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

Xiao Ce stopped and looked at Ma Su.

"what?"

Ma Su asked Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, is the King of Zhen really a traitor?"

Xiao Ce was at a loss for words.

Judging from Ma Su's expression, this matter seemed to be very important to him.

Seeing that Xiao Ce did not answer, Ma Su said, "Because this is very important to me. I believe that helping the King of Zhen and protecting you are both the right things to do, which is why I chose to help you despite the safety of my family!"

Xiao Ce was silent for a moment: "From the perspective of the nation, the King of Zhen did indeed commit treason. However, I can only say that you did well!"

Ma Su's expression was very complicated.

"So, everything in the announcement is true?"

Xiao Ce nodded.

Ma Su's expression grew even uglier.

After a long silence, he asked Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, why didn't you lie to me?"

Xiao Ce said to Ma Su, "Because this is the truth, I don't want to lie to you. And you saved me, I can be sure that saving me was absolutely the right thing to do..."

"Moreover, the King of Zhen betrayed his country, and I cannot say whether he was right or wrong in that matter. It's like you saving me; I cannot say whether that was right or wrong."

Ma Su's expression shifted slightly, and he revealed a smile: "Your Highness, based on your answer alone, I believe you are right! Your Highness, I will manage the intelligence organization you mentioned well."

Xiao Ce was stunned: "What is this...?"

Ma Su smiled and said, "Your frankness shows that although the King of Zhen did this, I believe he had his own reasons..."

Xiao Ce smiled and nodded: "You're right... You'll know the truth someday."

...

After Xiao Ce finished speaking, he did not linger.

Because he still has many places to go.

He rode in a carriage and went directly out of a Taoist temple in the capital city.

Upon arriving at the Taoist temple, an old Taoist priest bowed to Xiao Ce.

"Young master, you've arrived."

Xiao Ce bowed slightly: "I've come to pay my respects to my royal uncle."

The old Taoist priest nodded, said nothing, and began to lead the way.

Xiao Ce had met this old Taoist priest when he was making funeral arrangements for Xiao Dingshan.

Previously, when we were outside the King's mourning hall in Zhen, this old Taoist priest came to beg for alms in the middle of the night.

However, he specifically requested Xiao Ce by name.

After hearing this, Xiao Ce went to meet the old Taoist priest.

After giving the old Taoist some vegetarian food, the old Taoist secretly gave Xiao Ce a note.

The note said that the King of Zhen had previously approached the old Taoist priest, saying that he would come to find Xiao Ce after the old Taoist priest died.

Xiao Ce was instructed to bury his body behind the old Taoist temple.

Attached to it was a handwritten letter from the King of the town.

At that time, Xiao Ce did not know how the King of Zhen had determined that he would come, but it was ultimately the King of Zhen's last wish.

Xiao Ce and Xiao Yang did as instructed. The matter of replacing the crown prince with a cat was not difficult, and the two of them transported the body to the Taoist temple.

A fake corpse was placed in the imperial tomb.

Xiao Ce has not come since the last time his body was buried.

Now that Xiao Ce understands the whole story, he has a clearer understanding of Xiao Dingshan's previous arrangements.

He probably hasn't wanted to live since he decided to do that.

Led by the old Taoist priest, we arrived directly at the mountainside behind the Taoist temple.

There was only a blank tombstone.

The old Taoist priest said, "Xiao Dingshan had instructed before that an unmarked tombstone would suffice... Hearing me strike the bell and chant scriptures every day would wash away half a lifetime of killing."

As he spoke, the old Taoist bowed to Xiao Ce and said, "Young master, why don't you stay here and talk to him?"

Xiao Ce glanced at the old Taoist priest, bowed, and said, "Thank you, sir."

Xiao Ce took out a flask of wine from his waist and poured a full cup for Xiao Dingshan.

“Uncle Jiu, I know all about your plan. Since it is your last wish, I will definitely help you fulfill it.”

As he spoke, Xiao Ce took a sip and left the rest of the wine beside the nameless tomb.

Xiao Ce looked at the nameless grave and gave a bitter smile.

"You're finally free! You made me do this for you! You really think highly of me! Aren't you afraid I'm a heartless person who won't help you? Wouldn't it have been a waste of your life to die like this?"

After Xiao Ce finished speaking, he looked at the nameless tombstone for a long time without lingering.

They left immediately.

When we arrived at the Taoist temple, the old Taoist priest was still sweeping the courtyard.

Seeing Xiao Ce come down, he was somewhat surprised: "Young Master, have you finished speaking?"

Xiao Ce gave a bitter laugh: "What's the point of talking to a dead man... When a person dies, the light goes out! I came here just to put my mind at ease. Do you think he can actually hear me?"

The old Taoist priest smiled and replied, "Young master, you see things very clearly... Don't you believe in the existence of souls and reincarnation? Don't you believe in karma?"

Seeing the old Taoist's words, Xiao Ce smiled and said, "Sir, I believe. I'm afraid no one in this world believes more than I do that people have souls... People do indeed have souls, or perhaps there is an afterlife. However, when a person dies, they are truly dead. All connection with the previous world is severed..."

Xiao Ce was certainly in a position to speak on this matter.

It could be said that I traveled here from another time, or it could be said that after death, this place is my next life.

After he died in that world, he came here and lost all contact with the previous world.

At least, he had not heard any news from the world he came from.

Upon hearing Xiao Ce's words, the old Taoist said, "Young master, you are indeed no ordinary person. If it weren't for your hurried manner, I would really like to sit down and discuss the Tao with you."

Xiao Ce looked at the old Taoist priest and said, "Sir, you really have a good eye. How about another day? After I've finished dealing with things, it wouldn't be so bad for us to spend a few leisurely days in the mountains together..."

The old Taoist priest couldn't help but laugh.

Seeing the old Taoist priest laughing so exaggeratedly, Xiao Ce asked curiously, "Sir, is what I said really that funny?"

The old Taoist priest smiled and said, "That's right. I met Xiao Dingshan on the battlefield. He saved my life. Later, I came here. Xiao Dingshan said that one day he would sit down and discuss the Tao with me here. I never expected that he would keep his promise."

After hearing the old Taoist's words, Xiao Ce was stunned for a moment, and then he also gave a bitter smile.

"The master is laughing at a vulgar person like me, who is ensnared by greed, anger, ignorance, hatred, love, evil, and desire!"

The old Taoist shook his head and said, "Actually, my staying here isn't just another kind of obsession. What I'm doing is simply what I should do. There's no right or wrong in this matter."

Xiao Ce listened to the old Taoist's words, seemingly lost in thought.

"Sir, when I return to Beijing, I will definitely have a good chat with you."

The old Taoist priest smiled and said, "Then, I will wait for you here."

Seeing this, Xiao Ce asked, "I still don't know your Daoist name, sir?"

The old Taoist waved his hand: "If you can keep your promise next time, young master, it won't be too late for me to tell you."

Xiao Ce nodded.

Xiao Ce noticed that it was getting late and he should head back.

He will be returning to the Western Regions with the delegation early tomorrow morning.

This brief trip to Kyoto made Xiao Ce realize that although the city seemed calm on the surface, there were actually undercurrents running deep.

Even the King of Zhen couldn't handle things here, so he finally chose this path.

His decision to resign from the position of crown prince was undoubtedly the right one!

Otherwise, even if he were a time traveler, he probably wouldn't be able to handle things here.

It was late at night when Xiao Ce returned from the Taoist temple.

Xiao Yang was still awake, waiting for Xiao Ce.

After seeing Xiao Ce arrive, she told him that a hundred-man guard team was ready.

Xiao Ce had visited several places today and was looking a little tired.

Seeing Xiao Yang staring at him, Xiao Ce asked, "What's wrong?"

Xiao Yang looked conflicted and said, "Brother, my mother originally forbade me to talk about this... but I still feel it's necessary to tell you..."

Even though he was in his own house, Xiao Yang seemed very nervous and acting furtively.

He pulled Xiao Ce aside.

He then lowered his voice and said to Xiao Ce, "Brother, my mother said she has received definite news. The Eighth Prince and his mother said in the palace that they plan to kill you on the way, and won't even give you a chance to go to the Western Regions."

After hearing Xiao Yang's words, Xiao Ce smiled slightly and then said, "That's it?"

Seeing that Xiao Ce could still laugh, Xiao Yang stared at him with wide eyes and said, "Brother, didn't you understand what I said? They're planning to kill you?"

Xiao Ce laughed and said, "I know. I beat Xiao Xiangqing so badly that he hates me so much that he wants to tear me apart... It would be strange if he didn't kill me."

Xiao Yang nodded and said, "So, Your Majesty, if you don't think of a way to escape... your hundred guards, no matter how skilled, are only a hundred men. There are hundreds more outside the city, and I've heard there are more at other post stations, totaling over two thousand. But, no matter how capable you are..."

Seeing that Xiao Yang was genuinely worried about him, Xiao Ce chuckled and patted his shoulder, interrupting him, "Looks like you weren't kidding me. You've really developed feelings for me after all the torture I've put you through! But don't worry, since I dared to go, I naturally know they want to kill me. However, anyone who tries to kill me will either die themselves or beg for death but can't."

As he spoke, Xiao Ce looked at Xiao Yang meaningfully and asked, "Is that so?"

Xiao Yang couldn't help but shiver.

"Yes Yes Yes!"

Xiao Ce said to Xiao Yang, "Don't worry... Go and get some rest."

"Brother, it's good that you know what's going on... Then I'll just do as you said and not come to see you off?"

Xiao Ce nodded: "There's no need to see me off... There will definitely be many eyes watching tomorrow. After I leave, you'll have to protect yourself... If you get killed, don't say I didn't help you."

Xiao Yang smiled awkwardly, scratched his head, and said to Xiao Ce, "Brother, don't worry."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Xiao Ce looked at Xiao Yang's current appearance and couldn't help but laugh.

Things really are different now than they were then.

Xiao Ce originally wanted to kill Xiao Yang, even when they were in the northern desert, he wanted to torture him.

However, now that he's gotten used to using this puppet Xiao Ce, he's actually a little reluctant to kill him.

It really is a cruel twist of fate.

...

The next day, Xiao Ce got up early.

After training against Lei Dubu and Da Lei.

Da Lei then led a ten-man squad over.

These squads are all led by captains. Their 100-man guard team is composed of ten 10-man squads.

The ten captains had complex relationships with their respective teams of ten men.

And they listened to Da Lei's command.

After the ten squad leaders walked over, they saluted Xiao Ce.

This team wasn't the one that came at the beginning; it came later along with the weapons.

They are all the elite of the elite, handpicked by Yin Pan'er!

"Your Majesty, and the Commander-in-Chief, our ten squads have assembled. Each of us is now equipped with a repeating flintlock musket, twenty hand grenades, and a miniature repeating crossbow."

"In a direct confrontation, we, a hundred men, are confident we can handle a force of five thousand. In a surprise attack, even with a thousand men, we can guarantee your absolute safety..."

They began to follow Xiao Ce's introduction.

Xiao Ce nodded: "Alright! You must be prepared for this journey to be arduous and extraordinary. Even after we reach the Western Regions, we will still face a situation where we are surrounded by enemies on all sides!"

The captain, with a resolute expression, said to Xiao Ce, “Your Highness, we are prepared to die! When we came here, Princess Yin gave each of us a thousand taels of silver and promised that the Prince’s Mansion would support our wives, children, and parents... So, we have no worries. Moreover, the Princess promised us that if we die, she will give us a thousand taels of silver and exempt our entire family from taxes for life.”

Xiao Ce hadn't expected Yin Pan'er to be so generous.

"Good! If you follow me back from the Western Regions alive, you will receive everything the Queen promised you... plus rewards! Not only you, but also your men will receive the same!"

These captains all seemed to have a flame in their eyes.

"Let's go. Everyone, remember to keep yourselves calm. And don't be too cocky..."

The squad leader nodded: "Your Highness, the Great Thunder Corps taught us... to learn to show weakness."

Xiao Ce nodded in satisfaction.

After walking a few steps, I noticed that these people were all in perfect unison and full of energy.

However, once they stepped outside, they all looked dejected and listless, and the formation became loose and disorganized.

If Xiao Ce hadn't seen how well-organized they were, he would have really suspected that Xiao Yang had replaced his guards with a bunch of thugs.

Xiao Ce was very satisfied with this.

Upon reaching the door, Xiao Yang did not see them out, but instead prostrated himself on the ground inside.

"Your Majesty, may you rest in peace... Your humble brother will surely recite scriptures and pray for your well-being every day!"

Xiao Ce's eyelids twitched a few times as he looked at Xiao Yang. How could he have said something so chilling?

He waved for him to stop, then mounted his horse and joined the group, shouting as they set off.