"The Great Prince is exceptional in talent and grandeur, embodying his father's spirit, while the Second Prince is earnest and sincere with people, which is well known across the land. With such remarkable talents, no matter where the gentleman chooses to serve, the two princes would cherish and highly regard him, far from blaming him."
Wang Anfeng continued to decline three tis, until the sky outside gradually darkened. Jin Gaochi, parched from the effort, finally escalated his propositions from rare treasures and princely esteem, to the safety and stability of millions within this territory, avoiding turmoil. Only then did Wang Anfeng reluctantly nod.
Jin Gaochi was overjoyed, stood up, and grasped Wang Anfeng's arm, saying:
"In that case, I would like the gentleman to accompany to the prince's mansion."
"If the prince learns that the gentleman is willing to assist, he will surely be delighted."
Wang Anfeng's smile remained unchanged, from these words deducing that the man before him was likely a subordinate of the Second Prince, rather than the simple-minded Great Prince.
Pu Yongyan had already summoned a carriage outside. Jin Gaochi adhered to formalities, opened the carriage curtain for him, and ushered him inside. With a Colonel as the driver, four horses pulled the carriage swiftly for half an hour before stopping outside a mansion.
Wang Anfeng alighted from the carriage, still holding the warr and the black-and-white small beast. Both man and beast looked at the mansion. Unlike the showy Royal Mansion of King Balman, this one appeared modest and stable, exuding a substantial aura.
Jin Gaochi leaped off the carriage, gestured invitingly, and smiled, saying:
"Master Wang, please co inside."
Wang Anfeng withdrew his gaze from the mansion, nodded, and followed Jin Gaochi inside. Though what he saw seed ordinary, hidden danger lurked, with guards stationed every five steps, and sentries every ten.
Despite being a prince's private residence, it was completely arranged following military encampnt standards.
It seems that even without his intervention, the throne would eventually belong to the Second Prince.
This could be for the best.
It's just unfortunate that Hu Xuan'er and her ntor seem not to be here; could they have sided with the Great Prince? Perhaps they found him straightforward and rash compared to the scheming Second Prince, making him easier to influence?
Thoughts churned in Wang Anfeng's mind as he followed Jin Gaochi. During this ti, they had passed through nurous hidden guards and paused outside the main hall. The guard reported their arrival, and soon summoned them inside.
Upon entering, the sight brightened suddenly. The hall's interior was simply decorated; various weapons hung on the side walls, all marked with battle scars, clearly having been tempered by real battlefield engagents, filling the room with a chilling aura.
Seated at the head was the Second Prince whom Wang Anfeng had previously seen.
He wore a dark-patterned black outfit, with a headband on his forehead, exuding heroism, flanked by three people on each side—elderly with white hair and beards, or beautiful won—all possessing formidable Qi, evidently masters rarely seen in the Jianghu.
In the Parthian Empire, such masters represented superior martial arts heritage, indicating their superior origins, thus evidently showing these individuals were from various sects or noble clans supporting the Second Prince's claim to the throne.
After the guard led them inside and perford a bow before exiting, Jin Gaochi noted the calm deanor behind him showed no sign of disturbance, feeling slightly satisfied, composed himself, stepped forward, bowed, and said:
"Subject Jin Gaochi, pays respect to the prince."
The Second Prince appeared slightly worried but concealed it well, smiled and looked below, noticing the sickly and weak Wang Anfeng, with slight curiosity yet still speaking generously:
"Sir Jin is too courteous. I've been expecting you for a long ti; please take your seat quickly."
"May I know who this gentleman is?"
Jin Gaochi seed to recover, smiled, bowed again, and replied:
"I was about to congratulate the prince on this matter."
"Today, I unexpectedly encountered a young prodigy and specially present him before the prince."
The Second Prince slightly raised his eyes, smiled, and said:
"Oh? May I ask the gentleman's na?"
His appearance was handso, each gesture and word radiating a kingly presence, extrely imposing. Anyone lacking insight might feel intimidated by him, but Wang Anfeng had seen him in his most embarrassing state, and even Balman, far more regal, had been assassinated amidst Wanjun.
Currently, he felt no disturbance, even amused at wielding an axe before Lu Ban's house, relaxed, he said:
"If you're so eager to recruit talent, why sit triumphantly at the head?"
"Haven't you heard of treating scholars with respect?"
Jin Gaochi's expression froze slightly.
This person had been quite normal earlier, leading him to think that no matter how arrogant or sharp-tongued he might be, he'd show so restraint before a nation's prince. Yet, unexpectedly, he remained unabashedly bold
The Second Prince's smile froze slightly.
In Shaolin Temple.
"Woo woo woo, woo woo, woo!"
A figure bound by hemp rope like a giant green insect hung upside down in mid-air, with a large piece of cloth stuffed into its mouth, suddenly becoming intensely animated, making unintelligible sounds.
Everyone appeared puzzled, Wu Changqing stroked his beard and said: "Is it hungry?"
The Ancient Taoist furrowed his brows in thought, earnestly said:
"It shouldn't be."
"For soone of the Upper Third Rank with all ridians clear, not eating or drinking is no issue; even if buried, they wouldn't starve. How could he be so hungry he's making noise?"
"Perhaps he's uncomfortable and wants to go for a ride."
"Indeed, that's possible."
Ci opened his eyes, expression calm, and said:
"He says Anfeng did well."
"He's showing his deanor now."
The Taoist elder suddenly turned his head, looking at the monk translating with a calm and peaceful deanor; his gaze was sowhat peculiar.
Hong Luoyu swayed, mumbling once again.
Ci said blandly:
"He said it's fine to release him; he truly can't endure anymore."
"Moreover, not dying of hunger and whether one eats are two different things."
After a brief pause, he continued:
"On this matter, this monk shares the sa view with him." ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by NovєlFіre
The Taoist laughed, waved his right hand, and a burst of Vigorous Qi expelled the object from Hong Luoyu's mouth, then smiled and asked, "How does the master understand the words of this thief Hong Luoyu? Could it be Shaolin Temple's Zen Buddhism Telepathy?"
Ci clasped his hands together and said:
"Luoyu stayed at Shaolin for several years."
Wu Changqing laughed, "So they are familiar."
Ci nodded, saying:
"After hearing similar sounds many tis, one can roughly understand the aning."
The Ancient Taoist's smile slightly froze, his beautiful eyes slightly widened.
Familiar?
During those years, how many tis did you have him hanging?
No wonder when you acted earlier, it felt so familiar, even with a sense of nostalgia... Was it not an illusion after all?
Freed from restraints, Hong Luoyu suddenly let out a long howl, his Qi chanism burst forth, and he soared into the sky. The Red Gold Chains binding him clattered loudly, suddenly snapping taut, and he pulled up a small mountain over ten zhang high from the ground several feet. His body spun rapidly.
The small mountain instantly flew hundreds of ters away, plumting into a deep ravine.
The chains were all broken.
"Refreshing!"
Hong Luoyu let out a long cry, steadily landing on the chair, looking at ease and proud, he reached out to explore outside, casually saying, "Tsk tsk, these people's faces don't look too good, seems they've been enraged. Could it be that the little madman plans to do the opposite this ti?"
The Taoist casually remarked, "Probably it's hard to bow down to the prince of that small kingdom, relationships are rather complex. Anyway, thief, I have sothing to ask you."
"Where did you get that little beast?"
Upon hearing this, Hong Luoyu displayed a proud expression, raised his chin slightly, and laughed:
"Why, do you feel your Wudang Immortal Cranes can't be given out? Let tell you, back then, countless people followed , hoping to snatch that little thing from , but none succeeded."
"Not to ntion the fighting, in so way it counts as ancient, no..."
"An ancient Divine Beast."
The Ancient Taoist helplessly supported his forehead, feeling unbalanced, shook his head and sighed, saying:
"So, what is the power of that 'ancient Divine Beast'?"
Hong Luoyu casually grabbed an apple and bit into it, laughing:
"That I cannot tell you."
PS: Today's second serving...
Four thousand one hundred words.
May evolution succeed.
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