Deposed Crown Prince: After three years of service on the frontier, the entire court knelt and begge

They came out of that place at that moment.

The night was as dark as ink, and the cold mountain wind, carrying dew, blew through the dense forest and onto the group who were silently returning to camp.

The glow of the kerosene lamp flickered on the rugged path, casting the shadows of Xiao Ce and Xiao Dingshan long and short. Just now, in the cave, Xiao Dingshan had revealed a shocking secret from the depths of his bloodline: the Heavenly Yin Star Chart, the Heart of the Stars, the Metal Divine Wood, and the Tragedy of Emperor Hui.

Like a heavy lead weight, it pressed down on everyone's heart, especially Xiao Ce's.

He remained silent the entire way, his brows furrowed, and a light seemed to flicker in his eyes.

My fingers were rubbing together unconsciously.

In fact, all of these actions were taken by Xiao Ce subconsciously...

Xiao Dingshan lagged half a step behind him, but his gaze never left Xiao Ce's back.

He could clearly sense that Xiao Ce's inner turmoil was far greater than what was outwardly apparent.

Moreover, judging from Xiao Ce's expression, it was clear that he knew something...

Seeing this, Xiao Dingshan walked over and said in a low voice, "Xiao Ce, do you have a problem? You can share it with me... I might know the answer... or maybe I can give you some advice?"

Xiao Dingshan's voice was very soft, so soft that only two people could hear it...

After reading Xiao Dingshan's words, Xiao Ce smiled and then said, "That's right, I do know some information... and this information might be related..."

Xiao Dingshan looked at Xiao Ce curiously. Xiao Ce didn't continue, but simply said to Xiao Dingshan, "Uncle, let's talk about it when we get back."

Although the two of them lowered their voices and spoke in the Xiao language, something still felt off...

Seeing this, Xiao Dingshan nodded and didn't continue the conversation.

After they came down the mountain, they stayed at the temporary accommodations arranged by Morgana and the others.

The room was simply furnished with a wooden table, a few chairs, and several mats covered with hay and animal hides.

A lantern hung from the beam, its dim light barely dispelling the darkness in the corner, yet casting a large, swaying shadow on the wall from Xiao Ce's somber profile. He remained silent, walking to the wooden table and sitting down. Xiao Dingshan closed the wooden door, shutting out the faint sounds of patrolling footsteps and insect chirping that drifted in from outside. He then sat down opposite Xiao Ce.

The two had a great understanding.

Xiao Ce then said to Xiao Dingshan, "Uncle, do you know about our Xiao family's imperial tombs?"

Xiao Dingshan nodded, then looked at Xiao Ce with a surprised expression and said, "Xiao Ce, are you saying that the underground ancestral temple is in the imperial mausoleum?"

Xiao Ce nodded.

Before Xiao Ce could respond, Xiao Dingshan immediately denied it, saying, "Impossible..."

Seeing Xiao Dingshan's confident demeanor, Xiao Ce asked with some surprise, "Uncle, why are you so certain?"

Xiao Dingshan said, half-laughing and half-crying, "Because every emperor actually knows these secrets to some extent... so their first thought about the underground ancestral temple is that it's an imperial tomb..."

"So, that imperial tomb has been searched for countless times... it's simply impossible..."

Xiao Dingshan was speaking with great conviction, but he thought that Xiao Ce was not the kind of person who would talk nonsense.

So, as Xiao Dingshan spoke, he realized the problem.

He turned directly to Xiao Ce and asked, "Xiao Ce, do you know something?"

Xiao Ce said to Xiao Dingshan, "That's right, I learned about the Ten Great Tombs by chance before..."

After hearing Xiao Ce's words, Xiao Dingshan asked in confusion, "The Ten Great Tombs? What Ten Great Tombs!"

After hearing Xiao Dingshan's words, Xiao Ce nodded and then said, "This is a long story, but it's not the main point. It's just that among these ten tombs, one is Lost Island, and another is the Hidden Dragon Ruins, also known as the Hidden Dragon Tomb... Moreover, according to those maps, I know the location of our Xiao Kingdom's imperial mausoleum..."

After hearing Xiao Ce's words, Xiao Dingshan said, "Does that mean the Ten Great Tombs aren't ordinary tombs...?"

Xiao Ce nodded: "That's right, that's indeed the case... However, I don't know the connection between the Hidden Dragon Tomb and the Imperial Mausoleum..."

Xiao Dingshan's eyes also revealed a hint of doubt... "I actually investigated the imperial mausoleum myself... and there are no problems. Even the original owner of this body investigated it... Could it be that your information is inaccurate...?"

After hearing Xiao Dingshan's words, Xiao Ce smiled and said, "Of course, that's still somewhat possible... But who cares... We don't need to rush. What you're talking about doesn't really seem like anything serious. Whether it'll bring fortune or misfortune after we use it is still unknown... We can just let fate decide..."

After hearing Xiao Ce's words, Xiao Dingshan smiled and then said, "Not bad...not bad...it's all up to fate...it's all up to fate..."

Without further ado, Xiao Dingshan changed the subject: "Xiao Ce, you've almost finished arranging things here... Next step..."

Seeing the expectant look in Xiao Dingshan's eyes, Xiao Ce said to him, "Uncle, the next step is naturally to go to Al-Qaeda..."

Upon hearing Xiao Ce's words, Xiao Dingshan nodded happily, "Good...good...don't worry. I'll say it again: I can't guarantee they're good people, but I can guarantee that in the short term, our goals are aligned..."

Hearing Xiao Dingshan's words, Xiao Ce smiled and nodded, "Uncle, of course I trust you... Besides, there are no eternal allies... You don't need to overthink it..."

Xiao Dingshan was somewhat moved by Xiao Ce's words.

"Xiao Ce, don't you have any doubts?"

Xiao Ce smiled and said to Xiao Dingshan, "Uncle, my mindset has actually changed a lot. After everything that's happened, I believe in destiny. Therefore, I'm more free-spirited, and my trust in you is unconditional..."

Upon hearing Xiao Ce's words, Xiao Dingshan's eyes showed even greater gratitude...

Before Xiao Dingshan could speak, Xiao Ce said to him, "Uncle, don't overthink it... It's getting late, let's rest first, and set off early tomorrow morning..."

The next day.

As dawn broke, the thin mist in the forest pierced through the trees, casting dappled light across the valley campsite. The air was crisp and clear, carrying the fragrance of earth and vegetation, yet it couldn't mask the heavy, somber mood that permeated the camp.

A dense crowd had already gathered on the open ground of the training ground. Unlike the bonfire feast of the previous night, there was no noise now, only a solemn silence filled with a deep sense of reluctance.

Men, women, children, artisans, soldiers, farmers, women, and even children held in adults' arms, all spontaneously gathered here. Their eyes, as if drawn by a magnet, were firmly fixed on the doorway of the wooden hut in the center of the camp.

Xiao Ce had already told Morgana yesterday, but Morgana still felt she needed to inform the people here.

After all, Xiao Shen personally cooked a barbecue for these people last night.

The people here have all eaten barbecue before, but they've never had barbecue this delicious.

They unanimously believed that such a delicious treat could only exist in the celestial realm, thus further solidifying their conviction in Xiao Ce's identity as the God Xiao...

Even greater worship.

After Morgana spoke to them, although they were reluctant to part with her...

However, they also knew that someone like Xiao Shen couldn't possibly stay on their side forever...

So, everyone just wanted to come and bid farewell to Xiao Ce...

The wooden door creaked open.

Xiao Ce appeared at the doorway, his expression calm and his steps steady. Xiao Dingshan and A Tie followed closely behind, like silent shadow guards.

However, the moment Xiao Ce stepped out of the wooden house, the peace was instantly shattered.

"Master Xiao! Please stay!"

"Lord Xiao Shen! Please stay a few more days!"

From the crowd, someone choked out a cry, like a stone thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples. The shouts merged into a wave of sobs, echoing through the valley.

The women covered their faces and wept, the children stared blankly with wide eyes, and the men, with red eyes and clenched fists, struggled to suppress the turmoil in their hearts.

They spontaneously knelt down, their foreheads touching the ground, and many more bowed deeply, remaining motionless for a long time.

The laughter and warmth of last night's barbecue are still fresh in our minds, but this "deity" who brought hope, pointed out the way, and even personally grilled food for them is about to leave.

That dependence and reluctance, like vines, entwined in everyone's heart, so heavy that it was hard to breathe.

Morgana, Frank, and Jon Snow stood at the front of the crowd.

Morgana's eyes reddened, but she strained to keep her back straight, refusing to let the tears fall. She took a deep breath, stepped forward, her voice trembling with suppressed emotion, yet unusually clear:

"Silence! Fellow villagers!"

She looked around at the kneeling crowd and said loudly, "The descent of the God Xiao, bringing us light and a path, is already an immense blessing! He has planned a magnificent future for us and pointed out the direction for survival and strength! We should remember this kindness in our hearts and transform it into the strength to build our homes and protect our fortresses!"

Her voice echoed through the valley, carrying the resolute determination of a leader:

"Xiao Shen has his own destiny and his own battlefield! If we truly follow and respect Xiao Shen, we should not hinder his progress with tears, but respond to his expectations with actions, with sweat, and with the foundation we have built in this valley!"

When Xiao Shen returns, we must show him that we have not betrayed his trust, nor wasted the opportunity he bestowed upon us! We must show him an indestructible, vibrant land of hope!

Morgana's words were like a shot of adrenaline to everyone's hearts. The weeping gradually subsided, replaced by a firm belief that coalesced in their eyes.

Frank listened to Morgana's words and strode forward, slamming his right fist heavily into the leather armor on his left chest, making a dull thud, and gave the most solemn military salute!

"Mr. Xiao! Frank hereby swears! He will use his own body as a shield and the valley as a blade to build this place into an invincible fortress, as you entrusted to him! On the day you return, I will show you a powerful army worthy of your expectations!"

The soldiers behind him saluted in unison, their movements synchronized and their spirits soaring, silently expressing their determination.

Jones Snow bowed deeply, his voice low yet powerful: "Mr. Xiao, all the information you are concerned about will be delivered accurately to where you need it through secure channels."

Xiao Ce looked at their affected manner and couldn't help but laugh and cry.

However, Xiao Ce knew very well that they were putting on this act in order to better govern this region...

Xiao Ce, naturally, would cooperate with them...

So he started to put on airs, pretending to be radiating divine light.

With a thought, he directly instructed Lingxu to emit light from his body...

This was a piece of cake for Lingxu...

Just as golden light emanated from Xiao Ce, these people were so astonished that they were speechless for a moment...

Xiao Ce's gaze slowly swept over the faces that were either excited, resolute, or still bearing traces of tears, and a complex mix of emotions welled up within him.

He saw faith, he saw dependence, and even more so, he saw the immense vitality that was about to erupt under his guidance.

"Get up, everyone." His voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly, carrying a calming power.

“I see your determination. Remember Morgana’s words, remember the responsibility on your shoulders. Build your homes, hone your skills, and protect each other. This is your root, and the spark of your future.”

He paused, his gaze deepening. "Today's parting is for a grander reunion in the future. When the winds of change rise, I look forward to seeing the steel bulwark you have forged, and the light of the homeland you have guarded! Take care!"

Xiao Ce didn't say much useless nonsense; his last two words were resounding.

Simple words are enough...

After speaking, under the reluctant and admiring gazes of Morgana, Frank, Jones Snow, and all the valley dwellers, Xiao Ce did not linger. He turned around and strode away along the dense forest path he had come from.

As he left, Xiao Ce even had Lingxu create some mysterious special effects around him...

They managed to scare and chill even the ordinary people who were seeing them off.

Even Morgana and Frank, who were familiar with Xiao Ce, and even Jones Snow, were shaken.

Jones Snow was the first to speak, saying with an air of authority, "I told you... Mr. Xiao Ce is a god..."

Frank said, "I think so too... How could this be possible if one wasn't human..."

Even Morgana wavered, chiming in, "I think so too... He told us he wasn't a god, probably just to reassure us not to be afraid of him... He's just an approachable person, no, a god!"