The carefree sixth prince, my father respectfully invites me to ascend the throne.

"So you've stopped me at the city gate? If you don't give me an explanation today, I'll smash this wretched city to pieces."

Upon hearing this, Lord Yang's expression changed slightly. Yang Ling's words were far too arrogant.

"Your Highness, I have just returned and am unaware of what has happened in the city, so..."

"So these are all your excuses, aren't they?"

Faced with Yang Ling's cold words, the city lord's expression turned extremely ugly.

"Your Highness, let's go inside and talk things over. I admit I didn't treat you well before."

Seeing that the other party's attitude had suddenly become so sincere, Yang Ling didn't say anything more. Instead, he waved to the people behind him, and the guards unloaded the heavy cannons.

When Lord Yang saw this scene, he breathed a slight sigh of relief. However, when he looked at the heavy cannon in Yang Ling's hand, his brows furrowed slightly.

These heavy cannons looked very peculiar; Lord Yang had never seen them before. However, he knew that these cannons must be incredibly powerful.

"Your Highness, please!"

Just then, Lord Yang gestured to Yang Ling to invite him to join in.

Yang Ling glanced at the other person, then got into the carriage and entered the city.

……

Inside the city lord's mansion.

The group sat together, and Lord Yang looked at Yang Ling with a smile, but in his heart he was wondering about Yang Ling's identity.

He had indeed heard of the Ninth Prince's reputation, but had never met him in person. Today, upon meeting him, he was surprised to find that the other party had such a strong temper.

Yang Ling sat calmly in place, showing no concern when he saw the way people were looking at him.

"Your Highness has come from afar, why don't you stay here for the time being, so that I, the city lord, can properly show you hospitality?"

Lord Yang looked at Yang Ling with a smile, but as soon as he finished speaking, Yang Ling snorted coldly.

He knew better than anyone what this kid was up to, so naturally he wouldn't agree to anything he asked.

"I am ordered to return to the capital. Even if I wanted to stay here a few more days, I don't have the time. We'll meet again another time!"

Yang Ling took a sip of wine, while the city lord looked somewhat embarrassed, harboring a certain amount of resentment towards the Ninth Prince.

He was just an abandoned prince, yet he insisted on being superior to him.

"Since Your Highness has said so, then I can't say anything else. I just wish Your Highness a safe journey!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Ling gave a faint smile.

"However, there is something I would like to ask you for a favor!"

When Lord Yang heard this, he frowned slightly and looked at Yang Ling in front of him with a puzzled expression.

"Your Highness, please speak freely."

After Lord Yang finished speaking, Yang Ling smiled slightly.

"When I arrived, I took a special look at this town. It is located in a strategic pass. I will send someone to take over this place in the future. I wonder if Lord Yang has any opinions?"

Yang Ling looked at City Lord Yang with a smile, but the latter's expression immediately changed when he heard those words.

"Your Highness..."

Before he could finish speaking, Yang Ling interrupted him.

"I know that Lord Yang may have many opinions, but I can promise that you will remain the lord of this city, and everything else will remain unchanged."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lord Yang's brows furrowed even deeper.

“If Your Highness wishes to take over this place, there is no need for such a great deal of trouble. As long as Your Highness gives the word, I, Yang, will certainly serve you faithfully.”

Upon hearing this, Yang Ling's expression became very relaxed.

"I know you're a smart man, Lord Yang, but you must promise me this, otherwise..."

Before he could finish speaking, Lord Yang bowed respectfully to Yang Ling.

"Since Your Highness has put it this way, I naturally cannot refuse."

After Lord Yang finished speaking, Yang Ling's expression became very relaxed.

Now that the old man has agreed, it won't be so difficult for me to open a breach in the border of Bingzhou in the future.

……

The next morning, Yang Ling got up to leave.

At the city gate, Lord Yang was already standing there, still wearing that kind smile on his face.

"May Your Highness rest in peace!"

Yang Ling nodded to Lord Yang, "I won't stay any longer. I will definitely come to visit Lord Yang in the future."

After saying that, he waved his hand and led everyone away.

After the carriage had driven away, Lord Yang's expression immediately turned extremely ugly.

"That damned Ninth Prince, he actually used Bingzhou as a pretext!"

Lord Yang's expression was extremely unpleasant; Yang Ling's actions were undoubtedly a threat to him.

However, he was somewhat curious as to how the Ninth Prince dared to challenge Emperor Liang.

Lord Yang stood there pondering for a while before going inside.

When everyone's carriages entered the border of Bingzhou, Yang Ling suddenly lifted the curtain of the carriage and looked behind him.

All I could see were dozens of men in black behind me, all with serious expressions on their faces.

"Your Highness, what are you looking at?"

Just as Yang Ling's gaze turned to the crowd, Mingyue's voice came from inside the carriage.

"nothing."

Yang Ling gave a curt reply and sat back down.

"Your Highness, we have now entered Bingzhou territory. Should I contact the people who were previously hiding here and have them prepare for our rendezvous?"

Yang Ling frowned slightly upon hearing her words.

"No need for that. Let them do what they're doing."

After saying that, he leaned against the carriage and fell asleep.

Seeing Yang Ling's nonchalant expression, Mingyue breathed a slight sigh of relief. If something had really happened, she wouldn't have been able to explain herself.

After seeing that Yang Ling had fallen asleep, Mingyue looked outside. The sun was high in the sky, the perfect time to travel.

……

The carriage moved slowly forward, and Yang Ling's journey was naturally not peaceful. As soon as his caravan entered Bingzhou, he encountered wave after wave of assassination attempts.

However, Yang Ling had many guards, all of whom were highly skilled, so those who wanted to assassinate Yang Ling naturally failed.

By the third day, they had arrived at a city in Bingzhou.

Yang Ling glanced at the map indifferently, and thought of the eunuch who had been killed by Emperor Liang.

The eunuch knew he was going to die, so he sent someone to contact him well in advance.

It was within this very city that Yang Ling had always longed for.

"Mingyue, you go ahead and take this to the city lord. He knows what to do next!"

As Yang Ling spoke, she took out a jade pendant from her bosom.