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

Little Mudskipper directly denied it to Xiao Ce, saying, "Of course not... Although they are here, we are different from them. We are originally from Dragon Guard City. We stay here because we can't bear to leave our homeland..."

"And they were all refugees, all spreading cult propaganda... Only desperate criminals would join them..."

The little mudskipper's answer still surprised Xiao Ce quite a bit...

"Don't you hate Xiao Shen?"

After hearing Xiao Ce's words, the little mudskipper smiled in surprise and said, "Hate? Why would I hate..."

Before Xiao Ce could speak, the little mudskipper said to him, "Sir, are you mistaken? While there are indeed many people here who hate the country and hate Xiao Shen... we're just watching them from here... the country treats us very well..."

As Little Mudfish spoke, he recounted what the Xiao Kingdom government had done for them. The original inhabitants here were unwilling to move away, as they were enjoying national welfare and subsidies from various parties.

The entire Dragon Guardian Ghost City seems to have been intentionally created by the Xiao Kingdom's imperial court to create a unique place, with the original inhabitants actually receiving many subsidies...

Moreover, the imperial court made no demands on them...

Therefore, the indigenous people here naturally know who truly cares for them...

After hearing what the little mudfish said, Xiao Ce realized that they had actually done a really good job.

Night Owl had only said that everything here was under control, but no one expected that he had won over the indigenous people.

As long as the core base is stabilized, there won't be any problems...

Xiao Ce listened and nodded, then nodded in agreement.

Just then, a commotion and shouts came from below the plank road.

"Get out of my way! You blind fool!"

"Ouch! My goods!"

"When Scarface is doing his business, everyone get out of the way!"

Seven or eight burly men dressed in matching black outfits, with fierce eyes and bulging waistbands clearly concealing weapons, rudely pushed aside pedestrians and stalls blocking their way and marched aggressively up the boardwalk.

The leader was exceptionally burly, with a hideous scar running from his forehead to his chin, resembling a twisted centipede. His eyes were sinister, carrying the ferocity of a desperado, and his gaze swept across the crowd like a hawk's, as if searching for something.

When Little Mudskipper saw Xiao Ce looking in that direction, his expression changed immediately. He then said to Xiao Ce, "Sir, that's Boss Scarface, the leader of the Restoration Church..."

Scarred Wolf?

Xiao Ce was pleasantly surprised when he heard the name.

After all, he came here specifically to find this guy...

Little Mudskipper said somewhat nervously, "Sir, perhaps we should avoid this area for now. Scarface rarely comes up here; we shouldn't offend them... After all, the Xiao Kingdom government doesn't want to get involved here..."

After hearing what the little mudfish said, Xiao Ce raised an eyebrow slightly and then asked, "Why should we avoid it?"

The little mudfish was sweating profusely because he saw a hint of excitement and provocation on Xiao Ce's face, and his voice even sounded like he was about to cry!

"Sir! Scarface is not someone to be trifled with! He has a lot of ruthless men under his command, and he's practically the local tyrant in this ghost town! Your friends may look energetic, but they can't fight against so many opponents! Let's avoid him for now; it's not worth a head-on confrontation!"

Xiao Ce seemed not to hear, instead observing Scarface, who was rudely parting the crowd and striding forward with great interest.

The scarred face looked particularly ferocious in the dim, flickering light. Wherever his fierce gaze swept, the crowd fell silent, bowing their heads and avoiding him, afraid of getting into trouble.

Scar Wolf had clearly also noticed the incongruous group of people at the edge of the walkway.

A well-dressed, distinguished stranger was accompanied by three taciturn but upright and sharp-eyed followers, along with a young boy from the ghost town.

This group stood out conspicuously in the chaotic ghost town...

"Stop!" Scarface shouted in a low voice, like a broken gong, instantly drowning out the surrounding noise.

He led seven or eight equally fierce subordinates and blocked Xiao Ce and his group in just a few steps, completely cutting off their path on the plank road.

Scar Wolf's hawk-like eyes were fixed on Xiao Ce, scanning him up and down with undisguised scrutiny and suspicion.

"You look unfamiliar. What brings you to this godforsaken place?"

Little Mudskipper shuddered and quickly forced a fawning smile, stepping forward to try and smooth things over: "Boss Scarface, this gentleman is a newcomer from out of town. I brought him down to broaden his horizons and let him see the wonders of our Dragon Guardian Ghost City... uh..."

Before he could finish speaking, one of Scarface's burly henchmen roughly shoved him aside: "Get out of the way! I wasn't asking you!"

The little mudfish staggered a few steps and bumped into the wooden shed next to it. It grimaced in pain but dared not utter a sound. It could only look at Xiao Ce anxiously and fearfully.

Scarface completely ignored Little Mudskipper, his gaze still fixed on Xiao Ce's face, exuding a sense of oppression: "I'm asking you a question! Are you mute?"

Instead of showing fear, Xiao Ce slowly curled into a contemptuous, mocking smile. The smile was as if he were looking at a clown, filled with disdain and condescension.

"Scarred Wolf?" Xiao Ce spoke, his voice not loud, but exceptionally clear, carrying a peculiar penetrating power that instantly quieted the surroundings. "The name is quite intimidating. But... it's my freedom to take a look around."

After listening to Xiao Ce's words and observing Xiao Ce's demeanor, Scarface felt that Xiao Ce was no ordinary person.

"Alright, you can come and visit... However, this Dragon Guardian Ghost City is protected by our true god. Have you paid homage to our true god?"

Hearing Scarface's words, Xiao Ce smiled wickedly: "What bullshit God? I don't believe in God! I only believe in myself..."

Xiao Ce's words were like a thunderbolt, silencing everyone present and preventing them from uttering a single unnecessary word.

Scarface's face instantly turned ashen, veins bulging on his forehead, and the centipede-like scar twisted violently with extreme rage, as if it had come alive, making him look incredibly terrifying. His men behind him instantly bristled, roaring and their hands already on the hilts of their swords or the bulging firearms at their waists!

"You're looking for fucking death!"

"How dare you insult our lord! You're asking for it!"

"Boss! Kill him!"

Scar Wolf's eyes instantly turned bloodshot and crimson.

God is the supreme being in his heart, the beacon of his nation's restoration, the source of his strength, and the anchor of his faith! How dare this stranger, who appeared out of nowhere, blaspheme like this?!

A violent killing intent erupted from him as if it were a tangible force, and the surrounding air seemed to freeze.

The little mudfish was terrified and collapsed to the ground, inwardly wailing: "It's all over! How dare this man! Even a god can't save me now!"

"What did you say?!"

Scarface practically spat out those four words through clenched teeth, each syllable carrying a chilling killing intent.

Xiao Ce's smile grew even brighter, even carrying a hint of provocation: "What? Isn't that right? What Allah? He's just the leader of a rabble... You can only fool a few brainless people... We're outsiders, just here to take a look... Do you expect me to force you to worship?"

Xiao Ce's words were aimed at provoking them.

Scarface was indeed enraged: "Grab this rude fellow! Since you've come to the Dragon Guardian Ghost City, you should inquire... You don't have to worship, but you can't blaspheme the true God."

Scarface pointed at Xiao Ce and waved his hand, "Men, arrest him... I'm going to tear him to pieces as punishment for his words..."

His subordinates behind him could no longer contain themselves. Upon hearing this, they were like wolves released from their cages, brandishing all sorts of weapons and charging towards Xiao Ce and the three Creation Ones behind him with ferocious expressions!

The plank road was already narrow, and when seven or eight people charged together, the momentum was astonishing. The surrounding stalls were knocked over and tilted, and the crowd screamed in terror and scattered in all directions. The scene instantly became extremely chaotic!

At this critical moment!

"run!"

With a low shout, Xiao Ce turned around abruptly without hesitation and rushed towards the side path below the plank road, which had the fewest people, the darkest light, and the most complex structure!

His movements were as fast as a ghost, as if he had already calculated the route.

Actually, when Xiao Ce was preparing to provoke them, he had already secretly spoken to the three people...

He had intended to postpone his plans, but, coincidentally...

He just wanted to put his plan into action first...

Creation One, Two, and Three reacted even faster!

Instead of engaging in a direct confrontation, the three of them, as if of one mind, suddenly scattered and rushed in three different directions the instant Xiao Ce gave the order!

Number One crashed into a grocery stall on the left like a cheetah. The force of the impact smashed the wooden frame and goods to pieces, and the flying debris instantly blocked the view and path of the two pursuers on the left.

Number Two then performed a low roll, sliding between the legs of the two burly men on the right, while simultaneously reaching out with lightning speed to precisely grab their ankles and yank them sharply!

Caught off guard, the two burly men lost their balance and fell to the ground with screams, tripping over their companion behind them.

Number three was the most direct. Facing a burly man charging at him with a knife, he neither dodged nor avoided. Just as the blade was about to reach his body, he shifted his body to the side at an incredible angle, and at the same time, he delivered a precise chop to the wrist of the man holding the knife!

With a sharp crack followed by a piercing scream, the burly man's wrist instantly deformed, and the machete flew from his hand. Number Three didn't hesitate, following up with a kick to the man's chest, sending him flying like a broken sack, crashing heavily into his companion behind him!

All of this happened in the blink of an eye!

The three-man team's split-style surprise attack and precise strikes instantly created enormous chaos on the narrow boardwalk!

Screams, curses, the sound of objects shattering, and gasps from the crowd mingled together.

The once imposing encirclement was torn apart by this sudden tactic! At least four or five of Scar Wolf's men were either taken down or temporarily held off.

Scarface's eyes widened in horror!

He never expected that the three men who seemed to be his followers would be so incredibly skilled!

Their coordination was astonishing! But at this moment, he was blinded by rage, and his only target was that despicable outsider who dared to blaspheme the Lord and reveal his deepest fears!

"Ignore the others! Chase the leader! Chase him!"

Scarface roared, kicked aside his wailing henchman who was blocking his way, and brandished his machete like a mad bull, chasing after the dim side road where Xiao Ce had disappeared!

His few remaining able-bodied men broke free from the chaos, shouting and following Scar Wolf into the side road.

They were also filled with rage and murderous intent, vowing to tear that arrogant brat to pieces!

On the plank road, only a mess remained, along with a few groaning subordinates and a group of people still in shock.

The little mudskipper, slumped on the ground, stared at the suddenly empty boardwalk and the dark entrance to the side road.

He struggled to his feet, and instead of fleeing like the others, he gritted his teeth and slipped silently down another, more secluded path, his direction vaguely also towards the area where Xiao Ce had disappeared...

Xiao Ce's figure darted swiftly through the maze-like lower walkways and pipe gaps.

He seemed unfamiliar with the terrain, yet his movements were exceptionally agile, always managing to briefly shake off his pursuers by using various obstacles and corners. His objective was clear: to create chaos, scatter the enemy, and then lure Scarface, the "alpha wolf," into the pre-arranged battlefield.

Scar Wolf's roar and heavy footsteps followed closely behind, like a leech clinging to a bone.

His men gradually fell behind due to several chases and the narrow terrain, until only two trusted confidants were able to keep up with Scar Wolf.

"Kid! You can't escape! I'll skin you alive and pull your tendons out of your body!"

The howl of the scarred wolf echoed through the narrow passage, carrying a heavy stench of blood.

Xiao Ce turned a corner filled with discarded wooden barrels and a relatively open area appeared in front of him.

This appears to be an abandoned confluence of old sewers. The space is considerably more spacious than the boardwalk, but still dimly lit, with only faint daylight seeping in from higher elevations. The surrounding pipe openings resemble the throats of a monster...

The air was thick with moisture and the putrid smell of rust and silt.

Xiao Ce stopped here, his back to a huge pipe opening, breathing slightly heavily, seemingly exhausted.

Scarface and his two remaining henchmen burst in. Seeing Xiao Ce stop, a ferocious and triumphant smile spread across his face: "Run! Why aren't you running anymore?! You little bastard, today is your death day!"

He approached step by step, dragging the machete on the ground with a screeching sound.

Xiao Ce turned around, his face still bearing that mocking smile that made Scarface grit his teeth in hatred: "Run? Who said I was running? I was just leading the way!"