I am the snake demon!

"Your Highness, the Zhenlong Chess Tournament is merely a pastime for us common folk. Your Highness, being of noble birth, should not lower yourself to participate personally."

Just as Bai Xuan was about to enter, Xu Zhao boldly blocked his way.

He simply couldn't afford to lose three million taels of silver.

"It's just folk entertainment, that's why I want to share the joy with the people. Or is it that General Fenwu doesn't welcome my arrival and wants to refuse me?" Bai Xuan smiled seemingly innocently, while the eight hundred wolf riders behind him looked at Xu Zhao with eyes as sharp as knives, and in an instant, a monstrous killing intent surged forth.

Xu Zhao felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave, and said with a forced smile, "I dare not. It is a great honor for Zhenlong Pavilion that Your Highness has come in person. It is an honor that makes our humble abode shine with glory."

Three million taels is certainly heartbreaking, but his life is worth more.

"The Xu family of Shanyang has made great contributions to the northern border, and I must reward them properly. This honor is not something ordinary people are fortunate enough to receive," Bai Xuan said with a smile.

This blessing is for whoever wants it.

Xu Zhao cursed inwardly, but on the surface he had to force a smile and be obsequious.

"By the way, this is Xu Yanque, an outstanding figure among the younger generation of your Xu family. And who is this again?" Bai Xuan asked, looking at the man next to Xu Zhao.

"This is my brother-in-law, He Rang, who is also a contestant this time," Xu Zhao introduced.

"This humble servant greets Your Highness," He Rang immediately stepped forward and bowed obsequiously.

"He Rang? That's a rather cheap name." Bai Xuan frowned, then slapped He Rang hard across the face.

A crisp slap rang out, and He Rang fell to the ground, his head buzzing. He stared at Bai Xuan in disbelief, wondering what he had done to offend Bai Xuan.

A shadow quickly rose in the depths of Xu Zhao's eyes. Although he looked down on He Rang, he was still his brother-in-law. Bai Xuan was not slapping He Rang in the face, but slapping him in the face.

If someone else embarrasses him, he will make them lose their life.

But when faced with Bai Xuan, he could only offer his right cheek after being slapped on the left, and said with a forced smile, "I don't know where my foolish brother-in-law has offended Your Highness. I will definitely discipline him properly when I get back."

"I have recently been enjoying myself with the people and met a girl named Sun Ke'er. She said she borrowed one tael of silver from an old man named He, and then that old man asked her to repay twenty taels of silver. That old man's name is He Rang. I feel unlucky just hearing that name now." Bai Xuan said, shaking his hand in disgust.

Upon hearing Sun Ke'er's name, He Rang's expression changed drastically. He looked at Bai Xuan in disbelief, finding it hard to believe that Bai Xuan would pay attention to such a trivial matter.

Xu Zhao guessed what was going on and said, "It must be a case of the same name. My father-in-law didn't choose a good name. I'll have my brother-in-law change it later, and then teach that so-called Master He a lesson and return the silver to that Miss Sun."

"Let's wait until the chess tournament is over. I still want to play well in this Zhenlong Chess Tournament. Speaking of which, I think I have a special connection with He Rang. I think I'll meet him during the Zhenlong Chess Tournament," Bai Xuan said to Xu Zhao with a smile.

"Your Highness is blessed with great fortune, so naturally all your wishes will come true," Xu Zhao said.

"Haha, that's what I was thinking too. Speaking of which, I remember that gambling is allowed on the third floor of Zhenlong Pavilion, right? Then I'll just have to bet my fortune with him." Bai Xuan chuckled and walked ahead on his own.

Xu Yuhua and Zhang Huan followed closely behind.

He Rang trembled all over, looking at Xu Zhao in terror, and said, "Sister...brother-in-law, what should we do?"

"What can you do if His Highness wants to gamble? Go with him, of course. But what's the situation with Sun Ke'er?" Xu Zhao frowned.

"I don't know either. She's just an ordinary person. Her father and brother both died on the battlefield, leaving only her sick mother. I took pity on her and lent her money, but she couldn't repay it. So I generously let her sell herself to me as a concubine instead of selling her to a brothel," He Rang said, looking puzzled.

Logically speaking, Sun Ke'er and Bai Xuan should never intersect, just like heaven and earth.

"After becoming an ordinary soldier, I guess the prince is trying to win people's hearts. Just bear with it, it's a loss to avoid disaster. When we get to Bingzhou, I'll help you make a comeback." Xu Zhao gave him some reassurance, but he didn't feel sorry for He Rang's situation. His Xu family was probably going to lose three million taels of silver. If He Rang was unharmed, he would be unhappy.

Upon hearing this, He Rang immediately hung his head in dejection, feeling utterly disappointed.

Xu Yanque, however, had a different look in his eyes and said, "Uncle, so what if Bai Xuan is Xu Shi'an? I can still beat him!"

"Then you're going to die." Xu Zhao looked at Xu Yanque with sharp eyes. Bai Xuan had already brought the Crimson Blood Wolf Riders. If he didn't give them face, he would be courting death.

I never expected the Prince of Zhenbei to be so shameless. I overestimated him. Three million taels of silver, let's just pay to avoid trouble.

Xu Yanque frowned slightly, his face more somber than ever before.

When the news of Bai Xuan's participation in the competition spread, the entire audience was in an uproar, filled with disbelief.

The Zhenlong Chess Tournament was essentially an opportunity for the younger generation to make a name for themselves and then use that fame to gain political capital and enter officialdom.

It is somewhat similar to the monthly critiques of the late Han Dynasty.

In other words, the ultimate goal of participating in the Zhenlong Chess Tournament was to become Bai Xuan's subordinate and serve him faithfully.

Now Bai Xuan has left the scene.

This is like a boss coming to his own company for a job interview.

Even more ridiculous.

Everyone was completely baffled by Bai Xuan's thoughts as the new Prince of Zhenbei, and even found them absurd.

However, looking at the eight hundred Crimson Blood Wolf Riders outside, no one dared to voice any objections.

On the contrary, many people are marveling that they only spent a little money to watch the chess match, but they were able to see the Crimson Wolf Riders, the number one cavalry in the world. They think they got a great deal.

Looking at the towering demon wolves and valiant cavalry outside Zhenlong Pavilion, everyone's eyes lit up, especially some of the more capable young men who wished they could ride on them themselves.

The Crimson Blood Demon Wolf is as swift as the wind, traveling three thousand miles a day. Its sweat is like blood, and its strength surpasses that of tigers and leopards. It is ferocious by nature, but once tamed, it becomes incredibly loyal.

In the North, everyone values ​​martial prowess, and the Crimson Blood Wolf is the mount that every man dreams of!

A truly top-of-the-line luxury car.

However, the Crimson Blood Wolf Riders, as the trump card of the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion, rarely appear in public.

Seeing eight hundred Crimson Blood Wolf Riders at once, the group's eyes lit up, and they paid little attention to the chess match.

It's a headache for every player participating in the chess tournament.

How should we deal with the Prince of Zhenbei?

Losing is one thing, but winning might mean ending up in the wolf's belly.

Currently, the only people in Zhenlongxuan who can maintain normalcy are Bai Xuan, Zhang Huan, and Xu Yuhua.

Bai Xuan, in particular, as the instigator of all this, is even quite satisfied with his masterpiece at this moment!

A bell rang, announcing the start of the chess tournament.

With a slight wave of his white Xuan paper fan, he calmly sat down in his contestant's seat.

His first opponent was a seemingly honest middle-aged man who, upon entering the arena, respectfully bowed to him and said, "This humble subject, Zhao Yi, greets Your Highness."

"No need for formalities, and don't be nervous. Just treat me as an ordinary opponent," Bai Xuan said with a light laugh.

"Yes, Your humble servant obeys." Zhao Yi agreed verbally, but his attitude remained respectful, even somewhat reserved.

Bai Xuan chuckled and picked up the black piece beside him.

Normally, the first player should guess to decide who goes first with black.

However, Bai Xuan is the Prince of Zhenbei, and the northern border reveres black, so when Bai Xuan plays chess, the black pieces can only be his.

A piece is placed, landing on the center point.

The Great Harmony of Heaven and Earth, the First Form.

In an instant, the chessboard was filled with turbulent winds and clouds, and the phantom image of Sirius appeared.

Seeing this, the expressions of the surrounding audience changed. The Go board emphasizes the importance of gold corners, silver edges, and grass belly. The Psikki, which is based on the Go board, is also affected and usually defends by placing pieces on the edges and corners and taking advantage of the terrain.

Placing a piece directly at the center of the square is equivalent to abandoning all city defenses and engaging in open field battles.

That's not a wise approach, because just because you want to have sex in the field doesn't mean the other party is willing to have sex with you in the field.

If you land at the center, it's like giving up your geographical advantage, while others can seize it.

Could it be that the Prince of Zhenbei is not good at chess?

Only Xu Yuhua rolled her eyes. No wonder Mr. Li said that when his third brother went out, he shouldn't say that he was the one who taught him to do it.