CH 262

Chapter 262: The Collapsing Great Xia Crown Prince

As far as the eye could see, the soldiers who had previously attacked the city were all lying on the ground!

And their highly anticipated 20 Innate Experts were nowhere to be found!

Hulao Pass remained unscathed; the city gates had not been breached. The defending soldiers were still intact, and the Great Wu army’s banners fluttered high in the wind, as if nothing had happened.

Crown Prince Xia Tianqiong of Great Xia was dumbfounded!

Great Xia’s commanders were dumbfounded!

Great Xia’s soldiers were dumbfounded!

After a while, Xia Tianqiong finally managed to stammer, “This… what’s going on? Can anyone tell me where they’ve gone? Where are they?!”

An unimaginable foreboding surged within him!

“Crown Prince, look over there!”

A commander pointed at a spot, shocked, and said, “That person seems to be Black Tiger!”

“Black Tiger… Where’s Black Tiger?” Xia Tianqiong followed the direction of his finger, gazing intently.

He saw a bloody corpse lying among a heap of bodies, eyes wide open, the expression of death refusing to close them.

Xia Tianqiong’s whole body trembled, “This is Black Tiger… What happened to him?”

“Crown Prince, it seems he’s been killed by someone!”

Xia Tianqiong trembled again, “He’s a Fifth-Rank Innate Expert, who could have killed him?”

“Crown Prince, I don’t know…”

At this point, another person pointed at a spot, “Crown Prince, look there! It seems to be General Giant Wolf!”

Xia Tianqiong looked over immediately and saw another bloody corpse. His chest appeared to have been pierced, blood flowing out, staining the surrounding grass.

“He’s Giant Wolf! What happened to him?” Xia Tianqiong asked excitedly.

“Crown Prince, it seems he’s dead too, killed by someone…”

“Impossible! How could this be? How could he have been killed?” Xia Tianqiong’s face paled, and he roared in anger.

“Crown Prince, look over there. It seems to be Master Zimo. It seems he’s dead too!”

“Crown Prince, that body seems to be Sly Fox’s…”

“Crown Prince…”

As one body after another was identified, everyone’s morale grew increasingly dismal and sorrowful.

Until finally, the bodies of the 20 Innate Experts were all recognized.

Each death was quite horrifying, all of them pierced through the heart by someone else, their faces twisted in a grimace.

“They’re dead… They’re actually all dead!” Xia Tianqiong’s face turned ashen as paper, his lips trembling. Seated on his high horse, he seemed unsteady, as if he might topple at any moment.

“Take care, Your Highness!” The commanders all said in unison.

“How can I take care of myself? These were my most trusted and beloved generals! They’re all dead, all of them! I’m heartbroken, do you even understand?” Xia Tianqiong’s eyes were red, and he let out a furious roar.

These were 20 Innate Experts!

Innate Experts, no matter where they were, were not just easily expendable!

Each one was a formidable existence, capable of taking on thousands single-handedly, an unparalleled powerhouse amidst a sea of troops!

Such experts were exceedingly rare; even ten thousand warriors might not produce a single Innate Expert!

He would rather sacrifice 200,000 troops than lose 20 Innate Experts!

“Crown Prince…” Everyone felt equally sorrowful and distressed, unsure of how to console him.

Xia Tianqiong exclaimed emotionally, “Tell me, who exactly killed them? I must avenge them! I absolutely cannot let them die in vain!”

Everyone shook their heads, sighing, unable to find words to say.

At this point, who else could have killed them?

Isn’t it obvious?

Clearly, Crown Prince Xia Tianqiong was a bit confused and incoherent in his anger!

Just then, Night Fragrance, who had returned in triumph to Hulao Pass, waved his hand and called out, “Green Hat Prince, have you received the gift I sent you? Twenty corpses, surprising and delightful, aren’t they?”

Xia Tianqiong roared in fury, “My trusted and beloved generals… you killed them? Tell me, was it you?”

Night Fragrance was a bit stunned. After all, they had all collectively participated in the killing. Why was he being solely blamed?

But upon careful consideration, he realized that these 20 individuals did indeed die by his hand.

So, he nodded, fanning himself while wearing a smug grin, “Exactly, it was me! Like slaughtering little chickens, one by one, I sent them to meet the King of Hell! I’ve never killed so efficiently before, haha!”

Xia Tianqiong’s eyes turned bloodshot, his chest filled with overwhelming killing intent!

So, you’re the ringleader!

The hatred of these fallen generals was beyond reckoning!

Xia Tianqiong pointed his spear at Night Fragrance atop the city gate and shouted, “Guards, go kill that madman for me!”

Night Fragrance taunted, “Come on, come on, do you think I’m afraid of you?”

Provoked, Xia Tianqiong grew even angrier, “Kill him for me! Hurry!”

“Calm down, Your Highness. We would only be walking to our deaths if we went. He must have unique methods to have killed 20 Innate Experts. Don’t act recklessly until we understand.”

“Your Highness, stay calm, don’t be impulsive!”

…

Everyone began to offer advice.

Realizing that he couldn’t let his men die in vain, Xia Tianqiong turned to a seemingly ordinary old man standing nearby, and with a touch of respect, said, “Elder Black, please help me kill that madman!”

This old man was the Grandmaster tasked with protecting the Crown Prince.

Elder Black shook his head, “I can’t kill him! His lightness technique is exceptional. If he could have been killed, he would’ve been long ago.”

Xia Tianqiong’s eyes turned crimson. He pointed at Tiger Prison Pass and gritted his teeth, “Since we can’t kill Night Fragrance, then help me wipe out Great Wu’s Innate Experts! Eliminate them all, tit for tat!”

Elder Black’s expression remained calm as he refused, “Crown Prince, your request goes too far! I promise His Majesty to ensure your safety, but I won’t get involved in anything else.”

“But they killed my generals, I need to avenge them!”

Elder Black’s demeanor was indifferent, “People die, so what? Who in this world can escape death?”

Which Innate Expert hadn’t emerged from a sea of corpses and bloodshed?

He had long grown indifferent to such matters. These dead people had nothing to do with him, and their deaths wouldn’t affect his interests. Why should he avenge their deaths?

Taking action might even be seen as bullying the weak and losing face.

Xia Tianqiong’s eyes were filled with disappointment and resentment.

Being respected and revered by the court, these Innate Experts were even out of his father’s control. He couldn’t command them at all.

Seeing the plummeting morale of his army and realizing that further battle was inadvisable, Xia Tianqiong said reluctantly, “Withdraw! Order the troops to withdraw!”

Great Xia’s army temporarily retreated.

The generals and soldiers of Tiger Prison Pass erupted in cheers, “We won! We’ve repelled Great Xia!”

“We won this battle!”

“What a miracle!”

…

“This battle was perilous, and victory was hard-earned!” General Zhao’s face was flushed with excitement as he loudly proclaimed, “Tonight, I’ll host a feast to treat you all. We won’t return sober!”

“Thank you, General Zhao!” everyone cheered.

During the feast, Night Fragrance, the biggest hero of this operation, received toast after toast, becoming the most radiant figure in the room.

Night Fragrance was so happy, so proud, and so inflated, it’s beyond words!

He alone killed 20 Innate Experts and scared off 800,000 fierce lions of Great Xia!

This battle was enough to boast about for a lifetime!

After returning to the capital city, he would definitely be idolized by the whole city once again!

“Come, let’s drink!”

“Let’s drink to our heart’s content!”

…

When he returned to his room to rest at night, he ran into Lin Beifan.

Lin Beifan smiled and spread his hands, saying, “Night Fragrance, shouldn’t you return my little knife now?”

Night Fragrance pretended to be tipsy, speaking in a muddled manner, “What… what are you saying… I don’t know what you’re talking about… I’m drunk… let’s talk about it tomorrow!”

“Since you’re drunk, I’ll just take it myself!” Lin Beifan chuckled and beckoned.

A small knife flew out from Night Fragrance’s sleeve and landed in Lin Beifan’s hand. Night Fragrance was suddenly alarmed and reached out, saying, “Hey! My knife! My knife…”

Seeing Lin Beifan’s ambiguous smile, he gave a wry smile and retracted his hand.

Lin Beifan sneered, “It seems you’re not drunk! If you’re not drunk, then it’s simple. I have a task for you tonight!”

Night Fragrance exploded, “A task at this late hour? I’ve achieved great merit today. Can’t you let me rest? I’m a human being, not a beast!”

“This task can only be entrusted to you!” Lin Beifan said, “Among us, you’re the strongest at level 400, with excellent lightness technique, skilled in disguise and stealth. Who else can I ask? It would be better to finish this battle sooner and go back.”

“Fine, tell me what the task is!” Night Fragrance nonchalantly shook his head.

“This task is simple!” Lin Beifan whispered, “I want you to go into the Great Xia military camp and cause some minor disruptions! Like killing a few Innate Experts, burning supplies, and so on. If you could capture Crown Prince Xia Tianqiong, even better!”

Night Fragrance’s eyes nearly popped out in shock, “Is this simple? Are Innate Experts so easy to kill? If they were that easy, they wouldn’t be Innate Experts! You want me to burn supplies? Those supplies are heavily guarded. How am I supposed to burn them? And capturing the Crown Prince…”

Night Fragrance gave Lin Beifan a disgruntled glare, “Just say you want me dead!”

Lin Beifan was a bit annoyed and pointed to his chest, saying, “What are you saying? How could I bear to let you die? How do you see me? Know that I’m the one in the entire world who can’t bear to see you dead the most!”

Night Fragrance felt a bit moved, “Lord Prefect, you…”

“Only if you’re alive can you continue to help me amass wealth! If you die, won’t I lose a source of income?”

Night Fragrance exclaimed, “Damn!”

He had been naively moved just now, but you’re still that cunning Lin Beifan!

You want to squeeze me to death, so greedy!

Night Fragrance shivered in anger.

“Don’t look at me like that. While I’m greedy, I have principles. I’m always generous to my own people! Here’s the deal: if you follow orders and successfully complete all tasks on this mission, I’ll give you this small knife!”

Lin Beifan pulled out the knife and tossed it back to Night Fragrance. Night Fragrance caught it, his spirits lifting, “Really?”

“Why would I lie to you? You won’t lose anything in the end!”

Night Fragrance thought for a moment and nodded, “Fair enough! A gentleman’s word is as good as his bond.”

Lin Beifan echoed, “A gentleman’s word is as good as his bond.”

Watching Night Fragrance’s excited figure leave with the small knife, Lin Beifan chuckled to himself.

I managed to sell you so easily, this feels great!

This little knife, I can get as many as I want, hehe!