This scoundrel is a bit of a swordsman.

However, while Xiao Xingchen hesitated, the Crown Prince was not idle. His soldiers surged forward, surrounding Changting and pointing their blades directly at the group.

After all, these people were after him, so Xiao Xingchen stepped forward and questioned them in a cheeky tone.

"Your Highness, what crime have I committed that has alarmed you to mobilize your troops? This is far too much of an honor for me,"

"Hmph, kid, I don't care where you came from, do you even know whose territory this Yong'an is? You think you can ruin my plans? You're tired of living, aren't you?"

"Your Highness, please don't be angry. Anger is bad for your health. I advise you to calm down."

"Killing you will calm me down, hmph."

"Oh, my prince, you've been used as a pawn. Don't you ever think about how everything I did was done in full view of everyone at the main gate of Yong'an City? I wasn't committing any crimes; in fact, I did some good. If you kill me like this, what will people think of you?"

"You smooth talker, you think you've done something good? Kid, if I don't chop you up today, I'm not worthy of being the Crown Prince!"

"Why can't we reason with him? Your Highness, don't be impatient. And you, move aside, your spear is pointing at me. Can't you see I'm having a friendly conversation with the Crown Prince?"

Xiao Xingchen didn't treat himself like an outsider at all, and simply started to deceive them. The more he did this, the more confused the people in the shadows became.

Normally, people being chased would panic, especially when surrounded by a crowd. Kneeling and begging for mercy is the norm. But this young man seemed unusually calm, which made those secretly watching him wonder why he was so calm.

Lan Beitang's lips twitched, and he couldn't help but give Xiao Xingchen a thumbs up. The Second Saint was about to get up and reprimand the Crown Prince, but seeing Xiao Xingchen stride confidently into the encirclement, making it seem to anyone who didn't know better that he and the Crown Prince were good friends, walking past without any hesitation, he hesitated.

This made him sit back down. Judging from his behavior just now, this disciple he'd picked up for free was no pushover. He was now increasingly curious about what the young man had done to attract so much attention.

Daji, however, covered her face as if she were used to it, acting as if she didn't recognize him. Every time this happened, he would do something unexpected.

This man has done outrageous things, like urinating on the Heavenly Sword and splitting the boundary marker of Cangshan Mountain with his bare hands. So, it wouldn't be surprising if he were to put his arm around the Crown Prince now, even to Daji.

However, while the crowd was puzzled, they also felt a greater admiration for Xiao Xingchen's courage.

"Your Highness, I know you're anxious, but don't rush. Let me analyze this for you. If there's no reason for it, then you can kill me. Besides, I'm just a nobody. What good would killing me do? It wouldn't change the overall situation at all. But if you take me in, maybe I can help you kill the Eldest Princess?"

These words stunned those in the shadows once again, who then cursed them as shameless.

"Hmm?" The crown prince asked in confusion, raising his hand to stop the soldier who was about to attack.

"Aren't you one of the Princess's people?"

"What princess's people? I'm one of my own. Go check it out. I just got lost with my wife and then hitched a ride with the princess. How did I become her person? Let me tell you, don't slander me. I won't fall for that."

These words overturned everyone's argument once again. In their eyes, this person knelt before the deposed empress and helped the eldest princess, so he must be on their side. But now it seems that something is amiss.

Such a thing could be easily found out with a simple investigation; the boy had no reason to lie. Could it be that he wasn't working for the princess? This question slowly began to take root.

The Crown Prince had clearly considered this as well. If this young man wasn't one of the Princess's people, there was no need to kill him; in fact, he might even be worth trying to win over. After all, someone who could solve the mystery of the Sword Immortal was of immense value.

"Fine, then give me a reason not to kill you," the crown prince said slowly.

"Reason?" Xiao Xingchen lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then glanced back at the Asura. Why wasn't that old man coming to the rescue? If he weren't sitting there, he wouldn't dare to be so presumptuous even if he had ten lives.

But now, the old man seemed quite confident, which wouldn't do. What if he made a fool of himself and things went wrong? He was doomed. Thinking this, he decided to go all out: if they died, they all died together; no one here today would escape.

"Your Highness, I've reported this!"

With a "thud," someone collapsed to the ground in the shadows. Report them? Report my ass! They're hunting you down, and this guy actually reported you? That's enough to make everyone's jaws drop.

Xiao Xingchen, without blushing or feeling ashamed, raised his hand and shouted loudly.

"Report? What are you reporting?" The crown prince's face twitched.

"I'm reporting... I'm reporting..."

He feigned reluctance and embarrassment, but in reality, he began rapidly searching his memories of Xiao Jianren, hoping to find something.

"Speak quickly, with me here, no one dares to be disrespectful." The crown prince, thinking he was afraid, added again.

"Alright, from today onwards, my life belongs to the Crown Prince. I'll risk it all!"

Xiao Xingchen looked like he was ready to die, which stunned everyone again. Did he really report something?

If that's true, then who would be the unlucky one to be reported?

Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on them. After this commotion, they'd all forgotten about their original mission to capture Xiao Xingchen.

"I'm reporting the Eldest Princess!" he suddenly roared again.

"Damn it, this shameless bastard has indeed betrayed the Princess!"

Someone whispered something in the shadows, which elicited many nods of agreement.

"Okay, as long as what you say makes sense, I'll spare your life."

The Crown Prince breathed a sigh of relief. His attempt to steal a chicken at Yong'an City had backfired spectacularly. Now he desperately needed an excuse to strike at the Eldest Princess, and this young man had delivered the perfect opportunity just as he was about to doze off. Now, he even found Xiao Xingchen somewhat pleasing to the eye.

However, Xiao Xingchen's life wasn't so easy. Reporting the Eldest Princess would most likely pique the Crown Prince's interest, but what would happen next?

He knew taking this step was the right thing to do, but he hadn't figured out what to do next. He glanced back at the Saint several times, as if to say, "Old man, it's time for you to step in and save the day."

But Ya Sheng's buttocks seemed rooted to a rock, remaining completely still, which really got him anxious.

"That old man is so unkind," he thought to himself. "Since that's how it is, then don't blame me for splattering you with my shit."

He quickly racked his brains, trying to think of something that could encompass all these people in front of him.

The Crown Prince, the Eldest Princess, the Second Sage, and those men in black are likely associates of other powerful figures. We need to use one event to implicate them all; the trap needs to be deep and wide enough, otherwise it won't hold.

But such things are never that simple. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck him, and his eyes lit up. He had an idea!

The Second Sage is here to preside over the Poetry Immortal Assembly, which is somewhat similar to the Olympics in the previous life, and is a major event for the Great Qian Dynasty and all the other countries.

Even the participating teams from various countries are already on their way and will arrive in Yong'an City soon. This pit is big and deep enough to bury everyone.

Everyone only saw a boy's eyes darting around, waiting to see what he was going to report. But as they waited, some people started to get impatient.

"That damn kid is a cunning fellow. Your Highness, be careful not to be fooled. Perhaps this is just a delaying tactic."

The Crown Prince knew perfectly well what was going on. He calmly watched Xiao Xingchen, knowing that he couldn't run away since he was there. If Xiao Xingchen tried anything funny, the Crown Prince would chop him up and feed him to the dogs on the spot.