadn't intended to leave anyway; this performance was merely a statement.

As Ku Ning set off, Commander Song turned to the Four Heroes of Hedong and said, "The four heroes, come along too."

Inside the cabin, the Zhang-surname garrison commander and Commander Song scrutinized Ku Ning and his companions. Unlike the bewildered Four Heroes of Hedong, Ku Ning met their gaze directly. There was no need for pretense at this moment; given the character of the Imperial Guards, the more he tried to evade the act, the more suspicious they would become.

"An, the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort), is quite extraordinary! You've already guessed our identities, haven't you? May I ask which prestigious sect you've studied under?" Commander Zhang asked bluntly.

"I have disgraced my master and cannot inform you. Furthermore, I am new to the martial world and my knowledge is limited, so I cannot confirm your identities," Ku Ning replied.

"If it can't be confirmed, then it's just speculation? Luanyi Guard Northern Garrison."

"Oh! So it's the Imperial Guard. May I ask what brings you here, us humble servants?"

"An is a smart man; he must have known that, otherwise he wouldn't have been in such a hurry to leave."

"My lords, we are merely commoners earning a meager living as镖局 (bodyguard agencies), and we dare not discuss or participate in matters of state. Our accidental involvement is purely coincidental. The镖局 sought cooperation with an arrest warrant, and we dared not agree rashly, so we naturally had to investigate. Who knew that woman would be so loose-lipped, even revealing secrets concerning the court?"

"So you're just going to leave?"