This scoundrel is a bit of a swordsman.

Chapter 232 You're Really a Dog

Upon re-entering the Prince Kao Shan's mansion, everyone eagerly awaited their arrival. Due to their status, these people were like puppets with their hands and feet bound, unable to directly intervene in the turbulent events within the imperial palace.

Upon seeing Xiao Xingchen and his group return, the young monk Miaowu spoke first: "King Kaoshan, what exactly happened in the Imperial Palace?" Only a neutral figure like him would dare to ask such a question.

"We don't know. We've been stopped outside the palace gates. If you want to know what's going on inside, you'll have to go and find out for yourselves."

Xiao Xingchen genuinely didn't know, and besides, everyone present was an enemy, so why would he kindly pass on a message for them?

The purpose of gathering these people here today is not for any joyous occasion, but rather to put on a show for Emperor Wu.

Emperor Wu's ostentatious exposure of himself to the public was as if he wanted to make himself into a dazzling spotlight.

In the dark corners beyond the reach of the spotlight, Emperor Wu must be secretly plotting something, like a hunter lurking in the shadows, and all of them have become his prey.

"Xiao Xingchen, what is the purpose of your invitation to our residence today? Do you really intend to invite us for drinks and entertainment?"

Zhan Aotian sneered with disdain.

"His specialty is to attract attention, humph."

Wu Xie made no attempt to hide his sarcasm. However, Wu Xie kept glancing at Xi Zhu out of the corner of his eye. It was because of this woman's presence that he kept a low profile, but he was actually quite wary of her.

"Hehe, we are sworn enemies. Even if I am unwilling, Emperor Wu will find an opponent for you, and that opponent can only be me. So, he is building momentum for me. You are all pillars of your respective countries. I am here only to ask you to go back and convey a message." Xiao Xingchen's voice, like a great bell, echoed in everyone's ears.

"What did you say?" the crowd asked in unison, their voices thunderous and deafening.

Xiao Xingchen's fingers tapped lightly on the table like nimble little elves, as if she were considering something. She hesitated for a long time before continuing to speak.

"The truth is hidden in the fog of history!"

This was a sentence that Xiao Xingchen decided to say on the spur of the moment.

When his eyes fell upon the Great Qian Dynasty being enveloped by a giant round egg, he sensed something was amiss. It was as if the Great Qian was an imprisoned prisoner, while the other nations stood like loyal guards.

He couldn't help but wonder if the other countries knew about the unusual situation of the Great Qian Dynasty, so he used this sentence.

"Bullshit!" Guan Yun scoffed disdainfully from the water.

"In the end, he's just a young brat who thinks he can distract us with some vague words? This Prince of Kao Shan is nothing special."

Xiao Xingchen frowned slightly; he could easily see the mockery directed at him by those present. Of course, he also understood that to arouse their suspicion, he had to offer a sufficiently enticing bait.

Thinking of this, he spoke again, his voice as loud as a bell: "Gentlemen, haven't you noticed that Yong'an City is now teeming with experts, as numerous as carp crossing a river?"

"Leaving aside the people you've brought, that old man in the Crown Prince's residence whom I don't recognize must be a leading figure of your generation, right?"

"Within the imperial palace lies a bottomless abyss, mysterious and unfathomable, and there is also the approaching Chen family of the Vast Ocean,"

"A small city like Yong'an has gathered all the kingdoms of the Nine Heavens Continent here, with experts everywhere. Is it really just for a poetry gathering? Of course, many of you are here for the great demon, but don't you think these things are too coincidental?"

"That is the Great Qian Ancestral Temple, and the great demon suppressed beneath it is an absolute secret. Information that you have not been able to discover for hundreds of years has been leaked out like water bursting its banks recently. Isn't this an attempt to annihilate you all in one fell swoop?"

"and,"

Xiao Xingchen's gaze fell upon Xizhu. This woman was the root of his current judgment. Mysterious experts were appearing frequently, and various strange phenomena were constantly occurring. Yong'an was like a powder keg ready to explode at any moment, and they were the gunpowder inside, poised to detonate at any instant.

"While there's some merit to the analysis, it's all just talk. Is the King of the Mountain trying to divert our attention so he can reap the benefits?"

Prince Chun laughed,

"This is?"

Xiao Xingchen looked at Yan Yi, who then introduced herself with a helpless expression.

"This is the Prince Chun of my Great Yan, the only younger brother of the Yan Emperor."

"I see. Since you are a member of the royal family of the Great Yan, do you know any historical records about the Great Qian? Is there any record that the Great Qian was a besieged place covered by a giant round egg?" Xiao Xingchen probed.

"Hmm?" Prince Chun and the others frowned; this was the first time they had heard such a statement.

"Think about the records about your country. The mortal kingdoms of the Nine Heavens Continent are all suppressed by the Nine Heavens. Perhaps there is some history that you do not know?"

"What exactly are you trying to say?" Prince Chun was increasingly puzzled. Xiao Xingchen's words were pointed, but he truly hadn't heard them before.

"Sigh, could it be... that the Great Qian Dynasty is a cage?" He glanced at Xizhu out of the corner of his eye, voicing this conjecture that had just crossed his mind. Making bold assumptions was always something he enjoyed doing.

Upon hearing this, Xizhu raised her eyes, a hint of surprise flashing across them. This made Xiao Xingchen's heart sink; the girl's reaction seemed to indicate something.

However, these remarks were met with disdain and ridicule from others.

"You must be insane. If Emperor Wu heard what you've said recently, he would definitely kill you," Li Jinxian's lips twitched. This was the first time someone had compared their country to a prison; such thinking was truly madness.

"That's an interesting guess. If your guess is true, then you'd better stay in your cages and don't go out."

“My lord, what you are saying is outrageous.”

Even Miaowu couldn't help but speak up at this moment.

"Alright, believe it or not, I'm telling you this: I was forced to become your backer. If you have any grudges or resentments, don't come after me. I didn't offend you. There's a cause for every grievance, and the debtor should be held accountable. Stop watching me all the time. If you push me too far, I'll kill you all."

"This guy has a face like a dog's," Yan Yi said helplessly. He was fine just a moment ago, but immediately his expression changed to shouting for violence.

With a "pfft," Xizhu couldn't help but laugh. Shan Liang, who was standing to the side, wanted to say something, but after seeing Xizhu's glance out of the corner of his eye, he wisely shut his mouth.

"Guards, see the guests out. Gentlemen, please take care and don't see us off."

The fact that he would send guests away at the slightest disagreement drew cold snorts from the people of various countries. They had seen rude people before, but such a lack of manners today truly opened their eyes. At this moment, their evaluation of Xiao Xingchen could be summed up in one word: dog.

This guy is such a scoundrel! They didn't just barge into the Prince's mansion; this bastard invited them in, rambled on for a few minutes, and then sent them away. Such a despicable person makes their dignity utterly worthless.

"Hmph, a petty person who has gained power,"

"A villain? Even a villain wouldn't be as despicable as him. This damned 'King of the Mountain' is a real troublemaker."

"Don't insult the troublemaker; he's just a piece of shit at best."

Filled with resentment, they stood up abruptly. They couldn't bear to lose face like this; having been told to leave, they had no reason to stay.

However, some people are unaffected. The older generation can't bring themselves to lose face, but the younger generation doesn't have as many qualms.

Yan Yi seemed not to hear anything, remaining calmly seated and sipping her tea.

Li Jinxian wanted to pull her away, but after hesitating for a moment, he chose to leave alone. What was curious was that Wu Xie didn't get up, but instead stared arrogantly at Xiao Xingchen, as if to say, "I'm not leaving, let's see what you can do to me."

As for Xizhu and Shanliang, they showed no intention of leaving.

This made Xiao Xingchen frown and immediately start cursing.

"Wu Xie, you shameless bastard, didn't you see I told you to get out? Get out of here!"

"If you tell me to get lost, I'll just leave. Wouldn't that make me lose face?"

Wu Xie wasn't annoyed. He leisurely poured himself some wine, crossed his legs, and looked like a relaxed and elegant scholar.

"Hehe, as expected, shameless people need to be punished with shameless methods."

Yan Yi couldn't help but laugh. She saw Xiao Xingchen so angry his veins were bulging; the sight was truly hilarious.

"Wu Xie, you bastard, you're a real vicious dog!"

Xiao Xingchen cursed helplessly, then turned her gaze to the other side.

"I won't even mention that shameless scoundrel, but what do you mean by this?"

The person whose gaze was being directed at was naturally Chen Buxu, a subordinate of the Prince of Nanling. Ever since Chen Buxu stepped into the mansion, he had been like a forgotten shadow, choosing an inconspicuous corner and silently avoiding any conversation.

Even after the incident at the imperial palace, he didn't get up, but simply poured himself wine and drank it. Only after everyone had left in anger did he appear like a ghost.

"I have important matters to discuss with you, surely the Prince of Kao Shan wouldn't be so heartless as to kick me out?"

Chen Buxu raised his glass and toasted Wu Xie from afar. Wu Xie understood and returned the gesture with a smile; their tacit understanding was unspoken. Only Xiao Xingchen's expression was somewhat unpleasant; he instantly labeled Chen Buxu as shameless.

These two enemies were clearly deliberately trying to cause him trouble. As for Xizhu staying, he wasn't surprised. Even if she didn't stay, he would have tried to keep her there, since she was too mysterious and he had many questions that Xizhu needed to verify.

"Now we can't get rid of them, so why don't we find a place where we can speak freely?"

Since returning from the imperial palace, Huangfu Lingxue has been absent-minded, as if her soul had left her body; clearly, she was preoccupied with something on her mind.

"No, Sister Huangfu, I'm one of your own. Just drive these two out, don't send me away. I'll help you out. I'll deal with Wu Xie, and Xiao Xingchen will handle the one surnamed Chen, how about that?"

Yan Yi was the first to lose her temper. Among the people present, Wu Xie, Chen Buxu, and herself had all revealed their identities. Wasn't this clearly targeting them?