Chapter 2334 - 2290: Border City

Chapter 2334: Chapter 2290: Border City

"City Lord, then this means the ascension of the Python King is a foregone conclusion, doesn’t it?" The deputy general had a wicked smile, as if he was already envisioning the day his fortunes would soar.

"What else? If victory wasn’t assured, would I be so eager to choose sides?" Huang Cheng couldn’t help but laugh, then added, "In any case, keep tight watch. No one is allowed to enter or exit for the next week."

"Even if the king of heaven comes, the gates mustn’t be opened, understand?"

"Yes, yes, I promise to handle it properly," the deputy general nodded repeatedly, agreeing readily.

"Hmm, once the Python King ascends, I’ll be a hero. I might leave this marginal place, and perhaps the position of City Lord... work hard." Huang Cheng smiled with deep implication.

Upon hearing this, the deputy general immediately seemed invigorated.

Filled with renewed energy and spirit, he repeatedly expressed his gratitude and loyalty to Huang Cheng.

In the midst of such flattering, Huang Cheng descended from the city walls and returned to the City Lord Manor...

On the other side, Qin Qingfeng and Chen Yang, after returning to the woods, immediately deliberated.

From Huang Cheng’s reaction earlier, it seemed Prince Jingkang hadn’t arrived yet.

Thus, they couldn’t ascertain which faction Huang Cheng truly belonged to.

To avoid mistakenly harming allies and alarming the enemy, they decided to split up after their discussion.

They dispatched three teams to monitor the four directions of the border city, constantly observing the movements inside while also watching for when Prince Jingkang would arrive.

Everything depended on Jingkang’s arrival to make further plans.

Otherwise, whatever calculations they made would be futile.

After deciding, they quickly implemented it, sending four teams swiftly.

The other Qin family members all lined up sitting in the woods, some resting, others cultivating.

This waited for about two hours, when good news came.

Jingkang has arrived.

And he didn’t come alone.

He brought tens of thousands of troops, along with most of his advisors and some loyal strong warriors.

Even though most of the Dajing Dynasty’s power is currently held by the Python King.

Still, Jingkang, being the Crown Prince of the Dajing Dynasty, couldn’t possibly lack any power.

"Where is the Crown Prince?" Qin Qingfeng asked the reporter with a smile.

"Chief, the Crown Prince is at the south gate."

"Good, let’s all head to the south gate to meet the Crown Prince." Qin Qingfeng immediately led the team to the south gate.

Upon reaching the south gate, they immediately witnessed an uplifting scene.

Ten thousand troops all stationed outside the border city.

Their momentum vast and mighty.

The Crown Prince’s central command tent was set up just a few hundred meters from the south gate of the border city.

At that moment, Jingkang, dressed in his royal robe, appeared heroic and formidable.

His change of outfit made him seem like an entirely different person.

"Elder Qin."

Jingkang, upon seeing Elder Qin arriving with the Qin family members, felt significantly stirred.

Because he had long realized, though the Qin family members were few, numbering only a hundred or so, their combat effectiveness could play vital roles.

Comparing with their military system, Qin Qingfeng brought him a hundred generals.

What a massive force is this?

"Crown Prince, there’s no time to delay. We must seize the border city as quickly as possible and then make a decree to the world." Qin Qingfeng, without wasting words, moved with Chen Yang, Qin Shan, Tu Qi, and other seniors of the Qin family into the command tent, urging the Crown Prince to swiftly capture the border city.

Because time is tight, they must proceed directly to the Capital without giving the Python King any preparation time.

"Alright, I’ll personally urge Huang Cheng to open the gates for us." Jingkang nodded and agreed, then led the group out of the central command tent.

At this moment, the south gate bastion was already on alert.

Defense formation, guards, and everything had already gathered at the south gate.

Suddenly, tens of thousands of troops appeared outside the city, the commotion was imaginable.

"My heavens, how did so many people appear all of a sudden? City Lord, what’s happening?" The deputy general, who previously pledged loyalty, seeing the dense crowd outside the city, felt somewhat uneasy.

Though he already figured out what was happening, he dared not accept it.

At this moment, Huang Cheng’s face was frosty.

"What’s happening? Didn’t you see the yellow flag of the central command tent? That’s the royal family’s flag. Who else could move such a large army here?" Huang Cheng said coldly.

"Why...why did the Crown Prince come? Shouldn’t he be heading to the Capital? What’s he doing here at our border city?" The deputy general felt pressure.

The current power holder is the Python King, but the Crown Prince is indeed still the Crown Prince...

Considering his status, feeling pressured was quite normal.

"Who knows about him? Let’s see what he says, but this city definitely can’t let him in; otherwise, the Python King will surely see us as allies of the Crown Prince." Huang Cheng decided.

The deputy general quickly nodded, "Right, we absolutely can’t offend the Python King, or else we’ll surely face retribution later."

"I am Prince Jingkang; where is Lord Huang?"

While the two discussed, Prince Jingkang’s voice already sounded from below the city.

Huang Cheng quickly donned a different face, smiling as he stepped forward, "Crown Prince, your servant is here."

"Huang Cheng, you know I’ve arrived, yet you haven’t opened the gate to welcome me; what is your intention?"

Seeing someone respond, Prince Jingkang immediately began to challenge.

Huang Cheng, shrewd as he was, faced Prince Jingkang’s challenge without the slightest panic, calmly saying, "Crown Prince, on ordinary days, I would indeed open the gates for your welcome."

"Unfortunately, today the court just issued a royal decree ordering me not to open the gates for anyone, preventing anyone from entering the city."

Huang Cheng directly cited the royal decree to explain.

Hearing this, Jingkang exploded with rage.

Since when did the Python King’s decree represent the Emperor?

"Huang Cheng, do you not know who issued the decree? You refuse me, the Crown Prince, entry, are you intending to rebel?" Jingkang shouted in anger, pointing at Huang Cheng.

He accused Huang Cheng of treason.

Anyone who hears such an accusation would surely hold concerns.

The Crown Prince, what a high status?

In a way, he represents the Emperor.

But Huang Cheng was determined to align with the Python King and wouldn’t be swayed by Jingkang’s words.

"Crown Prince, your words are too heavy. I am ignorant, unsure who issued the decree. I only know that seeing the Emperor’s seal on the decree, I must adhere to it, as protecting the border city, Dajing’s northern gate, is my duty." Huang Cheng replied righteously.

Hearing these words, Jingkang almost exploded in fury.

Obviously, he’s colluding with the Python King, but he speaks so justly, utterly shameless to the extreme.

"Ha, Huang Cheng, you’re quite something. You twist words with eloquence, stubbornly refusing my entry, firmly on the Python King’s path, aren’t you?" Jingkang sneered.

"City Lord Huang, you must think carefully. The Crown Prince is Dajing’s legitimate ruler, while the Python King is simply a usurper. Do you truly intend to rebel with him?" Qin Qingfeng also spoke.

Though his voice was not loud, it carried the aura of his Nascent Soul later stage, nearing the Transcendent Realm.

This was immense intimidation.