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

Why the sudden change of heart?

Nie Bing smiled and said, "Because I just received intelligence not long ago. I learned about the situation of the Japanese."

With a look of curiosity, Ries asked, "What's their Fusang country like?"

Nie Bing smiled helplessly: "Their situation seems to be the same as ours. They also took half of Xiao Kingdom without bloodshed. They will be heading to Changping County in a few days. It looks like Changping County will not resist either!"

Nie Bing paused for a moment, then continued, "If Changping County hadn't resisted... where would they have ended up? Wouldn't they have become Huangcheng County?"

"Once the Imperial City falls, half of the Xiao Kingdom will fall into the hands of the Fusang Kingdom! The Xiao Kingdom will truly be finished... Actually, their progress is the same as ours; they seem to be artificially controlling it, dividing the Xiao Kingdom in half..."

Rhys said, "Do you think this is a conspiracy by the people of Xiao Kingdom?"

Nie Bing shook his head helplessly: "You could say it's not a conspiracy anymore, but an open scheme!"

Ries asked doubtfully, "A calculated scheme?"

Nie Bing nodded: "That's right. It's actually quite obvious now. The prefects of Xiao Kingdom have reached a consensus: to surrender... and then let our two countries fight, while they plan to reap the benefits."

"The reason we call it an open conspiracy is that we know they may be feigning surrender, but we can't distinguish between civilians and soldiers among their people! If we don't massacre the city... but once we do, it will inevitably provoke a desperate resistance from those who follow."

"They might even force those who might surrender to join the Japanese camp. If that happens, we'll have nowhere to turn... So, we have no choice but to accept their surrender now!"

"In the end, it forced our two countries into war! The reason it's called an open conspiracy is obvious: even though we knew their true intentions, we had no better option than to accept it..."

After listening, Rhys nodded: "That's really true... So, can we just go and talk to the Japanese like this? Let's stop here! This is in the best interest of both of us..."

After Rhys finished speaking, he looked at Nie Bing, who just stared at him coldly.

He wasn't saying anything...

After a long pause, Nie Bing asked, "Your Highness Rhys, you should know that although we are both members of the Illuminati, we belong to different groups... Do you think that's possible?"

Hearing Nie Bing's words, Rhys said, "Then don't we have any other options? Do you think Xiao Ce might be involved...?"

Without even thinking, Nie Bing blurted out, "Definitely... This technique is clearly Xiao Ce's."

"Xiao Ce's specialty is using this method to let you know it's his trick, and there's nothing we can do about it! He leaves you helpless..."

After hearing Nie Bing's confident words, Rhys's eyes still showed fear, clearly revealing a look of apprehension.

Nie Bing asked, "What's wrong? Are you scared?"

Ries nodded and smiled at Nie Bing, saying, "That's right, I am indeed a little scared... Lord Nie Bing, don't laugh at me... I've actually been in contact with Xiao Ce for quite some time and have seen how he dealt with those Japanese people... I admit that I'm not as good as him..."

Nie Bing nodded, then said to Rhys, "That's right... not to mention you... actually, I'm also a little intimidated by him... I don't even think there's anyone in this world who could win against him head-on..."

Seeing Nie Bing's words, Rhys seemed even more desperate: "This..."

Nie Bing smiled and said, "Actually, you've already noticed the problem... This seemingly open scheme is an unsolvable problem... But, once you see the problem clearly... the key point is on Xiao Ce's side... If we just take care of Xiao Ce... then everything will be solved, right?"

After hearing Nie Bing's words, Rhys gave a bitter smile: "Lord Nie Bing... I thought you had come up with some brilliant idea... but this is it... to deal with Xiao Ce? If it were that simple, he would have died hundreds of times over."

"I've been with him for a long time, and as far as I know, he's incredibly skilled... and he's surrounded by top-tier fighters... killing him would be as difficult as ascending to heaven... it's practically impossible... even with our improved weaponry now, we don't even know where Xiao Ce is! Let alone assassinate him..."

Nie Bing said calmly, "We have received definite information that Xiao Ce has already appeared in the capital city of Beijing, and he has been lurking there... Go and prepare the men, and I will give you the information."

After hearing Nie Bing's words, Rhys was stunned for a moment: "Prepare people? Prepare what kind of people?"

Nie Bing glanced coldly at Rhys, then said, "Whom should we prepare? Assassins, of course!"

Ries looked at Nie Bing with even greater confusion and said, "Lord Nie Bing, you...you don't mean to ask me to kill Xiao Ce, do you?"

Nie Bing frowned slightly as she looked at Rhys, then asked, "What's wrong? You don't want to?"

Ries shook his head at first, then explained, "Lord Nie Bing, it's not that I'm unwilling... but, as you've seen along the way, the people of Xiao Kingdom already worship Xiao Ce as a god... They just don't know that Xiao Ce is still alive... but once they find out that we killed their god... the consequences..."

"You could actually just shift the blame for this to the Japanese..."

Nie Bing said to Ries, "That's right... You don't need to worry about that... I'll consider it... You just need to be responsible for assassinating him! I know your Slavic country has a commando unit, and I can provide you with the most advanced weapons in the West..."

After hearing Nie Bing's words, Rhys asked with a look of surprise, "Lord Nie Bing, do you still want us to take action?"

Nie Bing nodded: "That's right. Firstly, I don't trust that good-for-nothing from Fusang... Even if I told those good-for-nothings about Xiao Ce, they still wouldn't be able to handle it... Secondly, as you know, I still have doubts about you. You yourself said that you and Xiao Ce have spent a lot of time together... So, if you want us to believe you, killing Xiao Ce is undoubtedly the best way to prove yourselves..."

Rhys was stunned after hearing Nie Bing's words.

Nie Bing said, "Can you do it? I'm giving you a chance."

Rhys asked, "Lord Nie Bing, even now, do you still not trust us?"

Nie Bing smiled at Rhys and said, "I've never trusted you all, and you know better than I why, right? But if you want to break down that barrier, you'll need to show even greater sincerity..."

Seeing this, Ries naturally dared not say anything: "No problem, Lord Nie Bing. As long as you provide accurate information, we can assassinate Xiao Ce. However, when we carry out the operation, I hope one of you will cooperate... Otherwise, Xiao Ce is cunning, and if we fail in the assassination... then you will definitely blame us, and we won't be able to explain it."

After listening to Rhys's words, Nie Bing thought for a moment, then smiled slightly: "Okay... what you say makes sense..."

Rhys nodded, and Nie Bing continued, "So you agree?"

Ries smiled and said, "Of course... Lord Nie Bing, actually, since we started cooperating with you, we haven't had any other improper thoughts... Cooperating with you was the right choice for us..."

Listening to Rhys's words, Nie Bing smiled and said, "Alright, you know I'm not someone who likes sweet talk... Hurry up and choose your people. Three days, three days at most, and I'll give you detailed information."

Reese nodded.

"How do we deal with these people? Do we need to deal with them?"

Nie Bing waved her hand: "So all we said was for nothing? These people were never the point. Once Xiao Ce is dead, all these problems will disappear. As the saying goes, when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter. They'll always need someone to rely on... Since they're putting on an act, we'll play along..."

After listening to Nie Bing's words, Rhys smiled and nodded: "Okay... I understand... I'll go arrange it right away..."

...

Xiao Ce arrived in Changping County early the next morning, and Han Jun was the one who came to pick him up.

When Xiao Ce first saw Han Jun, he was indeed struck by Han Jun's handsome appearance.

Han Jun is not only tall, but also has very defined features, giving him a heroic air.

Han Jun bowed to Xiao Ce and said, "Greetings, Your Highness! Long live the Prince! Long live the Prince! Long live the Prince!"

Han Jun appeared calm, but his voice was slightly trembling.

Xiao Ce said with a smile, "General Han, there's no need for such a grand gesture. Didn't your godfather tell you that I don't like these things?"

Han Jun remained calm and said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness... my godfather instructed me to do this, but I still wanted to. This is my way of expressing my respect for you..."

Seeing Han Jun's excited expression, Xiao Ce smiled and said, "Alright, I appreciate it... You can get up now..."

Han Jun nodded, then said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, please come in... Everything is ready here. Would you like to check it?"

Xiao Ce waved his hand and said, "No need to check. I wouldn't trust you with such a small matter. It won't do... The reason I came isn't because I don't trust you... because a person... must keep their word... Since I promised those Japanese people I would personally deliver their gifts, I naturally can't miss this opportunity..."

Han Jun nodded as he spoke and invited Xiao Ce inside.

Upon arriving at a city lord's mansion, they invited Xiao Ce to rest.

Looking at Han Jun, Xiao Ce asked, "Han Jun, there's no one around here... Just say what you want to report."

Han Jun was momentarily surprised that Xiao Ce had seen through his heart, but after a few seconds, he was no longer surprised.

The person before me is Xiao Ce; anything he does leaves no room for doubt...

After a few seconds of stunned silence, Han Jun said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness... just yesterday, we caught several spies... after torture and interrogation, they have confessed. They were spies who came to gather information about you."

"These Slavs are planning to assassinate you! They are the vanguard confirming your location... Although we have control of a portion of them and are having the prefect cooperate with our investigation, we haven't found the others yet..."

"However, we're unsure if the message was relayed back... so I thought I'd remind you to be careful..."

After listening to Han Jun's words, Xiao Ce smiled and said, "Oh? Those Slavs have really grown up..."

Han Jun added to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, it seems they aren't from the Slavic countries... but rather from the Illuminati..."

After hearing Han Jun's words, Xiao Ce asked in confusion, "People from the Illuminati?"

Han Jun nodded: "That's right. Although those spies are all from our Xiao Kingdom, they've been completely brainwashed. You could say they hate you..."

"From their interrogation, I learned that many of them were former members of powerful clans, as well as former nobles from the Turkic Kingdom... In short, you destroyed everything they had, so these people have no sympathy for you whatsoever..."

Xiao Ce nodded: "It wasn't easy for the Illuminati to gather all these people... The Illuminati?!"

Han Jun nodded: "Not the Illuminati that supports Japan, but another one... the one that supports Slavic countries..."

Xiao Ce nodded to Han Jun: "Did you find out who ordered it? Who is the head of their Light Illuminati?"

Han Jun said to Xiao Ce, "They said he was also from the Xiao Kingdom... Perhaps you know him."

Xiao Ce was somewhat surprised after hearing Han Jun's words: "Oh? I know him?"

Han Jun nodded: "They said they all call him Lord Nie Bing... Of course, that name might be an alias!"

Upon hearing Han Jun's words, Xiao Ce's expression immediately became quite interesting: "Oh? It's actually her..."

Xiao Ce subconsciously looked at the night owl.

Night Owl was equally surprised after hearing this!

"Isn't she from the Blood Nether Pavilion?"

Xiao Ce said to Night Cat, "Isn't Blood Nether Pavilion also a subordinate unit of the Illuminati? Nie Bing's promotion isn't surprising..."

"Your Highness, please don't overthink it..."