Chapter 143

C143 – Is the Crown Prince Trying to Slander Us?

Under the cover of darkness, a silent procession of black-clad men approached Yellow Flower Village, each carrying a bundle of hay.

“Be cautious, ensure no one detects us,” whispered the leader of the group, slowing his pace as they neared the village entrance.

He signaled to his comrades. Those following him in the shadows nodded and stealthily infiltrated the village from different directions. Hay was discreetly placed outside the tents, and the three relatively intact wooden houses were surrounded by hay as well.

“Move out!” The leader commanded, and the group of men in black swiftly departed from the village. Yet, they did not make an immediate escape. Instead, they unslung their bows, ignited the oil on their arrowheads, and aimed at the tents and houses.

“Loose the arrows!” Following the leader’s orders, more than ten arrows bearing fireballs soared toward the mounds of grass.

With an air as if he had already heard the villagers’ cries of distress, the leader’s face, concealed beneath the black cloth, betrayed a malevolent grin as he coldly declared, “Retreat!”

As the black-clad men turned to leave, they were startled to find a line of similarly attired figures standing behind them—more than double their own numbers.

“Your Highness was correct. These individuals are truly ruthless in their quest to tarnish Your Highness’s reputation. They disregard human lives!” murmured one of the black-clad men in the group.

“Who do you seek? If our objectives align, you may depart now.”

“Humph, our objectives may align, but it is you we aim to eliminate!” The black-clad man pointed his sword menacingly. Simultaneously, the men on both sides of him unsheathed their swords and charged forward.

“What do you intend to accomplish?”

“We have already stated, there shall be no survivors. His Highness has decreed that their lives hold no value, equal to death.”

“Yes.”

The gathering comprised numerous skilled individuals, each a formidable martial artist. After half an hour, cries of anguish filled the air, followed by an eerie silence.

Only after all the figures had fallen did the black-clad individual cease his assault. “Sever their heads and take them with us; dispose of their bodies in the fire and incinerate them.”

The flames raged, casting a brilliant red glow that dominated the night sky. What was once the bustling Yellow Flower Village had been reduced to ashes in an instant, obliterated along with a dozen lifeless bodies.

When the neighboring villagers learned of the tragedy the next day, they believed that the residents of Yellow Flower Village had succumbed to a contagious disease and had been incinerated by the authorities.

As word of the incident spread, fear gripped the townsfolk, preventing them from mustering the courage to investigate.

Carrying a wooden chest, Wang Dingjun entered the Crown Prince’s Palace, making his way directly to Crown Prince Zhao’s study.

“Your Highness, they’re all here. Fifteen in total,” Wang Dingjun placed the chest down, showing no desire to open it. It was best to avoid witnessing a gruesome scene.

“Very well. Have the villagers found a new settlement?”

“Yes, the royal estate is spacious enough to accommodate an entire village. Once the new village is constructed, they can relocate there.”

While Yellow Flower Village had been reduced to cinders, its inhabitants still remained. With the construction of new homes, they would soon be able to return to their normal lives.RêAd lateSt chapters at novelhall.com Only

Wang Zixian stood up, narrowed his eyes, and greeted with a smile, “So it’s Crown Prince who graces us. Please forgive the lack of formal reception.”

“I came here of my own accord. No need for formalities, Brother Third King,” Crown Prince Zhao said, walking directly to the main seat and sitting upright.

Wang Zixian glanced at Crown Prince Zhao’s unchanged bitter expression and decided not to speculate about his intentions. He asked directly, “If the Crown Prince didn’t come to pay respects to Royal Father in the palace, why did you visit my humble temple?”

“I came to present a gift to Brother Third King.”

“Oh?” Wang Zixian didn’t believe him one bit and responded with sarcasm, “Has the sun risen from the west? When has the virtuous and upright Crown Prince ever given gifts to anyone?”

Crown Prince Zhao remained silent and instead had someone bring forward a box. “Brother Third King, please inspect it yourself.”

Suspicion still lingered in Wang Zixian’s eyes as he examined the box. It was crafted from Nanmu wood and, while not extravagantly valuable, was intricately detailed with lifelike carvings. It must have had some worth.

Despite the box’s apparent value, Wang Zixian couldn’t fully trust Crown Prince Zhao, so he had no intention of personally inspecting the contents.

He chuckled. “Hehe, I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather lately. I’m too lethargic to get up. Why don’t you have your servants open the box and report its contents to me?”

Crown Prince Zhao had no objections; the outcome would be the same regardless.

Wang Zixian signaled to the nearby eunuch. The eunuch bent down and cautiously approached the box with his head lowered.

As the eunuch gingerly opened the wooden box and examined its contents, he was suddenly seized by terror. He let out a piercing scream and collapsed to the ground in shock.

Wang Zixian sprang to his feet with a sudden rush of adrenaline. His expression shifted as he took in the ominous crowd emitting the stench of blood. “Crown Prince, what’s the meaning of this?” he exclaimed. “Are you attempting to frighten me with these individuals?”

Crown Prince Zhao cast an indifferent glance at him. “Brother Third King, you truly are exceptional. Do you happen to recognize these people?”

“I do not!” Wang Zixian quickly denied any knowledge. He instantly realized that these were the individuals he had dispatched the previous night. He had known that the situation had taken an unexpected turn even before they returned. However, regardless of how they were investigated, it wouldn’t implicate him. He had no fear of exposure.

“These individuals were quite audacious. They infiltrated Yellow Flower Village last night with intentions of murder and arson. Surprisingly, Gu’s people systematically eliminated every one of them.”

“How is that my concern?”

“I merely observed that these people appeared kind and seemed to have crossed paths with them in Third Prince Prefecture. That’s why I brought them here for Royal Brother to identify.”

“Nonsense! How could this possibly be? Is the Crown Prince attempting to frame us?” Wang Zixian was utterly certain that Crown Prince Zhao had never encountered this group before.

“We’ll ascertain whether it’s a frame or not. Why don’t we present our case to Royal Father?”

“What is your intention?”

“Nothing,” Wang Yao responded. “I simply wish to compensate you for your efforts. I intend to escort you back.”

It was only then that Wang Zixian realized that he wanted money. But this conclusion left him utterly perplexed.

Could the Crown Prince be in need of funds? Definitely not. Therefore, his request for money was highly unusual.